Baker's Dozen: Week 9 Preview of Top 13 Games

Week 9 of the New Mexico High School Football season is here! It begins Thursday night with a handful of games around the state, and continues with a full slate on Friday and Saturday. Here are the Top 13 Games of Week 9:   GAME OF THE WEEK: Roswell (6-1) at Artesia (5-2)   Another week,another No. 1 vs. No. 2 battle for Roswell. Well, as far as the Coaches poll is concerned. Roswell is No. 1 in both polls while Piedra Vista slipped to No. 2 ahead of Artesia in the MaxPreps poll following the Sept. 30 loss to Roswell. Either way, this game will be a slobberknocker. Roswell QB [player_tooltip player_id='425194' first='Manny' last='Fuentez'] is a dangerous dual threat QB and as he showed against Piedra Vista two weekends ago, is capable of getting the ball to his best targets in various ways. The Coyotes defense is superb, allowing 14 or fewer points in four of seven games. But they'd better bring their track shoes because the Artesia offense led by QB Nye Estrada will throw the ball all over the field. Estrada is No. 3 in the state in passing yardage with 2,040 and 27 TD in 7 games. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='274793' first='Peyton' last='Greathouse'] is his favorite target with 50 receptions for 911 yards and 7 TD. Both Estrada and Greathouse are back in 2023, so the fun is just beginning in the Bulldog Bowl.             <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/FetvY58UcAM3Qi7-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-475686"/></figure>   Carlsbad at Centennial (Sat.): How many people thought Carlsbad would be undefeated in district play after two games. But the Cavemen are perfect following victories over Alamogordo and Organ Mountain. But now they face the Centennial, Las Cruces and Hobbes gauntlet over the final three games. Carlsbad has adjusted well to first-year head coach Oliver Soukup's run-dominated attack. [player_tooltip player_id='138043' first='Eli' last='Asay'] has used his blazing speed to rush for 1,000 yards. Centennial is ranked No. 1 by MaxPreps and No. 2 by the Coaches because they're elite on both sides of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='208691' first='Mikah' last='Gutierrez'] is a serious 2022 New Mexico Heisman candidate, while the defense is stout. Best run game wins? Probably. Winner moves to 3-0 in the district.      St. Michael's at Raton (Sat.): Raton RB [player_tooltip player_id='138053' first='Cayden' last='Walton'] is THIS close to lapping the field in total rushing yardage. With 2,166 yards to date, he has nearly twice as many yards on the ground as everybody else. But he'll face his toughest test of the season Saturday night in Raton as St. Michael's, unbeaten before last week's loss to Robertson, comes to town. The Horsemen have allowed more than 20 points just once this season. St. Michael's RB Marcus Leyba is a very good ball carrier as well. Should be a heckuva game on the New Mexico-Colorado border.        Hatch Valley at Socorro: Two of the top players in Class 3A will be on the same field Friday night at award-winning Eddie Castaneda Stadium in Socorro. Hatch Valley RB [player_tooltip player_id='138201' first='Layton' last='Gillis'] is No. 2 in the state in rushing behind Raton RB [player_tooltip player_id='138053' first='Cayden' last='Walton'] and is the main weapon for the Bears. Unbeaten Socorro (7-0) is led by dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='138083' first='Marcus' last='Armijo'], who has passed for 1,016 yards and run for 624 yards, amassing 1,640 total yards with three regular season games left. The winner of this game will very likely capture the district championship and be assured of a top four seed.       <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/1579939905463099397 </div></figure>   Cibola at Rio Rancho: An intriguing battle of backup quarterbacks. Cibola's senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='360532' first='Daniel' last='Benham'] started in Week 1 but gave way to [player_tooltip player_id='137861' first='Aden' last='Chavez'] the following week. But with Chavez now likely out for the season with a broken ankle, Benham is the guy to lead the Cougars through the final three regular season games and into the playoffs. Rio Rancho sophomore QB J.J. Arellano took the reins of the Rams' offense several weeks ago when [player_tooltip player_id='274972' first='Noah' last='Nelson'] suffered an injury and has been nothing short of sensational. A key contest for seeding in the Class 6A playoffs.       La Cueva at West Mesa (Thur.): If you're a Lobo fan, here's a good opportunity to go watch your newest 2023 quarterback commit as the Bears and Mustangs clash on Thursday night at Community Stadium. La Cueva QB [player_tooltip player_id='137862' first='Aidan' last='Armenta'] leads the state in passing yardage with 2,318 in 7 games. He's very accurate (64.4 percent), especially on deep throws, and rarely throws the ball to the other team. WR [player_tooltip player_id='270020' first='Ian' last='Sanchez'] leads the state in receptions (60) and receiving yardage (988). West Mesa QB [player_tooltip player_id='275488' first='Elijah' last='Brody'] is the No. 3 junior (2024) QB in the state in terms of passing yardage (1,732). He has an array of receivers ready to catch his passes starting with [player_tooltip player_id='138047' first='Chris' last='Johnson']. The key question for the Mustangs is whether their defense will be able to contain the Bears offense.         Taos at Espanola Valley: Who saw this coming during the preseason? Nobody. Certainly one of the most fascinating games of the week. Neither  team has lost since Week 2. Taos has won six straight games following a shaky Week 1 loss at St. Michael's. Six-foot-7 QB [player_tooltip player_id='269567' first='Daemon' last='Ely'] is a dangerous dual threat signal caller. Espanola Valley counters with a pretty good quarterback of their own – Nate Chacon. He's passed for 1,465 yards and 17 TD in 7 games.          