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Prep football: Week 2 games to watch and expert picks
Games to watch
1. Volcano Vista at Las Cruces, Field of Dreams, 7 p.m. Thursday: We vault this to the top of the list after the Hawks topped La Cueva in Week 1. These two met twice last season, both times on the West Side; the Bulldawgs' defense dominated Volcano Vista in the playoffs the last time they shared a field. This begins a stretch of Cruces vs. metro area teams, with Rio Rancho and Cleveland to follow.
2. Cleveland at Los Lunas, 6 p.m.: The Tigers turn from one behemoth in Roswell to numero uno among the behemoths, the defending Class 6A state champion Storm. How does Los Lunas fit into the 6A picture? Fair or not, this should tell us quite a bit.
3. Portales at Lovington, 7 p.m. Friday: This is one of the more unheralded great rivalries in the state, from where I sit. The Rams and Wildcats almost always deliver an entertaining matchup. How will this super young Portales lineup fare against Lovington?
4. Pinnacle, Ariz. at La Cueva, Wilson Stadium, 7 p.m. Friday: Their meeting a year ago in Flagstaff was largely meh for 3 1/2 quarters, and then it pivoted sharply and dramatically, with a tremendous several minutes to end regulation and two scintillating overtime periods before the Bears prevailed. How will La Cueva rebound from its Week 1 setback to Volcano Vista?
5. West Las Vegas at Dexter, 6 p.m. Friday: Yes, we're in an early chapter of this 2025 book, but this game between two solid 3A outfits might have some repercussions down the road.
