MaxPreps Week 3 New Mexico High School Football Wrap-up: September 8, 2025

Week 3 of New Mexico high school football delivered thrilling comebacks, dominant victories, and stellar individual performances across the state, shaking up the MaxPreps rankings updated on September 7, 2025.Week 3 highlights

Centennial survives Artesia challenge: Centennial (2-1) narrowly defeated Artesia (2-1) in a high-scoring 42-38 game. Running back Dailen Ramirez had an outstanding performance with 328 total yards and two touchdowns, while Johnathon Valenzuela-Chaires contributed three sacks. Centennial came back from an early deficit to secure the win.

Late heroics and comebacks:

Legacy Academy vs. Hozho Academy: Legacy Academy (2-0) achieved a dominant 53-3 victory over Hozho Academy.

Manzano vs. Del Norte: Manzano overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat Del Norte 42-26.

St. Pius X vs. Moriarty: St. Pius X also rallied from an early 22-point deficit to win against Moriarty with a score of 38-29.

Dominant performances:

Los Alamos (3-0): Los Alamos remained undefeated, with Jordan Herrera rushing for 224 yards and five touchdowns in a 58-20 win over Pojoaque. This win extended their home winning streak.

Albuquerque Academy vs. Hope Christian: Albuquerque Academy defeated Hope Christian 40-14.

Las Cruces remains strong: 

No. 2 Las Cruces (3-0) defeated No. 9 Rio Rancho 47-22. Key players included Daniel Amaro with 282 total yards and five touchdowns, Gunnar Guardiola with 269 passing yards and two touchdowns, and Denton Walter with 12 tackles and two pass breakups. Las Cruces is set to play top-ranked Cleveland next.

Updated MaxPreps rankings (September 7, 2025)The latest MaxPreps rankings for each division are provided below.Class 6A

1. Cleveland: 3-0
2. Las Cruces: 3-0
3. La Cueva: 0-2
4. Centennial: 2-1
5. Volcano Vista: 2-1
6. Hobbs: 2-1
7. Rio Rancho: 2-1
8. Los Lunas: 1-2
9. Piedra Vista: 2-1
10. Alamogordo: 3-0

Class 5A

1. Artesia: 2-1
2. Roswell: 1-2
3. Lovington: 1-2
4. Gadsden: 3-0
5. Goddard: 2-1
6. Deming: 1-2
7. Mayfield: 0-3
8. Los Alamos: 3-0
9. Valley: 0-3
10. Highland: 2-1

Class 4A

1. Bloomfield: 2-1
2. Silver: 2-1
3. St. Pius X: 2-1
4. Bernalillo: 3-0
5. Portales: 0-3
6. Grants: 1-2
7. Albuquerque Academy: 2-1
8. Taos: 0-3
9. Española Valley: 2-1
10. Valencia: 1-2

Class 3A

1. St. Michael's: 3-0
2. Robertson: 3-0
3. Dexter: 2-1
4. West Las Vegas: 1-2
5. NMMI: 2-0
6. Ruidoso: 1-2
7. Hope Christian: 3-0
8. Socorro: 0-3
9. Hatch Valley: 2-1
10. Cobre: 1-2

Class 2A

1. Texico: 1-2
2. Santa Rosa: 3-0
3. Eunice: 3-0
4. Jal: 1-2
5. Raton: 1-2
6. Loving: 2-1
7. Tularosa: 3-0
8. Legacy Academy: 2-0
9. Estancia: 0-3
10. McCurdy: 0-2

Individual top performers (through Week 3)

• Passing Yards: Elijah Melancon (Eunice), 872 yards
• Rushing Yards: Jordan Herrera (Los Alamos), 653 yards
• Receiving Yards: Francisco Winnikoff (Las Cruces), 317 yards
• Total Points: Jordan Herrera (Los Alamos), 56 points
• Total Touchdowns: Jordan Herrera (Los Alamos), 14 touchdowns
• Total Tackles: David Gaytan (Jal), 65 tackles

As the season progresses, expect more exciting matchups and shifts in the rankings, with several teams demonstrating strong potential for a deep playoff run.

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