October 19, 2012

Kyle Henderson
NMPreps.com Publisher

Today we present our week eight statewide preview.

Thursday Night Recap

Las Cruces 45, Alamogordo 13
The Las Cruces Bulldawgs moved to 6-1 on the season after a lack luster start in the first half in which they led just 17-13 at the half. The Bulldawgs then kicked it into high gear and won their second district game of the season thanks big play from JJ Granados who would scored four touchdowns on the night and rush for 100-yards and Quarterback Jonathan Joy who threw for 220-yards and two touchdowns. The Dawgs are now 2-0 in District Play and will take on Gadsden two weeks.

Volcano vista 39, Eldorado 34
33 points for the Hawks in the 4th quarter made for one of the more memorable comebacks in recent memory in Class 5A as Volcano Vista upset Eldorado. The Hawks trailed 28-6 at the start of the fourth quarter, but never quit and thanks to three Eldorado turnovers, the Hawks turned the end of the game into a night that Volcano Vista Hawks fans will remember forever. The Hawks were led by two touchdown passes by Quarterback Reid Hendricks late in the game, one crucial touchdown reception by Josh Lubhold, a late touchdown run by Dorsett Valdez, and and Justin Perez interception for a touchdown to seal the deal. The Hawks are now 4-3 this season and have handed the Eldorado Eagles their second loss in two weeks as Eldorado moves to 3-3. Comment Here

Valley 50, Albuquerque 0
The Valley Vikings led Albuquerque just 7-0 late in the first quarter, but then rattled off 43 points between the second and early third quarter to end the game as a mercy rule district game. The Vikings now 4-3 on the season and 2-0 in District play were led by Quarterback Bo Coleman who threw for over 100-yards and ran for 100-yards, and by Aaron Molina who returned a punt for a touchdown. The Albuquerque Bulldogs are now 0-7 this year and have been outscored by a combined 363-25 this year.

Week Eight Preview

?Welcome to week Eight of the New Mexico High School Football Season. Leading up to each Friday of the Season, we'll preview over 40 games by region starting on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The four New Mexico Regions are Northern, Metro Area, Southeast, and Southwest. Friday Night we need your help collecting game scores. Please text us to 505.577.5953 and if you tweet high school football scores, please type in a score then use the hastag #nmpreps.?

More: Week 7 Scores | Week 7 Top Performers | Play-Off Predictions | Midseason All-State

Southwest Preview

Gadsden 3-4 @ Onate 3-4
If Gadsden wants a shot at the play-offs for the first time in many years, they'll have to beat Onate. The Panthers need to look at this game as a play-off game and it's that simple. Last weekend the Panthers were tied with Mayfield 21-21 before the Trojans broke the door down to win 51-21. Gadsden is improved and if Onate sleep walks into this game Gadsden a team that is scoring 23.14 points per game will upset the Knights Friday Night. The Onate Knights now 3-4 on the season after a 52-20 loss to Las Cruces last weekend are still in the play-off mix, but do not control their own destiny. They have to basically win out or beat Gadsden and Alamogordo and hope for some league losses. On the season, the Knights continue to get big efforts from running back Isaiah Fielder who is close to 1,000-yards this year.

Silver 5-1 @ Santa Teresa 1-5
The Silver Colts defeated Ruidoso last weekend 38-6 in route to one of the biggest statewide statements in week seven. Silver seems to be the only 3A team that even has a shot at St. Michael's this year thanks to a solid defense that is allowing just 9.3 points per game. Linebacker duo Dakota and Nevada Bencomo are all-state type players and while Santa Teresa is in Class 4A Silver has beaten the Desert Warriors many, many times before when they used to share District 3-4A. The Desert Warriors are 1-5 this year after losing to EP Cathedral two weeks ago 21-18. This team is more dangerous then they seem and could very well take Silver down to the wire. The reason is the play of quarterback AJ Sedillo and when he is healthy, Santa Teresa looks like a play-off team. Don't be surprised if Santa Teresa keeps it somewhat close.

