Baker’s Dozen: Top 13 Games of Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 1 of the New Mexico High School football season gets underway Thursday night at various locations in Albuquerque and around the state, and continues in earnest Friday night and Saturday afternoon. It's a three-day celebration of high school football in the Land of Enchantment. Here's our Baker's Dozen look at the Top 13 games of Week 1:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GAME OF THE WEEK</strong>: <strong>La Cueva at Rio Rancho (Fri., 7 p.m.)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When these two teams last squared off, they produced arguably the Game of the Year in New Mexico high school football. Rio Rancho's dramatic 35-34 comeback victory over the Bears in last November's 6A playoff semifinals was a remarkable and highly entertaining affair. Expecting that same type of game is unfair to the player and coaches of the two teams. But this one still promises to be a close, hard-fought contest that might not be decided until the final possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two teams are ranked No. 2 (La Cueva) and No. 4 (Rio Rancho) in the MaxPreps 6A preseason poll. Even without WR [player_tooltip player_id='208744' first='Exodus' last='Ayers'], who left the state and enrolled at a prep school in New England, La Cueva has plenty of weapons offensively, starting with quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='137862' first='Aidan' last='Armenta']</strong> and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='269525' first='Gabriel' last='Buie']</strong>. Both players possess Division 1 talent. In fact, Armenta has been offered by New Mexico. Ayers' absence means [player_tooltip player_id='270020' first='Ian' last='Sanchez'], [player_tooltip player_id='274790' first='Jackson' last='Hix'] and others must step up. You know the deep Rio Rancho defensive line is coming after Armenta.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“The Bears are obviously talented,” Rio Rancho head coach Nate Pino told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “They bring a lot back, especially offensively. But I think we have a heckuva defense, so it will be a great matchup. We need to play smart offensively and play with tempo and play with efficiency. That will be a big part of it. It's going to be a great football game.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pino makes his head coaching debut for the Rams after being promoted from offensive coordinator following the sudden resignation of Gerry Pannoni, who returned to Virginia following the passing of his wife. Also debuting for the Rams is an entirely new offensive backfield. Junior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274972' first='Noah' last='Nelson']</strong> won the job in preseason camp with his dual threat skill set, one that Pino hopes gives the La Cueva defense trouble. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/2022-team-preview-la-cueva-bears/">2022 La Cueva Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/2022-team-preview-rio-rancho-rams/">2022 Rio Rancho Preview  </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centennial at Cleveland</strong>: The Cleveland Storm haven't lost since the middle of the 2019 season, so the key question coming into this season is this: Can anybody beat Cleveland? Centennial is Next Man Up and the Hawks certainly have the talent to keep the game close, at least for while. They have a new quarterback (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340297' first='Daniel' last='Hernandez']</strong>) but a proven RB (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208691' first='Mikah' last='Gutierrez']</strong>) and a reliable WR (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='137930' first='Isaiah' last='Abeyta']</strong>). Centennial's defensive front seven ranks among the best in the state. When you talk about Cleveland, everybody who follows New Mexico HS football knows the key names by now: QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139521' first='Evan' last='Wysong']</strong>, RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138204' first='Josh' last='Perry']</strong>, WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139523' first='Nic' last='Trujillo']</strong> and LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274701' first='Stratton' last='Shufelt']</strong>. At least three of those four standouts will play FBS football. But there's a lot more from a talent perspective. The Storm are loaded again and should be considered the favorite to win a third straight 6A state championship. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Las Cruces at Volcano Vista</strong>: The Las Cruces Bulldawgs typically make at least one trip to Albuquerque every year, and this year they're bringing a new quarterback (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='334468' first='Matthew' last='Lashley']</strong>) and running back (<strong>David Barela</strong>) and a rebuilt offensive line along with a stout defense to the Duke City. The Bulldawgs should again be in the thick of the fight for the district title. Volcano Vista will definitely be lying in wait for them. New Hawks QB &nbsp;<strong>Eliot Paskett-Bell</strong> has large shoes to fill considering the last two Volcano Vista starting QBs are playing at the next level, one of them being probable New Mexico State starter Diego Pavia. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274709' first='Alijah' last='Gonzales']</strong>, already an elite linebacker, takes over at RB, handing him an opportunity to become one of the top two-way players in Class 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carlsbad at Artesia</strong>: It's Eddy County War time. Just like most great rivalries, these two teams don't like each other very much. Former New Mexico State assistant Oliver Soukup makes his head coaching debut for the Cavemen. Fortunately, he has an experienced QB in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='137916' first='Dane' last='Naylor']</strong> and a very fast WR in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138043' first='Eli' last='Asay']</strong>. Jeremy Maupin led Artesia to the Class 5A state championship game in his first season as head coach. The Bulldogs' new QB is <strong>Payton Dean</strong> while their best WR is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274793' first='Peyton' last='Greathouse']</strong>. Surely, the Payton and Peyton Show will be a huge hit in the ultimate ‘Friday Night Lights' town in New Mexico. The Bulldog Bowl will be rocking for this one. Expect a sellout crowd, or something close to it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1560008569541591040","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1560008569541591040 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lovington at Roswell</strong>: There won't be many better 4A vs. 5A matchups this season. Lovington, of course, is the reigning Class 4A champion and if you believe the preseason MaxPreps 4A poll, they're the best team in that classification again. A key reason for that is QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='269564' first='Ashton' last='Aranda']</strong> returns and he has two promising young running backs to help him out in <strong>Ondalis Cardenas</strong> and <strong>Alex Holguin</strong><strong>. Who will step up at WR? We'll find out. Roswell </strong>has mostly been a run-dominated team under Jeff Lynn (65-35 run-pass ratio in 2021) but the Coyotes could throw the ball more this season with talented junior <strong>Manny Fuentez </strong><strong>starting at quarterback. RB </strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340165' first='Bryce' last='Sanchez']</strong><strong> eyes a breakout season after rushing for almost 900 yards as a sophomore in 2021.