Top 10 Most Intriguing Games of 2020
The 2020 New Mexico high school football season is scheduled to get underway in a couple of months. This year’s slate is filled with intriguing games as schools battle for the best seeding possible in the state playoffs. Here are…
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Continue ReadingThe 2020 New Mexico high school football season is scheduled to get underway in a couple of months. This year’s slate is filled with intriguing games as schools battle for the best seeding possible in the state playoffs. Here are the 10 most intriguing games of 2020:
Rio Rancho at Clovis (Sept. 11): This year’s ‘Clash of the Titans’ takes place at Leon Williams Stadium and pits two of the state’s top two teams against each other in what could be a state championship game preview. Some of the best football talent in the state will on display in this one, including Clovis quarterback Chance Harris (committed to Colorado State), Clovis running back Jeston Webskowski and junior Rio Rancho RB Zach Vigil, arguably the top 2022 prospect in the state.
Cleveland at Las Cruces (Sept. 12): It’s always fascinating when one of the best teams in the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area squares off against the best from Las Cruces at the Field of Dreams. The Storm are the defending Class 6A champions and they’ll likely face a major roadblock in their hopes to repeat from the Bulldawgs. But Cleveland possesses some of the best talent in the state on both sides of the ball (Tre Watson and New Mexico commit Luke Wysong are two of the best pass catchers in the state, and Tyler Jensen has transferred from La Cueva), while Las Cruces QB Marcus Lopez knows a solid showing in this game will put him squarely on the recruiting radar.
Clovis at La Cueva (Sept. 25): Two weeks after hosting Rio Rancho, Clovis comes to Albuquerque for the District 6A-2/5 opener against La Cueva and what a doozy this contest should be. The Clovis-La Cueva rivalry is quickly developing into one of the best in the state. The La Cueva defense featuring DE Ja’Shon Lowery (offers from New Mexico and NM State) should provide a tough test for the heralded Clovis offense led by Harris and Webskowski.
Rio Rancho at Cleveland (Oct. 30): If there’s a better rivalry than Clovis-La Cueva, this is it, and the game falls on the final weekend of the regular season. The district title – and seeding for the Class 6A playoffs – could be on the line when the Rams and Storm meet. Of course, the last time they squared off was the Class 6A championship game in December, more evidence the epicenter of New Mexico high school football has shifted north from Las Cruces to the Albuquerque metros area.
Centennial at Cleveland (Aug. 21): The season-opening rematch from one of the most dramatic Class 6A playoff games last fall. Centennial gave Cleveland all they wanted and more in the quarterfinal matchup. The Hawks were driving inside the Cleveland 35-yard line for the potential game-winning touchdown when a fourth-down interception ended Centennial’s upset dreams. Centennial will bring a talented team to Cleveland led by QB Karsten Ruekner and WR Isaac Gutierrez, both of whom aspire to play at the next level.
Artesia at Cleveland (Sept. 18): Give credit to Artesia, perhaps the state’s most storied program located in a classic Friday night lights town where high school football is king. The Class 5A Bulldogs aren’t afraid to tangle with the 6A big boys in non-district play. This year, they face Carlsbad, Hobbs and then Cleveland before battling Roswell and Goddard in district showdowns. The Storm, of course, enjoy plenty of talent but Artesia WR Braxton McDonald (Eastern New Mexico offer) should hold his own against Cleveland’s defensive backs.
Roswell at Los Lunas (Sept. 11): One of the state’s most explosive rushing attacks meets the state’s top defensive player, Los Lunas DE Tyler Kiehne, who recently committed to UCLA. These two teams have clashed in the last two Class 5A state championship games, and this game could offer a preview of a third straight December matchup.
Mayfield at Las Cruces (Sept. 18): For a long time, this was THE rivalry game in the state of New Mexico. However, Mayfield’s drop to Class 5A due to student population losses means this game will be played in September rather than at the end of the regular season. Still, it’s a significant game. Mayfield should flourish at the 5A level, although trying to beat out the likes of Artesia, Goddard, Roswell and Los Lunas for the state title won’t be easy.
Goddard at Roswell (Oct. 30): If Albuquerque/Rio Rancho is the new epicenter for Class 6A, Roswell holds the same distinction in 5A with the Coyotes seeking a state championship three-peat. Goddard claims one of the state’s best 2021 prospects in offensive lineman Larry Luna, who has verbally committed to New Mexico. This heated intra-city rivalry game could decide the district title, although Artesia could have something to say about that. Heck, even the aliens will show up for this one.
Ruidoso at Portales (Oct. 16): The defending Class 4A state champions host Ruidoso in what could be the Class 4A game of the year. It’s also a district contest, so the stakes are even higher. Ruidoso TE/OLB Grant Oberheu already holds college offers and is the pre-season favorite for Class 4A Player of the Year honors.