5 Takeaways From Week 1
We've had a few hours to internalize week one of the New Mexico High School Football Season. There is plenty to highlight and to recap. Today, we keep it simple with our 5 most important takeaways from week 1.
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1. Rio Rancho and Cleveland Football continue to separate themselves from New Mexico High School Football. The last two 6A Champs Rio Rancho in 2014 and Cleveland in 2015 just went 2-0 against Las Cruces teams in week 1. Rio Rancho throttled a loaded Mayfield team 34-7 in just three quarters of play, Cleveland beat a very good Onate team 24-14. You combined Rio Rancho’s and Cleveland’s records over the last two seasons, it reads: 42-9 with two 6A State Football Championships.
2. What Artesia Football is doing right now is incredible: Since the 2014 season Artesia is 25-2 with two Class 5A State Titles. This year marks the first year under new Head Coach Rex Henderson and while there is a new coach at the helm, the program is tops in the land, they just beat their Southeastern Rival Carlsbad 30-14 to open up 2016. The scariest fact of all for Class 5A foes chasing Artesia in 2016: Since 2014 the Bulldogs are an outstanding 20-0 against 5A competition. The Bulldogs goal in 2016: Win their 30th state football trophy.
3. Year of the Running Back? We knew we had some big time running backs entering the 2016 season, but the opening numbers of some of these high profile backs was unreal. Rio Rancho’s Josh Foley has has D2 offers from schools like CSU Pueblo, Eastern New Mexico, Western New Mexico, and Highlands just to name a few ran for 344-yards and 3 touchdowns, inducing a 99-yard touchdown run against Mayfield Friday Night. Michigan Commit O’Maury Samuels ran for 177-yards and 3 touchdowns in one quarter of play against Aztec. Clovis Running Back Micah Gray who holds an offer from Eastern New Mexico ran for over 300-yards and scored a mind-blowing 6 touchdowns against Hobbs.
4. First Year Head Coaches open in impressive style: First Year Head Coach: Rex Henderson of the Artesia Bulldogs opened up with a 30-14 win over the Carlsbad Cavemen in the Eddy County War, important victory. Belen’s Greg Hennington and the Belen Eagles blasted Bloomfield 42-6, Goddard Rocket Head Coach Chris White who took over for Mike Whalen during late summer, opened with a 61-7 route over Capital. Remember Capital played the Rockets last year at the Wool Bowl 27-26. First Year Las Cruces Head Coach Mark Lopez avenged the Bulldawg’s Semifinal loss to Eldorado in 2015, by coming from 17 down in the 4th quarter to beat Eldorado 49-45.
5. Top 10 Biggest Wins In Week 1
1. Rio Rancho defeating Mayfield 34-7
2. Las Cruces defeating Eldorado 49-45
3. Cleveland defeating Onate 24-14
4. Clovis defeating Hobbs 46-10
5. Artesia defeating Carlsbad 30-14
6. Goddard defeating Capital 61-7
7. La Cueva defeating Cibola 31-6
8. Piedra Vista defeating Farmington 20-0
9. Los Lunas defeating Aztec 64-20
10. Dexter defeating Santa Rosa 7-0
Week 1 Game Balls
Josh Foley - Rio Rancho - Running Back - 344-yards and 3 touchdowns against Mayfield
Micah Gray - Clovis - Running Back - 300-yards and 6 touchdowns against Hobbs
O’maury Samuels - Los Lunas - Running Back - 177-yards and 3 touchdowns in one quarter against Aztec
Drew Ortiz - St. Pius X - Quarterback - 273-yards and 6 touchdowns against Highland
Cooper Carson - Hatch - Athlete - 9 tackles, 109-yards rushing, 64-yards passing, 3 touchdowns against Taos
Payton Ball - Las Cruces - Threw for 276-yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown
Junior Pena - Centennial - Receiver - Over 100-yards receiving, 3 touchdowns against Albuquerque
More: Top 50 Performances
Week 1 Related
Video: Michigan Commit O'maury Samuels shines
Early Look At Week 2, Vote Top Game Next Weekend
Post Your HS Football Rankings Entering Week 2
Hot On The Message Boards
Wow. Las Cruces announcers saying Mayfield is should not be playing 6A anymore
By: 4321Destiny:
Mayfield was ranked #1 in 6A! How do you make the leap from that to being in 5A? Mayfield will beat 90% of the teams in 6A. They were a very good team and I predict they will do well this season. Rio Rancho is just very, very good. Much farther along already than I thought they would be....in warmups it looked like a college team warming up to play a high school team, and I wasn't the only one that noticed that. They were fast, physical, mature, and well coached. Their defense simply overwhelmed Mayfield. I know Mayfield was missing Vance, but the scary thing is that Rio Rancho was missing two starting linebackers.....wow. Read More
Cleveland Beats Onate 24-14, Your Thoughts?
By DallasFan2016
This game really could have went either way, onate had game changing penalties, and 2 turnovers in 4th quarter. Cleveland has soild offensive line. However after watching last nights game, I don't think anyone is touching rio. Read More
By Lebron Gallegos
Had to hurt losing Vance on first play, but Rio Rancho is loaded this year. Clovis pounding Hobbs was big. Also Las Cruces win has to be huge confidence booster going into next week. They have playmakers and some really good linemen. I have a feeling that this is going to be a memorable season in history of NM 6A football. Read More
SOUND OFF: Las Cruces/Eldo Thriller, Rio Rancho pounds Mayfield, Clovis routes Hobbs
By Chozen1
Man I didn't see that coming! Rio Rancho BEAT THE BRAKES OFF MAYFIELD!!! Foley is a BEAST!!! Good job Rams! I pray y'all stay healthy and have a successful season! We will get it together and see y'all in Playoffs! Go Trojans! Read More
