Baker's Dozen: Week 1 Preview

High school football season is finally here! Here's our Top 13 Games of Week 1 plus other games. We fondly call this the Baker's Dozen:   GAME OF THE WEEK: CENTENNIAL AT CLEVELAND (Fri., 7 p.m.)   It's only Week 1 and already we have a tantalizing ‘Clash of the Titans' as the Hawks visit Thunderbolt Stadium in Rio Rancho. The last time the Hawks visited this venue, they pulled out a dramatic victory by scoring a late TD. Will history repeat itself? Centennial certainly has the talent to get the job done. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='613746' first='Zaiden' last='Davis'] (New Mexico State commit as LB) begins his first full season as the Hawks' starting QB but he served in that role the second half of last season after a season-ending injury to [player_tooltip player_id='1155301' first='Daniel' last='Hernandez'].   As he showed in 2023, Davis is an elite athlete. His primary receiver is senior [player_tooltip player_id='280925' first='Jordan' last='Lucas']. The ground game will be fueled by senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='837060' first='Rudy' last='Rios'], who battled injuries in 2023. [player_tooltip player_id='853023' first='Luke' last='Matherly'] will play TE and lead the Hawks' defense from his DL spot along with DL [player_tooltip player_id='613749' first='Abel' last='Gonzalez']. The secondary has shut down potential with cornerbacks [player_tooltip player_id='837021' first='Omar' last='Terrones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1259081' first='Omar' last='Sanchez'].   Everybody knows what Cleveland is going to bring to the table. The Storm are again one of the favorites to return to the 6A state championship game, and for good reason. They reload every year even when they lose plenty of players to graduation. Junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='851873' first='Jordan' last='Kekoa Hatch'] and three of five starters along the offensive line are back, including impressive junior LT [player_tooltip player_id='851862' first='Moses' last='Sparks']. The receiving corps returns [player_tooltip player_id='1257321' first='Angel' last='Gallegos Azpeitia'] while junior [player_tooltip player_id='851903' first='Jacob' last='Maldonado'] is a promising newcomer. He'll catch plenty of passes this season. The matchup between Cleveland's WRs and Centennial's DBs will be one to watch. DT [player_tooltip player_id='611047' first='Psalmon' last='Kegler'], LB [player_tooltip player_id='837117' first='Brendan' last='Cochrane'] and DBs A.J. Manning and [player_tooltip player_id='1193983' first='Michael' last='Haynes'] headline the defense. The most promising newcomer is 6-foot-5 OLB [player_tooltip player_id='1230420' first='Elijah' last='Richards'], who is already attracting Power 5 interest.   La Cueva at Volcano Vista: Two of the top teams in the Albuquerque Metro Region square off in a Week 1 Friday night showdown at Community Stadium. Everybody in Class 6A is chasing La Cueva after the Bears roared to the state championship last November. Many of the same players are back, starting with dynamic QB [player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'] (Arizona State commit), RB Cheeto Lumbrera, speedy WR [player_tooltip player_id='853013' first='Tanner' last='Montano'] and OL [player_tooltip player_id='1118241' first='Mark' last='Handy'] (Minnesota commit). LB [player_tooltip player_id='611083' first='Mason' last='Posa'], a Wisconsin commit, leads the La Cueva defense. Volcano Vista opens the season with challenging home contests against La Cueva, Las Cruces and Sandia, so we'll find out some things early about the Hawks. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1119623' first='Ilijah' last='Hansen'] returns at QB with [player_tooltip player_id='1257357' first='Mason' last='Gurule'] the likely successor to Alijah Gonzales at RB. The Hawks hope to have more depth at WR. Defensively, impressive LB Thomas-James Pettus  (4.55 in 40) brings plenty of speed to the field. He'll play the next level. Freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='1613703' first='Aiden' last='Gonzales'] started in the secondary last season as an 8th-grader.       