New Mexico high school football is back in action for the 2023 season, and there are sure to be some exciting games and stories to watch throughout the year. Here is a look at the preseason rankings for the top five teams in each of the state’s six classifications:
In 2023, the Cleveland Storm are expected to be the top team, trying to win their fourth straight Class 6A state championship.
The La Cueva Bears are another team to keep an eye on for the Class 6A state title in 2023. La Cueva’s defense is also strong, led by senior linebacker Anthony Montoya and junior defensive lineman Isaiah Sanchez.
The Volcano Vista Hawks are consistently competitive for the Class 6A state title. Volcano Vista’s defense is dependable too, with senior linebacker Anthony Montoya and junior defensive lineman Isaiah Sanchez leading the way.
The Hobbs Eagles are aiming to make a comeback to the Class 6A state championship game in 2023. They have experienced players from the previous season, like senior quarterback Ian Ortiz and senior running back Evan Wysong.
Read also: New Hampshire High School Football Rankings 2023
New Mexico High School Football Rankings 2023
NM Class 2A High School Football Rankings
| Rank | School | Overall Record | Rating | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texico | 4-1 | -11.30 | -24.4 |
| 2 | Santa Rosa | 3-1 | -21.10 | -38.1 |
| 3 | Eunice | 4-1 | -22.90 | -42.7 |
| 4 | Jal | 2-1 | -25.60 | -28.0 |
| 5 | Tularosa | 2-2 | -39.70 | -45.9 |
| 6 | Estancia | 2-3 | -51.10 | -43.6 |
| 7 | Loving | 2-0 | -59.10 | -87.5 |
| 8 | McCurdy (Espanola) | 3-1 | -63.90 | -80.9 |
| 9 | Escalante (Tierra Amarilla) | 1-4 | -64.90 | -53.7 |
| 10 | Mescalero Apache (Mescalero) | 2-2 | -80.40 | -75.0 |
| 11 | Hagerman | 1-4 | -81.40 | -57.6 |
| 12 | Capitan | 1-3 | -94.40 | -78.7 |
| 13 | Laguna Acoma (New Laguna) | 1-3 | -96.40 | -86.0 |
NM Class 3A High School Football Rankings
| Rank | School | Overall Record | Rating | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dexter | 5-0 | -15.90 | -50.1 |
| 2 | Robertson (Las Vegas) | 3-1 | -24.80 | -37.1 |
| 3 | St. Michael’s (Santa Fe) | 3-1 | -31.80 | -38.2 |
| 4 | Cobre (Bayard) | 3-2 | -36.10 | -44.1 |
| 5 | West Las Vegas (Las Vegas) | 3-2 | -37.10 | -46.6 |
| 6 | Socorro | 4-1 | -37.20 | -54.6 |
| 7 | Raton | 3-2 | -40.50 | -52.9 |
| 8 | New Mexico Military Institute (Roswell) | 3-1 | -45.80 | -62.3 |
| 9 | Ruidoso | 1-4 | -53.60 | -32.3 |
| 10 | Hope Christian (Albuquerque) | 2-3 | -55.20 | -51.4 |
| 11 | Hatch Valley (Hatch) | 2-3 | -63.50 | -61.5 |
| 12 | Hot Springs (Truth or Consequences) | 1-4 | -72.80 | -50.0 |
| 13 | Cuba | 5-0 | -74.20 | -97.6 |
| 14 | Thoreau | 2-2 | -75.60 | -72.5 |
| 15 | Tucumcari | 1-3 | -76.00 | -54.5 |
| 16 | Tohatchi | 3-2 | -82.70 | -86.0 |
| 17 | Wingate (Fort Wingate) | 2-3 | -83.80 | -73.3 |
| 18 | Navajo Prep (Farmington) | 2-3 | -86.50 | -80.6 |
| 19 | Crownpoint | 4-1 | -89.00 | -99.0 |
| 20 | Santa Fe Indian (Santa Fe) | 1-4 | -91.20 | -67.4 |
| 21 | Zuni | 2-3 | -97.20 | -84.2 |
