Week 5 Whiparound: Top Performances, Best Games and Fun Stuff
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Week 5 of the 2023 New Mexico High School football season is complete. Here is our fifth edition of the Weekly Whiparound, which takes a deep dive into everything that happened on the field over the past three days: Teams…
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Continue ReadingWeek 5 of the 2023 New Mexico High School football season is complete. Here is our fifth edition of the Weekly Whiparound, which takes a deep dive into everything that happened on the field over the past three days:
Teams of the Week: Bernalillo and Silver. While the Cleveland-Artesia showdown at the Bulldog Bowl was clearly the Game of the Week for Week 5, the next two best games were arguably Class 4A matchups: Silver at Aztec and Moriarty at Bernalillo. Coincidentally, both games ended with the same final score: 14-7. Silver broke through first in the Four Corners when QB Adan Jacquez Adan Jacquez 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Silver | 2024 State NM tossed a 20-yard TD pass to Edgar Melendez Edgar Melendez 5'11" | DB Silver | 2025 State NM with four minutes left in the second quarter. The Colts added another TD on Jacquez’s TD pass to Ezekiel Torres with less than a minute left in the second quarter for a 14-0 halftime lead. The only points of the second half were scored by Aztec on Baylor Seabolt Baylor Seabolt 5'11" | 165 lbs | RB Aztec | 2024 State NM ‘s 12-yard rushing TD early in the fourth quarter. After recovering a fumble in the red zone, Aztec had an opportunity to drive down the field and tie the score or take the lead. The Tigers drove as far as Silver 5-yard line but an interception by Silver DB Julian Richard Julian Richard 6'2" | 150 lbs | WR Silver | 2024 State NM in the final minute ended the drama.
Bernalillo (5-0), meanwhile, kept Moriarty’s run-dominated Wing-T/Triple option offense in check for most of the game to stay undefeated. Bernalillo struck first in the first quarter on next level prospect Mason Espinda-McChriston Mason Espinda-McChriston 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Bernalillo | 2024 State NM ‘s catch-and-run TD. Moriarty scored a rushing TD with 2:32 left in the second quarter for a 7-6 halftime lead. McChriston, though, caught his second TD pass of the night and the 2-pt conversion in the third quarter to give the Spartans a 14-7 lead. Their ‘Goon Squad’ defense held Moriarty scoreless for the rest of the game. Bernalillo travels north to Taos Friday for another huge 4A clash. Bernalillo’s second half schedule includes Taos, Los Alamos (possible matchup of 6-0 teams), Lovington, Portales and Albuquerque Academy. If the Spartans finish unbeaten (and likely earn a top two or three seed for the 4A playoffs), they will have definitely earned it.
Honorable Mention: Eldorado.
Player of the Week: Ethan Conn Ethan Conn 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Artesia | 2025 State NM , Artesia. On the week’s biggest stage, Conn was one of its biggest stars with 9 receptions for 195 yards and 1 TD in Artesia’s wild 36-34 victory over Cleveland at the Bulldog Bowl. Conn had a huge third down catch with just over two minutes remaining that gave Artesia a first down deep in Storm territory and allowed the Bulldogs to drain more valuable time off the clock, giving Cleveland little time left when they got the ball back for one final chance to pull out the win.
Honorable Mention: Demarcus Thompson (Lovington); Elijah Brody Elijah Brody 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB West Mesa | 2024 State NM (West Mesa); Bryce Sanchez Bryce Sanchez 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Roswell | 2024 State NM (Roswell).
Best Team Offensive Performance/Best Comeback: Eldorado. In a game best described as the supreme ‘Tale of Two Halves,’ Eldorado pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in recent memory, erasing a 29-point halftime deficit to stun Clovis, 64-56, in a wildly entertaining game Saturday at Wilson Stadium. Eldorado outscored Clovis, 44-7, in the second half after trailing 49-20 at halftime. The Eagles broke a 56-56 tie with 30 seconds left when QB Brandon Olivas Brandon Olivas 5'10" | 160 lbs | QB Eldorado | 2024 State NM threw a fourth down 16-yard TD pass to WR Josiah Mitchell Josiah Mitchell 6'0" | 155 lbs | WR Eldorado | 2024 State NM . Eldorado lost, 70-64, to Atrisco Heritage two weeks ago on a final play Hail Mary. Olivas passed for 4 TDs in the win. Eldorado took its first lead at 50-49 and went on to win the game.
Honorable Mention: West Mesa (Beat Atrisco Heritage 74-36 as QB Elijah Brody Elijah Brody 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB West Mesa | 2024 State NM accounted for 8 TD, 7 rushing).
