Selection Sunday: Our final 6A-3A bracket projections

The 2022 New Mexico High School football season concluded Saturday. We take a look at how the playoff races in each classification (6A-3A) shape up with the NMAA selection show just a few hours away:   Class 6A   Definitely In (10): Cleveland (8-2), Centennial (8-1), La Cueva (9-1), Hobbs (9-1), Volcano Vista (8-2), Rio Rancho (6-4), Carlsbad (5-5), Cibola (6-4), Farmington (5-5), Los Lunas (6-4).     Probably In (0): None.   On the Bubble (3): Alamogordo (5-5), Atrisco Heritage (5-5), West Mesa (5-5)   Probably Out (2): Las Cruces (2-7), Sandia (4-6)     Definitely Out (7): Organ Mountain (3-7), Eldorado (2-8), Clovis (3-7), Capital (5-5), Albuquerque High (3-7), Santa Fe (1-9), Rio Grande (2-7).     Analysis: Most of the drama and intrigue in Class 6A is at the bottom of the bracket. We know 10 of the 12 teams in the playoffs, and the top four seeds (Cleveland, Centennial, La Cueva & Hobbs). Volcano Vista should be the #5 seed with Rio Rancho #6. Right now, three 5-5 teams (Alamogordo, Atrisco Heritage and West Mesa) are battling for the final 2 spots. Interestingly, Las Cruces is ranked No. 12 in the final 6A MaxPreps poll, so you can't rule out the Bulldawgs completely. Alamogordo and West Mesa stayed alive with Friday night wins.                 Class 5A   Definitely In (11): Artesia (8-2), Roswell (8-2), Piedra Vista (9-1), Goddard (6-4), Deming (6-4), Mayfield (4-6), Valley (7-3), Miyamura (5-5), Gadsden (4-6), Santa Teresa (4-6), Los Alamos (6-4).        Probably In (1): Belen (2-8)   On the Bubble (5): None.   Probably Out (1): Highland (5-4)     Definitely Out (3): Manzano (1-9), Chaparral (0-10), Del Norte (0-10)   Analysis: When you eliminate the three bottom teams (combined 1-29 record) from the equation, you have 13 teams fighting for 12 spots. So, we pretty much know who will be the teams playing in November. MaxPreps has Belen (2-8) ranked higher than Highland (5-4) largely because Belen beat the Hornets, 30-7, three weeks ago. Highland was outscored 120-7 in their final three games, and that frustrating stretch will likely cost them a spot in the 5A playoffs. The top three seeds are set with Artesia, Roswell and Piedra Vista. Will Goddard or Deming (district champion) get the No. 4 seed?   Class 4A   Definitely In (10): Silver (9-1), Lovington (4-6), Bloomfield (9-1), Portales (8-2), Taos (9-1), Aztec (4-6), Albuquerque Academy (6-4), Moriarty (7-3), Valencia (4-6), Kirtland Central (4-5)   Probably In (1): Bernalillo (2-7).   On the Bubble (2): St. Pius X (2-8), Espanola Valley (6-4).   Probably Out (0): None.   Definitely Out (4): Grants (1-9), Pojoaque Valley (0-9), Shiprock (4-6), Gallup (0-10).   Analysis: The top four seeds look set with Silver, Lovington (strength of schedule & district title favors the Wildcats), Bloomfield and Portales look to be the top four seed. Hottest team in 4A is Taos (9 straight wins). The Tigers will likely be the #5 seed with an outside shot at #4. How will the Selection committee handle Bernalillo? The Spartans are just 2-7 but ranked #10 by MaxPreps. Another intriguing team: Espanola Valley. Looks like the Sundevils are battling St. Pius X for the last spot.             Class 3A   Definitely In (9): St. Michael's (9-1), Robertson (8-2), Socorro (10-0), Ruidoso (9-1), Raton (7-3), West Las Vegas (5-5), Hatch Valley (6-3-1), Dexter (5-5), Cobre (4-6).     Probably In (2): Hope Christian (4-5-1), NMMI (5-5).   On the Bubble (2): Thoreau (8-2), Newcomb (8-2).   Probably Out (3): Wingate (5-3), Crownpoint (5-5), Tohatchi (5-5).     Definitely Out (6): Hot Springs (2-8), Tucumcari (0-10), Santa Fe Indian (1-8), Navajo Prep (1-7), Cuba (2-8), Zuni (1-9).   Analysis: We have drama atop the 3A bracket. MaxPreps has St. Michael's ranked ahead of District 3A-2 champion Robertson (even though the Cardinals beat the Horsemen head-to-head). And, should either team be ranked ahead of unbeaten Socorro? Regardless, those 3 teams + Ruidoso are the likely top 4 seeds. We also have intrigue at the bottom of the brackets. Thoreau (#12) and Newcomb (#13) are both 8-2 but ranked behind 5 teams with four or five victories. Lack of respect? We'll see.   <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/1586483301652447232 </div></figure>

The 2022 New Mexico High School football season concluded Saturday. We take a look at how the playoff races in each classification (6A-3A) shape up with the NMAA selection show just a few hours away: