October 31, 2012

Kyle Henderson
NMPreps.com Staff

Welcome to Week 10 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.

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Sandia 6-2 vs. Eldorado 3-4

WHEN: November 2nd, 2012
WHERE: Wilson Stadium, Albuquerque, NM
Radio: 101.7FM The Team
PREDICTION: Sandia by 5
SANDIA IMPACT PLAYERS: Craig Coffman QB, Daniel Cones RB, Brenden Barker WR, Ryan Scarlet OL, Tyler Ireland DL, Buck Walden DL, Adam Hoke LB
ELDORADO IMPACT PLAYERS: Zach Gentry QB, Aaron Herrera WR, Austin French OL/DL, Matt Clark DL, Patrick Garcia LB, Jonah Mestas ATH
CLASS 5A RANKINGS: Sandia #7, Eldorado #10
KEY STATS: Sandia is just 18 points away from being 8-0, Eldorado is just 14 points away from being 7-0
COACHES: Sandia: Kevin Barker | Eldorado: Charlie Dotson
THE STORYLINE: Sandia made a clear statement last weekend against Manzano in a 20 point win over Manzano pushing the Matadors to a 6-2 record, which is their best season start since the 2006 season. If you look closer at the Matador's schedule is they are just two touchdowns away from being 8-0 this year. The continued play of quarterback Craig Coffman has been huge for the Matadors as they are scoring 30.12 points per game. Offensive Linemen Ryan Scarlett and Jeremiah Thompson have really emerged as junior prospects this year. Dillon Boyd and Brenden Barker at receiver keep making plays and on defense Adam Hoke, Buck Walden, and Tyler Ireland are their defensive leaders. Sandia, this is a must win game against Eldorado. You really want respect by our staff and the NMAA beat Eldorado and you'll be a likely candidate for a top four seed. The Eagles have had a strange year and if they don't win a district game this year, they'll be 3-6 if you can believe that. Eldorado has lost each of their four games by a total of just 14 points. They have a ton of talent including Zach Gentry their sophomore quarterback who threw for over 400-yards against La Cueva last weekend. This team still has final four talent, but they better win a game in district to insure they don't get left out of the play-offs.

Cibola 1-7 @ Rio Rancho 7-1
The Cibola Cougars are on the verge of going 1-9 this year with their season ending against two play-off teams. Cibola has been played one of the toughest weekly schedules and their youth has shown as the Cougars have scored just 17.0 points per game this year. The Rio Rancho Rams survived another scare from a Metro Area team beating Volcano Vista in the final seconds 37-34 to move to 1-0 in district play. Last weekend Sophomore Quarterback Easton Bruere hit Junior Tristen Foley for the game winning touchdown, showing this team has the ability to play and win in tight games, which will be important moving into the play-offs with the amount of parity we've seen form 5A this year. Rio Rancho is scoring 41.75 points per game and is just two wins away from grabbing the number one overall seed in the Class 5A play-offs. Devon Bennett, Dustin Hanson, and Robert Salgado are Rio Rancho's staple offensive linemen. On defense watch for Morgan Smith, Trey Parnell, and Dallin Brady. Rio Rancho has to take care of an old rival this weekend in order to retain their top spot in the rankings/seedings.

La Cueva 7-1 @ Manzano 6-2
The La Cueva Bears now at 7-1 this year after their eight point win against Eldorado are playing for a top four seed in the play-offs. Second Year Head Coach Ed Lucero has turned this used to me "me" team into a "we" team and their balance on both sides of the football has been impressive. Quarterback Zach Silver along with Jarrick Sharp and Chris Thompson has become a very tough trio to prepare for and with Michael Rose healthy at running back, La Cueva's offense is scary good. Ryan Campbell, Eric Strobert, and JT Boone are the big men up front leading the way. On defense, La Cueva is allowing 20.37 points per game. Arizona Commit Calvin Allen has been imposing and their linebacker trio of Mitchell Cantwell, Christian San Roman, and Chris Loidolt is among the best set of linebackers in Class 5A. What's not to like about this group right now? The Manzano Monarchs lost a marquee 5A game for the second time this year. They lost against Mayfield back in week four 20-14 and lost by 20 against Sandia last weekend 34-14. The Monarchs need to dig deep and while they might not have the talent to match up with La Cueva, they do have a few impact players that can help pull off the upset. Big opportunity for Junior Quarterback Angel Gonzales to steal the show this weekend.

