Week 7: Top-25 Preview
Today, we take a tour around the state of New Mexico and preview the games taking place for week seven.
No. 1 Rio Rancho (6-0) at No. 2 Cleveland (6-0), Friday, 7pm: One verse two. Not much more that we could write that will have you grab the family and head to Rio Rancho, New Mexico for the battle between the teams that represent high school football in New Mexico. Two of the best teams, two of the best offensive teams along with two of the top programs that produce some of the best next level talent in terms of players sent to the next level. This one has everything from both teams averaging over 40 points per game, Rio Rancho features top player in Josh Foley who has placed himself among the top vote getters for the NMPreps.com Mr. Football Award against the Cleveland Storm who feature a plethora of talent in a duo of running backs Nikko Papadopoulos and Shawn Nieto. A shootout is an understatement for this old fashion duel of straight shooters. Not much for a difference maker besides the team that has the ball in the final seconds of the final quarter (maybe overtime).
Prediction: See in the boards.
No. 3 Las Cruces (4-1) at No. 25 Hobbs (1-4), Friday, 7pm: Can you believe that we are in week three of district play this week? District 3-6A is shaping to be a final week showdown with a middle tier that is clear as mud. However, we feature a team at the top against the Eagles who are trying to stay airborne. The Bulldawgs of Las Cruces feature one of the best offensive lines in the state led by mid-season All-State member Tristan Olson along with featuring two of the best play makers in quarterback Payton Ball and wide receiver Brandon Baeza. Hobbs not backing down feature some top talent in a junior quarterback Gavin Hardison who has passed for over 1,700-yards on the season. The Eagles like to hang around in games but this one might be a contest out of reach with the young 'Dawgs just too talented but don't place your money too quick as we have a season of unknowns. We've seen the line of a David slaying Goalith once before, at this point, as in any shootout you better hope you have enough bullets in the chamber.
Prediction: See in the boards.
No. 5 Artesia (5-1) at No. 23 Alamogordo (4-2), Friday, 7pm: Another Bulldog that has itself among the best of the best in New Mexico High School football this season. The Artesia Bulldogs are (5-1) on the season and have played one of the toughest schedules this season with the battle test against Los Lunas and Cleveland. Alamogordo (4-2) who is looking to get some swagger back after being upset last week will look to the comfort of their home turf as they take on the number one ranked team from 5A football. This could be the battle and winner take all for the 5A Quarterback of the Year as Taylor Null and his touchdown stat taking on the yards grabber Kyle Hooper of Alamogordo. Both teams have played well on defense with Alamogordo only giving up 115 points, Artesia 111 on the season through six games. The difference could be an Artesia offense that has scored 251 on the season with Alamogordo putting up 197.
Prediction: See in the boards.