Centennial 3-3 @ Socorro 4-2
The Centennial Hawks now 3-3 on the season after beating Hot Springs 41-20 take on Socorro this weekend in a game they need to win to continue their play-off hopes. Centennial New Head Coach is Aaron Ocampo and Socorro's Head Coach is Damien Ocampo and this will be the first time ever the two-coaches have coached against each other in football. The Hawks are led by Quarterback Queving Redding who has thrown for 1,086yards this year and 13 touchdowns. Christian Barrera has caught for 740 of those yards and seven touchdowns. Their rushing attack is led by Daniel Conklin who has ran for 616-yards, however Conklin is now done for the year suffering a broken femur against Hot Springs last weekend. The Warriors are coming off a 34-7 win against Taos and led by Zach Binger and Zeb Esquivel.

Hatch 3-3 @ Hot Springs 1-6
The Hatch Bears have lost three in a row, however their top five ranking in Class 2A has not been affected as they've played tight in two out of three of those games against some solid competition. Hatch needs this game for some late season momentum as they are getting ready to continue their very competitive district schedule. Chase Carson at quarterback needs to put the ball in the end-zone several times to beat Hot Springs. The Tigers might be 1-6 this year, but their record does not indicate their talent. They have played a good schedule with solid teams week in and week out. If Running Back Nati Villa is healthy, Hot Springs is in this game for fourth quarters.

Cobre 3-4 @ Mesilla Valley 3-2
The Cobre Indians are now 3-4 after losing to Lordsburg last weekend 42-6. Cobre much improved this year playing in Class 2A has been up and down all season and while they enter this game as the underdog against Mesilla Valley over the course of the season Cobre has shown that they can win the close game. Mesilla Valley is one 2A team that is still a question mark, but over the last three weeks Mesilla Valley has beaten NMMI and Hot Springs for some late season momentum. On the year Christian Jimenez has been their play-maker catching nine touchdowns this season. We still have Mesilla Valley as a play-off team, but a loss to Cobre and they are out.

Lordsburg 4-3 @ Tularosa 5-2
The Mavericks coming of a massive 42-6 win over Cobre is ready for their challenge to have a shot at the Wildcats. What we like about Lordsburg is their rushing attack helping the Mavericks post 31.0 points per game on the scoreboard. Their strength at rushing the football comes from next level prospect Wendell Hayes who has ran for 1,000-yards in seven games this season. The Wildcats are 5-2 and ranked No. 2 in the NMPreps.com Class 2A Rankings after a 34-28 win over Hatch. Last weekend Jim Coleman caught three touchdowns for Tularosa making it clear that he is one of the top prospects in Class 2A this season. The Wildcats are a play-off lock, but their seeding position would be greatly affected with a loss to Lordsburg. The two teams are rivals, so expect anything to go down in this game.

Northern Preview

St. Pius X 3-4 @ Piedra Vista 6-0?
The Sartans have dropped three in a row as their season continues a downward spiral. Sure they have played some tough comp in the last three weeks, but their offense has scored just 26 points in three marquee games. This weekend against Piedra Vista a team who is scoring 49.17 points per game, St. Pius X better try something unconventional to try and keep pace with one of the hottest teams in Class 4A. The Panthers are undefeated, have a ton of season momentum, but skeptics want to see how this team stacks up against tough competition. Their last three wins come against Santa Fe, Moriarty, and Bernalillo, so their schedule might make them look stronger than they really are. Piedra Vista Quarterback Isaiah Valdez has thrown for 1,146-yards and has a 16-2 touchdown to interception ratio. Receivers Bryson Martinez and Jacob Armijo have each caught for over 400-yards on the season. Expect the Panthers to roll this weekend.

Santa Rosa 7-0 @ Clayton 5-1
Time to find out just how good Clayton is this season and what better way to gage their talent than to play the undefeated Lions at Yellow Jacket Stadium Friday Night. Clayton on the season is scoring an impressive 46.0 points per game, however their schedule of strength has been questioned all season long. Clayton Running Back Nick Wiseman along with Defensive Linemen Dakota Montoya lead the way. The Lions are literally running through the competition thanks to Marcus Lopez and Tim Valverede who have ran for a combined 2,002-yards and 29 touchdowns.