Best Team Defensive Performance: Cobre. The Indians’ run defense led the way in a 47-7 victory over Ruidoso. The Warriors finished with minus-70 rushing yards on 30 attempts. They had 57 passing yards, so Ruidoso finished the game with minus-13 total offensive yards.Cobre is 3-2 with upcoming games against Tularosa and Socorro.
Honorable Mention: La Cueva.
Best Game: Dexter 44, Eunice 43. Two of the top teams in 3A (Dexter) and 2A (Eunice) clashed along the NM-Texas border. Eunice jumped out to a 13-0 lead after the first quarter before leading, 21-14, at halftime. The Cardinals built their lead to 28-14 in the third quarter before the Demons mounted a comeback. They scored two TDs and a safety in the final seven minutes of the third quarter to take a 30-28 lead going into the fourth quarter. Eunice regained the lead early in the fourth quarter before Dexter responded with a TD + 2-pt conversion with 5 mins left to take a 38-35 lead. Eunice again regained the lead (43-38) with a TD and 2-point conversion with 2 minutes left. But Dexter quickly drove down the field for the game-winning TD with less than a minute left, capping a wild back-and-forth fourth quarter.
Honorable Mention: Artesia 36, Cleveland 34; Eldorado 64, Clovis 56.
Best Rivalry Win: Las Cruces 44, Mayfield 7. The Bulldawgs won their eighth straight game in one of the state’s most fierce rivalries. It was the first victory of the season for Las Cruces (1-4). Daniel Amaro Daniel Amaro 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Las Cruces | 2026 State NM got the Bulldawgs started with a punt return for a touchdown early in the first quarter and Las Cruces never looked back.
Artesia, Roswell On Collision Course: Mark your calendars – Artesia at Roswell, Oct. 13 at the Wool Bowl. It’s the next Game of the Year. Artesia’s 36-34 victory over Cleveland has been well documented. Roswell improved to 5-0 with their fourth straight victory over a Class 6A program as a result of Friday’s impressive 41-7 road victory over Carlsbad. RB Bryce Sanchez Bryce Sanchez 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Roswell | 2024 State NM spearheaded the Coyotes offense with 29 carries for 242 yards while QB Manny Fuentez threw for 252 yards and 4 TD. The Coyotes have an array of weapons on both sides of the ball. The Oct. 13 showdown should be a collision between two of the top three teams in the state.
La Cueva is Back; Volcano Vista Rebounds: A long-running gag in the college football world is to ask ‘Is Texas Back’ whenever the Longhorns win a game. Altered slightly, the same question could be asked of Class 6A power La Cueva, which started 0-3 with a forfeit loss to Rio Rancho and on-the-field setbacks to Cleveland and Centennial. But the Bears have bounced back strong with consecutive lopsided victories over Volcano Vista in Week 4 and a decisive 45-6 weather-delayed win over Los Lunas on Friday at Wilson Stadium. The Bears scored TDs in all three phases, jumping out to a 42-0 lead (28-0 at halftime) over the Tigers. Speedy Tanner Montano Tanner Montano 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR La Cueva | 2026 State NM (100 meters in under 11 seconds) returned the second half kickoff 90 yards for a TD. Right now, La Cueva is 2-3 and looks every bit the 6A title contender we expected them to be prior to the season.
Volcano Vista knocked Sandia from the unbeaten ranks with a 30-14 victory a week after the Hawks were soundly beaten by La Cueva. Volcano Vista got back to doing what it does best on offense – handing the ball off to RB Alijah Gonzales Alijah Gonzales 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM . He had 187 rushing yards and 1 TD on 25 carries against the Matadors defense. Overall, Volcano Vista ran the ball 45 times in the win. Volcano Vista faces Eldorado Saturday morning (11 am kickoff) in Week 6.
Who’s Still Unbeaten?: Entering Week 6, eight teams have yet to lose a game this season, none in 6A. Here is the breakdown by classification:
6A (0): None.
5A (3): Artesia, Los Alamos, Roswell;
4A (3): Bernalillo, Bloomfield, Portales;
3A (2): Cuba, Dexter;
2A (0): None.
Los Alamos stayed unbeaten with a 45-7 victory over Pojoaque Valley, scoring the final 38 points of the game after a tight first quarter ended in a 7-7 deadlock. The Hilltoppers have largely ridden a strong defense to a 5-0 record. Los Alamos has allowed just two touchdowns to opposing offenses in the first five games. However, the game ended on a sour note for Los Alamos as elite WR/DB Melaki Gutierrez Melaki Gutierrez 6'1" | 150 lbs | WR Los Alamos | 2024 State NM was ejected on the game’s final play for targeting and he now faces a one-game suspension. The final 5 games for the Hilltoppers are all against Albuquerque Metro Region schools: Albuquerque Academy, Bernalillo, Manzano, Valley and Del Norte. Based on how the first five weeks have gone, it’s fair to say the road trip to Valley on Thur. Oct 19 will decide the district championship.
Portales again relied on a its fast, aggressive defense to improve to 5-0. The Rams defense has posted FOUR shutouts in 5 games this season, including Week 5’s 41-0 blanking of St. Pius X at Greyhound Stadium. Devin Diaz Devin Diaz 6'0" | 185 lbs | LB Portales | 2024 State NM (88 rushing yards) and Zach Radloff Zach Radloff RB Portales | 2024 State NM (64 yards) sparked a balanced rushing attack. Junior LB Manny Chavez Manny Chavez 5'11" | 170 lbs | LB Portales | 2025 State NM led the defense with 9 tackles. Halfway through the season, he has 51 tackles, pushing his impressive career total to 285.
In Class 3A, Cuba and Dexter are the two teams left with unblemished records. Cuba scored 13 unanswered points in the second half to edge Tohatchi, 20-13, while Dexter slipped past Eunice, 44-43 (see above).
Focus On The Four Corners: Kirtland Central traveled to Albuquerque Saturday for a matchup with winless Rio Grande. The Broncos controlled the game from the outset, rushed for 201 yards and posted a mercy-rule 57-6 win over the Ravens at Milne Stadium. QB Tyler Joe Tyler Joe 5'10" | 160 lbs | QB Kirtland Central | 2024 State NM threw for 180 yards. . .Farmington (4-1) cruised to its second straight shutout victory, 50-0, over Albuquerque High at Hutchinson Stadium. QB Trel Griego Trel Griego 6'3" | 225 lbs | QB Farmington | 2024 State NM threw for 308 yards and 5 TD in the lopsided win. . .Piedra Vista made the long journey to the Wool Bowl in Roswell for the third time in the last calendar year and came away with a 21-7 victory over Goddard for its first victory of the season. Piedra Vista led, 7-0, at halftime before expanding the lead to 13-0 in the third quarter on a TD by Brenn Hurd. Goddard scored its only TD on a run by RB Jonathan Silva Jonathan Silva RB Goddard | 2024 State NM . However, fumbles on two punt returns in the fourth cost the Rockets multiple opportunities to even the score. . . Unbeaten Bloomfield (4-0) had a bye and travels to Valencia in Week 6.
Hobbs Is Happy: Hobbs snapped its three-game losing streak with a 24-21 victory over Rio Rancho in a game played at Cleveland’s Thunderbolt Stadium due to a power outage at Rio Rancho High School. It was Hobbs’ first win in the City of Rancho since 2009. Eagles QB Owen Callaway Owen Callaway 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Hobbs | 2024 State NM (182 passing yards) threw a 15-yard TD pass to Jeremiah Jaquez Jeremiah Jaquez 5'8" | 145 lbs | WR Hobbs | 2024 State NM and a 60-yard TD to D’Shawn Franklin. Hobbs led, 17-14, after three quarters and scored the first points of the 4Q on RB Saul Armendariz Saul Armendariz 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Hobbs | 2024 State NM ‘s 14-yard run. Rio Rancho scored to make it 24-21 and recovered the onsides kick but couldn’t do anything with it. Hobbs got the ball back and ran out the clock by converting a pair of fourth down plays.
Finally, This: Gadsden (4-1) continued its impressive season with a 40-7 victory over 6A Organ Mountain. The Gadsden defense has allowed just 25 points in the first five games. Panthers QB Adrian Munoz Adrian Munoz 5'9" | 150 lbs | QB Gadsden | 2025 State NM completed 12-of-18 passes for 251 yards and 3 TD while RB Alfredo Andrade Alfredo Andrade 5'6" | RB Gadsden | 2025 State NM rushed for 101 yards on 11 carries. Alex Lopez Alex Lopez 5'9" | 160 lbs | QB Highland | 2025 State NM had 10 tackles on defense. Gadsden hosts Goddard Thursday night. . .If we handed out an award for Hard Luck Team of the Year, Capital would likely get it. After dropping a 20-14 decision to Albuquerque Academy Saturday, the Jaguars have now lost four games by a total of 24 points this season. The Chargers, who grabbed an early 7-0 lead over Capital on QB Gage Conway Gage Conway 6'5" | 175 lbs | QB Albuquerque Academy | 2026 State NM ‘s 59-yard TD pass to Finn Thompson Finn Thompson 6'0" | 145 lbs | DB Albuquerque Academy | 2026 State NM , improved to 3-2 and face a huge test next weekend when they travel to undefeated 5A Los Alamos in their next-to-last non-district contest. . . Grants snapped a two-game losing streak with a 35-18 victory over Hope Christian Saturday at Community Stadium. Grants led, 14-10, at halftime and dominated the second half. . .Santa Fe finally broke into the win column for the first time since September of last year with a 42-31 home victory over Manzano at picturesque Ivan Head Stadium. QB Michael Abeyta (career high 250 passing yards and 3 TD) directed an offense that totaled 415 yards while the Demons defense forced three turnovers by the Monarchs. . .4A Valencia improved to 3-1 with a 51-13 road victory at 5A Santa Teresa as Jaguars RB Daniel Villegas Daniel Villegas 5'8" | RB Valencia | 2024 State NM rushed for 172 yards on 22 carries. . .West Las Vegas trounced Wingate, 55-0, Saturday, grabbing a 36-0 lead after the first quarter. The Dons are 3-2 and have one district game left before starting District 3A-2 play Sept. 30 at St. Michael’s. . .Belen is reportedly appealing the decision of the NMAA requiring them to forfeit Friday night’s game against Deming.