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clovis at Hobbs</strong>: One of the fiercest rivalries in eastern New Mexico is renewed. Clovis has a new head coach (Andrew McCaw) and a brand new offense, the flexbone. McCaw coached at ENMU under Kelley Lee, who ran the flexbone with great success during his tenure in Portales. Hobbs has plenty of talent returning this season, as the Eagles proved at the Elite 150 Combine in June. RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208821' first='Diego' last='Baeza']</strong> and WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='137921' first='Kaden' last='Trevino']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='269534' first='Ethan' last='Vanlandingham']</strong> give new QB <strong>Omar Argott </strong>a lot of choices in term of distributing the football. Some folks have probably conceded the District 6A-3 title to Las Cruces or Centennial but watch out for Hobbs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Santa Fe at West Mesa (Thur.)</strong>: Sophomore quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275488' first='Elijah' last='Brody']</strong> makes his much anticipated debut for West Mesa after transferring from Cleveland in June. His father, Landrick Brody, is the new head coach of the Mustangs. Brody has an array of WR targets to throw to, including senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138047' first='Chris' last='Johnson']</strong>. Santa Fe has a lot of new faces, especially on defense, as they prepare for what they hope will be a second consecutive winning season. Considering last year marked their first winning record in 23 years, that hasn't happed in a long, long time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1560009069003296769","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1560009069003296769 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taos at St. Michael's (Sat.)</strong>: This Week 1 matchup feature two of the most intriguing prospects in northern New Mexico. Taos DE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='269612' first='Leonard' last='Archuleta']</strong> is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds and has attracted interest from New Mexico State, Middle Tennessee State and several other schools. Saturday marks the varsity debut for St. Michael's 6-foot-5, 225-pound TE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='269871' first='Taven' last='Lozada']</strong>, who has already been offered by &nbsp;Eastern New Mexico and recently competed in the O-D All American game in Memphis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Goddard at Santa Teresa</strong>: This game marks the return of Goddard RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138088' first='Javyn' last='Morales'] </strong>from a serious injury he suffered midway through last season. He showed during the state track &amp; field championships that he's still one of the fastest players in the state. Santa Teresa reached the Class 5A quarterfinals last November with a prolific rushing attack that gained nearly 3,500 yards in 12 games. Goddard's mission on defense is simple – contain the Desert Warriors on the ground and make them throw the ball. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Los Lunas at Belen</strong>: Reigning Class 5A champions, Los Lunas launches life as a Class 6A program with a rivalry game against its Valencia County foe. [player_tooltip player_id='137885' first='Paul' last='Cieremans'], a&nbsp; serious 2022 New Mexico Heisman contender, would like nothing more than getting the season off to a strong start. The Tigers have plenty of returning talent on both sides of the ball along with the best kicker in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='335475' first='Kaden' last='Bell']. Belen is led by speedy RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274725' first='Diego' last='Avila']</strong>, who eyes a breakout season. Avila showed at the Elite 150 Combine that he's one of the fastest players in the state. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1560009572835741696","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1560009572835741696 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Piedra Vista at Farmington</strong>: Once fierce district rivals, these two schools now exist in different galaxies as a result of Farmington's move to Class 6A. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274791' first='Trel' last='Griego']</strong> makes his first start for the Scorpions after serving as Brandon Furbee's backup in 2021. He's 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and capable of running – and passing – over opponents. Piedra Vista was assigned a new district by the NMAA. The Panthers love to run the football. Look for PV senior running backs <strong>Zach Mora-Dotson</strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208794' first='Jacob' last='Ramsted']</strong> to get plenty of carries in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cibola at Eldorado</strong>: The most significant news surrounding Cibola hasn't involved this game. It has been the return of Elite 11 quarterback Aden Chavez to the Cougars after spending the last few months in Florida. He's been practicing this week. However, he's not eligible to play until at least Week 2 IF the NMAA restores his eligibility. As a result, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='360532' first='Daniel' last='Benham']</strong> will quarterback Cibola in the opener. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275430' first='Brandon' last='Olivas']</strong> takes the reins as the Eldorado starting QB. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138051' first='Nathan' last='Velez']</strong> returns as the Eagles RB after missing all of last season with an injury. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bloomfield at St. Pius X (Sat.)</strong>: Watch out Class 4A, Bloomfield quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208748' first='Ryan' last='Sharpe']</strong> is healthy again after missing a significant chunk of last season with injuries. If he brings his ‘A' game to Albuquerque, Sharpe will make life very difficult for the St. Pius X defense. Sartans QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='137890' first='Alejandro' last='Sapien']</strong> was sharp during 7x7 season and looks to carry the momentum into the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1560010075728580608","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1560010075728580608 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BEST OF THE REST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manzano at Mayfield (Sat.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Albuquerque High at Organ Mountain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirtland Central at Silver</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highland at Portales</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atrisco Heritage at Sandia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley at Bernalillo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gadsden at Ruidoso</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OTHER GAMES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eunice at Raton (at Tucumcari)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deming at Del Norte</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pojoaque Valley at Socorro</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alamogordo at Valencia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Fe Indian at Cuba</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Albuquerque Academy at Rio Grande</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aztec at Miyamura</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Espanola Valley at Los Alamos</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grants at Capital</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shiprock at Tohatchi</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Las Vegas at Escalante</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hot Springs at Tularosa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dexter at Santa Rosa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cobre at Chaparral</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mescalero Apache at NMMI</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gallup at Moriarty</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hatch Valley at Laguna Acoma</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCurdy at Hope Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estancia at Texico Clayton at Questa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1560280367147261954","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> 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