Week 11 Preview: District Title Games Highlight Schedule

Week 11 of the 2024 New Mexico High School football season is here. As always, there are plenty of important games, beginning with four winner-take-all district championship games. The NMAA will reveal the brackets for the 2-24 playoffs on Sunday morning.   WINNER-TAKE-ALL DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES   Las Cruces at Centennial (6A-3): For the second straight year, these two city rivals will square off for the district title. Elite QB battle between [player_tooltip player_id='853029' first='Gunnar' last='Guardiola'] of Las Cruces and [player_tooltip player_id='613746' first='Zaiden' last='Davis'] of Centennial. Both are supported by an array of weapons around them. Centennial (9-0) hasn't lost this season and hopes to enter the postseason with a perfect record and the district title in its back pocket. Las Cruces (6-3) hasn't lost in six weeks when they fell to Cleveland at Field of Dreams. Obviously, something has to give. Third meeting between these teams in the last 12 months.       Miyamura at Los Alamos (5A-1): Few folks predicted before the season that these two teams would duel for the District 5A-1 crown. Los Alamos (6-3, 6-0) has won all six of its district games after opening the season with three losses, two by slim margins. Miyamura (6-3, 5-1) has lost just once in district play. If the Hilltoppers prevail, they will win the district title outright. If Miyamura wins, they'll claim the district championship via the tiebreaker. Neither is likely to get a top four seed, but the winner should host a first-round game.           St. Michael's at Robertson (3A-2): The Horsemen and Cardinals are both unbeaten and have been ranked in the top three of Class 3A all season long. Only game in the state this week involving 9-0 teams. The prize? The probable No. 1 seed for the Class 3A playoffs. Both teams bring powerful rushing attacks into this battle. There are no secrets. These two teams have been bitter rivals for a long time. If they meet again in the 3A championship game Thanksgiving weekend, it will be played in Las Vegas, regardless of who wins this clash, pursuant to the NMAA's controversial ‘Who Owes Who' Rule.      Legacy Academy at Santa Rosa (2A-2): Both teams are 4-0 in district play. The winner will be no worse than the No. 3 seed in the 2A playoffs. Legacy Academy has steamrolled opponents all season long during their first year of playing 11-man football. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1600087' first='Lorenzo' last='Sedillo-Urban'] and RBs [player_tooltip player_id='1595657' first='Noah' last='Sanchez'] and Adam Quesada have been a dominant trio. Santa Rosa has quietly put together a solid season. Their three losses are to defending 2A champion Texico and a pair of 3A teams – West Las Vegas and Robertson.   ADDITIONAL KEY GAMES   Class 6A   Rio Rancho at Cleveland (Fri., 6 p.m.): Renewal of one of the most fierce rivalries in NM high school football. Cleveland has won eight games in a row (most by lopsided margins) and likely has a top four seed locked up. QB Jordan Hatch leads a prolific Storm offense. The defense has allowed just 3 points in the last four games. Rio Rancho is No. 7 in the MaxPreps rankings and wants to secure a first-round playoff home game. Rams QBs [player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi'] and [player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano'] shared snaps last week with the latter posting season highs in completions and pass attempts. Winner earns the ‘City of Vision' trophy.      West Mesa at Santa Fe (Thur.): While Santa Fe is playing out the season with their head coach on leave, this game is absolutely, positively a must-win situation for West Mesa. The Mustangs lost to Eldorado last week and fell to No. 13 in MaxPreps 6A rankings.        Albuquerque High at La Cueva (Thur.): La Cueva looks to lock down the No. 1 seed for the 6A playoffs. Albuquerque is No. 16 in the MaxPreps rankings and face a must-win situation to get into the playoffs, although playing the Bears will boost their strength of schedule.   Cibola at Volcano Vista: Cibola is out of the playoff chase but Volcano Vista is sitting in the No. 4 spot in the MaxPreps rankings with Las Cruces right behind them. Volcano Vista has to hope a win here is enough for a first-round bye even if Las Cruces beats Centennial.     Sandia at Los Lunas: Huge game for the Matadors as they seek to seal a playoff berth. Right now, they're squarely on the bubble at No. 11 in the MaxPreps rankings. Los Lunas (#6) looks to lock up a first round home playoff game. Based on where they are in the rankings, these two teams could meet again in the first round of the playoffs.   Piedra Vista at Farmington: Not only is this a rivalry game between crosstown foes, it's also important for the 6A playoffs. Piedra Vista has won just two games but strength of schedule has placed them at No. 12 in the MaxPreps rankings. Win this game and the Panthers are in the playoffs. Farmington wants to secure a first-round home playoff game.     Hobbs at Carlsbad: Probably a must-win for Carlsbad if they want to make the playoffs. Hobbs is No. 10 in the MaxPreps 6A rankings and wants to move up in the seeding. Intriguing QB battle in this one.