Lovington traveled to nearby Denver City, TX and knocked off the home team, 51-48. Wildcats QB Wyatt Gomez Wyatt Gomez 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Lovington | 2024 State NM threw for 352 yards and 5 TD while Camon Ochoa Camon Ochoa 5'8" | 155 lbs | RB Lovington | 2025 State NM gained 83 yards on 9 rushes. Demarcus Thompson had 7 catches for 157 yards and 3 TD and made 8 tackles on defense. . .Alamogordo’s rally fell short in a 35-28 loss to El Paso (TX) Riverside. Tigers RB Anthony Audette Anthony Audette 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Alamogordo | 2024 State NM rushed for 188 yards and 2 TD on 21 carries. . .Raton QB Jacob Mattorano Jacob Mattorano 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Raton | 2024 State NM threw for 244 yards and 2 TD on 12-of-20 passing as the Tigers downed Escalante, 33-6, in a northern New Mexico battle. Cannon Walton Cannon Walton 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Raton | 2025 State NM , younger brother of Cayden Walton, rushed 12 times for 61 yards. . .5A Highland won its first game of the year with a 54-32 victory over Del Norte. RB Amari Mumba rushed for 210 yards and 4 TD on 21 carries for the Hornets while Alex Lopez Alex Lopez 5'9" | 160 lbs | QB Highland | 2025 State NM made 20 tackles for the Hornets defense. . .In 2A, McCurdy improved to 3-1 with a 44-15 victory over 3A Santa Fe Indian School. . .Crownpoint edged Newcomb, 12-6, scoring two TD on a Pick-6 and 55-yard rushing TD by Tydon Tsosie Tydon Tsosie 5'9" | RB Crownpoint | 2024 State NM . The Crownpoint defense stopped Newcomb three times in the fourth quarter (turnover on downs + 2 punts). . .Senior QB Kaleb Rodriguez Kaleb Rodriguez 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Loving | 2024 State NM completed 17-of-23 passes for 216 yards and 3 TD and RBs Bobby Parraz Bobby Parraz 5'8" | 150 lbs | RB Loving | 2026 State NM and Edgar Zacarias both gained 100+ yards on the ground to lead Loving past Mescalero Apache, 53-6. . .Socorro QB Isaiah Ocampo Isaiah Ocampo 5'10" | 150 lbs | QB Socorro | 2025 State NM passed for 200 yards and rushed for 94 more as the Warriors nipped Miyamura, 28-27. . .Espanola Valley RB Adrick Deleon rushed for 182 yards on just 6 carries as the Sundevils trounced Gallup, 58-0. Espanola Valley rushed for 292 yards. . .NMMI RB Cohen Tomasits Cohen Tomasits 6'0" | 160 lbs | RB NMMI | 2025 State NM rushed for 156 yards as the Colts beat Hot Springs, 41-8. NMMI ran the ball 42 times in the game. . .Hatch Valley outscored Chaparral, 25-12, in the second half for a 37-19 road victory over the Lobos. . .The Santa Rosa duo of RB Nicolas Chavez Nicolas Chavez 5'9" | 150 lbs | RB Santa Rosa | 2024 State NM (154 rushing yards) and QB Jykub Gage Jykub Gage 5'10" | 140 lbs | RB Santa Rosa | 2024 State NM (150) combined for 304 rushing yards in a 40-0 win over Tucumcari.
Week 6 Top Games (Sept. 21-23)
Lovington at Artesia
Volcano Vista at Eldorado
Aztec at St. Michael’s (Sat.)
Grants at Kirtland Central
Bloomfield at Valencia
Valley at Los Lunas
Farmington at Rio Rancho
Robertson at Dexter
Raton at Socorro
Albuquerque Academy at Los Alamos
Clovis at Roswell
Bernalillo at Taos
Portales at Eunice
Silver at Deming
Goddard at Gadsden (Thur.)
Albuquerque High at La Cueva (Thur.)
Frenship (TX) at Cleveland