Look Ahead: Most Intriguing Non-District Games In 6A (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the NMAA reorganized New Mexico high school football in December, Class 6A was divided into two, eight team districts. Thus, every team in 6A will play seven district games and three non-district games in 2026 (and 2027, as well). Most teams have scheduled their non-district games for August and early September prior to diving into district play. Here are 10 non-district games involving Class 6A teams that have caught our eye:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rio Rancho at Roswell (Sept. 4)</strong>: This game jumped off our computer screen the moment we saw it. Why? Because it never happens. Two dynamic quarterbacks in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1853724' first='Andruw' last='Fuentez']</strong>. The Rio Rancho defensive front seven will provide a stern test for the Roswell offensive line. The Coyotes take pride in their physical style of play. If Mother Nature cooperates, the Wool Bowl should &nbsp;be packed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centennial at Cleveland (Aug. 21)</strong>: A possible 6A Championship game preview in Week 1? Yes. The Storm turn to a new quarterback (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2181232' first='Michael' last='Denison']</strong>) as they seek the three-peat. Centennial has beaten Cleveland on its last two trips to Lightning Bolt Stadium. All of their major offensive producers return in 2026 led by QB [player_tooltip player_id='1604943' first='Ruiz' last='Laborin']. Outstanding opener. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Las Cruces at Rio Rancho (Aug. 21)</strong>: While the Hawks and Storm are battling across town, the Bulldawgs and Rams will be squaring off at RRHS's stadium, giving Week 1 a true City of Las Cruces vs. City of Rio Rancho feel.&nbsp; New Las Cruces QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2182154' first='Aldo' last='Gallegos']</strong> debuts against the potentially salty Rio Rancho defense. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Farmington at Bloomfield (Aug. 28)</strong>: For many folks in that region of the state, this is the Game of the Year in the Four Corners. When is the last time these two teams met on the football field? It's been a while. Bloomfield has dominated the Four Corners football scene with their impressive success (and multiple state championships) over the last decade. That can't sit well with the Scorpion faithful. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>La Cueva at Volcano Vista (Sept. 4)</strong>: Last year, these two teams met in Week 1 with the Hawks pulling out a narrow one-point win.&nbsp; The Bears are hungry after losing to Las Cruces in the semifinals last season. They have a rivalry game against Eldorado and a trip to Colorado to prepare for this one. La Cueva could be better than people think. Volcano Vista has impressive talent on both sides of the ball, and is certainly capable of knocking off La Cueva again. After this game, both teams begin play in their rugged districts. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had a great day at the PRZ exposure camp <a href="https://t.co/KAfmIYHdDG">pic.twitter.com/KAfmIYHdDG</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1604734' first='Jacari' last='Smith'] (@Jacari35Smith) <a href="https://x.com/Jacari35Smith/status/2060963280504627463?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great time camping <a href="https://x.com/NMStateFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMStateFootball</a> Thank you again <a href="https://x.com/CanaanYarro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CanaanYarro</a> for inviting me! <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/AGTG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AGTG</a> <a href="https://x.com/JeffJefflynn1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeffJefflynn1</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoyotesRising?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoyotesRising</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/mikeymarquardt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mikeymarquardt</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachYost?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachYost</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach_TSanchez?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_TSanchez</a> <a href="https://x.com/CouchPSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CouchPSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/vV6VoDQEGr">pic.twitter.com/vV6VoDQEGr</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1853724' first='Andruw' last='Fuentez'] (@andruwfuentez11) <a href="https://x.com/andruwfuentez11/status/2066021333352538486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just doing what I love everyday! <a href="https://x.com/Angrybirdfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Angrybirdfb</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachTwelveGage?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTwelveGage</a> <a href="https://x.com/DCobb27?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DCobb27</a> <a href="https://x.com/Carson_Walch?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Carson_Walch</a> <a href="https://x.com/CanaanYarro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CanaanYarro</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachYost?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachYost</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachapatterson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachapatterson</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachD_Delgado?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachD_Delgado</a> <a href="https://x.com/RealCoachCarter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealCoachCarter</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachPickOC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachPickOC</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachSWUTEP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSWUTEP</a> <a href="https://t.co/fkj7EVEK7Q">pic.twitter.com/fkj7EVEK7Q</a></p>&mdash; DailenRamirez2 (@DailenRamirez2) <a href="https://x.com/DailenRamirez2/status/2070598550308982805?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A lot of fun getting out with the team. Really excited for this season. Thanks <a href="https://x.com/CoachGallasASU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachGallasASU</a> for hosting. <a href="https://x.com/asugrizzliesfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@asugrizzliesfb</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/CouchPSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CouchPSports</a> <a href="https://x.com/tony_mccoy3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tony_mccoy3</a> <a href="https://t.co/WOuqFV672g">pic.twitter.com/WOuqFV672g</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2181232' first='Michael' last='Denison'] (@MichaelD_2028_) <a href="https://x.com/MichaelD_2028_/status/2068531052696744267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pl" dir="ltr">Prep Redzone <a href="https://t.co/brwGM9K7Uk">pic.twitter.com/brwGM9K7Uk</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2182154' first='Aldo' last='Gallegos'] (@Aldo_football) <a href="https://x.com/Aldo_football/status/2063340229730464029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->