Baker's Dozen: Week 9 Preview

High school football season enters its ninth week of action! District play has shifted into high gear around the state. Here's our Top 13 Games of Week 9 plus other games. We fondly call this the Baker's Dozen:   GAME OF THE WEEK (1A): Roswell at Artesia (Fri., 7 p.m.)   They meet again. A year ago, this was a highly hyped matchup between the top two teams in the MaxPreps statewide poll. This year, the Coyotes and Bulldogs are ‘only' No. 6 and No. 8 in the state. But they are No. 1 and No. 2 in Class 5A, so the stakes are still very high. Barring an upset in the final two weeks, the winner will likely secure the district title and the probable No.1 seed for the Class 5A playoffs. However, unlike last season, there's less of a feeling of inevitability that these two teams will square off again in the 5A championship game considering Lovington, Gadsden and Deming are lurking.   Roswell brings a superb defense to the Bulldog Bowl. The D-Line is elite and LB [player_tooltip player_id='836944' first='Keegan' last='Nichols'] is having a fantastic season. [player_tooltip player_id='1118273' first='Xai' last='Carrasco'] is a major contributor on both sides of the ball. QB Jacob Palomino has displayed his dual threat skills all season long. Artesia QB [player_tooltip player_id='1432984' first='Izac' last='Cazares'] has thrown for nearly 1,900 yards and 25 TD. [player_tooltip player_id='1118257' first='Ethan' last='Conn'] (31 receptions) headlines a WR corps with 6 receivers posting 10+ receptions. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1118283' first='Frankie' last='Galindo'] (11 TD) remains a TD machine for the Bulldogs. The Bulldog Bowl will be packed with fans from both teams. As always, it will be quite the scene.                 GAME OF THE WEEK (1B): Bernalillo at Bloomfield (Fri., 7 p.m.)   The top two teams in the latest MaxPreps Class 4A ranking collide in the Four Corners. Both teams are undefeated and the winner will likely claim the district title and possibly the No. 1 seed for the Class 4A playoffs. The premier matchup in this one is between the high octane Bloomfield (6-0, 4-0) offense and Bernalillo's ferocious ‘Goon Squad' defense. Bobcats QB [player_tooltip player_id='615635' first='Blake' last='Spencer'] has torched opposing defenses for 1,412 yards and 22 TD passes in 6 games this season. He's also Bloomfield's leading rusher.   The WR trio of [player_tooltip player_id='853022' first='Peyton' last='Duncan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1137877' first='Kaleb' last='Hutchens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1594564' first='Kaden' last='McCown'] is elite. Bernalillo has allowed just 62 points in 7 games this season with LBs [player_tooltip player_id='853756' first='Mario' last='Molinar'] and Gabe Trujillo showing the way. The most points they've allowed in a single game is 20. Bloomfield is averaging over 45 points per game. It's strength vs. strength. However, Bloomfield's D is pretty good too. The Bobcats haven't allowed a single point since the season opener. Five straight shutouts if you're keeping score at home.   <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/1845839190769995867 </div></figure>   Volcano Vista at Rio Rancho: And so it begins. This is the first game of a three-week round robin between the top teams in District 6A-1 that will decide the district title. Volcano Vista-Cleveland comes next week followed by the City of Vision rivalry game on Nov. 1. Volcano Vista (6-1, 2-0) certainly has its eyes on a top four seed and they have an opportunity the next two weeks to show us what they've got. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1119623' first='Ilijah' last='Hansen'] is having a solid season with support from RBs [player_tooltip player_id='1257357' first='Mason' last='Gurule'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1423739' first='D'Angelo' last='Mitchell']. The Hawks have run the ball 63 percent of the time this season. Rio Rancho (5-2, 2-0) survived a scare by Piedra Vista last week but they remain unbeaten in district play and they'll have the home field advantage here. Has sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi'] seized the Rams starting QB job? Seems like it. He's certainly dynamic with his speed and dual threat skills. [player_tooltip player_id='1259000' first='Jace' last='Pitt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1266408' first='Parker' last='Miller'] are elite pass catchers.   