Hobbs at Lovington: Lovington's move from Class 4A to 5A was one of the off-season's top storylines. Not only did it make Class 4A more wide-open but created a ‘super district' in 5A that one opposing coach described as the ‘SEC of New Mexico High School football.' Nonetheless, the Wildcats are optimistic they will compete well against their new foes. New QB Mathew Prudencio is surrounded by talented players, including RBs [player_tooltip player_id='613065' first='Camon' last='Ochoa'] and [player_tooltip player_id='615536' first='Alec' last='Holguin']. Junior receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1137867' first='Elijah' last='Rivero'] returns to headline the receiving corps. The underrated defense could be salty. Hobbs is optimistic they have the players to make a deep run in the 6A playoffs. Six-foot-2 [player_tooltip player_id='1119255' first='Brock' last='Beaty'] takes over at QB and was sensational during 7-on-7 season. The new starting RB could be intriguing 6-foot-2, 215-pounder [player_tooltip player_id='1266895' first='Gabe' last='Henry']. Senior Omarrion Kennedy joins him in the backfield. The Hobbs defense led by elite LB [player_tooltip player_id='1119266' first='Tristan' last='Davis'] will surely test the Wildcats on the road.          Carlsbad at Artesia: Welcome to the latest edition of the Eddy County War. Artesia trounced the Cavemen last year en route to the Class 5A title after winning in dramatic fashion in 2022. The Bulldogs begin the journey to what they hope will be a Class 5A three-peat with new dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='1119239' first='Izac' last='Cazares'], who leads what could be another explosive Bulldogs offensive attack along with RB [player_tooltip player_id='1118283' first='Frankie' last='Galindo'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='1118257' first='Ethan' last='Conn']. LB [player_tooltip player_id='1258077' first='Grant' last='Johnson'] and DE [player_tooltip player_id='1118370' first='Kaden' last='Grantham'] return to the Bulldogs defense. Carlsbad begins the second year of Cale Sanders' tenure as Cavemen head coach. The Carlsbad offense begins with talented senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1119650' first='Kason' last='Perez'], who was a camp warrior this summer as he prepared for his final season of high school football. Last season's leading receiver, junior [player_tooltip player_id='1137066' first='Robert' last='Castaneda'], is back after making close to 40 receptions in 2023. Six-foot-2, 200-pound sophomore LB [player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben'] is one of the top young defensive players in the state.   Roswell at Los Lunas: These two teams met in the Class 5A championship game in 2018 and 2019. Since then, Los Lunas has joined Class 6A, but they still remain familiar rivals. Roswell lost a bunch of major contributors on offense but the Coyotes are confident they'll rebuild on that side of the ball. Defensively, Roswell is elite with arguably the best defensive line in the state led by 6-foot-3, 235-pound [player_tooltip player_id='1118051' first='Mason' last='Greathouse'], 6-foot-5, 230-pound [player_tooltip player_id='1259013' first='Aidan' last='Rutley'] and 6-foot-3, 255-pound [player_tooltip player_id='613759' first='Noah' last='Lynn']. [player_tooltip player_id='836944' first='Keegan' last='Nichols'] is a superb LB and [player_tooltip player_id='1118273' first='Xai' last='Carrasco'] is a shutdown DB. The Los Lunas O-Line definitely  has its hands full trying to contain the Coyotes' defensive front seven. The Tigers' team slogan for 2024 is ‘Prove It' after a disappointing finish to the 2023 season. [player_tooltip player_id='1137088' first='Kaiden' last='Reese'] is a dynamic dual threat QB. The defense is led by LB [player_tooltip player_id='615687' first='Gage' last='Marquez'].   