November Madness: Semifinals Preview for Class 4A/3A/2A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>November Madness enters the third weekend in Classes 6A-2A with semifinal action at various stadiums throughout the state. Here is the preview of the semifinal games in Class 4A, 3A and 2A: &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bernalillo (4) at Bloomfield (1), Sat., 11/23 (1 p.m.)</strong>: When these two district rivals met in mid-October in Bloomfield, it was cold, rainy and miserable. Saturday, the weather should be much improved with forecasters predicting partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper 50s. Great football weather. Bernalillo's ‘Goon Squad' defense held Bloomfield to its lowest single game scoring total this season in a 20-7 loss. The Spartans had several opportunities to score but failed to convert. Bobcats QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615635' first='Blake' last='Spencer']</strong> has been nearly flawless with 2,385 passing yards and 38 TD in 10 games. Joining him in the backfield is 1,000-yard rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853022' first='Peyton' last='Duncan']</strong>. Bernalillo QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615632' first='Uriel' last='Castro']</strong> had led several 4^th quarter comebacks. The Spartans must score more than 7 points against Bloomfield's rugged defense if they want to prevail. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Espanola Valley (6) at St. Pius X (2) , 11/23 (1 p.m.)</strong>:These two teams didn't meet in the regular season, which makes this matchup all the more intriguing. They've gotten the job done offensively in different ways. Espanola Valley lines up in power formation with two or three running backs, runs almost exclusively between the tackles and dares you to stop them. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599942' first='Leonard' last='Martinez']</strong> has emerged lately as the go-to ball carrier, but the Sundevils have SEVEN guys with 48+ carries. They've attempted just 13 passes all season. Espanola Valley's underrated defense has allowed just 13 points during the current 3-game winning streak. St. Pius X features a balanced offense led by 6-foot-5 sophomore QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154948' first='Isaiah' last='Carpenter']</strong> (2,583 passing yards) and RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154954' first='Hershul' last='Olloway']</strong>, who blazing speed (4.4 in the 40) has helped propel him to nearly 1,600 rushing yards. Should be a tough, physical battle on both sides of the ball. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Michael's (1) at NMMI (5), Fri., 11/23 (7 p.m.)</strong>: A classic strength vs. strength matchup. Both teams love to run the football and play physical, tough-minded, hard-nosed football. Neither team relies on just one guys to get the job done on the ground, either. For unbeaten St. Michael's (11-0), the trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119160' first='Soren' last='Annon']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613193' first='Cole' last='Sandoval']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853063' first='Isaiah' last='Dominguez']</strong> is as productive as nay trio in the state. NMMI, which runs the triple option and only averages about 6.5 pass attempts per game, relies on the trio of QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1089649' first='Cole' last='Seidenberger']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119319' first='Cohen' last='Tomasits']</strong> (team-leading 900 rushing yards) and <strong>Matthew Cao</strong>. Don't blink because this game will go fast with both teams expected to be run heavy. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dexter (2) at Robertson (3), Sat. 11/23 (1 p.m.)</strong>:You can reasonably argue that this might be one of the most intriguing semifinal matchups in the state, regardless of classification. As we've watched Dexter manhandle most opponents this season on the way to an 11-0 record, we've waited breathlessly for the Demons to face traditional 3A powers Robertson or St. Michael's. That time has finally arrived. Dexter brings a high-powered offense led by sophomore QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155032' first='CJ' last='Granados']</strong>, RBs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137901' first='Garet' last='Gonzalez']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613197' first='Omar' last='Loya']</strong> and WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119120' first='Kaesn' last='George']</strong> to Las Vegas. Robertson counters with the dynamic duo of elite dual threat QB <strong>Jesse James Gonzalez</strong> (1,000+ yards rushing and passing) and exciting freshman RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613284' first='George' last='Smith']</strong>. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Loving (6) at Santa Rosa (2), Fri., 11/23 (7 p.m.)</strong>: Who predicted this matchup in the 2A semifinals before the season? Nobody. But that's why they play the games. Loving is coming off an impressive road win over No. 3 Legacy Academy. Dual threat QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137875' first='Tristen' last='Onsurez']</strong> (member of the prestigious 1,000-1,000 club) was fantastic, totaling 269 yards in total offense against the Silverbacks. Santa Rosa has a standout QB of their own in <strong>Jordan Cordova</strong>, who has rushed for over 1,200 yards and 20 TD. Who wins this battle of elite athletic QBs? Stay tuned. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Texico (1) at Eunice (5), Sat. 11/23 (1 p.m.)</strong>: A rematch of last year's 2A championship game, there are few secrets between these teams considering this is the fourth time they've squared off in the last 14 months. Texico won the showdown earlier this season by rallying from a 21-0 late second quarter deficit to stun the Cardinals. Texico is big and physical. Wolverines RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119205' first='Alex' last='Fuentes']</strong> is very underrated. Eunice, meanwhile, loves to throw the ball with junior QB  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854273' first='Elijah' last='Melancon']</strong>, who has passed for 2,985 yards and 39 TD this season. Both numbers lead the state. RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615650' first='Eljan' last='Woods']</strong> has rushed for over 1,000 yards. Eunice has amassed over 5,200 yards in total offense, so they know how to move the football. In fact, in the first game against Texico this season, the Cardinals gained 400 yards in total offense. Can they do it again?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/TBy6NBa6pp">pic.twitter.com/TBy6NBa6pp</a></p>&mdash; Bobcat sports fanatic (@FanaticBobcat) <a href="https://twitter.com/FanaticBobcat/status/1858723610581430407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Beyond blessed to announce my commitment to <a href="https://twitter.com/FootballBethany?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FootballBethany</a> ! <a href="https://twitter.com/DDemonFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DDemonFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachSanders87?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSanders87</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/chanceclatterb1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chanceclatterb1</a> <a href="https://t.co/iMFUFIQQvJ">pic.twitter.com/iMFUFIQQvJ</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1119136' first='Julian' last='Manzanares'] (Juice) (@juicemanzanares) <a href="https://twitter.com/juicemanzanares/status/1859412285837447434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->