Capital 0-6 @ Espanola Valley 2-5
Capital has been outscored 278-3 this year. The Jaguars are scoring just 0.5 points per game and they are allowing 46.3 points per game under Head Coach Bill Moon. The Sundevils beat West Las Vegas a few weeks back and earned a forfeit win against SFIS in week four. Northern New Mexico Rivalry Game could be interesting this weekend.

Bloomfield 2-4 @ Kirtland Central 3-3
Bloomfield has lost their last two games against 1-4A competition and are looking to get back on track in a regional rivalry game this weekend. The Bobcats are scoring just 18.3 points per game. A big win over Kirtland Central would be just what they need before the district season. The Broncos are a team no one talks about as a play-off bubble team, but at the .500 mark they are still in the play-off mix. They have to beat Bloomfield and Farmington to get in likely, so this weekend is very important. Kirtland Central is led by defensive end Christian Mackey.

Santa Fe 2-4 @ Los Alamos?4-3
This is a play-off game. The two front runners of District 2-4A each know that the loser of this game is out of the 2012 Play-Offs. Santa Fe has to be eager to make a statement and last week their 65-22 victory over Espanola Valley was a good district opening win thanks to three touchdowns from Running Back Anthony Abeyta. Los Alamos beat Bernalillo 34-0 thanks to three touchdowns from Underclassmen Quarterback Brice Van Etten. On the season, Santa Fe is scoring 27.7 points per game, Los Alamos is scoring just 23.14 points per game. The winner takes sole possession of the district and an automatic play-off bid.

Crownpoint 3-3 @ Laguna Acoma 3-4
The Crownpoint Eagles are coming off a 40-24 loss against Ramah and are now 1-2 against 2A teams this year. If Crownpoint wants a shot at making the play-offs they'll have to get past Laguna Acoma convincingly this weekend. The Hawks not the Skyhawks as we've stated before are 3-4 this season playing a very tough season schedule which should play dividends for the remainder of their district season. Last weekend against Tohatchi the Hawks rolled to a 48-6 victory. Austin Jones, Laguna

Taos 4-2 @ Raton?0-6
The Tigers still very much alive for a first round home play-off game travel to Raton for their first District District 2-3A game of the season. On the Season the Tigers have been led by Running Back Isaac Gonzales who has ran for 719-yards and 8 touchdowns. The Raton Tigers are winless through seven weeks for the first time ever Head Coach Brock Walton. Raton is scoring 21.17 points per game and allowing 41.5 points per game on defense.

Ruidoso 6-1 @ Robertson?3-3
The Ruidoso Warriors stepped back into reality with a 38-6 loss against Silver last weekend. Sometimes a good midseason loss is just what you need, but most expected Ruidoso to have a better showing against Silver in week seven. The Warriors are scoring 33.71 points per game and led by Quarterback Bryce Pompos at quarterback who has thrown for 878-yards and 11 touchdowns. The Robertson Cardinals are .500 this year and their offense has been unable to put points on the board all year scoring just 7.7 points per game. Look for Ruidoso to roll big this weekend.

Estancia 3-3 @ Tucumcari 5-2
Win or you're out of the play-offs is the new theme in District 2-2A as no one knows exactly how many teams will be taken from the power district come play-off time. Each team needs the win and it seems as of late that Estancia's play-off hopes are dwindling the fastest. Tucumcari has lost two in a row, last week the lost to Texico 28-21.

McCurdy 5-1 @ Questa?5-1
The District 1-1A Title Game if you will. The McCurdy Bobcats are coming off a 60-6 win over Dulce, Questa is coming off a a giant win over 3A Shiprock which they won 22-18. McCurdy is led by Quarterback Eric Vigil who has thrown for 1,400-yards and has a 20/3 touchdown to interception ratio.

Southeast Preview

Sandia 5-1 @ Clovis?2-5
Sandia, if you want some real respect beat Clovis in Clovis this weekend. Sandia's only loss this year comes against 6-0 Los Lunas. Last weekend Sandia beat Cleveland 28-7 in an impressive defensive performance allowing the Storm to rush for less than 100-yards in the second half. This week their defense will need to rise to the occasion as they face one of the premier running backs in the State in Junior Prospect Kamal Cass who ran for 388-yards against Artesia in week seven. Sandia is scoring 28.83 points per game and has the No. 1 overall defense in 5A allowing just 9.5 points per game. The Wildcats have played one top tier team after another this year and lost their fifth in a row against Artesia last weekend losing 55-48. The Wildcats are still scoring 37.85 despite being three games under .500. It's clear that Clovis is going to run the rock this weekend, question is: Can Sandia stop what is coming?

Goddard 6-0 @ Lovington?2-3
The Rockets survived a scare from Carlsbad last weekend having to come back from 17-0 to eventually win 20-17 to keep their unbeaten streak alive. This weekend they take on Lovington in what appears to be a no contest match up on paper. The Rockets have what we feel is the the top offensive line in Class 4A which makes wide open running lines for Dean McCalister, Cody French, Josh Quiroz, and Anthony Ornelas. The Rockets are scoring an outstanding 39.3 points per game, 54 being the highest mark they hit against Hobbs in a 54-0 victory back in week five. Hobbs just beat Lovington 16-14, so if we compare scores, the outcome looks more than dark for the Lovington Wildcats. The Wildcats are scoring just 12.4 points per game and their two wins come against Robertson and Eunice.

Cleveland 3-3 @ Hobbs 2-5
The Storm suffered their third loss of the season last weekend losing to Sandia 28-7. Their offense has been up and down this season, but scoring just seven points last week was a season low. While they are the big favorite to beat the Eagles this weekend the road trip is tough and their is high stakes on this game if they lose. Cleveland still has enough talent to make a run at the District, but they need a momentum win this weekend. They need to roll in Hobbs. The Eagles are coming off a 16-14 win against Lovington for just their second win of the season. On the year, Quarterback Brayden Price has thrown for 1,600-yards, but is not getting protection up front which is causing weekly setbacks. The Eagles are scoring 24.28 points per game, but allowing 39.43 on defense. If they can't score 35 this weekend they'll have a shot to knock off Cleveland.

Tornillo TX @ Dexter 2-4
The Dexter Demons are 2-4 this year and are coming off a 47-6 loss two weeks ago against Santa Rosa. Dexter is still in the play-off hunt, they just need to get their offense which is scoring 11.5 points per game in motion before it's too late.

Jal 2-4 @ Hagerman 6-1
The Hagerman Bobcats at 6-1 are really one of the surprises of the 2012 season. They have been winning by large margin and look to be the big favorite this weekend against Jal. Hagerman is a team to beat in Southern New Mexico Class 1A Football.

Capitan 3-2 @ Cloudcroft?2-5
The Tigers have been smashing the competition as of late and could be the sleeper in Class 1A as we move down the stretch.

Metro Area Preview

Carlsbad 4-3 @ La Cueva 5-1
The Cavemen are coming off a 20-17 loss against La Cueva in which the Cavemen actually led for a majority of the game 17-0. Setback indeed as now Carlsbad is 4-3 this year and really has no staple wins this season. In fact, Carlsbad's best win this season against a New Mexico team is Alamogordo. The Cavemen need to prove they are the real deal and beating La Cueva in Albuquerque Friday Night will be a major statement. The Cavemen are scoring 28.28 points per game and allowing 18.0 on defense. The Bears look to be 100% healthy and are coming off a 37-13 victory over Cibola. Last weekend against the Cougars in the second half, La Cueva looked like a title contender just overpowering the Cougars late in the game. D-1 Commit Calvin Allen is chasing down quarterbacks and La Cueva's linebacking corps continue to impress. The Bears have the edge and home field advantage, this is a re-match of the 2011 first round play-offs which La Cueva beat Carlsbad in Carlsbad. Will the Cavemen get revenge?

