New Mexico High School Football Thursday Night Preview and Predictions

The 2025 New Mexico high school football season officially kicks off Thursday night with five games scattered across the state. From the marquee 6A showdown at Wilson Stadium to under-the-radar matchups featuring rebuilding programs, the first slate of games offers fans a taste of storylines that will define the fall. NMPreps breaks it down!

Related: **HOT READ** Week 1 On Three, Break: What to Watch in Week One

Game of the Night

No. 3 La Cueva Bears vs No. 5 Volcano Vista Hawks

Kickoff: 7:00 PM | Wilson Stadium (ABQ)
NMPreps Prediction: La Cueva 33, Volcano Vista 28 (La Cueva -5.5)
Massey Prediction: La Cueva 35, Volcano Vista 14
Last Meeting: La Cueva 21, Volcano Vista 0
Grine’s Pick: La Cueva

Preview:
La Cueva enters 2025 with unfinished business after they fell in the 6A state championship last fall. The Bears ripped through the regular season a year ago averaging 43.3 points per game while giving up just 13.2, only to fall short in the state championship against Cleveland. While the program must replace star power like Cameron Dyer, Mason Posa, and Mark Handy, the Bears reload with a mix of experience and rising talent. Skyler Sargent (2026) anchors the offensive line, while Monty Melendez (2027) and Xavier Valdez (2026) look to provide sparks offensively. Defensively, Jhett Kinghorn (2026) and Brett Clark (2026) will need to steady a unit that graduated several all-state standouts.

Volcano Vista is in transition as well, losing its quarterback and leading skill players from an 8-3 campaign. Still, there’s intrigue. Dangelo Mitchell (2027) is one of the state’s top running backs after rushing for nearly 500 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore. Ismael Mendez III (2026) leads the receiving corps, and Kaleb Vander Wilt (2026) provides defensive punch in the trenches.

The Bears’ depth and proven track record in big openers makes them the favorite, but Volcano Vista’s defense could keep it close early.

Edge: La Cueva’s size and talent up front separate them in the second half.

Outside the Top 25

Bernalillo Spartans at Valley Vikings

Kickoff: 7:00 PM | Community Stadium (ABQ)
NMPreps Prediction: Valley 23, Bernalillo 21 (Valley -2.5)
Massey Prediction: Bernalillo 32, Valley 14
Last Meeting: Bernalillo 46, Valley 6
Grine’s Pick: Valley

Preview:
Bernalillo faces a steep rebuild after graduating a quarterback who accounted for 42 touchdowns last year. The Spartans still return playmakers like Ulisses Castro (2027) and Joseph Duran (2026), but finding consistency under center will be critical.

Valley, meanwhile, looks more stable entering 2025. Quarterback Jose Jaramillo (2026) passed for nearly 1,800 yards last season, and the Vikings bring back key defensive contributors like Elijah Martinez (2026). After reaching the playoffs last fall, Valley sees this as a must-win to set the tone.

Edge: Home-field advantage and returning experience give Valley the nod.

Cuba Rams at Santa Fe Indian Braves

Kickoff: 7:00 PM | Santa Fe Indian School
NMPreps Prediction: Santa Fe Indian 14, Cuba 12 (SFIS -1.5)
Last Meeting: Santa Fe Indian 20, Cuba 18
Grine’s Pick: Santa Fe Indian

Preview:
Santa Fe Indian is trying to flip the script after finishing 1-9 in 2024, with their only win coming against Cuba. The Braves, still independent and not eligible for the playoffs, bring back quarterback Cameron Gutierrez (2026), running back Matias Martinez (2026), and a young offensive line with game reps.

Cuba, a 2A playoff team last season, returns quarterback Richard Lovato (2026), versatile back Derrick Herrera (2026), and defensive standout Dylan Sandoval (2026), who recorded 62 tackles and four interceptions. The Rams are eyeing a 5-5 season, but a challenging non-district slate could slow early momentum.

Edge: SFIS is hungry to start strong, and history says this is their shot.

Manzano Monarchs at Highland Hornets

Kickoff: 7:00 PM | Milne Stadium (ABQ)
NMPreps Prediction: Manzano 26, Highland 22 (Manzano -3.5)
Massey Prediction: Highland 28, Manzano 21
Last Meeting: Highland 55, Manzano 28
Grine’s Pick: Manzano

Preview:
Highland lost Amir Mumba, who rushed for over 2,000 yards last season, leaving a massive hole in the backfield. Rising players like Carnell Platt (2026) and linebacker Andres Acosta (2028) provide optimism, but the Hornets face a steep adjustment.

Manzano, slowly climbing out of a rebuild, has young talent to watch. Aiden Erickson (2026) and Justin Duran (2026) are capable offensive weapons, and freshman Broden Price (2028) could emerge. After finishing 5-6 in 2024, the Monarchs see this as a statement game against a rival program also in transition.

Edge: Highland’s defense may keep it close, but Manzano has more offensive answers right now.

Superlatives for Thursday Night

• Best Atmosphere: Wilson Stadium, where La Cueva and Volcano Vista clash in the first Top-5 showdown of the season.
• Most to Prove: Bernalillo, after losing a record-breaking quarterback, needs to show its program depth.
• Sneaky Good Game: Manzano vs Highland. two programs in rebuilds, both capable of surprising in 4A/5A this year.
• Upset Watch: Volcano Vista over La Cueva. The Hawks could be the surprise team this weekend and season. It’s hard to pick against the Bears though.

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