Realignment: Four Intriguing District Matchups In 2026 (6A-5A)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NMAA's radical realignment of New Mexico high school football for the 2026 and 2027 seasons will give us some very intriguing district matchups. Here are some that at first glance appear to be most intriguing:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>La Cueva vs. Cleveland (6A-1)</strong>. This Clash of the Titans features two teams that met in the 6A state championship game for three straight years (2022-24). In fact, this could decide the district title. The Bears return their starting quarterback ([player_tooltip player_id='1183085' first='Monty' last='Melendez']) and running back ([player_tooltip player_id='1629861' first='Vaughn' last='Saunders']). Cleveland loses a lot of talent, but the Storm always reload. WR [player_tooltip player_id='1613490' first='Evan' last='Nanez'] will be one of the state's top players in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Volcano Vista vs. Las Cruces (6A-2)</strong>: Volcano Vista (and Eldorado) joins the major programs based in the south. Thes two programs are no strangers. They've met three times over the past two seasons. This one could decide the district title. Volcano Vista must also face Centennial and Hobbs. 6A-2 promises to be a monster in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cibola vs. Los Alamos (5A-1)</strong>: Cibola head coach David Howes directed the Cougars' turnaround season in 2025. Defense was a major reason for Cibola's improvement. Los Alamos returns stud running back [player_tooltip player_id='1604744' first='Jordan' last='Herrera'], who was the state's top rusher in 2025 with over 2,000 yards on the ground. It will be interesting to see what Howes comes up with to stop Herrera. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Goddard vs. Chaparral (5A-2)</strong>: With Artesia and Roswell expected to be the top two teams again, who's No. 3 in District 5A-2? This game could help answer that question. Goddard has made significant progress in Arturo Bolanos' first two seasons as Rockets head coach. [player_tooltip player_id='1667558' first='Nate' last='Vazquez'] is a promising young QB. Chaparral RB [player_tooltip player_id='1155082' first='Raul' last='Lopez'] is one of the best in the state. The Lobos move from Class 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Year 3<br>2425 passing yards <br>20 passing tds<br>1 rushing td<br>District champs 🏆<br>Year 4 loading… <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LaCuevaFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaCuevaFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ley7HCuYLi">pic.twitter.com/Ley7HCuYLi</a></p>&mdash; MontyMelendez (@MontyMelen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MontyMelen/status/1993414088899412028?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sophomore season highlights ‼️‼️<br><br>1st team all state receiver<br>2nd team all state kick returner <br>24 total TDS<br>996 receiving YDS<br>242 rushing YDS<br>2 kick return TDS<br>1 punt return TD<br>Back to back State champions 🔵🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_RGarza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_RGarza</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Ridenour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Ridenour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coach_crow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_crow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a>… <a href="https://t.co/215V9TubIz">pic.twitter.com/215V9TubIz</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1613490' first='Evan' last='Nanez'] (@EvanNanez5245) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanNanez5245/status/1998156331371642904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sophomore season highlights <br>2028 FS/SS<br><br>1st team All District<br>1st team All Metro <br>2nd team All Metro KR<br>2nd team All State <br><br>12 games<br>74 tot tckls<br>62 solo<br>12 asst <br>8 TFL<br>1 int<br>6 PBU<br>284 all purpose yards <br>1 TD<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachWallin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachWallin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachList13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachList13</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachSitdikov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSitdikov</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Valdez5Island?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Valdez5Island</a>… <a href="https://t.co/HRcwgzYcau">pic.twitter.com/HRcwgzYcau</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1613703' first='Aiden' last='Gonzales'] (@aidengonzales0) <a href="https://twitter.com/aidengonzales0/status/1998944928995619052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>      </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->