New Mexico High School Football Preseason Top 25: Cleveland Opens 2026 at No. 1

The wait is nearly over for high school football in New Mexico. This year is different than any other, coming off the heels of New Mexico Athletic Association (NMAA) transfer rule changes and full-fledged high school free agency.

Some teams made out like bandits, such as Sandia; others not so much, like Atrisco Heritage. Cleveland looks to be the best in the state once again, but new district foes La Cueva would like a word. Las Cruces will try to rumble back to the title game, while Centennial wants to be the one out of the south to punch that ticket.

It was a rollercoaster of an offseason, and now, just days away, here is how the local gridiron teams rank ahead of the Aug. 20 kickoff.

New Mexico high school football state rankings — High School On SI

1. Cleveland

Last Season: 12-1

Shocker, I know. The Storm are the team to beat once again in 6A, for what seems like the 10th straight year. Cleveland became seven-time champions in 2025, their second consecutive title and third in four years. While they lost a talented group of seniors, Robert Garza’s program will do what it has done successfully over the last five seasons: reload, rather than rebuild.

Michael Denison takes over at the quarterback spot for Jordan Hatch. Evan Nanez is now the lone WR1, with Jacob Maldonado now at the college level. In terms of transfers, defensive end Jacari Smith comes over from rival Rio Rancho and running back D’Angelo Mitchell transfers in from Volcano Vista. Two top names in the 2027 New Mexico recruiting space.

For over 600 days, the Storm have claimed the 6A throne. Until someone proves themselves worthy, it's theirs for the taking once again.

2. La Cueva

Last Season: 10-3

The Bears' three-year stretch of making the title game ended in 2025, but that could change this fall.

Many of the Bears' young contributors are now entering their senior seasons, such as quarterback Monty Melendez and running back Vaughn Saunders. Melendez delivered in his junior year, finishing with 2,400 passing yards and 20 touchdowns.

Now in a tougher district, sharing one with Cleveland, a tougher road may make La Cueva more battle-tested come playoff time.

3. Las Cruces

Last Season: 12-1

The Bulldawgs have been on the doorstep of November glory for the last few seasons, including a championship loss in 2025. That 2025 team was very senior-heavy and ran almost all the way to the promised land behind running back Danny Amaro, who rushed for just short of 2,000 yards.

Like a lot of their state powers, the ‘Dawgs reload with talent efficiently and with pace, such as running back Jaxon Alba, who will likely be the main ball carrier this fall.

Las Cruces should be the favorite out of the southern part of the state, but it will take a lot of getting up to speed for another title appearance.

4. Centennial

Last Season: 7-4

Not so fast, Bulldawgs. The Hawks could play spoiler as the champs of the south, as they sport one of the best backfield duos in the state.

Quarterback Ruiz Laborin and running back Dailen Ramirez enter their senior seasons. The two combined for almost 4,000 total yards in 2025, with Laborin throwing for 1,992 and Ramirez running for 1,151.

Their defense will need to hold up its end of the bargain, but when these two are firing, it could signal danger for the rest of New Mexico.

5. Hobbs

Last Season: 9-3

The Eagles stunned many when they pulled off back-to-back victories over Carlsbad to head to the state semifinals.

It should be the Junior Medrano show once again. Medrano, a Class of 2027 dual-threat quarterback, threw for 1,811 yards and rushed for 1,475 in 2025. On defense, Gavin McPherson returns as a 100-tackle linebacker. If these two can stay healthy and impactful, it should be another playoff run for the boys from southeast New Mexico.

6. Volcano Vista

Last Season: 8-4

In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Hawks, it ended up as a successful 8-4 finish and a playoff shot.

Aurelius Wiley will lead Volcano once again at quarterback, doing it with both his arm and legs last season. Running back D’Angelo Mitchell is now with Cleveland, but that opens the door for sophomore Jude Gonzales to get more carries after a good showing as a freshman.

Volcano’s defense returns just about everyone, including tackle leaders Max Marcum and Aiden Gonzales. Their receiving corps took a hit, and the trenches could be suspect, but critics said the same thing last August. Would we be foolish to doubt the Hawks once again?

