Baker's Dozen: Week 5 Preview

The 2023 New Mexico High School football season has entered Week 5. Games begin Thursday night with a handful of contests around the state and run through Saturday afternoon. The schedule is highlighted by a 6A vs. 5A clash at the Bulldog Bowl Friday night. Here are our Top 13 games of Week 4 of what promises to be another exciting three days of football.   GAME OF THE WEEK: Cleveland at Artesia (Fri., 7 p.m., Bulldog Bowl)   This must-see matchup of Class 6A and 5A superpowers isn't just the best game in New Mexico this week, it's arguably the Game of the Year. The Storm have dominated the rivalry in recent seasons, putting up 70 and 61 points in the last two meetings in 2021 and 2022, respectively. However, you get the feeling Artesia just might have the talent to keep up with – or possibly beat - Cleveland this season. The gap has certainly narrowed.   Cleveland sophomore QB Jordan Hatch returned from an injury to lead the offense in last week's 42-13 victory over Las Cruces, although the Storm's special teams accounted for two TD in that game. Hatch has met expectations so far this season considering he was following the footsteps of Evan Wysong. RB [player_tooltip player_id='590512' first='Harris' last='Mbueha'] has already carried the ball 99 times in four games this season, an average of 25 carries per game. Can he keep up that pace in the second half of the season? The Storm defense led by FBS recruit [player_tooltip player_id='274701' first='Stratton' last='Shufelt'] is incredibly balanced.   Artesia's offensive numbers are remarkable, to say the least. QB [player_tooltip player_id='590681' first='Nye' last='Estrada'] is enjoying another great season while RB [player_tooltip player_id='1118283' first='Frankie' last='Galindo'] has been a touchdown machine in recent games. The WR duo of the blazingly fast Juan Diego Duran and [player_tooltip player_id='1118257' first='Ethan' last='Conn'] will test the Cleveland secondary. LB [player_tooltip player_id='590673' first='Diego' last='Wesson'] spearheads a talented Artesia defense that has allowed just 39 points in four games, 26 coming in last week's win at Deming. If Artesia can keep the Cleveland offense under 30 points, the Bulldogs will have a chance to win this one.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-14-at-09-14-54-19-Prep-Redzone-New-Mexico-@PrepRedzoneNM-_-X.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-995737" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure>   Sandia at Volcano Vista (Thur.): Surprise! Sandia is the last unbeaten team standing in Class 6A, which nobody predicted in the preseason. But the Matadors are getting the job done in large part because of a stellar defense that has allowed just 29 points in 3 games. [player_tooltip player_id='590746' first='Hunter' last='Maldonado'] and Grayson Frederich are next level talents. How Volcano Vista responds to last week's surprising 28-point loss to La Cueva is a major storyline for this game. The Hawks offense hums when they focus on handing the ball off to elite RB [player_tooltip player_id='274709' first='Alijah' last='Gonzales'], who had 216 yards on 32 carries two weeks ago against Carlsbad. But he carried the ball just 14 times last week against La Cueva. Perhaps that was due to Hawks falling behind early to La Cueva and frantically trying to catch up.          Moriarty at Bernalillo: There are two matchups in Class 4A this week involving teams ranked in the top seven of the latest MaxPreps 4A poll. This game jumps off the computer screen because of the highly intriguing battle between Moriarty's Wing-T/Triple option offense and Bernalillo's ‘Goon Squad' defense. Both teams are also 4-0. Moriarty is one of the more mysterious teams in the state because they get very little mainstream media coverage despite their recent success (19-7 since start of 2021 season). Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1258989' first='Caedon' last='Kamplain'] leads Moriarty's vaunted rushing attack. Bernalillo's defense has allowed just 41 points in 4 games. Six-foot-4 senior [player_tooltip player_id='275206' first='Mason' last='Espinda-McChriston'] is a two-way standout, leading the Spartans in receiving with 16 receptions and in tackles with 56, tackles for loss with 9 and interceptions with 2. He's a next level talent.           