Cleveland at Atrisco Heritage: Because the Storm have two losses, some people may have forgotten about them. Bad mistake. Cleveland has been as explosive in the past few games as they have in a long time, scoring 61, 56 and 56 points in their last 3 games. The Storm already have a 1,000 yard passer ([player_tooltip player_id='139521' first='Evan' last='Wysong']), a 1,000 yard rusher ([player_tooltip player_id='138204' first='Josh' last='Perry']) and close to a 1,000-yard receiver ([player_tooltip player_id='139523' first='Nic' last='Trujillo']). Atrisco Heritage has a very explosive offense as well. QB [player_tooltip player_id='275207' first='Dean' last='Marquez'] has thrown for over 2,100 yards and his WR corps rank among the best in the state. This could be an entertaining shootout of the highest degree.   <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/1579940150204805122 </div></figure>   Jal at Texico: Another No. 1 vs. No. 2 battle, this time in the Class 2A ranks. Jal has ben dominant all season and nobody has come close to containing its explosive offense led by QB [player_tooltip player_id='138093' first='Alexavier' last='Carreon']. Next team to try is Texico, which has posted shutouts in its last two games. Jal can widen the gap between itself and the rest of Class 2A with another impressive win here.   Hobbs at Alamogordo (Sat.): Hobbs' offense was shut down for the first time this season in last week's 27-20 loss to Centennial, albeit in sloppy and wet conditions. But the Eagles still posses one of the most formidable offenses in the state with QB Omar Argott, RB [player_tooltip player_id='208821' first='Diego' last='Baeza'], WR [player_tooltip player_id='137921' first='Kaden' last='Trevino'] and others. Alamogordo posted one of its biggest victories in years last week when they went to Field of Dreams and held off Las Cruces, 13-10. A win like that should inject plenty of confidence and enthusiasm into the Tigers program. [player_tooltip player_id='138069' first='Ryan' last='Stovall'] is an elite linebacker.       Portales at Albuq. Academy (Fri., 3 p.m.): Portales, ranked No. 2 in 4A behind Silver, comes to Albuquerque for a rare Friday afternoon clash. The Rams started 6-0 but suffered its only loss last week, 48-47 at Valley. This game marks their third trip to Albuquerque in five weeks. QB Paxton Culpepper has passed for 1,226 yards and 15 TD. Four receivers have 17+ receptions. Albuquerque Academy has missed RB [player_tooltip player_id='138056' first='Cole' last='Conway'] and now top WR [player_tooltip player_id='137928' first='Kellan' last='Gehres'] is out for the season with an injury.          Mayfield at Goddard: The gridiron battles in one of the state's most competitive districts are underway, with this matchup serving as the undercard to the Roswell-Artesia contest. Since dropping a close game to 6A Carlsbad in Week 2, Goddard has won 4 of 5 games. Four of Mayfield's 7 non-district games were against 6A schools, including all 3 of its established city rivals. Mayfield escaped Deming last week with a 28-27 victory by scoring two late touchdowns. This should be a close, hard-fought affair.          Sandia at Farmington: Both teams were involved in entertaining shootouts last week with Farmington edging West Mesa, 48-41, and Sandia falling to Eldorado, 42-39, in double OT. Three of Farmington's last four games have been decided by 7 points or less. The Scorpions are 0-3 at home but 3-1 on the road. QB [player_tooltip player_id='274791' first='Trel' last='Griego'] has enjoyed a solid season. Sandia is already 0-2 in the district, so this game is a must-win for the Matadors if they want to make the 6A playoffs, especially with La Cueva (district) and Cibola (non-district) remaining on the schedule. [player_tooltip player_id='137923' first='Malachi' last='Thymes'] is Sandia's top offensive weapon.   <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/1579940401753907200 </div></figure>   BEST OF THE REST   Las Cruces at Organ Mountain: Must win for both teams for the playoffs.   Santa Teresa at Deming (Thur.): District play in 5A-3 begins with a good one.   Belen at Highland (Thur.): Highland is much improved over last season.   Lovington at Bernalillo: Lovington beings their high voltage offense north.     Piedra Vista at Miyamura: Piedra Vista looks to bounce back after the loss at Roswell.   Loving at Eunice: Eunice is another team looking to rebound.   Bloomfield at Kirtland Central: Bloomfield still in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in 4A.   OTHER GAMES   Del Norte at Valley (THur.)   Santa Fe Indian at Robertson m(THur.)   Los Lunas at Santa Fe   Shiprock at Rio Grande   Los Alamos at Manzano   Moriarty at Pojoaque Valley   Hope Christian at Tucumcari   McCurdy at Escalante   Chaparral at Gadsden   Dexter at NMMI   Cobre at Hot Springs   Gallup at Aztec   Grants at Silver   Newcomb at Tohatchi   Thoreau at Cuba   Valencia at St. Pius X (Sat.)   Albuquerque High at Capital   Estancia at Mescalero Apache   Wingate at Crownpoint   Laguna Acoma at Santa Rosa   Tularosa at Capitan   <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/1579940653395374081 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HobbsEaglesFB/status/1579506353399566339 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LaCuevaFootball/status/1579832856506875904 </div></figure>

Week 9 of the New Mexico High School Football season is here! It begins Thursday night with a handful of games around the state, and continues with a full slate on Friday and Saturday. Here are the Top 13 Games of Week 9: