9/4/2016 football Edit

5 Takeaways From Week 2

NMPreps.com Staff

Staff

We've had a few hours to internalize week two 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 two.

1. Class 6A looks to be a deep field of talented teams: The 6A field is loaded with high caliber teams, while the Rio Rancho Rams have emerged as the clear cut No. 1 after two weeks, there are plenty of high caliber teams making an early statement. The Cleveland Storm are also 2-0 and though their wins have not been pretty, they are still winning, and it’s just a matter of time until they put a compete game together, they’re only going to get better. The Las Cruces Bulldawgs are young, but super talented. They beat a very good Eldorado team in week one, then shutout Cibola 21-0 in week two. Is Clovis Football back? Well it’s never really left to begin with, but their strong season start is worth noting: In two games the Wildcats are averaging 40.0 points per game and their ground game has produced 11 touchdowns already. Eldorado is looking like the best team out of Albuquerque once again, their offense is on fire as they have scored 45 in their first two games against two very good teams. Other teams in the 6A Field that are looking formidable: Centennial who is 2-0 after beating Manzano, Sandia who is 2-0 outscoring their first two opponents: 91-13, Mayfield is one team we expect to get better as we move forward, especially after Kent State Commit Isaac Vance returns, and Onate who is 1-1 has the defense to stop anyone.

2. Artesia then who in Class 5A: The Artesia Bulldogs who have now won 9 games in a row after beating Hobbs 56-29 in week two. The two time defending Class 5A champ is No. 1, then who? Here are some suggestions: Los Lunas and Michigan Running Back Commit O’maury Samuels are now 2-0 after beating the Alamogordo Tigers 35-28. The Los Lunas Tigers are living up to their early season hype and we can all circle the date of September 30th, when Artesia and Los Lunas meet. Alamogordo is another 5A team that is going to be in the mix, as mentioned they just went toe to toe with Los Lunas losing 35-28 and they have the offensive potency to keep up with an Artesia. Alamogordo and Artesia meet on October 7th. The Goddard Rockets who just lost to Piedra Vista 31-28 look much better than last year, they’ll take on Artesia on October 28th. Other teams in the 5A mix this year: The Belen Eagles who are rolling in the early season, they’ve actually scored 105 points in the first two games, St. Pius X has a dangerous offense and they just beat up on West Mesa 41-7, and don’t sleep on Roswell as they have beaten Ruidoso 54-6 and then mercy ruled Gadsden 58-0 to start the year.

3. Impressive win streaks: Cleveland has won 15 in a row after beating La Cueva 38-37, Hatch has won 15 in a row after beating Ruidoso 54-40, and The St. Michael’s Horsemen have now beaten Capital 11 times in a row.

4. First year head coaches off to strong starts: Rex Henderson who replaced Cooper Henderson at Artesia is doing what Cooper did: Win. The Bulldogs are 2-0 after beating regional rivals Carlsbad and Hobbs to start the season. Beating those two teams for Artesia is important, especially for fans during the work week. First year Belen Eagles Coach Greg Hennington is also 2-0 after the Eagles ripped through Highland on Saturday 63-22.

5. Week Two Stat Stars: Friday Night in La Cueva’s 38-37 loss to Cleveland 6-foot-3, 200 pound Kevin Faneilli caught for 257-yards, 3 touchdowns off 8 receptions. On the season Faneilli has caught for 440-yards and 5 touchdowns in just two games. Rio Rancho Running Back Josh Foley who ran for over 350-yards last week against Mayfield hit the 100-yard rushing mark against El Paso Americas, but his top play of the night was his 100-yard interception for a touchdown. Foley has rushed for over 500-yards and scored 6 touchdowns, one of the best season starts for a player, maybe ever. Capital Running Back Jesus Varges ran for an incredible 339-yards off 31 carries in the Jagaur’s 20-18 loss to St. Michael’s. Cooper Carson of Hatch threw for 185-yards and 3 touchdowns, ran 127-yards off 17 carries with 3 touchdowns, and recorded 9 tackles on defense in the Bear’s 54-40 victory over Ruidoso.