Ranking the Districts After NMAA Realignment
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The New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) significantly realigned high school football in December for at least the next two seasons (2022-23). Not only did they move several teams up to Class 6A, but they moved some teams around to create…
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Continue ReadingThe New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) significantly realigned high school football in December for at least the next two seasons (2022-23). Not only did they move several teams up to Class 6A, but they moved some teams around to create new districts. Here are the top districts going into the 2022 season:
1. District 6A-1 (Atrisco Heritage, Cibola, Cleveland, Rio Rancho, Volcano Vista): Any district with neighbors Cleveland and Rio Rancho, the state’s top two programs for the past few years, will likely be #1 in district ranking. The Storm possess enough returning talent to repeat as 6A champions ( Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM , Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM , Andres Aguirre Andres Aguirre 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2024 State NM , Nic Trujillo Nic Trujillo 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NM , Stratton Shufelt Stratton Shufelt 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Cleveland | 2024 State NM , etc.) and while the Rams must decide on a new QB and RB, the Rams will always be there at the end. When you add Cibola, with our #1 2023 QB Aden Chavez Aden Chavez 6'5" | 210 lbs | QB Cibola | 2023 State NM , and Volcano Vista to the mix, you have a powerhouse district.
2. District 5A-4 (Artesia, Goddard, Mayfield, Roswell): If the NMAA had a dream and ambition top create a ‘super district,’ they did it. This district features plenty of punch with four traditional laden programs that have all won championships. Artesia is coming off an appearance in the Class 5A title game. Goddard has RB Javyn Morales Javyn Morales 5'10" | 155 lbs | RB Goddard | 2023 State NM . Mayfield’s success peaks for itself. They love to play physical football and run the ball right at you. Roswell won back-to-back 5A championships in 2018-19.
3. District 6A-3 (Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Centennial, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Organ Mountain): Centennial and Las Cruces are two of the top programs in Class 6A. Both will rely on new QBs in 2022. Carlsbad has a new head coach (former NMSU assistant Oliver Soukup) and the talent to compete for a playoff berth. Organ Mountain is steadily improving. Alamogordo looks to bounce back after a disappointing season in 2021.
4. District 6A-2 (Eldorado, Farmington, La Cueva, Sandia, West Mesa): La Cueva is the headliner here, and rightfully so considering the Bears should have one of the most dynamic offenses in the state with QB Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM , RB Gabriel Buie Gabriel Buie 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB La Cueva | 2023 State NM and WR Exodus Ayers Exodus Ayers 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Proctor Academy | 2024 State New E . Eldorado wants to be physical on both sides of the ball. Sandia made the 6A playoffs in 2021 and will be a solid contender again. Farmington and West Mesa will have new QBs in 2022. The Scorpions moved up from Class 5A after going undefeated in the regular season last fall.
5. District 4A-4 (Albuquerque Academy, Bernalillo, Lovington, Portales): Defending 4A champions Lovington move into a new district and it’s going to be great. The Wildcats lose their super trio at WR but still have 2023 QB Ashton Aranda Ashton Aranda 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Lovington | 2023 State NM and 2025 RB Ondalis Cardenas. Albuquerque Academy’s offense could be even better with QB A.J. Rivera A.J. Rivera 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM , WR Kellan Gehres Kellan Gehres 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM and RB Cole Conway Cole Conway 6'3" | 230 lbs | RB Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM . Bernalillo has been outstanding defensively the past two years and should be again. Portales has been one of the best 4A programs over the past decade. Circle this contest on your calendar: Albuq. Academy at Lovington, Oct. 14. Potential Class 4A Game of the Year.
6. District 3A-2 (Raton, Robertson, Santa Fe Indian, St. Michael’s, West Las Vegas): This was the best district in Class 3A last season and should be again. The talent should be overflowing with Raton RB Cayden Walton Cayden Walton 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Raton | 2023 State NM , Robertson RB Jesse James Gonzales, St. Michael TE Taven Lozada Taven Lozada 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE St. Michael's | 2023 State NM , WLV QB C.J. Perea and many others. This district is WIDE open. Expect some fierce battles when district play begins.
7. District 5A-3 (Chaparral, Deming, Gadsden, Santa Teresa): Gadsden finally got what it long coveted – move from Class 6A to Class 5A and into a district with their regional rivals. They’ll also play a full schedule after competing as an independent in 2021. Deming and Santa Teresa are solid programs. Chaparral wants to bounce back after 2021.
8. District 6A-5 (Albuquerque, Capital, Clovis, Los Lunas, Santa Fe): Perhaps the biggest – thought not unexpected – news emanating from the NMAA’s realignment was Los Lunas’ move to Class 5A. They went undefeated and won the 5A championship last season. QB Paul Cieremans Paul Cieremans 5'10" | 195 lbs | QB Los Lunas | 2023 State NM can do everything and is one of the most dynamic players in the state. Now they’ll play Clovis in a district game? Sign me up. Capital also made the move to 6A, meaning their annual intra-city grudge match with Santa Fe High is now a district game.
9. District 4A-3 (Grants, Silver, St. Pius X, Valencia): Silver, St. Pius X and Valencia all made the 4A playoffs in 2021. Silver has arguably the district’s top player in RB Aiden Granado. St. Pius X loses its #1 RB but the offense should be fine. Valencia made a surprising run to the quarterfinals in 2021.
10. District 3A-4 (Dexter, Hope Christian, NMMI, Ruidoso, Tucumcari): Ruidoso reached the Class 4A state championship game in 2021 and now move to Class 3A. NMMI edged out Hope Christian for the district title last season and that battle could continue in2022. Dexter is an underrated program.
HERE WE GO!!!!! #FE #FIN20H pic.twitter.com/hAFZoyX1Ju
— Wildcat Football (@lvtwildcatsfb) February 20, 2022
First Friday is Aug. 19, highlighted by Las Cruces-Volcano Vista at Community Stadium.
Also that night:
Cibola-Eldorado at Wilson
Deming-Del Norte at Milne
Valley at Bernalillo
AHS at Organ Mtn.
Highland at Portales
Manzano at Mayfield— James Yodice (@JamesDYodice) March 2, 2022