Playoff Push: Week 11 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 11 of the New Mexico High School football season is here! Sunday, we'll have the brackets for the playoffs in every classification. Here are the biggest games of Week 11 beginning with a winner-take-all district championship game:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (WINNER-TAKE-ALL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley at Bloomfield (Sat., 1 p.m.)</strong>: The District 4A-1 title is on the line when these two teams meet Saturday afternoon at Bobcat Stadium in the Four Corners. Both teams are 7-0 in District 4A-1. Valley has been one of the season's best surprises after moving from 5A to 4A as a result of the NMAA's realignment last December. Both teams feature talented sophomore quarterbacks, so this is a matchup we could see again in the future. Perhaps even this year. Those two young quarterbacks have combined to throw for about 3,600 yards. But the teams have solid running backs, surehanded receivers &nbsp;and stout defenses as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 6A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eldorado at Volcano Vista</strong>: Huge Friday night matchup at Wilson Stadium. Unbeaten Volcano Vista (9-0) seeks the outright District 6A-2 title and the probable No. 2 seed in the 6A playoffs. If Eldorado wins, though, we could have a three-way tie for the district title. If that happens, pull out your calculators.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Las Cruces at Centennial</strong>: This won't be the district-deciding clash some folks thought at the beginning of the season. But it's still a big matchup. Centennial has a possible top four seed at stake. Win and they'll probably get one. The Bulldawgs are fifth in the district yet sixth in the MaxPreps rankings and may need a win to earn a first-round home playoff game. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>La Cueva at Sandia (Sat., 11 a.m.)</strong>: Set for a late morning kickoff on Saturday, the Bears and Matadors are both 5-1 in District 6A-1, so this game will decide second place behind Cleveland. The winner hopes Rio Rancho knocks off the Storm on Friday night. Both teams have talented quarterbacks. Sandia threw for over 500 yards in their Monday night win at Farmington. A top four seed is possibly on the line as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cleveland at Rio Rancho</strong>: The City of Vision rivalry is renewed. Cleveland aims for an unbeaten regular season and the #1 seed in the 6A playoffs. The Storm have dominated this rivalry over the last decade. Rio Rancho looks to host a first-round game. If they spring the upset, the No. 5 or No. 6 seed is most likely. The Rams are currently ranked No. 8 in 6A by MaxPreps. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hobbs at Carlsbad</strong>: Carlsbad is hot at the right time. The Cavemen have won three of their last four games and their only setback was a one-point loss to Eldorado. They would secure sole possession of fourth place in the district with a win and a likely first-round home playoff game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Mesa at Albuquerque High</strong>: Will Albuquerque High finally do it? A win here would seal the desal on their first playoff berth in three decades. The Bulldogs are among a group of four teams battling for the final two at-large playoff berths. West Mesa is one of those teams as well. This could be a loser elimination game. Winner in, loser out? Perhaps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AllThingsNMAA/status/2115183137978503176","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/AllThingsNMAA/status/2115183137978503176 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Goddard at Roswell</strong>: Roswell can clinch the outright District 5A-2 title and the No. 1 seed for the playoffs with a win over the crosstown Rockets at the Wool Bowl. Goddard played Artesia tough last week and fell millimeters short of toppling the Bulldogs. Roswell's offensive firepower is impressive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cibola at Piedra Vista</strong>: Putting aside the massive flooding in the Four Corners for a few hours, Piedra Vista (8-1, 6-0) traveled to Albuquerque Monday and impressively took care of business with a lopsided win over Highland. The Panthers will clinch the outright District 5A-1 title with a win. Cibola eyes a fourth place finish in the district and first-round home game. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alamogordo at Chaparral</strong>: Alamogordo (5-4, 4-2) is in the hunt for a first-round playoff home game, and a win on the road over the Lobos should seal the deal. The Tigers would also cement a third-place finish in District 5A-2 with a victory. Seven teams from District 5A-2 could make the playoffs. Chaparral is presently No. 12 in the 5A MaxPreps rankings. A win here would likely put them into the playoffs. A loss? Wait until Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Highland at Los Lunas</strong>: Los Lunas (6-3, 5-1) has a probable first-round bye at stake in this game. The Tigers are currently ranked 4^th in 5A by MaxPreps. A win would also secure no worse than a second-place finish in the district. Highland is playing for playoff seeding. If the Hornets win, they could grab a first-round home playoff game. A loss likely means they'll travel in the first round. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Artesia at Mayfield</strong>: Artesia wants to finish the regular season strong and confirm a first-round bye with a win at Field of Dreams. In the Bulldogs' last two games, they've been soundly beaten by rival Roswell and escaped with a one-point win over Goddard. Mayfield is squarely on the bubble. Right now, the Trojans are No. 11 in the MaxPreps' 5A rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AllThingsNMAA/status/2115183240525078622","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/AllThingsNMAA/status/2115183240525078622 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lovington at St. Pius X (Sat., 1 p.m.)