Published Oct 25, 2023
Week 11 New Mexico High School Football Thursday Night Preview
Joshua Grine  •  NMPreps
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@CoachGrine

Today, we present our comprehensive guide to the Week 11 New Mexico high school football schedule. At NMPreps, we provide a detailed analysis of each game for the week, offering insight into Thursday night matchups filled with thrilling streaks, playoff ramifications, and standout athletes to keep your eyes on. #nmpreps

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Night Preview

Thursday night lights in New Mexico high school football promise a lineup of intense clashes in various classes. In 6A football, the Alamogordo Tigers (4-5, 1-3) take on the Organ Mountain Knights (0-9, 0-4). Alamogordo, coming off a loss to Centennial, seeks to secure a playoff bid, and their dynamic duo of Elijah Montoya and Anthony Audette will be pivotal. Organ Mountain, on the other hand, is on a quest to snap a 14-game losing streak and notch their first win this season, with EJ Guerra leading the charge.

Meanwhile, the Cibola Cougars (0-9, 0-4) aim to break their winless streak as they face the Sandia Matadors (7-2, 3-1) in a 6A non-district game. While the Cougars have struggled defensively, Hayes Baum has stood out with his remarkable tackles. Sandia, after a loss to La Cueva, hopes to fine-tune their game as they prepare for the 6A state playoffs.

In the 5A division, the Santa Teresa Desert Warriors (0-9, 0-2) collide with the Chaparral Lobos (0-8, 0-2), both seeking to avoid closing the season without a win. Santa Teresa, on a 10-game losing streak, aims to rebuild with underclassmen like Jacob Martinez, David Gutierrez, and Jonas Lopez. In contrast, Chaparral is battling a staggering 40-game losing streak, dating back to October 2018.

Finally, 2A football heats up as the Loving Falcons (6-2, 2-0) face the Texico Wolverines (7-2, 2-2) in a thrilling District 4-2A finale. Kaleb Rodriguez and Bobby Parraz are stars for Loving, while Texico boasts Alex Fuentes and Cade Figg. While Texico is favored, the Falcons are still in the hunt for a playoff spot in the 2023 state bracket. The Tularosa Wildcats (6-3, 2-0) take on the Mescalero Apache Chiefs (4-5, 1-1) in a contest that could determine the District 3-2A championship. Angelo Rocha has been outstanding for the Chiefs, while Dillon Salazar and his receiving duo, Brayden Toralita and Kani Mathis, lead the Wildcats. Tularosa is favored, but the Chiefs have been outperforming preseason predictions, promising an exciting matchup.

Game Previews

Alamogordo Tigers (4-5, 1-3) at Organ Mountain Knights (0-9, 0-4) - Thursday, 7pm

Thursday night lights in New Mexico bring a game between the Alamogordo Tigers (4-5, 1-3) and the Organ Mountain Knights (0-9, 0-4), setting the stage for a 6A football showdown. The Tigers come into this game off a 42-21 loss to district leader Centennial. In this critical encounter, Alamogordo is looking to secure a coveted 6A state playoff bid. While they are in a favorable position for a spot in the playoffs, they must be vigilant to avoid an upset that could potentially knock them out of contention.

On the flip side, the Organ Mountain Knights have faced their share of struggles this season. They are still in search of their first win of the season and are eager to break a disheartening 14-game losing streak, dating back to their last victory on September 15th, 2022, when they defeated Gadsden 49-21. Despite their challenging season, EJ Guerra (2024) has emerged as a standout player for the Knights, amassing 479 rushing yards, 213 receiving yards, and 4 touchdowns.

The Alamogordo duo of Elijah Montoya, QB (2024), and Anthony Audette, RB (2024), are expected to lead the charge, aiming to put points on the board early and often. Audette, with 929 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns, is closing in on a 1,000-yard rushing season and hopes to reach double-digit touchdowns. Another senior to watch is Mason Pitman (2024), who adds to his impressive season with 57 total tackles, including 42 solo tackles.

Alamogordo holds a significant advantage coming into this matchup due to their stronger record and higher standing in the district. The Tigers boast a potent offensive duo in Elijah Montoya and Anthony Audette, who have been consistently productive throughout the season. Additionally, their defense, led by standout Mason Pitman, is well-equipped to contain Organ Mountain's offensive threats.

Cibola Cougars (0-9, 0-4) at Sandia Matadors (7-2, 3-1) - Thursday, 7pm

In the final week of the 2023 regular season, the Cibola Cougars and Sandia Matadors are set to face off in a non-district 6A football clash on Thursday night. For the struggling Cibola Cougars, this game holds the potential to be a turning point in a challenging season as they seek their first victory of the year and aim to put an end to a 14-game losing streak that dates back to September 2022. Despite their winless record, there have been bright spots for Cibola, including the standout defensive performance of Hayes Baum, who boasts an impressive 104 total tackles this season, including 70 assisted tackles.

On the other side of the field, the Sandia Matadors had been on a four-game winning streak before suffering a tough loss to La Cueva, where they were held scoreless, 51-0. With their eyes set on the 6A state playoffs, the Matadors are keen to regain their winning momentum. This non-district game serves as an opportunity for the Matadors to fine-tune their strategies and build confidence as they prepare for the postseason.

Santa Teresa Desert Warriors (0-9, 0-2) at Chaparral Lobos (0-8, 0-2) - Thursday, 7pm

In a Thursday night clash of resilience and determination, the Santa Teresa Desert Warriors (0-9, 0-2) and the Chaparral Lobos (0-8, 0-2) are set to face off in a 5A football showdown. This game holds great significance as it is a battle to avoid finishing the season winless, and one of these teams will extend their losing streak into double digits. Santa Teresa currently finds themselves in a challenging 10-game losing streak, while Chaparral is facing the monumental task of a 40-game losing streak dating back to October 2018.

The Santa Teresa Desert Warriors have faced adversity throughout the season, with their offensive struggles apparent by scoring only 39 points, averaging 4.3 points per game, while allowing a total of 383 points, an average of 43 points per game. However, as the season draws to a close, the Desert Warriors are already looking ahead to the offseason, where a projected win in this game could be a catalyst for rebuilding. The team's foundation for the future lies in the hands of promising underclassmen, including Jacob Martinez (2026), David Gutierrez (2026), and Jonas Lopez (2026), who will be guiding the defense and aiming to set the tone for a resurgence next season. It's a matchup that goes beyond the win-loss column, as these two teams showcase their unwavering spirit and determination on the football field, making it a contest worth watching in the world of New Mexico high school football.

Loving Falcons (6-2, 2-0) at Texico Wolverines (7-2, 2-2) - Thursday, 7pm

In a thrilling 2A football showdown, the Loving Falcons (6-2, 2-0) will collide with the Texico Wolverines (7-2, 2-2) on Thursday night. This clash brings together two of the top-ranked teams in New Mexico, with Loving holding the No. 6 spot in the NMPreps 2A Rankings, while Texico impressively sits at No. 2. As the regular season draws to a close, this District 4-2A matchup promises to be a must-watch game, as both teams look to secure their positions in the 2023 state bracket.

The Loving Falcons are coming off a hard-fought battle against the No. 1-ranked Eunice, where they narrowly lost 35-28. Kaleb Rodriguez (2024) has been a standout performer this season, showcasing his skills with 1,434 passing yards and a remarkable 21 passing touchdowns. However, the Falcons are not a one-dimensional team, as sophomore running back Bobby Parraz (2026) has been a force to be reckoned with, accumulating 747 rushing yards and scoring six rushing touchdowns. Another young talent, Tristen Onsurez (2026), has made his presence known with 419 receiving yards and an impressive eight touchdowns. Senior leaders Kysiah Lujan and Eduardo De La Cruz have played pivotal roles on the defensive end, and they will be focused on slowing down the high-scoring Texico offense.

The Texico Wolverines have had an impressive season and are led by stars such as RB Alex Fuentes (2025) and QB Cade Figg (2024). Fuentes had a standout performance in week three, rushing for a remarkable 311 yards and providing a spark for the team. With an average of 33 points per game, the Wolverines' offense is a formidable force. While Texico is favored in this matchup, the Loving Falcons are far from out of contention, as they look to secure their place in the 2023 state playoffs.

Tularosa Wildcats (6-3, 2-0) at Mescalero Apache Chiefs (4-5, 1-1) - Thursday, 7pm

Thursday night lights will illuminate the clash between the Tularosa Wildcats (6-3, 2-0) and the Mescalero Apache Chiefs (4-5, 1-1) in an exciting 2A Football showdown. This game carries significant weight as it could determine the District 3-2A championship, making it a must-watch matchup for football fans.

One of the standout stories of this season is the resurgence of the Mescalero Apache Chiefs. They have consistently outplayed their preseason predictions and have become a formidable team. A significant contributor to their success is senior Angelo Rocha, who has showcased his versatility with 801 passing yards and over 300 rushing yards this season. Rocha's performance reached its peak with a remarkable night against Estancia, where he accumulated 142 passing yards and fired two passing touchdowns, even in a losing effort (39-19).

On the other side of the field, the Tularosa Wildcats are also having an exceptional season. One player who deserves recognition is their quarterback, Dillon Salazar (2024). Salazar has exhibited remarkable accuracy and is arguably one of the most underrated quarterbacks across the state, despite his exceptional performance. His top targets, seniors Brayden Toralita and Kani Mathis, have proven to be reliable and talented receivers, catching the dimes that Salazar drops with precision.

The Tularosa Wildcats enter the game as favorites, with the odds heavily in their favor. However, the Mescalero Apache Chiefs, with their impressive performance this season, are far from being taken lightly. They could provide strong opposition and add an element of unpredictability to this crucial matchup that has District 3-2A championship implications.

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