Ranking the districts after realignment
The NMAA has approved the realignment of New Mexico high school football for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, narrowly and consolidating the number of districts in each classification. In our opinion, here are the most competitive districts and the ones…
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Continue ReadingThe NMAA has approved the realignment of New Mexico high school football for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, narrowly and consolidating the number of districts in each classification. In our opinion, here are the most competitive districts and the ones that will likely have the most playoff teams:
District 6A-1: Cleveland, Rio Rancho and Volcano Vista already made this district one of the toughest in the state. Now add Farmington and Piedra Vista to the mix and you have a five-game district gauntlet for every team. Cibola should be better next fall, so there are no easy outs. Four of the top 11 teams in the final MaxPreps Statewide poll reside here.
Teams: Cibola, Cleveland, Farmington, Piedra Vista, Rio Rancho, Volcano Vista
District 5A-2: This district already had four traditional powers in Artesia,. Goddard, Mayfield and Roswell. Now Deming (5A semifinals last two years), rapidly improving Gadsden, defending 4A champion Lovington and Santa Teresa join the district. Yowza. The district schedule will be a battle every week.
Teams: Artesia, Deming, Gadsden, Goddard, Lovington, Mayfield, Roswell, Santa Teresa.
District 3A-2: Already the toughest district in Class 3A with Robertson, St. Michael’s and West Las Vegas (Raton moved to Class 2A), a solid Hope Christian program and improving Pojoaque Valley join the group. The winner of this district has a legitimate claim to be the No. 1 seed for the 3A playoffs
Teams: Hope Christian, Pojoaque Valley, Robertson, Santa Fe Indian, St. Michael’s, West Las Vegas.
District 6A-3: Five blue blood programs reside in this district – Carlsbad, Centennial, Clovis, Hobbs and Las Cruces. The addition of Clovis, a reigning district champion, makes this district exceptionally difficult. Alamogordo is no pushover, either. Organ Mountain aims to improve in the second year under Kenny Sanchez. Once the Knights become competitive, this district will get even tougher.
Teams: Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Centennial, Clovis, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Organ Mountain.
District 2A-3: The last five Class 2A champions come from this district. With teams like Eunice, Jal and Texico, that‘s not a surprise. Dexter moves from Class 3A into this district, making it even tougher. Don’t count out Tularosa or Loving, either. Both programs have been competitive.
Teams: Dexter, Eunice, Jal, Loving, Texico, Tularosa.
District 6A-2: Defending 6A champion La Cueva looks to be a notch above the other teams in this district but behind the Bears we have a free-for-all with off-the-charts parity between Albuquerque High, Atrisco Heritage, Eldorado, Los Lunas, Sandia, Santa Fe and West Mesa. La Cueva will be heavy favorites to win the district, but who finishes second? Flip a coin.
Teams: Albuquerque High, Atrisco Heritage, Eldorado, La Cueva, Los Lunas, Sandia, Santa Fe, West Mesa.
District 4A-1: Good luck trying to pick a winner of this district. Bloomfield is the early favorite with QB Blake Spencer Blake Spencer 5'11" | 155 lbs | QB Bloomfield | 2025 State NM returning but Aztec and Bernalillo are in the conversation. Behind them are several teams that will battle you for 48 minutes. Espanola Valley and Grants are improving, Moriarty runs a funky offense, Taos is consistently solid, and Kirtland Central always has talent.
Teams: Aztec, Bloomfield, Bernalillo, Espanola Valley, Grants, Kirtland Central, Moriarty, Taos.
District 4A-2: Any district with Albuquerque Academy, Portales and Silver is going to very good. Improving St. Pius X and Valencia will try to catch them with Manzano and Chaparral looking to improve. Class 4A could prove beneficial to Manzano as the Monarchs rebuild their program.
Teams: Albuquerque Academy, Chaparral, Manzano, Portales, Silver, St. Pius X, Valencia.
District 3A-3: The depth of this district is impressive. Begin with Socorro, NMMI and Cobre. The latter two teams reached the 3A semifinals in November. Ruidoso won the 3A title in 2022. Hatch Valley is very competitive. Hot Springs is improving under head coach Dennis Barnes.
Teams: Cobre, Hatch Valley, Hot Springs, NMMI, Ruidoso, Socorro.