5 GAMES TO WATCH

7 p.m. Friday unless noted.

1. La Cueva (7-0, 1-0 in 2/5-6A at Eldorado (5-1, 0-0), 7 p.m. Thursday, Wilson Stadium: Fourth-ranked Eagles coming off their bye, while second-ranked Bears ground out a win Thursday vs. Manzano. Tactically, we’ll have to see how Eldorado backup QB Nick Petty fares against that La Cueva defense.

2. Cibola (3-3, 0-1 in 1-6A) at Cleveland (6-0, 1-0): Storm tailback Dorian Lewis, who left Thursday night’s game versus Atrisco Heritage with a leg injury, is expected to be healthy and ready for this game, which I would suggest is far more important to Cibola than it is to Cleveland.

3. Mayfield (4-2, 2-0) vs. Centennial (7-0, 3-0), Field of Dreams: Trojans rested and ready off their bye week as they look to make a huge statement in district against the third-ranked Hawks.

4. Piedra Vista (4-2) at Roswell (5-1): One of two major 5A showdown games in Week 8. Panthers will have to contend with Coyotes’ QB Ethan Valenzuela and RB Justin Carrasco. In the coaches’ poll, this is No. 6 traveling to No. 1. (Note: GoddardSanta Teresa isn’t among my Top 5 because Desert Warriors are my lead column item this week.)

5. St. Pius (3-3, 1-0 in 2/54A) at Bernalillo (4-1, 0-0): The Sartans, with young QB Derek Rivera playing solid, under-theradar football, is the most talented team Bernalillo will have met so far. St. Pius can’t afford to get caught looking ahead to huge matchup the following week against Taos.