Baker’s Dozen: Week 3 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 3 of New Mexico High School football season is here! Here are the top 13 games of Week 3, which we call the ‘Baker's Dozen.' Some NM schools will again face out-of-state opponents:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GAME OF THE WEEK</strong>: <strong>Silver at Gadsden (Fri., 7 p.m., Sal Gonzalez Stadium)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the only Week 3 game in the state between 2-0 teams. And it' s a very intriguing 5A vs. 3A matchup. The Kelley Lee Era is of to an encouraging start in Silver City and his son, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114491' first='Kingston' last='Lee']</strong>, is a big reason why. The latter Lee is a 6-foot-3 package of athletic dynamite. He has 513 total yards and accounted for nine touchdowns in the first two games. RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1826113' first='Cody' last='Cooper']</strong> is a reliable ball carrier. Kelley Lee wants his team to be physical in the trenches, and they usually are. Speaking of dynamic athletes, Gadsden ATH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2108931' first='Deion' last='Torres']</strong> is a brilliant two-way player for the Panthers. He dominated last week's mercy-rule win at Capital. In two games, Torres is averaging 12.0 yards per carry and 26.4 yards per reception. He also leads Gadsden in tackles (14) and has 3 interceptions. Containing him is certainly a vital part of Silver's game plan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GadsdenPanthers/status/2094131751325233570","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GadsdenPanthers/status/2094131751325233570 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rio Rancho at Roswell</strong>: This game jumped off the computer screen the moment we saw it this summer. The Wool Bowl will be electric. It should be a fun game too considering what both offenses have shown so far. Rio Rancho displayed some firepower in last week's win over Los Lunas following the frustrating opener against Las Cruces. Rams WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2246575' first='Gilly' last='Terrazas']</strong> is a name to know. Roswell has scored 101 points in the first two games. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1853724' first='Andruw' last='Fuentez']</strong> has been tremendous. He passed for 800 yards in the first two games. Air Roswell? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>La Cueva at Volcano Vista</strong>: Both these teams bring plenty of speed into this contest between two of the prominent programs in the Albuquerque Metro Region. Last year, the Hawks won this matchup by a single point. Don't be surprised if it's that close again. La Cueva QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1183085' first='Monty' last='Melendez']</strong> has already passed for over 290 yards in each of the first two games. The Bears' WR corps is deep and fast. The Volcano Vista defense has yet to allow a point in the first two games. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2109033' first='Jude' last='Herrera']</strong> has completed 69 percent of his passes and thrown for over 500 yards in the first two games. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lovington at Carlsbad</strong>: Carlsbad is 2-0 and proving all that preseason optimism was justified with solid victories over regional rivals Artesia and Goddard. The Cavemen's defense led by Power 4 caliber LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben']</strong> and underrated LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825979' first='Trey' last='Barta']</strong> has allowed just 32 points in two games to some very good offenses. Lovington also owns a victory over Goddard. Wildcats QB <strong>Miguel Perez</strong> (a/k/a Peanut) is a fantastic runner. Intriguing matchup between him and the aforementioned Carlsbad linebackers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clovis at Santa Fe</strong>: Has Clovis finally turned the corner under third-year head coach Stan Hodges? They certainly showed positive signs in Week 2's home win over Alamogordo. Six-foot-3 senior WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2246466' first='Ethan' last='Gutierrez']</strong> is elite. Eastern New Mexico has offered. Santa Fe is 0-2 but the Demons have played eyebrow-raising games in the first two weeks with the shootout loss at Alamogordo and last week's defensive struggle (3-0) against rival St. Michael's. Two completely different games. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Artesia at Centennial (Thur.)</strong>: Surprisingly, both teams are 0-2 entering this Thursday night encounter at the Field of Dreams. Which mean, of course, that one of these teams will be 0-3 in just over 24 hours. Artesia lost a heartbreaker to Hobbs in Week 2. Bulldogs QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2246666' first='Lucas' last='Atkins']</strong> played well, throwing for 275 yards and 3 TD on 22-of-32 passing. Home opener for Centennial after challenging road tests at Cleveland and El Paso (TX) Andress. Senior RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605033' first='Dailen' last='Ramirez']</strong> fuels a solid ground game for the Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/artesiafootball/status/2094565658306683263","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/artesiafootball/status/2094565658306683263 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sandia at Eldorado</strong>: Sandia is on the 6A radar after back-to-back lopsided victories to start the season. The offense led by QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis']</strong> is ultra-dynamic. Lew is surrounded by an array of talent few teams can match. Eldorado has some elite offensive talent of its own led by RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613434' first='Nolan' last='Romero-Williams']</strong>. This one could be a Wild West shootout. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Albuquerque Academy at Moriarty</strong>: Classic contrast in styles. Moriarty, the new No. 1 team in the latest MaxPreps 3A ranking, pounds away at foes  with their power running game. The Pintos have already rushed for nearly 600 yards through the first two weeks. And their share the wealth. Very physical football team. Albuquerque Academy relies extensively on the QB-WR connection of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369761' first='William' last='Braun']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605074' first='Logan' last='Hague']</strong>.       </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Goddard at Los Lunas</strong>: Both teams are looking to rebound after tough losses in Week 2. Goddard QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1667558' first='Nate' last='Vazquez'] </strong>vs. Los Lunas LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606069' first='Brad' last='Mallory']</strong> (36 tackles) is the premier individual matchup. Los Lunas WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2075776' first='Tayson' last='Gaxiola']</strong> is a name you need to know. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Los Alamos at Belen</strong>: Belen is 2-0 after beating a 5A opponent (Miyamura) last week. Los Alamos RB <strong>Jorden Herrera</strong> vs. Belen QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604925' first='Gonzalo' last='Cano']</strong>? Two ultra-dynamic players. Sign us up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hope Christian at Atrisco Heritage (Thur.)</strong>: Starting a freshman quarterback can often be a hit-or-miss proposition. Hope Christian appears to have hit the bullseye with 6-foot-2 freshman <strong>Nick Miller</strong>, who has completed 72 percent of his passes for 601 yards in the first two games. Atrisco Heritage is searching for their first win. Can a 3A team knock off a 6A opponent? &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Espanola Valley at Bernalillo</strong>: Bernalillo's ‘Goon Squad' defense stepped into the spotlight with Week 2's strong performance against Albuquerque Academy. &nbsp;<strong>Dusty Debeer</strong> is emerging as one of the top linebackers in the Albuquerque Metro Region. Espanola Valley won its opener but was trounced by Portales at home in Week 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eunice at Tucumcari</strong>: Tucumcari is probably the biggest surprise in the entire state through two weeks. The Rattlers are 2-0 and ranked No. 2 in Class 2A by MaxPreps. &nbsp;Tucumcari ATH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1684748' first='Jermy' last='Jones']</strong> and Eunice QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2256783' first='Isaac' last='Melancon']</strong> are two rapid risers in 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2371794,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/790341031_29002822275971460_1862241085487853043_n.jpg?w=777" alt="" class="wp-image-2371794" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BEST OF THE REST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mayfield at Las Cruces</strong>: Mayfield's suspensions from last week's incident vs. Organ Mountain takes some luster off one of the fiercest rivalries in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Robertson at St. Michael's (Sat.)</strong>: Rivalry renewed. St. Michael's has won 35 straight games. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alamogordo at Organ Mountain (Sat.)</strong>: The Knights are 2-0. Alamogordo is looking to bounce back from last week's loss at Clovis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cibola at Albuquerque High (Thur.)</strong>: The Bulldogs must focus on this one and not on next Thursday potential mega-matchup with Sandia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Highland at West Mesa (Sat.</strong>): Highland's ground game? Wow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taos at Bloomfield:</strong> The Bobcats look to rebound from last week's loss at home to 6A Farmington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Capital at Portales</strong>: Portales is ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by MaxPreps</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Las Vegas at Gallup</strong>: WLV is off to a 2-0 start and looking like a very intriguing team in 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Loving at NMMI</strong>: Loving is 2-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aztec at Pojoaque Valley</strong>: Aztec won its first game under new head coach Colton Weaver last week with a freshman QB. Pojoaque Valley is looking to bounce back from a loss at Moriarty. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ruidoso at Dexter</strong>: Dexter struggled offensively at 3A West Las Vegas last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Estancia at Jal</strong>: Estancia has one of the most dynamic sophomores in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114509' first='Devon' last='Chavez']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2094930790551572592","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2094930790551572592 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OTHER GAMES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miyamura at Valencia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Teresa at Chaparral</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley at Rio Grande</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manzano at Del Norte (Sat.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deming at Hot Springs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crownpoint at Shiprock</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tohatchi at Santa Fe Indian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Rosa at Laguna Acoma</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tularosa at Hatch Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Capitan at Socorro (Thur.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zuni at Navajo Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thoreau at Cuba</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Legacy Academy at Hozho Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcomb at McCurdy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/legacyacademyFB/status/2095291119055827391","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/legacyacademyFB/status/2095291119055827391 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NEW MEXICO VS. THE WORLD</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland at Amarillo (TX)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hobbs at El Paso (TX) Parkland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmington at Durango (CO)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Piedra Vista at Salt Lake City (UT) Olympus &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Pius X at Pagosa Springs (CO)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farwell (TX) at Texico</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anthony (TX) at Cobre (Thur.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Raton at Trinidad (CO)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2094930500192538727","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2094930500192538727 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2094930604358070573","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2094930604358070573 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2094930705726013780","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2094930705726013780 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->