Volcano Vista 4-4 @ Cleveland 5-3
The Cleveland Storm are 5-3 this year after beating Cibola last weekend 54-16 thanks to a 200-yard plus performance from New Mexico Lobo Commit Romell Jordan at running back. Cleveland has won their last five out of six games and seems to be hitting their stride under first year Head Coach Heath Ridenour. Lately, Volcano Vista has been taking the bigs down to the wire, so they have to see the potential of a tight game this weekend. A lot is at stake against Volcano Vista, Cleveland has to capitalize off big plays and put Volcano Vista away early. The Volcano Vista Hawks now 4-4 on the year at .500 after losing to Rio Rancho 37-34 in the final minutes have been playing like the Volcano Vista Hawks we expected them to be for the last three years. Their offense has been stellar in the last three weeks scoring 40.0 per game against some very good comp. When you beat Eldorado and take No. 1 Rio Rancho to the wire, you're a good football team. Running Back Dominico Chavez and Linebacker Josh Lubold have to make something happen this weekend in hopes for what would be a monster upset if Volcano Vista wins.

Highland 3-5 @ Atrisco 6-2
The Highland Hornets now 3-5 on the year after beating Rio Grande last weekend 43-21 have the talent to up end Atrisco Heritage this weekend, which would cause a giant rift in the 5A play-off watch. Highland's defense however is suspect to allowing a ton of points on the board each week as they are allowing nearly 40.0 points per game. Atrisco Heritage can see the play-off tunnel and all they have to do is get by Highland and West Mesa and they are in. We all remember how Atrisco's 2011 season ended when they had to take the NMAA to court because of an official error that likely caused them their play-off spot. The Jaguars are led by first year Head Coach Patrick Johnson and Quarterback Nate Goode who has had a wonderful senior season.

Valley 5-3 @ Rio Grande 1-7
The Valley Vikings are in the District Champion Driver's seat and if they can take care of South Valley Rival Rio Grande this weekend which they should, they'll move to 4-0 in district play. First Year Head Coach Rico Marceli is doing great things with Valley and the best news is most of Valley's impact players this year are juniors. At Quarterback Bo Coleman continues to impress along with Running Back Esteban Lorea. Rio Grande has lost six in a row including a 43-21 loss against Highland last weekend.

Del Norte 2-6 @ Moriarty 5-3
The Del Norte Knights were beaten in their first district game by St. Pius X 40-0. First Year Head Coach Bruce Binkley however will have his group ready to go this weekend and remember that Del Norte starts 80 percent or more of sophomores and juniors. Del Norte has Moriarty this weekend and Artesia next weekend, two very tough games to end their season. The Knights are allowing 35.25 points per game on defense. The Moriarty Pintos now two games over .500 after beating Santa Fe 62-8 have some very good momentum heading into the district season. Their group game has been propelled by Justin Manning and Adam Smith, each who are having a great year running the football. On defense, Bobby Tapia is playing like a first team all-district linebacker and he headlines a very underrated defense that is allowing 21.28 points per game. Moriarty is the three touchdown or more favorite this weekend.

Belen 6-2 @ Valencia 3-5
The Eagles are now 6-2 on the year after beating Miyamura last weekend 51-30 thanks to 230 yards rushing from Xavier Armijio. Belen is a bit banged up, but it is clear that they are still playing high caliber football and though they have a fired up Valencia Jaguar team waiting for the upset, Belen should power past their new County Rival. The Eagles are scoring 31.62 points per game this season. Valencia is still on the play-off bubble as they Jaguars have won three in a row and are 3-0 in district play. Beating Belen would punch their play-off ticket, it's a stretch as Valencia is filled with youthful talent, but First Year Head Coach Kevin Jolley has had this group playing sky high lately. Sometimes when you have nothing to lose, you play your best. Valencia is a scary team to play right now. Watch for Valencia Running Back Joshua Burbank.