Rio Rancho at Atrisco Heritage (Thur.): Everything kicks off Thursday night with this attractive matchup at Community Stadium in Albuquerque. The level of wide receiver talent on the field will be high with [player_tooltip player_id='1259000' first='Jace' last='Pitt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1266408' first='Parker' last='Miller'] impressing in Rio Rancho's scrimmage against Sandia last week. For Atrisco, [player_tooltip player_id='611116' first='Latavious' last='Morris'] brings elite athleticism to the position. He'll be joined by [player_tooltip player_id='615453' first='Chauncey' last='Lane'] and Deon Sessions. Both quarterbacks are seniors: [player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano'] (Rio Rancho) and [player_tooltip player_id='1021201' first='Landon' last='Griego'] (Atrisco Heritage). Arellano will be protected by an experienced O-Line. They'll have their hands full keeping Atrisco DL [player_tooltip player_id='611058' first='Elycio' last='Roybal'] away from Arellano. Roybal had 16.5 sacks and 26 QB hurries in 2023.   Mayfield at Las Cruces: The state's No. 1 rivalry from a historical perspective has a new twist in 2024 – the game will be played for the first time in Week 1. The Trojans begin their third season in Class 5A with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1257289' first='Luke' last='Linnan'] again leading the offense as the Mayfield's starting QB. He'll be counted on to be one of the team's leaders. [player_tooltip player_id='1266489' first='Anthony' last='Nevarez'], last season's leading rusher, is a solid RB. LB [player_tooltip player_id='1276960' first='Peyton' last='Darden'], who collected a team-high 58 tackles and 9.0 TFL in 2023, is the headliner on defense. Las Cruces possesses the talent to lift the Class 6A blue trophy for the first time in a decade in late November, especially on the offensive side with QB Garrett Guardiola, RB [player_tooltip player_id='1137388' first='Daniel' last='Amaro'], WR [player_tooltip player_id='615455' first='Nate' last='Libby'], WR [player_tooltip player_id='1142363' first='Francisco' last='Winnikoff'] and an outstanding OL. The defense should be pretty good, too, with six starters returning.           Portales at Goddard: The Wool Bowl in Roswell is the scene for an intriguing cross-classification matchup. Last November's lopsided loss to Lovington in the 4A championship still stings Portales and they look to bounce back strong in 2024. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='615523' first='Paxton' last='Culpepper'] begins his third year as the Rams' starting QB. The defense was suffocating at times last season and could be again this season with [player_tooltip player_id='613053' first='Manny' last='Chavez'] likely again piling up the tackles. Former Roswell defensive coordinator Arturo Bolanos debuts as Goddard's new head coach and he's already implemented some changes. The Rockets will have a new QB. Six-foot-3, 180-pound junior [player_tooltip player_id='1248678' first='Josiah' last='Castillo'] should be Goddard's top receiving target. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1137457' first='Taylen' last='Payne'] leads the defense after making 150 tackles in 2023.   Clovis at Farmington: Clovis had to scramble to find a head coach after Andrew McCraw unexpectedly left in June to rejoin the Eastern New Mexico staff. Stan Hodges was hired shortly thereafter and now makes his debut with the Wildcats in the Four Corners. What we do know is Hodges has brought a new offensive scheme to Clovis. Gone is the run-dominated flexbone, replaced by a multi-dimensional scheme utilizing different formations. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1154930' first='Javier' last='Jimenez'] is a dynamic playmaker. Farmington settled on senior [player_tooltip player_id='1595714' first='Waylon' last='Schake'] as the Scorpions starting QB to run the Air Raid offense. He has an array of talented receivers at his disposal led by 6-foot-3 next level talent Mikey Beck. Senior OLB [player_tooltip player_id='1354822' first='Jared' last='Meechan'] spearheads the Scorpions' defense.         Valley at Bernalillo: The Battle of the Cobos takes place in Week 1 for the third straight season. The teams have split the first two games. Billy Cobos has the Valley program on the upswing with consecutive quarterfinal appearances in the 5A playoffs. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1595733' first='Julian' last='Butkivich'] directs a more-passing friendly offense. He'll have some talented receivers catching his passes. [player_tooltip player_id='837220' first='Juan' last='Vigil'] headlines a potentially dominant defensive line for the Vikings. Bernalillo believes they're one of the top four programs in Class 4A. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='615632' first='Uriel' last='Castro'] begins his third season as the Spartans starting QB. His top two targets will be younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='853757' first='Ulisses' last='Castro'] and Volcano Vista transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1599893' first='Joseph' last='Duran']. Nate Encinias is a solid RB. The Spartans ‘Goon Squad' looks ready for another good season.                 Deming at Alamogordo: If Roswell and Artesia have been the most successful Class 5A programs over the past several years, Deming has a legitimate claim to being No. 3. The Wildcats are a solid program. This season, dynamic dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='837197' first='Ryan' last='Alfaro'], who came close to joining the prestigious 1,000-1,000 club in 2023, leads the offense. Deming seeks a more balanced offensive attack after  being a run dominated offense in 2023. Alamogordo enters its third season in Class 6A. The Tigers  failed to make the playoffs last fall, which head coach A.J. Cisco called ‘unacceptable.' Alamogordo's best player might be OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1248681' first='Ke'maurion' last='Morrall']. He's an outstanding and very athletic defensive end.       Santa Rosa at Texico: Texico begins its defense of the Class 2A championship with a showdown against the Lions. These two teams met twice last season with Texico winning both games by a combined 10 points. The latter matchup came in the semifinals of the 2A playoffs. Most of Santa Rosa's major contributors on offense graduated, so it will be interesting to see if the Lions reload. Texico opened eyes this spring and summer with the size and strength of its offensive and defensive lines. Six-foot-3 junior [player_tooltip player_id='1343408' first='Bennett' last='Wahlen'] takes over at QB and he should be well protected.   Jal at Dexter: Intriguing cross-classification battle between a Class 2A power (Jal) and 3A program optimistic about competing for the state title (Dexter). Jal is 32-6 over the last three seasons and won the 2022 Class 2A title. Dexter showed during 7x7 season that they're loaded with offensive skill position talent led by sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='1155032' first='CJ' last='Granados'] andsenior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1119136' first='Julian' last='Manzanares'], both of whom are next level talents. [player_tooltip player_id='1119120' first='Kaesn' last='George'] is a solid WR.             BEST OF THE REST:   Piedra Vista at Sandia (Thur.)   St. Pius X at West Mesa (Sat.)   Socorro at Robertson   Taos at St. Michael's (Sat.)   Ruidoso at Eunice   Capital at Santa Fe   Albuquerque Academy at Moriarty   OTHER GAMES:   Eldorado at Organ Mountain (Sat.)   Cibola at Albuquerque High   Gadsden at Chaparral   Bloomfield at Belen   Manzano at Highland   Hope Christian at Del Norte (Sat.)   West Las Vegas at Hatch Valley   Kirtland Central at Valencia   Silver at Santa Teresa   Espanola Valley at Los Alamos   Miyamura at Grants   Crownpoint at Pojoaque Valley   Rio Grande at Aztec   Hot Springs at Tularosa (Thur.)   Tohatchi at Raton   Montezuma-Cortez (CO) at Gallup   Wingate at Newcomb   Hozho Academy at Zuni   Loving at Estancia   Thoreau at Tucumcari   Shiprock at Navajo Prep   Santa Fe Indian at Cuba   Legacy Academy at Laguna Acoma   Cobre at McCurdy (Sat.)   <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/1825548658190032911 </div></figure>   <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/1825591783797174331 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DemingWildcat/status/1825533705496232262 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ValleyFB54/status/1825713301705339051 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/j2cobos/status/1825732786944418158 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CoachZekeV/status/1825983496260575595 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HHS_HornetsFB/status/1825320171587969160 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/legacyacademyFB/status/1824868793711288405 </div></figure>

High school football season is finally here! Here's our Top 13 Games of Week 1 plus other games. We fondly call this the Baker's Dozen: