Baker’s Dozen Preview: The Top 13 Games of Week 4
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Here are our Top 13 games for Week 4 of the 2021 New Mexico high school football season (All games Friday night unless otherwise indicated) Game of the Week: Las Cruces at Cleveland Sure, if the guys in Las Vegas…
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Continue ReadingHere are our Top 13 games for Week 4 of the 2021 New Mexico high school football season (All games Friday night unless otherwise indicated)
Game of the Week: Las Cruces at Cleveland
Sure, if the guys in Las Vegas posted a line on this game, Cleveland would likely be favored by three touchdowns. But that’s not the point. These are two of the most visible and prominent programs in the state. It’s akin to a heavyweight boxing match. Regardless of who’s fighting, we watch. The Bulldawgs have plenty of pride and they’ll come to play. And they’re desperate for a win, too, following consecutive losses to Cibola and La Cueva. Hey, nobody thought Rocky could beat Apollo Creed, right?
Sometimes desperate teams are the most dangerous opponents. And they won’t back down or be intimidated by the environment. Las Cruces sophomore WR Zakye Hawkins has emerged as one of the top young talents in the state. He’s accounted for more than one-third of the Bulldawgs’ receptions in 2021. Cleveland keeps rolling along with three victories to start the season, averaging 46.3 points per game offensively. Junior QB Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM and junior RB Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM spark the Storm’s offense.
Mayfield at Centennial (Thur., 7 p.m.): Mayfield bounced back from the OT loss to Eldorado by trouncing Organ Mountain last week. The Trojans feature one of the top rushing attacks in Class 5A with Jose Montoya Jose Montoya 5'8" | RB Mayfield | 2022 State NM and Calvin Cox Calvin Cox 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Mayfield | 2022 State NM . Junior QB Anthony Carrillo is a talented two-way player. Centennial has regrouped after the Week 1 loss to Cleveland with convincing victories over West Mesa and Sandia. Ian Lopez Ian Lopez QB Centennial | 2022 State NM has developed into an outstanding dual threat quarterback. One of the best games of the year in Las Cruces.
Cibola at Eldorado (Wilson): The last time we saw Cibola battle Eldorado was a 7-on-7 event in July. This time, though, the pads are on and the hitting is real. Cibola is coming off a bye week after the Week 2 win over Las Cruces. Junior QB Aden Chavez Aden Chavez 6'5" | 210 lbs | QB Cibola | 2023 State NM and receivers Nathan Lopez Nathan Lopez 5'5" | 135 lbs | WR Cibola | 2022 State NM (11 receptions) and Branden Castillo (11 receptions) headline Cibola’s passing attack. The Eagles hope to return to their winning ways after last week’s disappointing 41-0 loss at Rio Rancho. But the score was only 7-0 in the third quarter, so Eldorado competed well until things unraveled over the final 20 minutes or so. Aidan St. John Aidan St. John 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Eldorado | 2022 State NM (355 rushing yards) has developed into an elite RB.
La Cueva at Volcano Vista: The second intriguing matchup between APS schools in Week 4. La Cueva was embarrassed by Rio Rancho in Week 2 but the Bears circled the wagons, made the long trip to Las Cruces and came away with an impressive 28-10 win over the Bulldawgs. Junior QB Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM is off to a good start in his first full season as La Cueva’s starting QB. The Bears are dealing with some injuries. Volcano Vista has battled a covid outbreak within its program and had last week’s highly anticipated matchup with Carlsbad in Albuquerque cancelled since so many players were quarantined.
Albuq. Academy at Bloomfield: Intriguing battle between the two teams ranked No. 2 (Bloomfield) and No. 4 (AA) in Class 4A by MaxPreps. Academy QB A.J. Rivera A.J. Rivera 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM has completed 81 percent of his passes (31-38) with 7 TDs through three games while Cole Conway Cole Conway 6'3" | 230 lbs | RB Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM (278 yards on 26 carries) ignites the ground game for the Chargers. Bloomfield (3-0) is undefeated and could stay that way until the regular season finale against Four Corners rival Kirtland Central if they win this game. Bobcats junior Ryan Sharpe is developing into an outstanding dual threat quarterback.
Los Lunas at Roswell: A rematch of the Class 5A state championship games in 2018-19, both won by Roswell. However, the Coyotes are rebuilding, although they still attract a tremendous amount of respect. MaxPreps ranks winless Roswell (0-3) as the No. 7 team in Class 5A. Scoring points has been a problem with 6 or fewer points in two of the first three games. Meanwhile, Los Lunas is rolling with three straight lopsided victories to start the season. Tigers QB Paul Cieremans Paul Cieremans 5'10" | 195 lbs | QB Los Lunas | 2023 State NM could be the best quarterback in 5A based on his performances so far. He’s a threat to go a long way every time he starts to run with the football.
Lovington at Hobbs: Possessing one of the most explosive offenses in the state, undefeated Lovington is rightfully ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by MaxPreps. Wildcats sophomore QB Wyatt Gomez has been impressive, turning into one of the top 2024 prospects in the state. And the defense led by LB Joseph Perez Joseph Perez 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Lovington | 2022 State NM is sneaky good. The Hobbs defense has already posted two shutouts in the first three games. The rushing attack is a three-headed monster consisting of Diego Baeza (167 yards), Colton Graham Colton Graham 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Hobbs | 2022 State NM (140) and Jayonni Royal Jayonni Royal 5'8" | RB Hobbs | 2022 State NM (110).
