Baker’s Dozen: Preview of Top 13 Games of Week 1
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The 2021 New Mexico High School fall football season is finally here. Here are our Top 13 games for Week 1, which is highlighted by several high profile programs debuting new quarterbacks. (All games Friday night unless otherwise indicated) Game…
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Continue ReadingThe 2021 New Mexico High School fall football season is finally here. Here are our Top 13 games for Week 1, which is highlighted by several high profile programs debuting new quarterbacks. (All games Friday night unless otherwise indicated)
Game of the Week: Cibola at La Cueva (Sat., 1 p.m.)
We’ve had this game circled on our calendars since the moment APS released the fall football schedules several weeks ago, and now it’s finally here. The top storyline is the battle between our top two 2023 prospects – Cibola QB Aden Chavez Aden Chavez 6'5" | 210 lbs | QB Cibola | 2023 State NM and La Cueva QB Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM . Both have two seasons left in this prep careers and both have Division I talent. This could be epic. Expect a close, hard-fought, down-to-the wire game highlighted by plentiful points and passing yards. Don’t be surprised if each team scores 30+ points. Last team with the ball wins? Hey, why not.
Cleveland at Centennial (Sat., 1 p.m.): It will be a scorcher Saturday afternoon at the Field of Dreams with temperatures soaring into the mid-90s. Cleveland has been the best team in the state the past several seasons and now they’re breaking in a new QB in Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM , who was just offered by New Mexico. Centennial has a new QB of its own in Ian Lopez Ian Lopez QB Centennial | 2022 State NM . Both sides are very good defensively too. This one will be a battle. This could be the first of two matchups between these two teams.
Artesia at Carlsbad: The Eddy County War was one of the best games of the spring with Carlsbad escaping, 35-34. In fact, it might have been THE best game. This matchup is always filled with emotion on both sides. Jeremy Maupin makes his head coaching debut for Artesia after leaving Los Lunas to take over at his alma mater. Nathan Taylor is the new QB for the Bulldogs. Jake Barrera is a solid RB. Don’t sleep on Carlsbad. Many of their offensive weapons return from the spring. The Cavemen’s deep WR corps led by Eli Asay Eli Asay WR Carlsbad | 2023 State NM and John Fuentes is outstanding.
Farmington at Roswell: Class 5A is arguably the most competitive classification in all of NM high school football. Several teams could win the title, including these two. Farmington brings their high voltage offensive attack to the Wool Bowl. The Scorpions averaged about 50 points per game in the spring. Now they have a new QB in Grants transfer Brandon Furbee Brandon Furbee 6'3" | QB Farmington | 2022 State NM , and he’s surrounded by a lot of talented skill position players. Roswell won back-to-back 5A titles in 2018-19. Many of those players are now gone but the Coyotes are always dangerous, especially at home.
Hobbs at Clovis: The Wildcats have dominated this rivalry for the past six years or so, but the tables may have turned in favor of Hobbs. The Eagles return most of their offensive personnel from the spring, including QB Colton Graham Colton Graham 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Hobbs | 2022 State NM , and their defense has talent at all three levels. Clovis lost a ton of folks from the 2020 team that had state championship contender written all over it. The Wildcats debut a new QB and RB along with several newcomers on defense. Hobbs deserved a better fate in the spring matchup but special teams blunders allowed Clovis to escape with a 14-10 win.
Volcano Vista at Las Cruces: The Hawks make the three-hour journey to the Field of Dreams to battle the Bulldawgs. Volcano Vista’s WR corps is one of the best in Class 6A with dynamic seniors Kaden Valdez Kaden Valdez 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM and Kieran Cordova making catches all over the field. Las Cruces debuts new QB Dallas Boyd Dallas Boyd 5'10" | 175 lbs | QB Las Cruces | 2022 State NM and he’ll rely on one of the best offensive lines in the state for protection.
West Mesa at Eldorado (Sat., 5 p.m.): When West Mesa’s opener at Belen was cancelled due to the Eagles shutting down all athletic activities for a week, the Mustangs went looking for a game. Eldorado needed an opponent when Highland opted out for safety (low numbers) reasons. The APS brought the team together and voila! We have an attractive late Saturday afternoon battle. West Mesa QB Daniel Ayala Daniel Ayala 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB West Mesa | 2022 State NM leads the Mustangs’ productive offense Can Eldorado stop them? We’ll find out.
