Week 11 Preview: District Championship Games And Key Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 New Mexico High School football season has entered Week 11, the final weekend of the regular season. Games begin Thursday night with a handful of contests around the state and run through Saturday afternoon. The schedule is highlighted by several winner-take-all district champion games. Here are our Top games of Week 11 of what promises to be another exciting three days of high school football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WINNER-TAKE-ALL DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cleveland at Rio Rancho (6A-1)</strong>: The ‘City of Vision' contest is annually one of the biggest high school football games in the Albuquerque Metro Region, and this year is certainly no different. Both teams are safely into the Class 6A playoffs but Rio Rancho (7-2) could earn consideration as a top four seed with a win over Cleveland (6-3). The Rams actually have a better overall record than the Storm but two of the latter's three losses have been to West Texas schools. Two of the top young quarterbacks in the region will be on display: <strong>Jordan Hatch</strong> of Cleveland and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano']</strong> of Rio Rancho. Arellano has thrown for 1,200 yards and 13 TD in 9 games as he's split time with [player_tooltip player_id='274972' first='Noah' last='Nelson']. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590563' first='Rayce' last='Ramirez']</strong> supports him in the ground game while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590564' first='Anthony' last='Raymer']</strong> is his favorite passing target. Hatch has passed for close to 1,000 yards in 8 games. RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590512' first='Harris' last='Mbueha']</strong> might be the best offensive threat on either team as he has rushed for 1,149 yards and 14 TD. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103860' first='Jaden' last='Davis']</strong> is the Storm's No. 1 WR with 35 receptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_RRHSathletics/status/1717324974472810963?s=20","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/_RRHSathletics/status/1717324974472810963?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centennial at Las Cruces (6A-3)</strong>: For years, Las Cruces tormented Centennial but the Hawks finally broke through last year with a three-touchdown win over the Bulldawgs. Both teams come into this game red hot. Centennial has won six straight games after a 0-2 start (the Hawks are playing only 9 regular season games) while Las Cruces has won five straight following an 0-4 start. <strong>Zaiden Davis</strong> has filled in at QB for the Hawks in the last two games, replacing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340297' first='Daniel' last='Hernandez']</strong>. The Centennial offense hasn't missed a beat with Davis and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1037108' first='Jesus' last='Barraza']</strong> at RB. Las Cruces has relied on the two-QB tandem of sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853029' first='Gunnar' last='Guardiola']</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615513' first='Kelly' last='Stevens']</strong> for most of the season. Six-foot-3 WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615455' first='Nate' last='Libby']</strong> is a nice target in the passing game. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Los Lunas at Clovis (6A-5)</strong>: These two teams meet on the final weekend of the regular season with the district title on the line for the second straight year. This time, the game will be played at Leon Williams Stadium in Clovis. Los Lunas is currently ranked No. 4 in the latest MaxPreps 6A rankings and a victory by the Tigers should solidify a top four seed. Los Lunas has won four straight games, all by lopsided margins and all by the 50-point mercy rule. They figure to get a tougher battle from the Wildcats this week. Senior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103683' first='Damacio' last='Kaneshiro']</strong> has thrown for over 1,000 yards and 12 TD in 9 games. RB <strong>Emi De la Torre</strong> is the top rusher. Clovis has swept its first three district games following a 1-5 start. The Wildcats run the flexbone offense, which means they run the ball a lot. In fact they've attempted only 65 passes in 9 games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275376' first='Jett' last='Stone']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275303' first='Kash' last='Roberts']</strong> are a dynamic backfield duo for Clovis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LosLunasFB/status/1716601860117745979?s=20","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/LosLunasFB/status/1716601860117745979?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deming at Gadsden (5A-3)</strong>: Gadsden continues to be one of the best stories in New Mexico high school football as they flip the script following decades of futility. The Panthers rank No. 6 in Class 5A and should cement a first-round home game with a victory over Deming. RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615673' first='Alfredo' last='Andrade']</strong>, a junior with enormous potential, leads a strong ground game for Gadsden. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119637' first='Adrian' last='Munoz']</strong> is a dual threat signal caller with 18 TD accounted for. Deming hit a mid-season rough patch with losses to Artesia, Roswell and Silver, but have bounced back with three straight wins to put themselves in position for a district title. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='837197' first='Ryan' last='Alfaro']</strong> has thrown for 745 yards and is the Wildcats' leading rusher with 626 yards. He has accounted for 19 TD. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Portales at Lovington (4A-4)</strong>: Ranked No. 1 (Portales) and No. 3 (Lovington) in Class 4A, these two rivals played a pair of close, hard fought games last year and don't be surprised if they meet twice again in 2023. Both teams offered a preview of this monster matchup with impressive road wins in the Albuquerque Metro area last week. Portales blanked Bernalillo, while Lovington beat Albuquerque Academy. Portales (9-0) is undefeated because they're strong on both sides of the ball, especially defensively as they've posted six shutouts. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615523' first='Paxton' last='Culpepper']</strong> leads the Rams offense. Lovington QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275459' first='Wyatt' last='Gomez']</strong> and the high-scoring Wildcats' offense (47+ points five times in 9 games) will offer the Portales D one of its toughest tests of the season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Navajo Prep at Newcomb (3A-1)</strong>: These two teams are ranked No. 18 and 19 in the latest MaxPreps 3A ranking but one will earn an automatic berth into the playoffs, even if as the No. 12 seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GadsdenPanthers/status/1715753844679078026?s=20","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/GadsdenPanthers/status/1715753844679078026?