November Madness: Class 4A-3A Quarterfinals Preview
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Here is a look at each of the quarterfinal matchups in Classes 4A and 3A beginning tonight. Class 4A Portales (5) at Lovington (4), Fri., 7 p.m.: These two prominent programs met two weeks ago in a district championship game …
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Continue ReadingHere is a look at each of the quarterfinal matchups in Classes 4A and 3A beginning tonight.
Class 4A
Portales (5) at Lovington (4), Fri., 7 p.m.: These two prominent programs met two weeks ago in a district championship game with Lovington prevailing, 20-14. As a result, the Wildcats got a first round bye. Portales, meanwhile, easily dispatched St. Pius X (48-3) in the first round. Two of the top quarterbacks in Class 4A will battle: Paxton Culpepper of Portales (2,069 passing yards + 24 TD) and Ashton Aranda Ashton Aranda 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Lovington | 2023 State NM of Lovington (1,676 passing yards + 653 rushing yards).
Albuquerque Academy (6) at Taos (3), Sat., 1 p.m. (at NM Highlands Stadium): After edging Bernalillo, 7-6, in the first round, Albuquerque Academy faces one of the hottest teams in the entire state. Taos has won 9 straight games since a season-opening loss to St. Michael’s and very few have been decided by single digits. Six-foot-7 QB Daemon Ely Daemon Ely 6'7" | 210 lbs | QB Taos | 2023 State NM is a superb athlete. Academy has a QB who will play at the next level as well, A.J. Rivera A.J. Rivera 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM . He’s been without two of his best weapons ( Cole Conway Cole Conway 6'3" | 230 lbs | RB Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM and WR Kellan Gehres Kellan Gehres 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM ) for several weeks.
Moriarty (7) at Bloomfield (2), Sat., 1 p.m. – This contest offers a fascinating contrast in offensive philosophies. Moriarty runs the ball nearly every down, throwing it only rarely. The Pintos are led by junior running back Santiago Chavez, who has amassed 917 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns and senior RB Michael Magoffe with 630 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Bloomfield likes to throw the football with QB Ryan Sharpe Ryan Sharpe QB Bloomfield | 2023 State NM looking for receivers such as Drew Perez Drew Perez 5'9" | 140 lbs | DB BLoomfield | 2024 State NM and Jesse Seitzinger Jesse Seitzinger LB Bloomfield | 2024 State NM .
Aztec (8) at Silver (1), Sat., 1 p.m. – Aztec makes the long trip to Silver City for the second meting this season between the two schools. Silver won the first matchup, 28-14, by rallying from an early two-touchdown deficit. Recently, the main story for the Colts has been their stellar defense. Silver has posted SEVEN shutouts this season, including the last three games. Bloomfield was the last team to score on Silver and that came in a 45-6 Colts’ win. Silver RB Aidan Granado Aidan Granado 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Silver | 2023 State NM is questionable with an injury suffered in the Colts’ last game against Valencia.
Class 3A
Thoreau (5) at St. Michael’s (4), Sat., 1 p.m.: Thoreau has a tough task ahead of them, going to St. Michael’s and trying to beat the Horsemen on their home field, something that rarely happens. St. Michael’s has a pwerful offense lef by QB Zachary Martinez, RB Marcus Leyba and TE/WR Taven Lozada Taven Lozada 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE St. Michael's | 2023 State NM .
Raton (6) at Robertson (3), Sat., 1 p.m.: These two teams played one of the quirkiest games you’ll ever see a few weeks ago. Robertson won, 12-7, by scoring a pair of special team TDs. However, the Cardinals defense deserved accolades as well for limiting Raton RB Cayden Walton Cayden Walton 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Raton | 2023 State NM to just 72 yards on 23 carries. Can Robertson do it again?
West Las Vegas (7) at Ruidoso (2), Fri., 6 p.m. – West Las Vegas is certainly battle certainly battle tested after competing in unquestionably the toughest 3A district in the state. But the Dons will surely have their hands full against talented Ruidoso, led by QB Cooper Pritchett Cooper Pritchett 5'10" | 150 lbs | LB Ruidoso | 2023 State NM (1,490 passing yards + 393 yards rushing + 91 tackles on defense).
Cobre (9) at Socorro (1), Fri., 7 p.m. – Socorro deserved the No. 1 seed in 3A after rampaging through its 10-game regular season schedule. The Warriors defense was bulletproof all season long with seven shutouts, including a 29-0 win over Cobre two weeks ago in a district championship game. Can Cobre score on the Socorro defense? If not, Socorro will likely romp to victory again.
Class 2A (Semifinals)
Jal (1) at Eunice (4), Sat., 1 p.m.
Texico (2) at Santa Rosa (3), Fri., 7 p.m.