Los Lunas at Piedra Vista: New Los Lunas coach Greg Henington leads his troops into the Four Corners for a battle against a Piedra Vista team that’s better than most people think. Los Lunas QB Paul Cieremans Paul Cieremans 5'10" | 195 lbs | QB Los Lunas | 2023 State NM is another talented 2023 signal caller. RB Jacob Ramsted keys the Piedra Vista ground game.
Mayfield at Manzano: Speaking of outstanding rushing attacks, Mayfield has one of the best in Class 5A. The Trojans love to play physical football – it’s been their bread and butter for years – and their size and strength will challenge Manzano’s defense all game long. RB Calvin Cox Calvin Cox 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Mayfield | 2022 State NM is ready to erupt. Manzano coach Stephen Johnston debuts for the Monarchs.
Lovington at Santa Teresa: We finally get a peek at Lovington’s explosive offense featuring the best WR corps in the state. Santa Teresa’s defense will be tested. Quarterback was the No. 1 question by far for the Wildcats in preseason camp.
Robertson at Santa Fe: This could be Santa Fe’s best team in years. Martell Mora Martell Mora 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Santa Fe High | 2022 State NM has quietly become one of the top players in the state. Welcome back RobertsonI The Cardinals haven’t played a game in almost two years since their school district opted out of the spring season.
Texico at Jal: Jal OL Roger Carreon Roger Carreon 6'5" | 305 lbs | OL Jal | 2022 State NM is the marquee name in this attractive Class 2A matchup. Carreon is committed to Boise State. Texico was the second-best team in Class 2A in the spring.
Raton at Eunice: The top story in this intriguing battle is the distance Raton is traveling to get to Eunice. According to Google maps, it’s 412 miles each way. The Tigers are bringing a powerful offense with them to southeastern NM led by QB Dylan Quartieri Dylan Quartieri 6'1" | QB Raton | 2022 State NM and RB Cayden Walton Cayden Walton 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Raton | 2023 State NM . Eunice went 5-0 in the spring and was the best team in Class 2A.
Best of the Rest
St. Michael’s at Taos: The Horsemen believe they can win it all in Class 3A
St. Pius X at Bloomfield: The Bobcats are a good football team
Gadsden at Deming: Panther begin 1-year experiment in independence
Portales at Hope Christian: Both teams have won state titles in last three years
Silver at Kirtland Central: Silver must find a new QB for their option offense
Other Games
Albuquerque Academy 50, Tohatchi 0 (Thur.)
Highland at West Las Vegas (Thur.)
Sandia at Valley (Thur.)
Valencia at Alamogordo
Organ Mountain at Albuquerque
Santa Rosa at Dexter
Cuba at Santa Fe Indian
Los Alamos at Espanola Valley
Shiprock at Pojoaque Valley
Chaparral at Cobre
Miyamura at Aztec
Estancia at Hatch Valley
Bernalillo at Gallup
Crownpoint at Socorro
Tularosa at Hot Springs
Capital at Grants
👀 Black on Black for our GameDay fit for our home opener! pic.twitter.com/uhD9P8yoQg
— AlamoTigerFootball (@AlamoFootball) August 19, 2021
Pep rally today was a success!!! Good luck to our football team tonight and if your planning on going to the game they are requiring you wear a mask💙🐝🏈 pic.twitter.com/QLJZ1ToI1e
— Highland High School (@herbiethehornet) August 19, 2021
#TEAM #GoldStandard pic.twitter.com/J5HOJtbxvt
— Hobbs Eagles Football (@HobbsEaglesFB) August 19, 2021
We’re throwing it back in 2021 with the old school Bear and HV! @AuDesigns with the ⚡️⚡️⚡️ decals yet again! Best in the business! #ROTA2021 #FFF #ETW #GetTheHornsReady pic.twitter.com/T57yuEZd3s
— HVHS Football (@HVHSBears) August 20, 2021
SEASON OPENER: DEMING WEEK
Thursday Night: C-Team @ 4pm Panther Stadium 🏟
Friday Night: Varsity @ Deming 7pm Kickoff #PantherPride pic.twitter.com/i4qUtXDiva
— Gadsden Football (@GadsdenPanthers) August 16, 2021