Silver at Aztec: The second of two must-see matchups in Class 4A this week. Silver makes the long journey to the Four Corners to collide with Aztec in a game that could help determine seeding for the playoffs. Silver is No. 4 in the latest MaxPreps 4A rankings and they have one of the best and possibly the most underrated QB in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='815932' first='Adan' last='Jacquez'], who has thrown for 863 yards and 13 TD in the first four games. Jacquez is also one-quarter of an impressively balanced rushing attack with four rushers gaining between 108 and 180 yards so far. The young Colts defense has posted three straight shutouts. Aztec lost for the first time this season to cross-border rival Durango in Week 4. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='275041' first='Baylor' last='Seabolt'] is enjoying an outstanding season.        Atrisco Heritage at West Mesa: How many points will be scored in this one? 100? Don't bet against it. These are two high-powered offenses. Converted QB [player_tooltip player_id='611116' first='Latavious' last='Morris'] has taken the Jaguars offense to another level with his elite athleticism. However, last season's starter [player_tooltip player_id='275207' first='Dean' last='Marquez'] briefly returned to the field for the first time this season in last week's win over Manzano. West Mesa dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='275488' first='Elijah' last='Brody'] continues to post eyebrow-raising numbers: 634 passing yards, 640 rushing yards and 15 TD accounted for. Watching these two offenses race up and down the field should be a treat.         Los Lunas at La Cueva: Nobody was feeling sorry for La Cueva when they got off to an 0-3 start (1 forfeit + losses to Cleveland and Centennial) but they seem to have righted the ship with last week's impressive 49-21 win over Volcano Vista in a must-win for the Bears. La Cueva has weapons all over the field on both sides of the ball starting with elite dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'], a lightning fast WR corps and a defense spearheaded by Power 5 target [player_tooltip player_id='611083' first='Mason' last='Posa']. Los Lunas is looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season at Roswell in Week 4. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1103683' first='Damacio' last='Kaneshiro'] has proven to be a capable successor to Paul Cieremans, who's now with New Mexico State.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-14-at-09-23-33-1-Los-Lunas-Tigers-Football-@LosLunasFB-_-X.png?w=471" alt="" class="wp-image-995777" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure>   Roswell at Carlsbad: It's fair to say the MaxPreps folks were highly impressed by Roswell's 35-7 victory over Los Lunas in Week 4, moving the Coyotes up to No. 2 in the state rankings behind Cleveland. Roswell has steamrolled its first four foes by a combined 171-37. They possess a great offense led by QB [player_tooltip player_id='590316' first='Manny' last='Fuentez'] and RB [player_tooltip player_id='340165' first='Bryce' last='Sanchez'] and perhaps an even better defense. Carlsbad, which is looking to snap a two-game losing streak, must bring their ‘A' game on both sides of the football to have a chance in this one. RB [player_tooltip player_id='590551' first='Ulysses' last='Mendoza'] is the cavemen's main offensive weapon.             Dexter at Eunice: Matchup of unbeaten 3A and 2A heavyweights. Dexter is ranked No. 1 in Class 3A by MaxPreps and Eunice is No. 2 in Class 2A. Dexter's prolific rushing attack has catapulted the Demons to the top of the Class 3A rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='1119136' first='Julian' last='Manzanares'] (9.7 yards per attempt) and freshman QB [player_tooltip player_id='1155032' first='CJ' last='Granados'] (10.3 yards per attempt) fuel the ground game. Eunice relies on a balanced attack to move the football with sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='854273' first='Elijah' last='Melancon'] (13 TD passes in 4 games),  RB Ejan Woods (121.8 yards per game) and senior WR [player_tooltip player_id='274788' first='Ashton' last='Thompson'] (20 receptions, 8 TD) leading the way.       Hobbs at Rio Rancho: Two 6A blue blood programs meet. Hobbs opened the season with a satisfying victory over geographic rival Clovis but the Eagles' offense has struggled since then, scoring just 35 points in the last 3 games. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='817391' first='Owen' last='Callaway'] took the reins in last week's 26-23 loss to Lovington. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1103655' first='Saul' last='Armendariz'] had 91 rushing yards in that game after struggling to find any running room in Weeks 2 and 3. Rio Rancho is 3-1 (2-2 on the field; forfeit victory over La Cueva) after last week's road win at Organ Mountain. The Rams have also utilized two quarterbacks this season. [player_tooltip player_id='274972' first='Noah' last='Nelson'] got the majority of the playing time at Organ Mountain, rushing for 130 yards and throwing 3 TD passes, all to speedy WR [player_tooltip player_id='590564' first='Anthony' last='Raymer'].        