Baker's Dozen: Week 5 Preview

Week 5 of New Mexico High School football season is here! Here are the top 13 games of Week 5, which we call the ‘Baker's Dozen.' District play has now started for most districts throughout the state. Mother Nature Alert: Weather could be a factor this week at many games. Here we go!      GAME OF THE WEEK: Cleveland at La Cueva (Fri., 7 p.m., Wilson Stadium)   The latest Clash of the Titans takes place on La Cueva's home turf. The last meeting between these two Goliaths was the 2024 6A state championship game. Their last regular season meeting was Week 2 in 2023. Now they're district rivals (6A-1) for the first time in a long time.   Cleveland, coming off a 69-point outburst at Farmington in Week 4, possesses arguably the most prolific offense in the state with junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='2181232' first='Michael' last='Denison'] (state's leading passer with 1,258 yards and 17 TD) and ultra-dynamic junior WR [player_tooltip player_id='1613490' first='Evan' last='Nanez'], who is FOURTH nationally in receiving yards and one of only five receivers in the country with 700+ receiving yards. Exclusive company for the talented two-sport athlete. Junior RB Damian Rodriguez leads the run game.   Don't look at La Cueva's 2-2 record and make any assumptions. The Bears' two losses have come to one of the top teams in Colorado and Volcano Vista. Dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='1183085' first='Monty' last='Melendez'] is having an outstanding season. He threw for 318 yards and 4 TD against Volcano Vista. Late last week he was offered by D2  Concord University in West Virginia. La Cueva's WR corps is deep with [player_tooltip player_id='1686972' first='Chris' last='Lopez'], [player_tooltip player_id='1613367' first='Cash' last='Brewer'] and others. The Bears have struggled with injuries in the backfield.   Top Passing Quarterbacks In New Mexico   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-16-at-14-20-42-New-Mexico-Football-2026-Varsity-Passing-Yards-Stat-Leaders.png?w=823" alt="" class="wp-image-2399557" /></figure>   Gadsden at Artesia: Unbeaten Gadsden (4-0) has been knocking at the door of Class 5A supremacy for the past few years. Their biggest obstacle? Finding a way to beat Artesia (and Roswell). Do they finally have the team to do it? Beating Artesia at the Bulldog Bowl is never easy. The expected large crowd will certainly be a factor. How does Gadsden handle the environment? They definitely have the players to compete with QB Rosalio Gomez, ATH [player_tooltip player_id='2108931' first='Deion' last='Torres'], WR [player_tooltip player_id='1155087' first='Anthony' last='Palomares'] and others. Don't be fooled by Artesia's 1-3 record. The Bulldogs' three losses have all come to 6A schools. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2246666' first='Lucas' last='Atkins'] is developing into a solid QB. Five receivers have between 11 and 16 receptions, so Atkins has an array of weapons. Artesia's mission this week? Send a strong and undeniable signal that if you want to kill the king, you must kill the king. Easier said than done, of course.   <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/2099525300732461169 </div></figure>   Volcano Vista at Carlsbad: Had Carlsbad won last week's test at Centennial, this would be a matchup of 4-0 teams. Volcano Vista's unbeaten start includes an impressive Week 3 victory over La Cueva. The Hawks have three shutouts in their other wins, outscoring their opponents, 134-0. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2109033' first='Jude' last='Herrera'] has been solid at QB with 871 passing yards and 12 TD passes. [player_tooltip player_id='2114576' first='Jude' last='Gonzales'] is a promising sophomore at RB. WR [player_tooltip player_id='1608127' first='Aurelius' last='Wiley'] and ATH  [player_tooltip player_id='1679989' first='Isaiah' last='McCary'] are freakishly athletic. Carlsbad features dynamic dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='2101127' first='Marley' last='Munoz'], RB [player_tooltip player_id='1605005' first='Brock' last='Wright'] and UCLA commit [player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben'] at LB. New name to know for the Cavemen: sophomore WR Jaxson Duarte.        Hobbs at Eldorado: Prior to last week's loss to Las Cruces, Hobbs (2-2) had been the Kardiac Kids with close, high-scoring games in the first three weeks. The Eagles were held to 172 total yards by the Bulldawgs' defense, so they're looking to bounce back. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1605057' first='Junior' last='Medrano'] already has over 1,000 total yards and is Hobbs' leading rusher by a wide margin. Eldorado (1-2-1) faced a must-win game at Organ Mountain last week and they went home with a convincing victory. Sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='2178505' first='Landon' last='Smith'] had had a promising start to his varsity career, while RB [player_tooltip player_id='1613434' first='Nolan' last='Romero-Williams'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='1155116' first='Jahari' last='Morehead'] are two of the top players at their positions. This game could be a shootout.              