Join Albuquerque Journal Sports Editor James Yodice as he flies solo this week on Preps Central to break down all the big storylines in New Mexico high school football. From the rise of charter-school programs in 2A to powerhouse defenses in 3A, to the 6A bracket’s elite matchups — this episode covers it all. Plus: a quick recap of state volleyball champions and what’s ahead as basketball gears up. Whether you’re a die-hard prep-sports fan or just looking to stay ahead of the playoff action, this is your one-stop high school sports update for the week.

If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal, to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the like below for a discount on a digital subscription. http://www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12 that’s a savings of $9.Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source!#NewMexicoHighSchoolFootball #NMHSF #PrepFootball #StateSemiFinals #HighSchoolSports #AlbuquerqueJournal #PrepsCentral #JamesYodice #NewMexicoFootball #HSFootballPlayoffs

Albuquerque Journal Prep Sports Editor James Yodice sits down with Sebastian Noel, Play-by-Play Broadcaster for ProView Networks, for a complete breakdown of the 2024 New Mexico high school football playoff brackets. Together they analyze key matchups across 6A, 5A, and 4A—spotlighting powerhouse programs like Las Cruces, Cleveland, La Cueva, Los Lunas, and Rio Rancho—while highlighting standout players including Parker Miller, Micah Takahashi, and Monty Melendez.They also preview the state soccer and cross-country championships, share playoff predictions, and discuss why this stretch marks one of the busiest times of the year in New Mexico prep sports. Packed with expert insight, statistics, and bracket analysis, this episode is your ultimate guide to the road to the state championships.To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12 that’s a savings of $9.Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source!#PrepsCentral #NMPreps #NewMexicoFootball #HighSchoolSports #SebastianNoel #ProViewNetworks #JamesYodice #NMPlayoffs #NMAthletics #ClevelandStorm #LasCrucesBulldawgs #LaCuevaBears #RioRanchoRams #LosLunasTigers #ABQJournal #NMSoccer #NMCrossCountry

Albuquerque Journal Prep Sports Editor James Yodice sits down with Sebastian Noel, Play-by-Play Broadcaster for ProView Networks, for a complete breakdown of the 2024 New Mexico high school football playoff brackets. Together they analyze key matchups across 6A, 5A, and 4A—spotlighting powerhouse programs like Las Cruces, Cleveland, La Cueva, Los Lunas, and Rio Rancho—while highlighting standout players including Parker Miller, Micah Takahashi, and Monty Melendez.They also preview the state soccer and cross-country championships, share playoff predictions, and discuss why this stretch marks one of the busiest times of the year in New Mexico prep sports. Packed with expert insight, statistics, and bracket analysis, this episode is your ultimate guide to the road to the state championships.To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12 that’s a savings of $9.Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source!#PrepsCentral #NMPreps #NewMexicoFootball #HighSchoolSports #SebastianNoel #ProViewNetworks #JamesYodice #NMPlayoffs #NMAthletics #ClevelandStorm #LasCrucesBulldawgs #LaCuevaBears #RioRanchoRams #LosLunasTigers #ABQJournal #NMSoccer #NMCrossCountry

In this Week 11 edition of Preps Central, host James Yodice of the Albuquerque Journal dives deep into the final week of New Mexico’s high school football regular season — where district titles, playoff seedings, and first-round byes are all on the line.James is joined by Hobbs head coach Ken Stevens, who discusses the Eagles’ push for a top-four seed, the importance of culture and consistency, and what it will take to elevate Hobbs to that next level. Then, Cleveland High School quarterback Jordan Hatch sits down to preview the Storm’s district championship showdown against Rio Rancho, reflecting on rivalry week energy, his connection with coach Heath Ridenour, and Cleveland’s playoff mindset heading into November football.From Las Cruces’ undefeated run to Los Alamos’ rise, and a potential three-way tie in District 3-6A, this episode covers it all — including which teams might shock the state when the playoff brackets drop Saturday night.Stay tuned through the end for updates on state soccer tournaments, key matchups across 5A and 4A, and why Friday night will be unusually quiet in the metro area. http://www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12 that’s a savings of $9.Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source!#PrepsCentral #JamesYodice #NMPreps #NewMexicoFootball #HighSchoolFootball #Week11 #DistrictChampionship #PlayoffPicture #RioRancho #ClevelandStorm #JordanHatch #KenStevens #HobbsEagles #LasCruces #Centennial #LosAlamos #AlbuquerqueJournal #NMHSFootball #RivalryWeek #Bracketology

n this Week 10 edition of Preps Central, Albuquerque Journal Prep Sports Editor James Yodice breaks down the final stretch of New Mexico’s high school football season — just before the playoff brackets drop. James recaps the biggest storylines from last week, including the 5A showdown between the Artesia Bulldogs and Roswell Coyotes, to the 6A overtime thriller where Rio Rancho edged Volcano Vista.

