Preps Central

Listen as Journal staffer James Yodice breaks down everything you need to know about the high school sports — the story lines, the players to watch and the games you don't want to miss.

  1. 11/26/2025

    New Mexico HS Football State Championships Preview w/ ProView’s Sebastian Noel

    Host James Yodice, high school sports editor for the Albuquerque Journal, is joined by Sebastian Noel, play-by-play broadcaster for ProView Networks, to break down New Mexico’s high school football state championship weekend.They run through all five 11-man title games, including the 6A showdown between Cleveland and Las Cruces, the 5A rivalry rematch of Artesia vs. Roswell at Bulldog Bowl, the much-anticipated 4A clash between Bloomfield and St. Pius X, St. Michael’s dominant run into the 3A final against Dexter, and the 2A heavyweight matchup of Texico vs. Eunice. Along the way, they talk key players, coaching storylines, home-field advantages, and which games feel like true coin flips.James and Sebastian also dig into the ongoing debate over centralizing state championships at UNM versus keeping them at campus and regional sites, touching on NMAA board dynamics, logistics, and why environments like Bulldog Bowl and Community Stadium are so special for small-town programs and fans.If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal, to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the like below for a discount on a digital subscription. http://www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12 that’s a savings of $9.Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source!#PrepsCentral #JamesYodice #SebastianNoel #ProViewNetworks#NewMexicoHighSchoolFootball #NMPreps #HighSchoolFootball #StateChampionship#ClevelandStorm #LasCrucesBulldawgs #ArtesiaBulldogs #RoswellCoyotes#BloomfieldBobcats #StPiusX #StMichaels #DexterDemons #Texico #Eunice#NMAA #AlbuquerqueJournal

    54 min
  2. 10/30/2025

    Week 11 NM HS Football — Hobbs Coach Ken Stevens & Cleveland QB Jordan Hatch

    In this Week 11 edition of Preps Central, host James Yodice of the Albuquerque Journal dives deep into the final week of New Mexico’s high school football regular season — where district titles, playoff seedings, and first-round byes are all on the line.James is joined by Hobbs head coach Ken Stevens, who discusses the Eagles’ push for a top-four seed, the importance of culture and consistency, and what it will take to elevate Hobbs to that next level. Then, Cleveland High School quarterback Jordan Hatch sits down to preview the Storm’s district championship showdown against Rio Rancho, reflecting on rivalry week energy, his connection with coach Heath Ridenour, and Cleveland’s playoff mindset heading into November football.From Las Cruces’ undefeated run to Los Alamos’ rise, and a potential three-way tie in District 3-6A, this episode covers it all — including which teams might shock the state when the playoff brackets drop Saturday night.Stay tuned through the end for updates on state soccer tournaments, key matchups across 5A and 4A, and why Friday night will be unusually quiet in the metro area. http://www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12 that’s a savings of $9.Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source!#PrepsCentral #JamesYodice #NMPreps #NewMexicoFootball #HighSchoolFootball #Week11 #DistrictChampionship #PlayoffPicture #RioRancho #ClevelandStorm #JordanHatch #KenStevens #HobbsEagles #LasCruces #Centennial #LosAlamos #AlbuquerqueJournal #NMHSFootball #RivalryWeek #Bracketology

    44 min
  3. 10/24/2025

    New Mexico High School Football Week 10: Playoff Races, Guest Rio Rancho’s Parker Miller

    n this Week 10 edition of Preps Central, Albuquerque Journal Prep Sports Editor James Yodice breaks down the final stretch of New Mexico’s high school football season — just before the playoff brackets drop. James recaps the biggest storylines from last week, including the 5A showdown between the Artesia Bulldogs and Roswell Coyotes, to the 6A overtime thriller where Rio Rancho edged Volcano Vista. Rio Rancho receiver Parker Miller, who leads Class 6A in receiving yards and touchdowns, joins the show to discuss his chemistry with quarterback Micah Takahashi, stepping up in the absence of teammate Jace Lee, and how wide receivers coach Chris Williams — a former NFL/CFL player and Rio Rancho alum — has sharpened his game. The episode also touches on several teams, including the Los Alamos Hilltoppers, Cleveland Storm, Volcano Vista Hawks, Albuquerque High Bulldogs, Sandia Matadors and Las Cruces Bulldogs. James closes with a spotlight on standout cross-country runner Carmen Dorsey-Spitz of Moriarty High, who recently broke Gianna Rahmer’s 5A course record at Albuquerque Academy’s invitational meet. If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal, to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the like below for a discount on a digital subscription. http://www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/ To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12 that’s a savings of $9. Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source! #PrepsCentral #AlbuquerqueJournal #NMPreps #NewMexicoHighSchoolFootball #JamesYodice #ParkerMiller #RioRanchoRams #MicahTakahashi #ChrisWilliams #JaceLee #VolcanoVista #ClevelandStorm #ArtesiaBulldogs #RoswellCoyotes #LosAlamosHilltoppers #JordanHerrera #NMHSFootball #HighSchoolSports #PlayoffPreview

    32 min
  4. 10/09/2025

    Week 8: w/ Guests Los Alamos RB Jordan Herrera & Santa Rosa HC David Chavez | 4A Shockers, 6A Races

    Host James Yodice (Albuquerque Journal preps editor) breaks down New Mexico high school football Week 8: the 6A district picture (La Cueva–Los Lunas implications, Centennial vs. Hobbs), why 5A is mostly idle, and a wild 4A twist as Albuquerque Academy rallied to stun previously-unbeaten St. Pius X behind QB William Braun and WR/K Gage Conway. Then James interviews Los Alamos superstar RB Jordan Herrera—leading the state in rushing—and Santa Rosa head coach David Chavez on the Lions’ undefeated run, defense-first mindset, and 2A title aspirations. Packed with playoff seeding context, coaches-poll vs. MaxPreps chatter, and what to watch in Week 9 (including Artesia–Roswell). Subscribe for more New Mexico preps coverage every week.If you enjoy our podcasts, please like and subscribe, and consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Albuquerque Journal, to help us continue to bring you more content like this. Follow the like below for a discount on a digital subscription. http://www.abqjournal.com/subscribe/abqpods/To get your digital subscription to the newspaper for $3 per week, normally charged monthly at $12 that’s a savings of $9.Thank you for Supporting The Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's leading local news source!#PrepsCentral #JamesYodice #NMPreps #NewMexicoHighSchoolFootball #LosAlamos #SantaRosaLions #AlbuquerqueAcademy #StPiusX #LaCuevaBears #LosLunasTigers #CentennialHawks #HobbsEagles #ArtesiaBulldogs #RoswellCoyotes #Week8 #HighSchoolFootball

    40 min

About

Listen as Journal staffer James Yodice breaks down everything you need to know about the high school sports — the story lines, the players to watch and the games you don't want to miss.

More From Albuquerque Journal