Las Cruces at Organ Mountain: Organ Mountain (3-1) saw their unbeaten start to the season halted last week with the home loss to Eldorado. But the Knights would certainly redeem themselves with a win over the Bulldawgs. This could be the most anticipated Organ Mountain home game in years. The Knights may have found their QB in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1597499' first='Jaydon' last='Kraft'], who threw for 151 yards and ran for 137 in the loss to Eldorado. The Bulldawgs' unbeaten start to the season has two central themes: the emergence of dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='2182154' first='Aldo' last='Gallegos'] (474 rushing yards and 10 TD in 4 games) and a dominant defense that has allowed just 21 points in 4 games. Last week's shutout at Hobbs was probably eye-opening for a lot of folks. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1606042' first='Denton' last='Walter'] (UNM commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='1606076' first='Hunter' last='Parmeter'] are elite.             Valencia at Dexter: An intriguing 4A vs. 2A matchup. Unbeaten Valencia (3-0) had a bye last week  and faces rival Belen in Week 6, so you could view this as a trap game for the Jaguars. Outstanding QB matchup between a pair of talented dual threat QBs: [player_tooltip player_id='1604768' first='Santino' last='Mares'] of Valencia and [player_tooltip player_id='1155032' first='CJ' last='Granados'] of Dexter. Nicholas Herrera has 16 of Valencia's 22 receptions. Both teams want to run the ball. Granados is supported by a balanced rushing attack featuring four ball carried with 166+ yards. The Demons averaged 7.6 yards per attempt.            Albuquerque Academy at St. Pius X (Thur.): This rivalry game could be impacted by the forecasted inclement weather thundering through the Albuquerque Metro Region on Thursday. Academy (1-2) has lost to Bernalillo and Moriarty since beating Manzano in Week 1. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1369761' first='William' last='Braun'] has passed for nearly 900 yards and 7 TD in three games. After two games on the road facing out-of-state teams, St. Pius X (2-1) finally returns to the Duke City for the first of  three homes games in 2026. The Terrific Trio of QB [player_tooltip player_id='1154948' first='Isaiah' last='Carpenter'], RB [player_tooltip player_id='1154954' first='Hershul' last='Olloway'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='1155012' first='Curtis' last='Flakes III'] has been sensational through three games.   <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/2099587955014979808 </div></figure>   Los Lunas at Santa Fe: All of a sudden, this contest has become critically important in the District 5A-1 race. After trouncing Highland last week, the Demons face Los Lunas, Piedra Vista and Cibola over the next three weeks, a stretch that could determine the fate of their season. The QB duo of senior Manuel Pena and sophomore Francisco Chavez headlines a talented offense filled with playmakers. Los Lunas has some dudes of their own with QB [player_tooltip player_id='1787301' first='Luke' last='Cieremans'], dynamic WR [player_tooltip player_id='2075776' first='Tayson' last='Gaxiola'] (28 receptions) and LB [player_tooltip player_id='1606069' first='Brad' last='Mallory'] (55 tackles).   Lovington at Portales: These two teams are back to being district rivals following Lovington's move to 4A as a result of the NMAA's realignment last December. Don't discount Lovington (1-3) just because of their record. Their three losses have come to 6A Carlsbad and two West Texas schools. Junior  [player_tooltip player_id='2109037' first='Kylan' last='Spencer'] has taken the QB reins for the Wildcats. Sophomores Miguel Perez and [player_tooltip player_id='2114597' first='Jude' last='Madrid'] are emerging playmakers for Lovington. Portales (3-1) has already won more games than they did all of last season. Junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1826226' first='Jacoby' last='Bamforth'] and junior RB  [player_tooltip player_id='1613398' first='Slade' last='Segovia'] (on pace for 1,000+ rushing yards) have been stellar for the Rams.   Bernalillo at Bloomfield: These two teams have been fierce district rivals for years. The key question in this game is whether Bernalillo's ‘Goon Squad' defense can find a way to contain Bloomfield's dynamic offense. The Spartans have allowed just 27 points in the last three games. Underrated senior LB Dusty Debeer leads Bernalillo in tackles (43) and the state in sacks (10.0). Sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='2114514' first='Wyatt' last='Babcock'] directs a Bobcats offense capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1826139' first='Cable' last='Carruth'] is fun to watch at receiver.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/HSM8Aj7aMAAiovp.