| 22 | Newcomb | 0-4 | -106.30 | -74.5 |
NM Class 4A High School Football Rankings
| Rank | School | Overall Record | Rating | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lovington | 3-2 | -1.60 | -5.4 |
| 2 | Portales | 5-0 | -11.50 | -45.4 |
| 3 | Bloomfield | 4-0 | -14.30 | -50.0 |
| 4 | Silver (Silver City) | 4-1 | -16.60 | -34.6 |
| 5 | Aztec | 3-2 | -23.80 | -25.2 |
| 6 | Bernalillo | 5-0 | -28.10 | -50.5 |
| 7 | Valencia (Los Lunas) | 3-1 | -35.30 | -48.1 |
| 8 | Moriarty | 4-1 | -38.00 | -62.3 |
| 9 | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) | 3-2 | -40.40 | -44.9 |
| 10 | St. Pius X (Albuquerque) | 2-3 | -43.10 | -36.8 |
| 11 | Taos | 2-2 | -45.30 | -52.4 |
| 12 | Grants | 2-3 | -51.30 | -47.2 |
| 13 | Kirtland Central (Kirtland) | 2-2 | -52.60 | -55.6 |
| 14 | Espanola Valley (Espanola) | 2-3 | -56.50 | -46.9 |
| 15 | Pojoaque Valley (Pojoaque) | 2-2 | -64.70 | -52.8 |
| 16 | Gallup | 0-5 | -85.10 | -48.3 |
| 17 | Shiprock | 0-5 | -110.30 | -85.9 |
NM Class 5A High School Football Rankings
| Rank | School | Overall Record | Rating | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Artesia | 5-0 | 21.40 | -17.0 |
| 2 | Roswell | 5-0 | 21.20 | -13.5 |
| 3 | Los Alamos | 5-0 | -18.60 | -48.3 |
| 4 | Gadsden (Anthony) | 4-1 | -19.60 | -34.7 |
| 5 | Piedra Vista (Farmington) | 1-4 | -22.10 | -6.7 |
| 6 | Goddard (Roswell) | 3-2 | -22.30 | -34.3 |
| 7 | Deming | 2-2 | -25.00 | -30.2 |
| 8 | Mayfield (Las Cruces) | 2-2 | -25.90 | -25.3 |
| 9 | Valley (Albuquerque) | 3-1 | -28.30 | -40.5 |
| 10 | Miyamura (Gallup) | 1-4 | -50.00 | -37.1 |
| 11 | Manzano (Albuquerque) | 1-3 | -55.20 | -36.9 |
| 12 | Belen | 0-4 | -55.90 | -15.1 |
| 13 | Santa Teresa | 0-4 | -56.10 | -23.9 |
| 14 | Highland (Albuquerque) | 1-3 | -57.40 | -38.7 |
| 15 | Chaparral | 0-5 | -69.00 | -42.8 |
| 16 | Del Norte (Albuquerque) | 0-5 | -71.90 | -37.9 |
NM Class 6A High School Football Rankings
| Rank | School | Overall Record | Rating | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland (Rio Rancho) | 3-2 | 17.90 | 10.5 |
| 2 | La Cueva (Albuquerque) | 2-3 | 13.90 | 4.4 |
| 3 | Centennial (Las Cruces) | 2-2 | 9.20 | 4.7 |
| 4 | Volcano Vista (Albuquerque) | 4-1 | 4.10 | -4.5 |
| 5 | Farmington | 4-1 | 2.20 | -15.4 |
| 6 | Los Lunas | 3-2 | 1.70 | -7.1 |
| 7 | Hobbs | 2-3 | -3.90 | 1.7 |
| 8 | Sandia (Albuquerque) | 3-1 | -5.40 | -16.7 |
| 9 | West Mesa (Albuquerque) | 4-1 | -5.50 | -25.0 |
| 10 | Las Cruces | 1-4 | -7.20 | 7.4 |
| 11 | Rio Rancho | 3-2 | -10.60 | -7.7 |
| 12 | Eldorado (Albuquerque) | 3-2 | -14.90 | -21.7 |
| 13 | Alamogordo | 3-2 | -17.10 | -18.9 |
| 14 | Carlsbad | 1-4 | -17.80 | 0.6 |
| 15 | Atrisco Heritage Academy (Albuquerque) | 3-2 | -19.70 | -31.0 |
| 16 | Clovis | 1-4 | -21.20 | -4.6 |
| 17 | Albuquerque | 1-3 | -29.00 | -14.2 |
| 18 | Cibola (Albuquerque) | 0-4 | -34.40 | -11.7 |
| 19 | Capital (Santa Fe) | 1-4 | -42.90 | -31.9 |
| 20 | Santa Fe | 1-4 | -45.60 | -17.6 |
| 21 | Organ Mountain (Las Cruces) | 0-5 | -47.70 | -22.1 |
| 22 | Rio Grande (Albuquerque) | 0-4 | -73.70 | -39.6 |