Lovington at Gadsden: Since Roswell-Artesia is grabbing the headlines this week, this intriguing matchup between the No. 3 and No. 4 teams in Class 5A (per MaxPreps) is flying under the radar. But it's still a hugely important game. Both teams are battling for a top four seed, and the first-round bye, with Deming and Mayfield right on their heels. Lovington (5-2, 2-2) looked like world beaters in Week 4 against Roswell but have stumbled lately with losses to Artesia and Mayfield. Wildcats QB Mathew Prudencio is having a fantastic senior campaign with 1,942 passing yards and a 68 percent completion rate. Gadsden's revival story is well known by now. This game provides Gadsden (5-2, 2-2) with another opportunity to knock off one of 5A's ‘Big Three' after losses to Artesia and Roswell. Panthers RB [player_tooltip player_id='615673' first='Alfredo' last='Andrade'] is on pace for a 1,600+ yard rushing season.          Centennial at Organ Mountain: Before the season started, most folks looked past this game. But then Organ Mountain (4-4, 3-1) experienced a revival and have won four of five games after three season-opening close losses. The Knights sit alone in 3rd place in District 6A-3 and would send seismic shock waves throughout 6A with a victory here. QB Xavier Perez does it all for Organ Mountain. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1613370' first='Romeo' last='Jones'] has emerged as a top 2028 prospect. Unbeaten Centennial (7-0, 3-0) is led, of course, by elite QB [player_tooltip player_id='613746' first='Zaiden' last='Davis'], who's committed to hometown New Mexico State. RB [player_tooltip player_id='837060' first='Rudy' last='Rios'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='280925' first='Jordan' last='Lucas'] are enjoying great seasons. Win here and the Hawks stay on course for a massive collision with rival Las Cruces on Nov. 1.          Tularosa at Eunice: Battle between two of the top 5 teams in the latest MaxPreps Class 2A ranking. Eunice (5-2, 0-1) doesn't lose often, especially at home, and they'll try to bounce back from last week's heartbreaking loss at Texico. QB [player_tooltip player_id='854273' first='Elijah' last='Melancon'] has already passed for 1,772 yards and 22 TD. He forms a dynamic QB-RB combo with [player_tooltip player_id='615650' first='Eljan' last='Woods']. The WR corps is deep. Tularosa (5-3, 2-0) has quietly put together a solid season. The Wildcats are tied with Texico atop the District 2A-3 standings. Their defense will present a challenge for the Eunice offense.   Manzano at Valencia: A battle between the No. 8 (Valencia) and No. 10 (Manzano) teams in the latest MaxPreps 4A poll. These two teams are currently tied for second in District 4A-2 behind St. Pius X with identical 2-1 marks. Valencia (5-2) has an opportunity to make some major noise down the stretch with games against St. Pius X and Albuquerque Academy after this one. Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1599923' first='Michael' last='Storms III'] has been a revelation for the Jaguars with 884 rushing yards and 13 TD, while WR [player_tooltip player_id='1595834' first='Cade' last='Ash'] has 37 receptions. Manzano (5-2) had its 5-game winning streak snapped at Albuquerque Academy last Saturday. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1258970' first='James' last='Vautier'] has thrown for close to 1,500 yards to spark the Monarchs offense.        West Las Vegas at St. Michael's (Sat., 1 p.m.): The first of two huge matchups in District 3A-2 on Saturday. Defending 3A champion St. Michael's (7-0) has been at or near the top of the rankings all season long, and for good reason. The Horsemen are loaded on both sides of the ball. They've been bludgeoning opponents all season long. Closest margin of victory? 32 points. St. Michael‘s run game is elite with senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1119160' first='Soren' last='Annon'] leading the way. LB [player_tooltip player_id='1137830' first='Pete' last='Johnson'] is a next level talent. West Las Vegas fell inches short against rival Robertson. A few more seconds on the clock and they might have won. C.J. Perea is an elite QB with over 7,000 career passing yards and he has very good talent around him.           Robertson at Hope Christian (Sat., 11 a.m.): The second huge game in District 3A-2 on Saturday. Robertson (8-0) managed to stay unbeaten – but barely - with last week's 28-26 victory over cross-town rival West Las Vegas. The Cardinal are loaded on both sides of the ball. QB Jesse James Gonzalez is close to a 1,000-1,000 yard season. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1613284' first='George' last='Smith'] may be the best 2028 prospect in the state. If the Cardinals win, they'll enjoy a bye before the potential Week 11 showdown against St. Michael's. Hope Christian is No. 11 in the MaxPreps Class 3A poll, so they're battling to get into the playoffs. The connection between QB [player_tooltip player_id='1137124' first='RJ' last='Montoya'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='613163' first='Breylon' last='Williams'] (45 receptions) has been formidable this season.       