Albuquerque High at Farmington: After opening the season with an encouraging victory over Organ Mountain, Albuquerque High will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak when they make the trip to the Four Corners. Frank Hren is a solid dual threat QB. His Farmington counterpart, QB [player_tooltip player_id='274791' first='Trel' last='Griego'], is a mobile 6-foot-4, 240 pounder with a cannon for an arm (1,247 passing yards) and the fearlessness to run the ball when he wants to. He had 3 rushing TDs in last week's win over Cibola. Griego has two elite receivers catching his passes: [player_tooltip player_id='611107' first='Michael' last='Beck'] and [player_tooltip player_id='615414' first='Cayden' last='Haliburton']. Both have 34 receptions heading into Week 5.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-14-at-09-26-49-4-Hobbs-Eagles-Football-@HobbsEaglesFB-_-X.png?w=1019" alt="" class="wp-image-995785" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure>   Clovis at Eldorado: Two teams that have seen plenty of highs and lows this season. Clovis picked up their first victory of the season last week with a 33-23 home win over Carlsbad, just their fourth under head coach Andrew McCraw. It was the most points the Wildcats have scored this season, a sign the players are beginning to execute the flexbone offense to McCraw's satisfaction. [player_tooltip player_id='275376' first='Jett' last='Stone'] and [player_tooltip player_id='275303' first='Kash' last='Roberts'] are the leading rusher. Eldorado bounced back from the Week 3 70—64 shootout loss to Atrisco Heritage by beating Piedra Vista last week. QB [player_tooltip player_id='275430' first='Brandon' last='Olivas'] (state leader in passing yardage with 1,320) and WRs Josh Jackson and [player_tooltip player_id='275436' first='Josiah' last='Mitchell'] have fueled the Eagles' prolific passing attack.   St. Pius X at Portales: St. Pius X freshman (2027) running back Hershul Olloway has emerged as one of the top young running backs in the state over the first four weeks of the season. Now he and the Sartans offense face a stiff against the fast, aggressive Portales defense that has allowed just 14 points in the first four games with three shutouts. The Rams' offense led by QB [player_tooltip player_id='615523' first='Paxton' last='Culpepper'], who has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards and average dover 10 yards per carry on the ground. Senior WR [player_tooltip player_id='1103868' first='Braden' last='Beck'] is the deep threat, averaging 28.0 yards per reception.           Las Cruces vs. Mayfield (at FOD): Yes, this rivalry has lost some luster in the past few years as both teams have struggled on the field and with student numbers (Mayfield moved to 5A two years ago). But it's still one of the most fierce rivalries in the state and, as always, a large crowd should fill the Field of Dreams. Las Cruces is 0-4 but the Bulldawgs have played a brutal schedule with losses to Cleveland, Volcano Vista and two of the top teams in El Paso (Americas and Eastwood). Mayfield beat Manzano and Organ Mountain to open the season before being blanked by Centennial last week. Their demanding district slate awaits.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-14-at-09-19-39-Sandia-Football-@SandiaMatadors-_-X.png?w=484" alt="" class="wp-image-995763" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure>   NEW MEXICO VS TEXAS   Lovington at Denver City (TX)   Alamogordo at El Paso (TX) Riverside   Texico at Farwell (TX)   Kermit (TX) at Jal   BEST OF THE REST   Organ Mountain at Gadsden   Tucumcari at Santa Rosa   Cuba at Tohatchi   Cobre at Ruidoso   Piedra Vista at Goddard   Escalante at Raton   Los Alamos at Pojoaque Valley   Capital at Albuquerque Academy   OTHER GAMES   Valencia at Santa Teresa   Zuni at Shiprock   Del Norte at Highland   Manzano at Santa Fe   McCurdy at Santa Fe Indian   Mescalero Apache at Loving   Gallup at Espanola Valley   Hatch Valley at Chaparral   Hagerman at Estancia   Socorro at Miyamura   Newcomb at Crownpoint   NMMI at Hot Springs   Navajo Prep at Hozho Academy   Kirtland Central at Rio Grande   Grants at Hope Christian   Wingate at West Las Vegas

The 2023 New Mexico High School football season has entered Week 5. Games begin Thursday night with a handful of contests around the state and run through Saturday afternoon. The schedule is highlighted by a 6A vs. 5A clash at the Bulldog Bowl Friday night. Here are our Top 13 games of Week 4 of what promises to be another exciting three days of football.