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OTHER KEY GAMES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Las Vegas at Robertson (3A)</strong>: The District 3A-2 championship is up for grabs in one of the most fierce and hard-fought rivalries in the state. If WLV wins, the Dons are district champions and guaranteed a top four seed. But a Robertson win will likely create a three-way tie between these two teams and St. Michael's (plays at Santa Fe Indian in Week 11).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eldorado at West Mesa (6A)</strong>: With these two teams ranked No. 11 and 12 in the latest 6A MaxPreps poll, this could end up as a playoff elimination game. That's definitely the case for Eldorado (4-5), which posted a huge 44-40 win over Farmington last week. West Mesa (5-4) might slip in with a loss but why take the chance with so many possible 5-5 teams in 6A? &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roswell at Goddard (5A)</strong>: Another fierce rivalry game. The Wool Bowl should be packed for a battle between the No. 1 and No. 3 teams in Class 5A. Roswell has the top seed in the 5A playoff sewn up by virtue of their record (9-0) and victory over Artesia a couple of weeks ago. Goddard was trounced by Artesia last week and is eager to prove they can compete with the top two teams in 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carlsbad at Hobbs (6A)</strong>: Hobbs (4-5) is currently ranked No. 9 in 6A by MaxPreps but they probably need a victory here to secure a spot in the playoffs. A loss to the 2-7 Cavemen would certainly cause them to tumble in the rankings and likely out of the postseason. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taos at Moriarty (4A)</strong>: This is a must-win battle between the No. 13 (Taos) and No. 12 (Moriarty) teams in the MaxPreps 5A rankings. The loser risks being left out of the postseason party. Moriarty has lost four of its last five games. Taos snapped a four-game losing streak last week at Pojoaque Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Volcano Vista at Atrisco Heritage (6A): (Sat.)</strong>: This game is huge for both teams for different reasons. Volcano Vista is ranked No. 5 in the MaxPreps 6A poll and desires a top four seed. Atrisco Heritage, ranked No. 15, &nbsp;likely needs to win to have any chance at making the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/HobbsEaglesFB/status/1716476472783695927?s=20","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/HobbsEaglesFB/status/1716476472783695927?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ADDITIONAL IMPACTFUL GAMES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>La Cueva at Farmington</strong> (Scorpions are #10 in 6A rankings)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alamogordo at Organ Mountain (Thur)</strong> (Must win for Alamogordo)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Del Norte at Los Alamos</strong> (Hilltoppers must win to have a chance at a top 4 seed)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Piedra Vista at Belen</strong> (Piedra Vista is #4 in 5A rankings)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valencia at Silver</strong> (Silver win gives the Colts a top four seed; Valencia #11 in 4A rankings)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Pius X at Grants</strong> (Both teams should be in the 4A playoffs but seeding at stake here)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dexter at Ruidoso</strong> (Demons need win for top 4 seed in 3A playoffs)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pojoaque Valley at Espanola Valley</strong> (EV can secure undisputed district title with win)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hatch Valley at Cobre</strong> (Cobre secures no worse than #5 seed in 3A playoffs with win)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tucumcari at NMMI</strong> (NMMI will secure undisputed district title with win)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aztec at Kirtland Central</strong> (winner will finish 2^nd in district behind Bloomfield)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cuba at Crownpoint</strong> (winner finishes 2^nd in district with outside chance of the playoffs)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mayfield at Artesia</strong> (Trojans could make major splash with upset of Artesia)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Socorro at Hot Springs</strong> (winner could finish tied for 1^st in district if Hatch Valley beats Cobre)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thoreau at Wingate</strong> (Thoreau wins district title with victory)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Albuquerque High at Manzano </strong>(Monarchs win would likely solidify the #12 seed in 5A playoffs)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley at Rio Grande </strong>(Vikings want to go into the 5A playoffs on a high note)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Loving at Texico (Thur)</strong> (Texico aiming for No. 1 seed in 2A playoffs)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cibola at Sandia (Thur)</strong>(Will Sandia finish with a flourish?)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bernalillo at Albuquerque Academy (Sat.)</strong>(Both teams battling to secure a top 8 seed so they can host a 1^st round game)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miyamura at Highland (Sat)</strong>(Miyamura likely needs to win to make the 5A playoffs; Highland eying Top 8 seed)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/artesiafootball/status/1716921845176578333?s=20","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/artesiafootball/status/1716921845176578333?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SandiaMatadors/status/1716819650275938343?s=20","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/SandiaMatadors/status/1716819650275938343?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Latest MaxPreps State Poll - Oct. 24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1062716,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-25-at-17-49-53-New-Mexico-High-School-Football-Rankings.png?w=504" alt="" class="wp-image-1062716" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: MaxPreps</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FINISHING UP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Fe at Capital</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Teresa at Chaparral</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monument (AZ) at Shiprock</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hozho Academy at Laguna Acoma</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->