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2399572" /></figure>   Moriarty at Hot Springs: Moriarty (3-1) has become one of the more intriguing teams in the state this season with the success of their deliberate power rushing attack. The Pintos are averaging 321.5 rushing yards per game and 9.6 yards per attempt. They've only attempted nine passes in four games. They rushed for 272 yards in last week's road loss at Silver. The trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1606046' first='Mario' last='Romero'] (413 yards), [player_tooltip player_id='1155208' first='Mateo' last='Manley']-Griego (365) and [player_tooltip player_id='1606079' first='Royce' last='Dennisson'] (296) share the wealth. Hot Springs (2-1) has its own dynamic duo in dual threat QB  [player_tooltip player_id='1613430' first='Zaiden' last='Baker'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='1155121' first='Billy' last='Baca'].     Hope Christian at Hatch Valley: Unbeaten Hope Christian (4-0) makes the journey to the Green Chile Capital of the World. The Huskies are ranked No. 5 in Class 3A and own a mercy-rule win over a 6A program. Six-foot-2, 200-pound freshman QB Nick Miller is second in the state in passing with 1,165 yards and 14 TD with just 1 interception. Speedy senior [player_tooltip player_id='1605990' first='Darrien' last='Williams'] (state-high 49 receptions) has proven difficult to cover by opposing defensive backs. Hatch Valley (2-2) traveled to Roswell last week and beat NMMI for an impressive road win. The Bears want to run the football. They've attempted just 18 passes in four games. The balanced ground game is led by seniors  Felipe Carranza and Nano Turner.          West Las Vegas at Aztec: West Las Vegas is one of the nine remaining 4-0 teams and the Dons are ranked No. 13 overall and No. 2 in Class 3A behind, of course, St. Michael's. West Las Vegas has an array of offensive weapons led by QB [player_tooltip player_id='1791395' first='Caydin' last='Encinias'], RB/QB  [player_tooltip player_id='2108830' first='Fiddel' last='Herrera'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='1791414' first='Johnathan' last='Vigil']. Aztec is a respectable 2-2 under first-year head coach Colton Weaver. What makes that more impressive is Aztec's starting QB (Logan DiGiacomo) and leading rusher (Keegan Keller) are both freshmen. The Tigers' roster is filled with promising freshmen and sophomores.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/a734df12-7399-4917-9706-8bcd0039b7bb1.jpg?w=827" alt="" class="wp-image-2399554" /></figure>   BEST OF THE REST   Centennial at Clovis: Hawks look to keep the momentum going following last week's win over Carlsbad.   Alamogordo at Goddard: The Rockets have won their last two games. Alamogordo looks to snap a three-game losing streak.   Manzano at Grants: Pirates RB [player_tooltip player_id='2114563' first='Julian' last='Fernandez'] is very underrated because of geography.   Robertson at Kirtland Central: Both of these teams have already lost to St. Michael's in district play. Winner stays in the race.   Raton at Estancia: Estancia QB [player_tooltip player_id='2114509' first='Devon' last='Chavez'] has amassed some impressive rushing stats. He's currently fourth in the state in rushing.   Loving at Cobre: These two teams are a combined 6-1. [player_tooltip player_id='1604697' first='Brodie' last='Allen'] is a fantastic playmaker as Loving's dual threat QB.   Texico at Legacy Academy: The defending three-time Class 2A champions come to the Albuquerque Metro Region to face the Silverbacks.   Roswell at Deming: Coyotes have one of the most explosive offenses in the state.   Hozho Academy at Santa Rosa: Lions look to rebound after falling at home to Dexter last week.   St. Michael's at Thoreau: Can the Hawks snap the Horsemen's 37-game winning streak? They'll need to bring their ‘A' game in all phases.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-16-at-12-00-37-Instagram.png?w=600" alt="" class="wp-image-2399555" /></figure>   OTHER GAMES   Cibola at Los Alamos   Mayfield at Chaparral   Piedra Vista at Miyamura   Capital at Highland   Belen at Santa Teresa   Espanola Valley at Del Norte   Taos at Rio Grande   Silver at Socorro   Cuba at Tucumcari   Ruidoso at NMMI   Eunice at Gallup   Laguna Acoma at Tularosa   Tohatchi at Newcomb   McCurdy at Zuni   NEW MEXICO VS. THE WORLD   Jal at Big Springs (TX) Pathway Academy   <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/2099588276776779939 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ArtesiaSports/status/2100345910534516830 </div></figure>   <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/2099587844444729370 </div></figure>   <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/2099588075206930843 </div></figure>   <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/2099588191628202234 </div></figure>

Week 5 of New Mexico High School football season is here! Here are the top 13 games of Week 5, which we call the ‘Baker's Dozen.' District play has now started for most districts throughout the state. Mother Nature Alert: Weather could be a factor this week at many games. Here we go!

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Baker’s Dozen: Week 5 Preview

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