Rio Rancho receiver Parker Miller, who leads Class 6A in receiving yards and touchdowns, joins the show to discuss his chemistry with quarterback Micah Takahashi, stepping up in the absence of teammate Jace Lee, and how wide receivers coach Chris Williams — a former NFL/CFL player and Rio Rancho alum — has sharpened his game.

The episode also touches on several teams, including the Los Alamos Hilltoppers, Cleveland Storm, Volcano Vista Hawks, Albuquerque High Bulldogs, Sandia Matadors and Las Cruces Bulldogs. James closes with a spotlight on standout cross-country runner Carmen Dorsey-Spitz of Moriarty High, who recently broke Gianna Rahmer’s 5A course record at Albuquerque Academy’s invitational meet.

If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal, to help us continue to bring you more content like this.

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Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source!

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Host James Yodice (Albuquerque Journal preps editor) breaks down New Mexico high school football Week 8: the 6A district picture (La Cueva–Los Lunas implications, Centennial vs. Hobbs), why 5A is mostly idle, and a wild 4A twist as Albuquerque Academy rallied to stun previously-unbeaten St. Pius X behind QB William Braun and WR/K Gage Conway. Then James interviews Los Alamos superstar RB Jordan Herrera—leading the state in rushing—and Santa Rosa head coach David Chavez on the Lions’ undefeated run, defense-first mindset, and 2A title aspirations. Packed with playoff seeding context, coaches-poll vs. MaxPreps chatter, and what to watch in Week 9 (including Artesia–Roswell). Subscribe for more New Mexico preps coverage every week.If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal, to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the like below for a discount on a digital subscription. http://www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12 that’s a savings of $9.Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source!#PrepsCentral #JamesYodice #NMPreps #NewMexicoHighSchoolFootball #LosAlamos #SantaRosaLions #AlbuquerqueAcademy #StPiusX #LaCuevaBears #LosLunasTigers #CentennialHawks #HobbsEagles #ArtesiaBulldogs #RoswellCoyotes #Week8 #HighSchoolFootball

High school sports editor James Yodice breaks down a light Week 6 slate and looks ahead to Week 7 as 6A district play ramps up across New Mexico. Los Lunas quarterback Kaiden Reese joins Prep's Central to talk about the Tigers’ turnaround, their mindset heading into back-to-back tests, and how the team regrouped after a tough start. ProView Networks’ Sebastian Noel then shares insights on the 6A pecking order, why defense and the run game matter most in November, and the ongoing debate about centralized state championship sites versus campus atmospheres. The episode also checks in on 5A and 4A storylines, standout players, and playoff bubble teams, giving listeners a broad statewide snapshot as the stretch run begins.If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal, to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the like below for a discount on a digital subscription. http://www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12 that’s a savings of $9.Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source!#PrepsCentral #AlbuquerqueJournal #NewMexicoHighSchoolFootball #NMPreps #Week7 #HighSchoolSports #6A #5A #4A #PlayoffPush #SebastianNoel #KaidenReese #JamesYodice #ABQSports

In this week’s Preps Central, Albuquerque Journal sports editor James Yodice breaks down New Mexico high school football at the midpoint of the season. From Centennial’s controversial last-second win over Carlsbad to Las Cruces proving they’re the team to beat in 6A, it’s been a rollercoaster week.James also sits down with two standout guests:*Mickey Widner (La Cueva), a senior linebacker and long snapper committed to the Air Force Academy, sharing his journey to becoming one of the state’s rare D1 long snappers.*Nathaniel Best (Alamogordo), the Tigers’ dual-threat quarterback, who rushed for 346 yards and set a school record in a huge win over Organ Mountain.From shocking finishes to breakout stars, we’ve got all the insight you need on week six of prep football in New Mexico.If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal, to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the like below for a discount on a digital subscription. http://www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12 that’s a savings of $9.Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source!#PrepsCentral #NewMexicoFootball #HighSchoolFootball #PrepSports #CentennialHawks #CarlsbadCavemen #LaCuevaBears #AlamogordoTigers #JamesYodice #NMPreps #ABQJournalSports

In this episode of Preps Central, Albuquerque Journal sports editor James Yodice breaks down Week 5 of New Mexico high school football and sits down with two standout players:

Hayes Baum – Cibola senior linebacker, part-time quarterback, and recent UNM commit, shares his journey, leadership role, and mindset heading into district play under Coach Chris Howe.

Isaiah Dominguez – St. Michael’s senior running back and defensive leader, discusses the Horsemen’s 24-game winning streak, upcoming showdown with Eunice, and the culture that fuels their success alongside quarterback Kamal Stith.

James also recaps key matchups from last week, including Las Cruces’ historic win over Cleveland and Centennial’s late victory at Rio Rancho. James also previews this week's marquee clash in 5A, Artesia vs. Gadsden.

Subscribe for weekly insights, exclusive player interviews, and in-depth coverage of New Mexico prep football.

If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal, to help us continue to bring you more content like this.

Follow the like below for a discount on a digital subscription. http://www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/

To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12 that’s a savings of $9.Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source!

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