Prep picks: Yodice, Diehl make state football championship game predictions

New Mexico’s high school football season ends on Saturday with five state championship games.

Myself and Adam Diehl are not only picking winners, but predicted final scores in games being played in Albuquerque, Roswell, Bloomfield, Santa Fe and Santa Rosa. Adam is going to win the overall playoff picks title. He was 9-2 last week and is 52-8 for this postseason. I was 8-3 last week and stand at 50-10.

Class 6A

No. 1 La Cueva (12-0) vs. No. 3 Cleveland (11-1), 1 p.m., Wilson Stadium

The unknown health status of Bears’ QB Cam Dyer makes this an exceedingly difficult game to call, since Cam on his own has the potential to change the entire trajectory of this afternoon for both teams. I must admit, I was slightly leaning Cleveland already, even before Dyer’s right knee injury, and also based on the Storm’s scintillating performance against Centennial. Let’s hope Cam plays and has an impact, because that’s the proper ending this season deserves. (For what it’s worth, while my record of picking winners in big-school finals is generally excellent, there is a notable exception — I am 0-3 picking La Cueva-Cleveland games.)

Yodice’s prediction: Cleveland 39, La Cueva 35

Diehl’s prediction: Cleveland 42, La Cueva 38

Class 5A

No. 2 Artesia (9-3) at No. 1 Roswell (10-1), 1 p.m., Wool Bowl

As coin flip a game as there is on Saturday. The Coyotes have been itching to avenge last year’s championship game loss to Artesia, and now here’s their chance. Most certainly a game in which the team that has the ball last could be the winner. I’m taking the Bulldogs, but my confidence level is luke warm.

Yodice’s prediction: Artesia 38, Roswell 31

Diehl’s prediction: Roswell 43, Artesia 42

Class 4A

No. 2 St. Pius (10-2) at No. 1 Bloomfield (11-0), 1 p.m.

Bottom line, the Sartans and those gifted young skill athletes are gonna have to do something no other 4A team has done against the Bobcats, and that’s put up at least 20 points, if they want to have a chance. Outstanding QB matchup here, with Isaiah Carpenter (SPX) and Blake Spencer (Bloomfield). I do believe St. Pius is going to win a state championship with this group before they’re done, but not this year. I’m going with Bloomfield’s superior defense, and its big-game experience, to delay that coronation.

Yodice’s prediction: Bloomfield 34, St. Pius 17

Diehl’s prediction: Bloomfield 27, St. Pius 20

Class 3A

No. 2 Dexter (12-0) at No. 1 St. Michael’s (12–0), 1 p.m., Ivan Head Stadium

The only one of Saturday’s games to feature two undefeated teams. Demons and Horsemen are constructed rather similarly, but the difference is St. Mike’s does it just a little better on both sides of the ball, and their veterans, who won state last year, should be invaluable in this matchup with the dangerous Demons. Interesting sidebar: Both these schools are 2A level in terms of enrollment, but chose to play up into 3A.

Yodice’s prediction: St. Michael’s 28, Dexter 13

Diehl’s prediction: St. Michael’s 35, Dexter 14

Class 2A

No. 1 Texico (11-0) at No. 2 Santa Rosa (9-3), 1 p.m.

One of my favorite storylines of the season is multiple 2A coaches telling me that this Wolverines offensive line is as big as any in 6A. That group has pushed around and worn down pretty much everyone in their path. I expect Texico to close out the year in style.

Yodice’s prediction: Texico 47, Santa Rosa 20

Diehl’s prediction: Texico 42, Santa Rosa 13