</strong>: We've had this game circled on our calendars since the summer. It's not a winner-take-all district championship game, but close enough. St. Pius X (7-1, 5-0) will clinch the outright District 4A-2 title with a victory over the Wildcats. The Sartans' possess an array of offensive weapons. Lovington (5-4, 4-1) is tied for second with Portales in the district. A win here should propel the Wildcats to a first-round playoff bye. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manzano at Bernalillo</strong>: These two teams are currently No. 7 (Bernalillo) and No. 8 (Manzano) in the latest 4A rankings by MaxPreps. Sealing home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs is the likely prize for the Winner. The loser will have to wait until Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Portales at Valencia</strong>: Portales is ranked No. 3 in 4A by MaxPreps and is tied for second in District 4A-2 with Lovington. If the Rams win here, they'll likely earn a top four seed in the playoffs, a far better result than most folks predicted when the season started. Valencia is safely into the 4A playoffs. Their No. 9 ranking in MaxPreps puts them squarely on the bubble for a first-round home game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AllThingsNMAA/status/2115183339351257100","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/AllThingsNMAA/status/2115183339351257100 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silver at Hatch Valley</strong>: Kelley Lee and the Colts travel to Hatch with an opportunity to finish his first season in Silver City in a first-place tie with Hope Christian. But the Huskies own the tiebreaker. Silver will likely secure a first round bye with a win. Hatch Valley eyes a first-round home playoff game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Michael's at Pojoaque Valley</strong>: For those folks who don't follow Class 3A football, St. Michael's has been on a roll. No, a ROLL. The Horsemen carry a 40-plus game winning streak into this one as they aim for another undefeated regular season and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Pojoaque Valley must play without their starting QB after he was ejected in the last game. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Las Vegas at Robertson</strong>: This cross-town rivalry is one of the most fierce (and underrated) in the entire state. Bragging rights for 365 days and seeding in the 3A playoffs are at stake. Robertsons should clinch a top four seed with a win. The Cardinals haven't lost since Sept. 5 when they fell to St. Michael's in the district opener. They've won five straight  games. West Las Vegas is No. 8 in the latest MaxPreps rankings and the Dons are fighting for a first round home playoff game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AllThingsNMAA/status/2115183439381135531","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/AllThingsNMAA/status/2115183439381135531 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dexter at Eunice</strong>: Winner earns second place in District 2A-4 and the likely No. 2 seed in the 2A playoffs behind three-time defending champion Texico. Loser likely gets the No. 3 seed. Yes, the top three seeds for the Class 2A playoffs will likely come from the same district. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tucumcari at Raton</strong>: Raton leads District 2A-2 by a game and will win the outright title with a victory over the Rattlers. Raton has won three of their last four games. Tucumcari is No. 7 in the 2A rankings, one spot behind Raton, so they're eyeing a first-round home playoff game. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tularosa at Cobre</strong>: Both teams are on the playoff bubble. This could be a playoff elimination game. Winner in, loser out. Tularosa has lost three of its last four games. They're currently ranked No. 11 in 2A by MaxPreps. Cobre has the same amount of wins as Tularosa but are ranked No. 18 in MaxPreps. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomb at Navajo Prep</strong>: Navajo Prep is another team looking to earn a first round home playoff game. The Eagles have an impressive overall record (7-2) and have lost only once since Week 1. Newcomb is ranked only No. 17 in 2A by MaxPreps, yet lead District 2A-5 by a half-game. This could be a must-win game for the Skyhawks. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Capitan at Legacy Academy (Thur.)</strong>: Legacy would claim second place in District 2A-3 with a win. With only 12 of the 24 teams in 2A making the playoffs, this is a big game for the Silverbacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AllThingsNMAA/status/2115183515772068341","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/AllThingsNMAA/status/2115183515772068341 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ADDITIONAL GAMES</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmington at Atrisco Heritage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Capital at Santa Fe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gadsden at Deming</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Organ Mountain at Clovis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miyamura at Los Alamos</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moriarty at NMMI</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grants at Del Norte (Thur.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taos at Espanola Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Fe Indian at Cuba (Thur.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Socorro at Hope Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tohatchi at Zuni</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCurdy at Santa Rosa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hot Springs at Ruidoso</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gallup at Thoreau</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jal at Loving</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hozho Academy at Laguna Acoma</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aztec at Shiprock</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/artesiafootball/status/2114711648254775758","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/2114711648254775758 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->