Cleveland at Piedra Vista: A game that looked like a rout a few weeks ago has suddenly become a lot more intriguing after Piedra Vista's strong second half at Rio Rancho last week. Cleveland, ranked No. 3 in the state, has been surging since dropping the season opener to Centennial. The Storm have won their last two games by mercy rule. Junior QB Jordan Hatch has been outstanding this season. Win this one and massive games against Volcano Vista and Rio Rancho await the Storm. Piedra Vista's overall record is poor (1-6) but the Panthers have lost several close games, including the 36-33 loss at Rio Rancho last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1566538' first='Brig' last='Keiser'], a 1,000-yard rusher, is a name you need to know.      St. Pius X at Chaparral: St. Pius X (5-2, 3-0) looks to continue its recent surge (3-game winning streak) by taking on the vastly improved Lobos. Propelled by some of the top young talent in the state, the Sartans can set up potentially massive games against Valencia and Manzano in the final two weeks with a victory in this one. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1154948' first='Isaiah' last='Carpenter'], RB [player_tooltip player_id='1154954' first='Hershul' last='Olloway'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='1154956' first='Cayl' last='Cox-Liggins'], all sophomores, are already stars. Chaparral is No. 13 in the latest MaxPreps 4A rankings, so they need wins. Their final two games are against St. Pius X and Portales, which should boost their strength of schedule. [player_tooltip player_id='851884' first='Israel' last='Nieto'] is a talented duel threat QB for the Lobos.         Belen at Highland (Thur.): Bigger game than you think. Right now, these two teams are ranked No. 10 (Highland) and 11 (Belen) in the latest MaxPreps Class 5A poll, which means neither team can afford to stumble down the stretch if they want to secure a playoff spot. Highland's stud RB [player_tooltip player_id='615425' first='Amiri' last='Mumba'] has been slowed since a Week 2 injury, but he's still one of the best ball carriers in the Albuquerque Metro Region when healthy, as he proved two weeks ago against Miyamura (260 rushing yards vs. Miyamura 10/5). Belen has a balanced rushing attack led by senior RB Ethan Thomas.   McCurdy at Cuba: Both teams are atop District 2A-1 with perfect 2-0 district records, The winner takes a major step forward towards securing the title and a nice seed in the Class 2A playoffs. McCurdy is led by dynamic QB/ATH Jeremaya Roybal, who threw for 4 TD and 307 yards in Cuba's Week 8 win at Laguna Acoma. Cuba wants to run the football and they usually give it to RB Santiago Maestas.   <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/1846732655171449178 </div></figure>   BEST OF THE REST:   Mayfield at Goddard:   Clovis at Hobbs   Dexter at Hot Springs   Eldorado at Albuquerque High   Atrisco Heritage at La Cueva (Thur.)   Alamogordo at Las Cruces (Thur.)   Moriarty at Grants (Sat.)   West Mesa at Sandia   <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/1846202613286457668 </div></figure>   OTHER GAMES:   Los Lunas at Santa Fe   Santa Teresa at Deming (Thur.)   Cibola at Farmington (Thur.)   Los Alamos at Rio Grande (Sat.)   Del Norte at Valley   Miyamura at Capital   Socorro at Cobre (Thur.)   Navajo Prep at Hozho Academy   Jal at Loving   Estancia at Legacy Academy   Laguna-Acoma at Newcomb   Capitan at Raton   Ruidoso at NMMI   Albuquerque Academy at Silver   Pojoaque Valley at Santa Fe Indian   Crownpoint at Shiprock   Kirtland Central at Taos   Zuni at Thoreau   Santa Rosa at Tucumcari   Tohatchi at Wingate   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1846294983009251461 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-16-at-20-07-46-28-Prep-Redzone-New-Mexico-@PrepRedzoneNM-_-X.png?w=532" alt="" class="wp-image-1531787" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: MaxPreps</figcaption></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/_NMAA/status/1846295483313967424 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-16-at-20-09-58-28-Prep-Redzone-New-Mexico-@PrepRedzoneNM-_-X.png?w=534" alt="" class="wp-image-1531791" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: MaxPreps</figcaption></figure>

High school football season enters its ninth week of action! District play has shifted into high gear around the state. Here's our Top 13 Games of Week 9 plus other games. We fondly call this the Baker's Dozen: