Class 6A: Seven Intriguing Week 1 Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're still about 4 months away from the start of the 2025 high school football season but the anticipation has already started to build. Here are seven Week 1 Games in Class 6A that we're looking forward to watching:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Volcano Vista at La Cueva (Thur. 8/21)</strong>: Both teams debut new quarterbacks in this massive matchup between two of the top programs in the Albuquerque Metro Region. However, both return some next level talent as well, including speedy La Cueva WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853013' first='Tanner' last='Montano']</strong> (ran 100 in 10.63 seconds at recent track meet) and 6-foot-4 Hawks LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1224569' first='Kaleb' last='Vander Wilt']</strong> (ENMU has offered). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Atrisco Heritage at Rio Rancho (Fri. 8/22)</strong>: Dominic Casaus debuts as Atrisco Heritage's new head coach after being promoted from offensive coordinator. If the Jaguars find the right quarterback, they have a couple of excellent receivers in rising juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272752' first='J'ven' last='Smith']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155114' first='Deon' last='Session']</strong>. Dynamic <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi']</strong> becomes Rio Rancho's full-time QB. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266408' first='Parker' last='Miller']</strong> is a talented WR. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Organ Mountain at Eldorado (Fri. 8/22)</strong>: These two teams engaged in a close, hard-fought battle in Week 1 last year at Field of Dreams. Both teams made progress last season with Eldorado snapping a two-year non-playoff streak. Organ Mountain finally snapped a long losing streak and eventually won four games. Two dynamic young players will be on display in this one: Organ Mountain RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613370' first='Romeo' last='Jones']</strong> and Eldorado WR/KR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155116' first='Jahari' last='Morehead']</strong>.     </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sandia at Piedra Vista (Fri. 8/22)</strong>: Tylon Wilder debuts as Sandia's head coach.  Last year Piedra Vista made the trip to Wilson Stadium and upended the Matadors in Week 1. Wilder directed a powerful run-dominated attack at Espanola Valley for the past three seasons, but with strong-armed <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis']</strong> coming off a solid sophomore season, Sandia will threw the ball a lot. Piedra Vista is looking to bounce back after a 3-8 season in 2024.         </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Albuquerque High at Cibola (Fri. 8/22)</strong>: David Howes debuts as Cibola's head coach. He led Rio Rancho to a pair of state championships in the 2010s before becoming a UNM assistant for four years. He returned to Cibola last season as DC. His #1 mission is to revitalize a dormant Cougars offense. All-State caliber LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854199' first='Hayes' last='Baum']</strong> leads the Cibola defense. Albuquerque RB <strong>Albero Landeros</strong> rushed for over 600 yards in 2024. These teams needed OT in 2024 to determine the winner. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cleveland at Centennial (Sat. 8/23)</strong>: A Saturday afternoon Week 1 blockbuster at Field of Dreams, which means it's going&nbsp; to be HOT. Cleveland begins defense of its latest Class 6A title. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851873' first='Jordan' last='Kekoa Hatch']</strong> and WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851903' first='Jacob' last='Maldonado']</strong> both return to spark the Storm offense. Centennial will debut a new QB (most likely, rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604943' first='Ruiz' last='Laborin']</strong>) and new No. 1 running backs and receiver after reaching the semifinals a season ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Mesa at St. Pius X (Sat. 8/23)</strong>: St. Pius X is definitely one of the top five most intriguing teams in the Albuquerque Metro Region. The Sartans reached the Class 4A state championship game in 2024 despite having arguably the youngest roster in the classification. The offensive trio of QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154948' first='Isaiah' last='Carpenter']</strong>, RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154954' first='Hershul' last='Olloway']</strong> and WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154956' first='Cayl' last='Cox-Liggins']</strong> ranks among the best in the state. West Mesa will debut a new starting QB. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672389' first='Logan' last='Jacobson-Waldrep']</strong> rushed for over 500 yards in 2024 while <strong>Marcos Ochoa</strong> will surely get plentiful touches as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New Personal records in the 100&amp;400m<br>10.90 100m🚨<br>50.65 400m (first time)🚨<br>22.5 200m<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/thecoachflakes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thecoachflakes</a> <a href="https://t.co/CQYruGxg6Y">pic.twitter.com/CQYruGxg6Y</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1250361' first='Hershul' last='Olloway Jr'] (@Hersh_Olloway2) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hersh_Olloway2/status/1911200570771488795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I had a great workout with the guys this morning! Absolutely love Durango, Colorado. <a href="https://twitter.com/tony_mccoy3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tony_mccoy3</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachCasaus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCasaus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/conrad_wallis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@conrad_wallis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BryantWill757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BryantWill757</a> <a href="https://t.co/URLuVSoHmC">pic.twitter.com/URLuVSoHmC</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1272752' first='J'ven' last='Smith'] (@jvensmith09) <a href="https://twitter.com/jvensmith09/status/1911462294795485601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2 new prs yesterday. 10.63 in the 100 and 49.34 in the 400. Much more to come.. <a href="https://t.co/D1I6PEYDAP">pic.twitter.com/D1I6PEYDAP</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='853013' first='Tanner' last='Montano'] (@tannermontano7) <a href="https://twitter.com/tannermontano7/status/1911080578981744997?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->