November Madness: Preview of Class 5A First Round Games
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After a drama-filled Week 11 containing a half dozen winner-take-all district championship games, the first round of the state playoffs are finally here. There are a total of 16 games in Classes 6A-3A, four in each classification. Here is a…
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Continue ReadingAfter a drama-filled Week 11 containing a half dozen winner-take-all district championship games, the first round of the state playoffs are finally here. There are a total of 16 games in Classes 6A-3A, four in each classification. Here is a look at the four first-round playoff games in Class 5A:
Piedra Vista (9) at Santa Teresa (8) (Sat., 1 p.m.): Piedra Vista makes the long 875+ mile round-trip from the Four Corners to the northwest suburbs of El Paso to take on the Desert Warriors in an intriguing 8-9 matchup. A pair of three-game winning streaks highlights Piedra Vista’s season. The second one preceded the 33-9 loss to Farmington in a winner-take all district championship game last Friday night. However, the Panthers led, 7-6, at halftime before fading in the second half. PV quarterback Logan Howell leads the offense. Santa Teresa finished the regular season with an 8-2 overall record, and went 2-1 in District 5A-3, finishing second behind Mayfield. Santa Teresa is led by dynamic senior QB Julian Cobos Julian Cobos 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Santa Teresa | 2022 State NM , who has 1,225 rushing yards and senior RB Adrian Rodriguez Adrian Rodriguez 5'9" | RB Santa Teresa | 2022 State NM , with 681 rushing yards. They have combined for 17 rushing touchdowns.
Deming (10) at Belen (7)(Fri., 7 p.m.): Belen (6-3) has written one of the best stories in Class 5A this season. When head coach Phil Lopez resigned in late June after just a few weeks on the job, the Belen High administration went into scramble mode and hired former Eastern New Mexico assistant Andrew McCraw as the new head coach. After an 0-2 start, McCraw led the Eagles to six straight victories before losing to rival Los Lunas last week. RB Sam Tibbs ignites the Belen offense with 672 yards and 8 TD on 141 carries this season. Diego Avila is a capable No. 2 RB (341 rushing yards. Deming has a quality running back of its own in Joey Reza Joey Reza 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Deming | 2022 State NM . The Wildcats showed last week how dangerous of a football team they can be when they took Mayfield to overtime at the Field of Dreams before losing, 21-14.
Valley (11) at Goddard (6)(Fri., 7 p.m.): All rise, here comes the Judge. Valley (4-6) head coach Judge Chavez is one of the most charismatic figures in New Mexico high school football. Stand on the sidelines for any Valley football game and you’ll agree. But the Vikings, the Albuquerque-based alma mater of New Mexico head coach Danny Gonzales, are back in the playoffs because they have some good football players. QB Caeden Jojola (951 yards passing + 467 yards rushing) and RB Rickey Henderson (567 yards rushing), both juniors, spark Valley’s offense. Goddard (5-4) rocketed out the gates with four consecutive victories to begin the season, including 6A foes Carlsbad and Hobbs. Since then Goddard has lost four of five, concluding the regular season with a hard-fought 16-14 loss to cross-town rival Roswell, so they’ll be looking to get back to their winning ways. QB Noah Reese and RB Javyn Morales Javyn Morales 5'10" | 155 lbs | RB Goddard | 2023 State NM , who has battled injuries this season, lead the Goddard offense.
Los Alamos (12) at Mayfield (5)(Fri., 7 p.m.): Los Alamos (5-5) was a surprise addition to the Class 5A playoff considering they were ranked No. 15 in the last MaxPreps poll prior to the unveiling of the bracket last Saturday night. Essentially, they jumped three teams (Alamogordo, Capital and Miyamura) to reach the postseason. But the Hilltoppers beat the final two teams – both district rivals – in the last two weeks of the regular season. QB Jakob Green was thrown for about 1,500 yards this season, while RB Teke Nieto has rushed for almost 700 yards for Los Alamos. Mayfield’s two-headed monster at running back – Calvin Cox Calvin Cox 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Mayfield | 2022 State NM and Jose Montoya Jose Montoya 5'8" | RB Mayfield | 2022 State NM – will definitely challenge the Hilltoppers defense. When Mayfield QB Cesar Granados throws the football, WR Cameron Sowards is usually the target. The winner gets traditional power Artesia, the No. 4 seed, in the quarterfinals.
Class 5A Bracket
#1 – Farmington
#2 – Los Lunas
#3 – Roswell
#4 – Artesia pic.twitter.com/FHziRUwwVg— Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) October 31, 2021
Here is the link to purchase tickets for Saturday Playoff Game at 1 pm! https://t.co/k7C47sfprb
There will be no cash at the gate. Gates open at 11:45 am!
— The Santa Teresa High School Football Team (@STHS_Football) November 3, 2021
These young men are headed to the playoffs ! #surviveandadvance pic.twitter.com/qMbJMGRJON
— Deming Wildcat Football (@DemingWildcat) November 1, 2021
Rockets are the #6 seed and will face the Albuquerque Valley Vikings #11 seed in the first round of the 5A Football Playoffs this Friday 6PM at the Wool Bowl. https://t.co/fveVOuE0W7
— ROCKETS (@goddardfootball) November 2, 2021
Tickets to Friday night’s NMAA playoff game can only be purchased online:
Tickets for adults are $10. Tickets for students, children, military, and seniors (65+) are currently on sale for $5.
To purchase tickets, click here:https://t.co/nDQQ65yu13 pic.twitter.com/DjeegEFoWT— Mayfield HS Football (@mhstrojans) November 2, 2021