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-30-at-18-47-24-26-Hobbs-Eagles-Football-@HobbsEaglesFB-_-X.png?w=525" alt="" class="wp-image-1546105" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure>   Class 5A   Gadsden at Deming:  This week's top game in Class 5A. Since they're ranked No. 3 (Gadsden) and No. 4 (Deming) by MaxPreps, both teams have plenty to play for, namely a top four seed, first-round bye and loads of momentum going into the playoffs. The loser risks falling out of the top four. However, both teams have beaten Lovington and Mayfield, so maybe not.   Artesia at Mayfield: These two traditional powers square off Saturday afternoon at the Field of Dreams. Artesia wants to secure no worse than the No. 2 seed for the 5A playoffs. Mayfield is No. 6 and could move up a spot or two with a victory.        Lovington at Santa Teresa: Lovington hopes to win this game and jump ahead of the Gadsden-Deming loser and earn a top four seed. Santa Teresa  is No. 12 in the MaxPreps rankings and looks to solidify a playoff berth. Strength of schedule helps the Desert Warriors in their playoff pursuit.      Rio Grande at Valley (Thur.): Valley must win this game to have a chance at a playoff berth. The Vikings are No. 13 in the MaxPreps 5A playoffs.   Belen at Capital: While Capital faces long odds to make the postseason, Belen is ranked No. 11 by MaxPreps and must win this game to make sure they get into the playoffs.     Goddard at Roswell: These crosstown rivals meet again at the Wool Bowl in a rivalry game dominated by Roswell in recent years. Roswell is ranked No. 1 by MaxPreps in Class 5A and wants to stay there. Goddard is No. 8 and shouldn't fall far if they lose. Interesting storyline: First-year Goddard head coach Arturo was the highly successful defensive coordinator for the Coyotes until returning to his alma mater.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-30-at-18-50-15-26-BulldogFootball-🏈🏆x32-@artesiafootball-_-X.png?w=904" alt="" class="wp-image-1546110" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure>   Class 4A   Bernalillo at Taos: Two of the top four ranked teams in 4A clash in Taos. Bernalillo (8-1) appears to have a top four seed sewn up. But Taos can take no chances at No. 4 . Win and Tigers will get a first-round bye.   Moriarty at Kirtland Central: Moriarty (No. 9 in 4A rankings) wants to host a playoff game. Kirtland Central (No. 13) must win and hope somebody ahead of  them loses.   St. Pius X at Manzano (Thur.): St. Pius X has already clinched the District 4A-2 title and a probable top four seed. Manzano is No. 14 in the 4A MaxPreps rankings and must win this game to earn a playoff berth.     Chaparral at Portales: The Lobos – No. 12 in the MaxPreps rankings - make the long trip to Portales needing to win to secure a playoff berth. Portales (5-4) has probably done better than most people thought after QB [player_tooltip player_id='615523' first='Paxton' last='Culpepper'] suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2.     Valencia at Albuquerque Academy: Both teams need to rebound following Week 10 losses. Albuquerque Academy needs to win since they're right on the bubble at No. 11 in the 4A MaxPreps rankings. Valencia is No. 8 and looks to nail down a first-round home playoff game.         Class 3A   Socorro at NMMI: Both teams will be in the upper half of the seeding for the 3A playoffs. NMMI is battling for a top four seed and is currently at No. 4 with  their punishing triple option attack. Socorro is No. 6 and looks to lock down at least a first-round home playoff game.          Pojoaque Valley at West Las Vegas (Thur.): West Las Vegas is No. 5 in the MaxPreps 3A rankings and eying a top four seed. Pojoaque Valley is No. 7 and looks to secure a 1st round home playoff game.      Hot Springs at Ruidoso: Despite everything the Ruidoso players and their families have endured the past several months, the Warriors are close to earning a spot in the 3A playoffs, which would make for a great story. Hot Springs hopes to win this game and secure a first-round home game.   Crownpoint at Thoreau: If Crownpoint wins this game and Tohatchi beats Zuni (likely), we would have a three-way tie atop the District 3A-1 standings.   Tohatchi at Zuni: Tohatchi is No. 14 in the MaxPreps 3A rankings, so they must win to have a chance at earning a playoff berth.   Class 2A   Loving at Eunice: Eunice has lost only two games all season and both are to teams currently ranked No. 1 in their respective classifications: St. Michael's and Texico. The Cardinals are No. 2 in the 2A rankings. Loving is an off-the radar team for most folks even through they're No. 6 in the rankings.      Newcomb at Navajo Prep: Navajo Prep is currently tied with Cuba and McCurdy atop the District 2A-1 standings with identical 3-1 records.   McCurdy at Hozho Academy: Another game critical to the outcome in District 2A-1.      Cuba at Laguna Acoma: Watch out for Laguna Acoma.  They have a 1,000-yard rusher in Derek Victorino Jr.     MORE GAMES   Clovis at Alamogordo   Eldorado at Atrisco Heritage   Aztec at Espanola Valley   Bloomfield at Grants   Shiprock at Gallup   Highland at Del Norte   Cobre at Hatch Valley   Jal at Texico   Raton at Estancia   Tucumcari at Capitan   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/rick_tripp58/status/1851103879217164396 </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/_NMAA/status/1851323119614783552 </div></figure>

Week 11 of the 2024 New Mexico High School football season is here. As always, there are plenty of important games, beginning with four winner-take-all district championship games. The NMAA will reveal the brackets for the 2-24 playoffs on Sunday morning.