Kirtland Central at Piedra Vista: The Game of the Week in the Four Corners as the battle to see who’s the No. 2 team in the region behind Farmington rages on. Kirtland Central RB Zakk Thomas Zakk Thomas 5'10" | RB Kirtland Central | 2022 State NM had a game for the ages last week, scoring 8 touchdowns in a high-scoring win at Taos. Piedra Vista counters with RB Jacob Ramsted.
Artesia at Deming: Artesia has righted the ship since an opening game loss to Carlsbad in the Eddy County War. Victories over Hobbs (27-14) and Belen (21-7) have the Bulldogs north of the .500 mark in Jeremy Maupins’ first season as head coach. Deming has been outscored 70-6 in its last two games, both losses to Organ Mountain and Goddard.
Santa Teresa at Alamogordo: Santa Teresa QB Julian Cobos Julian Cobos 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Santa Teresa | 2022 State NM is one of the most underrated players in Class 5A with 176 yards passing and 302 yards rushing in three games. Alamogordo lost a heartbreaker to Lovington last week, surrendering a TD and 2-point conversion in the final seconds of a 22-21 loss. Joshua Sanchez Joshua Sanchez 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Alamogordo | 2022 State NM has 223 yards rushing.
Hope Christian at Socorro: Battle between two of the top teams in Class 3A. Hope Christian is 1-2 but could be undefeated had close games against Bloomfield and Albuquerque Academy gone the other way. Socorro is ranked No. 1 in 3A.
Santa Fe at Capital: Undefeated after 3 games for the first time in over 30 years, Santa Fe looks to continue its impressive start to the season. They beat rival St. Michael’s last week and now aim to complete the city sweep against the Jaguars. Of course, RB Martell Mora Martell Mora 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Santa Fe High | 2022 State NM will have a big say in whether that happens.
Robertson at Ruidoso: Robertson, ranked No. 4 in Class 3A, makes the long trip to Ruidoso to face the 4A Warriors. Robertson is led by dual threat QB Matthew Gonzales Matthew Gonzales 5'5" | QB Robertson | 2022 State NM (17-22 passing for 335 yards + 250 yards rushing). Ruidoso QB Griffin Hooker (335 yards passing) and RB Braxton Hall Braxton Hall RB Ruidoso | 2022 State NM (253 rushing yards) are a formidable backfield duo.
Best of the Rest
Highland at Pojoaque Valley (Thur., 7 p.m.)
Valencia at Portales
Goddard at El Paso (TX) Austin
El Paso (TX) Coronado at Carlsbad
St. Michael’s at Los Alamos
Farmington at Aztec
Taos at St. Pius X (Sat, 1 p.m.)
Other Games
Sandia at West Mesa (Thur.)
Tularosa at Cobre (Thur.)
Crownpoint at Navajo Prep (Thur.)
Atrisco Heritage at Valley
Grants at Moriarty
Belen at Miyamura
Bernalillo at Shiprock
Hatch Valley at Anthony (Tex.)
Espanola Valley at West Las Vegas
Raton at Tucumcari
Santa Fe Indian at Wingate
Eunice at Hot Springs
Clint (TX) at Gadsden
Capitan at Jal
Gallup at Silver
Santa Rosa at Escalante
CANCELLED: Clovis at Rio Rancho
Couple of games have been switched to tonight: Highland at Pojoaque Valley and Mayfield at Centennial.
Full Thur. Schedule (9/9):
Highland at Pojoaque Valley
Mayfield at Centennial
Sandia at West Mesa (C)
Del Norte at Rio Grande (M)
Tularosa at Cobre
Crownpoint at Navajor Prep pic.twitter.com/tToEVLvsmZ— Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) September 9, 2021
NMOT Football Coaches Polls@JnorthSports @sfnmsports @JamesDYodice @krqesports @MattH_717 @Brandega @ArtesiaSports @CCAsports @CharlesWiniecki @PDindinger @ProViewTV @AdamDiehl15 pic.twitter.com/zvkDg4bZWk
— Richard Tripp (@rick_tripp58) September 8, 2021
On the Road again. pic.twitter.com/vhuWeHoFzY
— BulldogFootball 🏈🏆x32 (@artesiafootball) September 8, 2021
BREAKING: Friday night's Clovis at Rio Rancho football game has been canceled. Clovis reporting multiple COVID exposures, my sources tells me.
RR now down TWO games, after already having missed out in Week 1 with that roadie to Goddard.
— James Yodice (@JamesDYodice) September 9, 2021
Back at it again tomorrow night! Come out and support YOUR ALAMOGORDO TIGERS as they take on Santa Teresa tomorrow night @ 7 p.m. in TIGER STADIUM. #BuiltByTheA pic.twitter.com/4i3Hxizsqv
— AlamoTigerFootball (@AlamoFootball) September 9, 2021