Manzano 5-1 vs. Cibola?1-5
The team no one talks about, the Manzano Monarchs keeps winning and keeps their mouth shut about it. Dangerous team that in our opinion still needs that statement win to convince the state that this Manzano team is no pretender. The Monarchs are scoring 36.7 points per game and led by Quarterback Angel Gonzales who has thrown for 1,181-yards and 10 touchdowns. Up front Brandon Real and Thomas Casias are their top linemen and watch for Luke Spence and Derek Debuck on the defensive side of the football. Who would of thought that Cibola would be 1-5 to start this season. The Cougar's lone win comes against 1-5 West Mesa. Last weekend Cibola lost to La Cueva 37-13. On the year Cibola is allowing 30.83 points on defense, watch for Quarterback Derek Martinez and Running Back Vincent Gallegos.

Grants 4-2 @ Los Lunas?6-0
Very important District 6-4A football game this weekend. Grants is coming off a 36-18 win against Miyamura and at 1-0 in district play would love to pull off the upset over Los Lunas. The seeding implications an upset for Grants would cause would be massive and likely one of the biggest games Grants has ever won over the last 20-years. It's going to be a giant task as Los Lunas is flat out loaded. The Tigers are unbeaten scoring 37.0 per game, but their defense has been their strength allowing just 7.3 points per game. Year after year, there a few 4A teams that are pretenders, Los Lunas is not one of them. This team has the talent to win the whole thing. Coach Jeremy Newton is as good as they come.

Atrisco 4-2 @ Rio Grande?1-5
The Jaguars have dropped two in a row after losing a key 5A District Math Up against Valley last weekend 31-28. The Jaguars can still finish 8-2 on the season if they can close out the remainder of their games. Their South Valley Rivalry Game against Rio Grande is theirs to lose this weekend. Watch for Quarterback Nate Goode and Running Back Ricci Alvidrez. The Ravens are 1-5 this year and are coming off a 42-0 loss against West Mesa.

Highland 2-4 vs. West Mesa 1-5
The Highland Hornets are coming off a 62-6 win against Albuquerque last weekend and are led on the season by quarterback Bryan Medina who has thrown for 957-yards and 7 touchdowns. West Mesa won their first game of the 2012 season last week beating Rio Grande 42-0. The Mustangs are scoring 19.0 points per game and allowing 28.0 on the year. Each team is 1-0 in district play, so technically speaking: both are very alive in the play-off race.

Miyamura 2-4 @ Valencia? 1-5
The Miyamura Patriots have lost their last two out of three games with a 36-18 loss to Grants last weekend. The Patriots still a bubble play-off team, but they can't afford too many district loses. A loss to Valencia would likely knock them out of the play-offs. The Patriots are led by quarterback Zach Shank who has thrown for 1,468-yards and 15 touchdowns. The Valencia Jaguars won their first game of the season last week beating Gallup 30-15. Valencia has nothing to lose, making them a very dangerous team to play right now. The Jaguars are scoring just 14.0 points per game, they'll need to score in the 30's to beat Miyamura.

Gallup 2-4 @ Belen? 4-2
The Gallup Bengals lost last weekend to Valencia 30-15 which pretty much closes the door on their 2012 play-off hopes unless they can work some late season magic. The Bengals are led by Running Back Dominic Martinez who has ran for over 500-yards this year. The Eagles are coming off a 40-0 loss against Los Lunas last weekend. This weekend we find out if Belen is going to go belly up and call it a year or if they are going to fight for their play-off spot. Last year, when Belen lost Quarterback Nick Kurtz, their season went down as well. Can Belen and will Belen rebound? We'll find out in the next few weeks.

Hope 2-5 @ Academy?2-3
The Huskies are coming off a 19-14 loss against Portales, but the week before the beat Socorro 21-14. Hope Christian Football has been down this year obviously, but let's not count the Huskies out until it's over. They still have plenty of talent on this team especially running back Tommy Riley and linebacker Skylar Martin. The Academy Chargers at 2-3 did not play last week against Raton as the game was cancelled due to heavy rain and lightning. The Chargers need this win badly and if they can run the football effectively like the usually do, the Chargers should jump back into the play-off home field conversation.