What are Week 1’s top games to watch, and who should win?
1. Cibola at La Cueva, 1 p.m. Saturday, Wilson Stadium: Two teams with high expectations and outstanding quarterbacks, Aden Chavez for the Cougars and Aidan Armenta for the Bears. I’m expecting something that is decided late in the game. THE PICK: CIBOLA
2. Artesia at Carlsbad, 7 p.m. Friday: The Eddy County War is renewed. When they met in the spring, the game was played in Hobbs due to fan restrictions in Eddy County. Debut for new Bulldogs coach Jeremy Maupin comes against a Carlsbad team that could be a factor in November. THE PICK: CARLSBAD
3. Farmington at Roswell, 7 p.m. Friday, Wool Bowl: The Scorpions and Coyotes meet in a terrifically attractive Class 5A season opener, and this may not be the first time these two square off this year. Is Farmington a true challenger for a blue trophy? A win here would certainly get the Scorps started in that direction. Taking the road team in a modest upset. THE PICK: FARMINGTON
4. Portales at Hope Christian, 5 p.m. Saturday, Milne Stadium: Two state champions from the 2019 season, the most recent season in which there were playoffs, tangle in Albuquerque as the Rams, 4A winners two years ago, play the 3A champs, the Huskies. Giving edge to the home team with its myriad experience coming back. THE PICK: HOPE
5. St. Pius at Bloomfield, 7 p.m. Friday: A meeting of a pair of almost certain Class 4A playoff teams. The Sartans are taking a veteran team to the Four Corners as the Bobcats play their first game for new head coach Mike Kovacs. Quite a fascinating matchup here. THE PICK: BLOOMFIELD
— James Yodice
OTHER WEEK 1 PICKS (Home team in caps)
Cleveland over CENTENNIAL, Saturday, 1 p.m., Field of Dreams
ABQ HIGH over Organ Mountain, Friday, 7 p.m., Milne Stadium
St. Michael’s over TAOS, Friday, 7 p.m.
Mayfield over MANZANO, Friday, 7 p.m., Wilson Stadium
Los Lunas over PIEDRA VISTA, Friday, 7 p.m. Hobbs over CLOVIS, Friday, 7 p.m. LAS CRUCES over Volcano Vista, Friday, 7 p.m.
Sandia over VALLEY, Thursday, 7 p.m., Milne Stadium
West Mesa over ELDORADO, Saturday, 5 p.m., Wilson Stadium
Highland over WEST LAS VEGAS, Thursday, 7 p.m.
ABQ Academy over TOHATCHI, Thursday, 6 p.m.
Bernalillo over GALLUP, Friday, 7 p.m.