PREP FOOTBALL: FIVE GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK

1. Manzano (8-0, 2-0 in 2-6A) at Eldorado (6-2, 2-0), Wilson Stadium, 7 p.m. Thursday: It’s usually tremendous fun when these two hook up, and the stakes are enormously high in this Week 9 battle for first place in 2-6A.

2. La Cueva (6-1, 0-1 in 2-6A) at Sandia (4-3, 0-1), Wilson Stadium, 7 p.m. Friday: Meanwhile, the Bears are back on the field after their bye week and certainly eager to shake off that loss to Manzano the last time out.

3. Artesia (5-2, 0-0 in 4-5A) at Roswell (5-2, 0-0), 7 p.m. Friday: This certainly could be a preview of the Class 5A state championship game in December as the rivals open league play at the venerable Wool Bowl. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 1, the Coyotes No. 3.

4. Volcano Vista (5-2, 0-1 in 1-6A) at Cibola (1-6, 0-2), Nusenda Community Stadium, 7 p.m. Friday: Bracket geeks should pay close attention to this game; an upset win by Cibola could create some real upheavel in the 6A playoff field as it relates to the District 1-6A standings. One team outside of 1-6A that most definitely is NOT rooting for the Cougars? West Mesa.

5. Ruidoso (6-2, 2-0 in 4-4A) at Portales (6-1, 1-0), 7 p.m. Friday: This is the district in which Moriarty and Hope Christian reside, and this is a matchup between top-five teams. (The Pintos and Huskies also meet this week, on Saturday afternoon at Milne.)