5A Football Power Rankings Index: 124 Points, Headline Upsets, and Statement Performances
From setting the scoreboard ablaze in a 124-point shootout, to stealing the show in the Bulldog Bowl, this weeks 5A matchups made a clear statement. Dynamic individual performances, video-game numbers, stunning road wins in storied venues; it’s all here in Class 5A.
The Pit Press is launching a 6A/5A/4A High School Football Power Rankings Index focused on looking past the rankings to provide context behind the wins, losses, and blowouts while highlighting a jam-packed week of top performances.
Which contender just made the biggest statement? Who quietly moved into the championship conversation? And which favorite suddenly has more questions than answers?
Here is a weekly look at the teams, players, and performances shaping New Mexico’s three highest classifications.
Class 5A: The games that mattered.
Carlsbad 20 - Artesia 13
In a highly anticipated clash at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia, it was the Caveman that came out alive. Carlsbad stifled the Bulldogs offense and jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead. Led by the Cavemen’s rushing attack, running back Brock Wright and quarterback Marley Munoz accounted for 175 yards on 42 carries. However, the Bulldogs made some adjustments at halftime that opened the door for a comeback. Artesia held Carlsbad scoreless in the second half and running back Cristian Pondo recorded two scores to bring the Bulldogs within one-score. After an onside kick recovery by the Bulldogs, they could not complete the comeback.
Roswell 64 - Hobbs 60
In one of the most exciting games of the weekend, the ‘Yotes and Eagles combined to score more than 40 points in the 4th quarter alone. The back-and-forth contest was a proving ground for junior quarterback Andruw Fuentez, who went off for 437 passing yards, tossing seven touchdowns and rushing 80 yards and one score on the ground. The high-octane Coyotes offense is a primary reason this team is No. 1 in Pit Press 5A Power Ranking Index.
Los Lunas 23 - Mayfield 13
Is there a better way to start a season than to return the opening kickoff for a touchdown? The Tigers Tayson Gaxiola did just that. But he didn’t stop there. He also took a 35-yard pass from senior quarterback Luke Cieremans to the house in the first quarter. Gaxiola would strike again in the fourth with a 73-yard catch and run for a touchdown. He finished the day with eight catches for 175 yards.
5A Player of the Week:
Roswell quarterback Andrew Fuentez had the most impressive stat-line across the entire state. He posted 437 yards passing, throwing for seven (7) touchdowns and rushing for 80 yards and another score.
The Pit Press Power Ranking Index
The Pit Press Power Rankings Index considers record, strength of schedule, quality wins, margin of victory, head-to-head results, recent performance and overall team trajectory.
Overall Record - 25%
Strength of Schedule - 25%
Quality Wins - 20%
Performance/Margin - 15%
Current Team Evaluation - 15%
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No change; the Coyotes are an offensive force to be reckoned with. They will travel to Amarillo, TX, to play Randall High School who is ranked No. 20 in the Texas 4A Division.
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No change; it’s rare for the Bulldogs to lose a game at the Bulldog Bowl. And although they lost to 6A superior Carlsbad, they still remain in the No.2 spot in class 5A.
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No change; the Panthers knocked off cross town rival Farmington pretty convincingly. They will bring in the Durango Demons (No. 6 in CO Class 4A) who just lost to Montrose (No. 5 in CO Class 4A).
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Stock up; the Tigers went into the Field of Dreams in Las Cruces and stunned the Mayfield Trojans. Tayson Gaxiola stole the show with three (3) touchdowns on the day. They face a stiffer opponent in Rio Rancho this week which lines up to be one of the more interesting games across the state of NM.
If Week 1 is any indication, Class 5A is set to deliver pure, unadulterated high school football theater all autumn long. From Roswell and Hobbs setting the scoreboard ablaze in a 124-point track meet to Carlsbad marching into the legendary Bulldog Bowl and holding off a desperate second-half surge, New Mexico’s mid-tier classification kicked off with a explosive statement. Dynamic individual performances dominated the headlines - whether it was Roswell signal-caller Andruw Fuentez putting up video-game numbers with an eight-touchdown masterclass, or Los Lunas playmaker Tayson Gaxiola taking over the Field of Dreams single-handedly. The early-season optimism has given way to cold, hard film: here is what Week 1 taught us about the real contenders, stock shifts, and power rankings shaping 5A.