FOOTBALL: 5 TO WATCH

1. La Cueva (6-0) at Manzano (6-0), Wilson Stadium, 7 p.m. Friday:

OK, Albuquerque, here you go: A No. 1 (Manzano) vs. No. 2 (La Cueva) showdown in a District 2-6A opener. The filet mignon matchup of the week. And the year. 2. Cleveland (5-1) at Rio Rancho (5-1), 7 p.m. Friday:

This District 1-6A opener plays second banana in Week 7, and rightly so, but as always, this is one of the state’s premier rivalry games. Winner here has a deep inside track toward 1-6A championship. 3. Clovis (4-2) at Eldorado (4-2), Wilson Stadium, 2 p.m. Saturday:

Another 2-6A opener and potential for great entertainment, even with Burnt Orange coming off that unexpected loss to previously winless Cibola.

4. Hobbs (4-1, 1-0 in 3-6A) at Las Cruces (4-1, 1-0), Field of Dreams, 1 p.m. Saturday:

From District 3-6A, the Eagles have probably been more consistent so far this year than the Bulldawgs. Are they ready to take down Las Cruces at the FOD? That’s a tall order. Either way, these easily have been the two best teams in that district so far this season. 5. Atrisco Heritage (2-3) at Valley (1-4), Milne Stadium, 1 p.m. Saturday:

The way the Jaguars have been thrashed the last two weeks, that must offer encouragement to District 4-6A challengers like West Mesa and Valley. But if Valley can’t slow down Angel Ramirez, it could go south for them.