New Mexico 4A High School Football Preview
From the northwest byways of Bloomfield, all the way down to the hot plains of Lovington and everywhere in between, the state of New Mexico is ready for 4A high school football.
Here is every favorite, dark horse and sleeper at the 4A level before action kicks off on the gridiron later this week.
FAVORITES
BLOOMFIELD
Could it be anyone else?
The Bobcats are looking to make it three straight titles in 2026, taking down St. Pius X once again in last year’s title game.
While they lost a lot of senior talent, a program like this, especially amid such a run, always finds a way to reload.
One thing to watch: the QB/WR duo of Wyatt Babcock and Cable Carruth (what a name). Babcock should be in line to take over under center, while Carruth will look to build off a eight touchdown. 500+ yard sophomore season.
Bloomfield will open with 6A’s Clovis at home, Aug 21 at 7:00 p.m.
ST PIUS X
Is the third time the charm?
The Sartans are coming off back-to-back championship game losses, looking to finally get over the hump and earn their first blue trophy since 2016.
How can they get back to the big dance? Isaiah Carpenter.
Carpenter, Pius’s senior quarterback, is committed to New Mexico State. You could make the argument that he is the best talent in his class. His junior season surely does the talking.
Carpenter threw for 2,467 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2025. Defense will remain the final piece to a championship puzzle, but with Isaiah leading the offense, a march back to the title game is always in play.
St. Pius X opens at 6A’s West Mesa on Aug. 20, 7:00 P.M.
LOVINGTON
Southeast New Mexico could be the land of “What Ifs”.
Not just in terms of what the Wildcats will do in their return to the 4A level, coming down from 5A, but also what this next crop of talent will produce.
Names like quarterback Justin Allen, running back Aidan Ortiz and receiver Jude Madrid are all ‘Cats to highlight entering the year.
Once again, there may be a lot of “What Ifs”, but if you wanna beat the bandwagon, buy stock now in Lovington.
The Wildcats will open by hosting Goddard on Aug. 21, 7:00 PM.
DARK HORSES
BERNALILLO
The Spartans turned heads last season by upsetting Manzano in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.
In 2026, they could be in line to do more of the same.
2027 talent Ulisses Castro will be the key to the offense, combining for over 1,000 yards throwing and rushing as Bernalillo’s Swiss Army knife of a quarterback.
Bernalillo opens at Belen, Aug. 21 at 7:00 P.M
TAOS
Names like Dan Vigil and Alejandro Ortega make Taos an interesting upset pick throughout the 2026 season.
The Tigers lost a lot of talent due to senior exits, but that doesn’t mean reinforcements aren’t on the way.
Head coach Johnny Olguin enters his third season, and in his first few years at the helm, the program has seen a surge in roster numbers. Leaving the question: who is the next great Tiger to be discovered?
Taos will travel to Pojoaque Valley on Aug. 21, 6:00 PM.
SLEEPER PICK
BELEN
It feels like the Eagles have flown under the radar this offseason, making the move to 4A after finishing 7-5 in one last 5A season.
Gonzalo Cano returns at the quarterback position, throwing for 1,242 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior, while rushing for a whopping 1,383 yards and 15 scores.
Cano will need his supporting cast to do their parts, but as a team with 5A experience and a seasoned quarterback at the helm, 4A may need to be careful.
Your turn: how do you think the 4A season will unfold?
Dan Allison is a freelance high school and college sports writer. You can reach him at @danlallison on X.
Can Artesia reload after a heavy senior exodus, or is this Roswell’s year to take the crown? With powerhouse programs shifting down from 6A to crash the party, the race for November glory in 5A is more wide open than you think.