It’s down to the semifinals in state football this weekend, with 6A having undefeated schools in Rio Rancho Cleveland, Albuquerque La Cueva, and Las Cruces Centennial

By Arnie Leshin 

The New Mexican Activities Association was right on target in the 5A and 6A seeding as the first four seeds still remain as the state semifinals kick off this weekend.

But in 3A, the 3rd and 4th seeds were eliminated. it was 5th seed Robertson knocking out 4th seed St. Michael’s, and 3rd seeded Socorro fell to 6th seeded West Las Vegas. In 4A, 5th seeded Bloomfield blanked 4th seed Kirtland Central. The one, two and three seeds still remain.

Robertson won by scoring back-to-back touchdowns when St, Michael’s had a 27-13 lead with 4:13 remaining. Dexter, the 2nd seed, ousted Hatch Valley, 28-14, and 2nd seeded Portales had a big scoring game in getting past 7th seeded Grant, 64-32.

But in 5A, it’s still top seed Roswell, second seed Goddard, third seed Los Lunas, and fourth seed Artesia. Roswell rolled over Albuquerque Valley, 49-8, Goddard shut down Deming, 34-0, Los Lunas got past rival Belen, 24-17, and Artesia turned back Piedra Vista, 39-20.

Same in 6A, which has unbeaten teams in top seed Rio Rancho Cleveland, 2nd seed Albuquerque La Cueiva, 3rd seed Las Cruces Centennial, and 4thseed Albuquerque Volcano Vista. The top three all sport 11-0 records and Volcano Vista is 9-2.

The unbeatens had no problem advancing, with the exception being La Cueva having a tough time getting past Las Cruces, 17-14. Otherwise, it was Cleveland over Albuquerque Manzano, 41-22, Centennial over Albuquerque Eldorado, 37-24, and Volcano Vista rolling over Albuquerque Cibola, 42-14.

So the semis are all set.

In 3A, joining Robertson (10-2) are top seed Albuquerque Hope Christian (11-0), which is home to the Cardinals, and second seeded Dexter (9-2) taking on visiting 6th seed West Las Vegas (8-4).

The Huskies had no problem ending 9th seed Tularosa’s season, 67-14, and Dexter took care of 7th seeded Hatch Valley, 38-14. Ruidoso, which defeated Robertson in the championship last season on a remarkable 99-yard touchdown drive in the final seconds, did not have as good a season this time,

In 4A, it will be top seed Albuquerque St. Pius X (8-3) playing host to 5th seeded Bloomfield (8-4), and 3rd seeded Taos (10-1) traveling to 2nd seeded Portales (8-3). St. Pius X knocked out 9th seeded Aztec, 31-25, and Taos showed no mercy in downing 8th seeded Lovington, 55-7.

In 5A, 4th seeded Artesia (7-4) faces top seed Roswell (9-2), and 3rd seed Los Lunas (8-2) meets2nd seeded Goddard (9-1-1). Roswell gained first place in district by defeating city rival Goddard on a game-ending field goal. Defending champion Artesta now has a record 19 state championships, but will have to hit the road for Roswell.

Last but far from being less is 6A as Cleveland gets a visit from Volcano Vista, and Centennial heads for La Cueva. Last year’s champion, Manzano, is packing up its gear.

Schools will decide on playing Friday night or Saturday afternoon, but the home teams have first choice.