7. Rio Rancho

Last Season: 6-5

Quarterback Micah Takahashi has the talent to be a top name in this senior class. The Rams go as he goes, as evidenced by how he led Rio to a four-game winning streak to get back in the district title hunt, and also by how the Rams floundered once Takahashi suffered an injury in the regular season finale, resulting in a playoff first-round exit.

Micah’s supporting cast will change drastically with many senior exits, but that will allow names like Eli Vigil, Gilly Terrazas and Jesse Campos to shine. If their defense can stay out of trouble and the offense stays healthy, Nate Pino’s team should be set up for a better playoff shot.

8. Roswell

Last Season: 9-4

Taking a step down to the 5A level, it is the annual question whether to pick the Artesia Bulldogs or Roswell Coyotes.

Preseason advantage: Roswell.

Despite Artesia knocking off the Coyotes in the 2025 5A championship, Roswell returns more talent, such as running back Luis Rodriguez and receiver Izaic Gonzales, who led the team in rushing yards and receiving yards.

Jonathan Ellis returns to the linebacker position on defense, and after losing a title to their rival last season, you know the Coyotes will be hungry this fall.

9. Artesia

Last Season: 12-1

It was another 5A title for the Bulldogs in 2025. If they want to repeat, it will take some retooling.

2026 Quarterback Derrick Warren exits after a stellar final run, along with running back Bryce Parra. In the receivers room, the top SIX wide receivers in receiving yards from last season have all graduated.

This exodus might feel debilitating, but the new crop is on their way. Lucas Atkins is in line to take over at quarterback, Cristian Pando is his running back and Layton Whitmire and Destin Pacheco will lead the receiver corps.

It could take some time, but with a storied program like Artesia, it would be wrong to count them out.

10. Carlsbad

Last Season: 6-6

The Cavemen did not finish with a winning season in 2025, but they did leave with arguably the biggest playoff victory of the year.

A road first-round upset over Rio Rancho not only had Carlsbad celebrating on the Ram logo, but also likely set them up for future success.

A loaded 2027 class headlined by linebacker and UCLA commit Colton McKibben will have one final crack at postseason glory. McKibben finished last season with 100 tackles, earning over 20 FBS offers before choosing the Bruins.

On offense, quarterback Marley Munoz and running back Brock Wright should once again be a handful for defenses to handle. Mess with C-Bad, and it could be bad for you instead.

11. Sandia

Last Season: 4-6

The darling of the offseason, the Matadors have made waves with transfers and offseason hype. Can it translate to the field?

Centered around a talented quarterback in senior Jahleel Lewis, Sandia added names like J’ven Smith and Donovan Smith, who come to Sandia from Atrisco Heritage Academy. They join George Smith, who posted 700 yards receiving and eight touchdowns as just a sophomore.

Class 6A is no place for fairy tales and Cinderella stories, but are the Matadors bound to walk the talk?

12. Los Lunas

Last Season: 8-4

The Tigers would find themselves on the wrong end of a collision course with Las Cruces in the second round of the playoffs, but that sour taste left in their mouth could aid a program that returned a lot of key starters.

Quarterback Luke Cieremans, running back Jagger Casilias and receiver Tayson Gaxiola all return after noteworthy junior seasons. On defense, linebacker Brad Mallory will lead the unit following 150 combined tackles in 2025.

Their biggest help? A return to 5A. After their 6A playoff exit, the Tigers realigned back to a level down after the offseason changes from the NMAA, lightening the path for LL this November.

13. Cibola

Last Season: 5-6

Another program that has changed levels, a change of scenery may be just the thing for the Cougars.

A team that once struggled through several difficult seasons battled back to a respectable 2025, competitive in every game with a 5-6 finish. A 2026 class that laid the foundation for a Cibola football renaissance will pass the torch to names like quarterback Terry Maes and defensive edge Isaac Behrens.

The senior exits will be felt, but head coach David Howes knows how to get the most out of his players.

