One of the lone exceptions was Valencia's 34-30 win at home over Moriarty, one that kept the Jaguars' playoff bubble from exploding in their faces. Another Moriarty loss next week against Del Norte could very well get Valencia (5-5) into the Class 4A playoffs as an at-large team.

If that's the case, one has to wonder what the preseason odds would have been of having Valencia, Bernalillo and Farmington all reach the 4A playoffs. The trio appears headed to the postseason as either district champs or with an at-large bid.

As for this week's other must-see games - yawn.

La Cueva-Sandia? Bears 42-7. Rio Rancho-Cleveland? Rams 50-19. Manzano-Eldorado? Monarchs 38-6. Academy-Ruidoso? Chargers 56-10.

Not to be overlooked was Volcano Vista's 37-13 rout of St. Pius on Thursday and Mayfield's 24-0 whitewash of this year's feel-good 5A team Oñate on Friday.

Even the games that weren't plastered on the marquee came up lame. Highland pounded Rio Grande 41-13 and Las Cruces beat Alamogordo 38-13 on Friday. On Saturday at Milne, Valley beat Santa Fe 41-12.

After the previous two seasons gave prep fans some of the most exciting games this decade, the 2009 campaign has been one of blowouts, running clocks and solid excuses to beat the traffic.

Two things to take away from the week that was: La Cueva and Manzano showed once again why they have the talent and depth to be considered legitimate 5A championship threats. Second, it looks like we'll all have to wait for the playoffs for the nail-biters.