14. Piedra Vista

Last Season: 5-6

Dropping their last five of seven games, the Panthers are now in 5A, ready for a clean slate.

Quarterback Reuban Marquez and running back Amasi Griego should be worth the price of admission out in Farmington, being big-time threats in the ground game with their senior seasons ahead of them.

Piedra’s defense lost a lot, but AJ Cockrell returns. Watch for him on both sides of the ball, making plays as a receiver and against opposing receivers.

15. Bloomfield

Last Season: 12-1

You could say the Bloomfield Bobcats are the Cleveland Storm of the 4A Class.

They have the titles to prove it.

Back-to-back championships have the ‘Cats lined up once again as the 4A favorite. It was a senior exodus in Bloomfield, but talents like Cable Carruth and Wyatt Babcock are ready to carry the torch for another successful campaign to a blue trophy.

16. Lovington

Last Season: 7-5

Talent is waiting in the wings in southeast New Mexico.

Quarterback Justin Allen looks to take over at the quarterback position after a few glimpses in 2025. Running back Aidan Ortiz could be a dark horse difference-maker in only his sophomore year, posting 174 yards on just 11 carries as a freshman.

The same can be said for receiver Jude Madrid, also heading into his second season after 251 yards on 13 catches.

A lot of “what Ifs” for the Wildcats, but if the talent presents itself, Lovington could be in business.

17. St. Michael’s

Last Season: 13-0

You can’t forget about the Horsemen.

The lone undefeated team in 2025, St. Mike’s went 13-0 en route to a 3A title, their third straight trophy.

Receiver and defensive end Ryan Hunt will orchestrate an offense and defense that lost a lot of pieces after leading the team in receiving yards and tackles as a junior.

18. Alamogordo

Last Season: 4-6

Growing pains aside, there was talent to be seen when watching Tigers football last season.

Bryson Bloom looks to be the key to the offense, crossing the 1,000 rushing-yard mark as a versatile runner.

Bloom will join Nathanael Cereceres on defense as well, as the two combined for almost 100 solo tackles in 2025.

19. Eldorado

Last Season: 5-6

Arguably the best 2028 runner in the state, Nolan Romero-Williams returns for the Eagles at running back.

Romero-Williams finished with over 1,000 yards rushing as a sophomore. His fellow junior, linebacker Matthew Rodriguez, led the team in every tackling category and sported 100 total tackles.

While they may not be seniors, the Class of 2028 may have to lead the way for Eldorado.

20. St. Pius X

Last Season: 10-2

A district champion in 4A, watch out for the Sartans once again this fall.

Senior quarterback and New Mexico State commit Isaiah Carpenter threw for 2,467 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior. Carpenter and Co. will look to avenge their 2025 championship loss.

21. Farmington

Last Season: 1-9

What do you take away from a 1-9 season?

Rock Kalcich.

The dual-threat quarterback finished with 1,213 yards through the air and on the ground last season. Expect the Scorpions to once again run the “rock” this season.

22. Goddard

Last Season: 7-5

It is tough to look past the senior exits for the Rockets, but when the dust settled, their quarterback room has stayed intact.

2027’s Izaiah Montoya and 2028’s Nate Vasquez both return, looking for their next top options to throw to. Jose Porras may be in line for WR1 duties after 348 receiving yards in 2025.

23. Clovis

Last Season: 3-7

It was not a season to remember last year for the Wildcats, but quarterback Sandro Cordova returns to try and right the ship for his senior season.

24. Gadsden

Last Season: 8-5

Some important seniors are gone for the Panthers, but the potential remains for a dangerous passing attack.

Receivers Anthony Palomares and Mauro Almanza return after impressive junior seasons, combining for 13 receiving scores. They should provide the fireworks in Anthony, NM.

25. Bernalillo

Last Season: 7-5

The Spartans have put together some consecutive winning seasons as of late, pulling off a first-round upset against Manzano last November.

Bernalillo will look to go even further this time around, with 2027 talent Ulisses Castro set to be an offensive game-changer once again.

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