Preps Central

Albuquerque Journal

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. 11/21/2025

    High School Football Semi-Finals Preview & State Brackets Breakdown

    Join Albuquerque Journal Sports Editor James Yodice as he flies solo this week on Preps Central to break down all the big storylines in New Mexico high school football. From the rise of charter-school programs in 2A to powerhouse defenses in 3A, to the 6A bracket’s elite matchups — this episode covers it all. Plus: a quick recap of state volleyball champions and what’s ahead as basketball gears up. Whether you’re a die-hard prep-sports fan or just looking to stay ahead of the playoff action, this is your one-stop high school sports update for the 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!#NewMexicoHighSchoolFootball #NMHSF #PrepFootball #StateSemiFinals #HighSchoolSports #AlbuquerqueJournal #PrepsCentral #JamesYodice #NewMexicoFootball #HSFootballPlayoffs

    31 min

  3. 11/14/2025

    New Mexico High School Football Playoff Preview with ProView’s Sebastian Noel

    Albuquerque Journal Prep Sports Editor James Yodice sits down with Sebastian Noel, Play-by-Play Broadcaster for ProView Networks, for a complete breakdown of the 2024 New Mexico high school football playoff brackets. Together they analyze key matchups across 6A, 5A, and 4A—spotlighting powerhouse programs like Las Cruces, Cleveland, La Cueva, Los Lunas, and Rio Rancho—while highlighting standout players including Parker Miller, Micah Takahashi, and Monty Melendez.They also preview the state soccer and cross-country championships, share playoff predictions, and discuss why this stretch marks one of the busiest times of the year in New Mexico prep sports. Packed with expert insight, statistics, and bracket analysis, this episode is your ultimate guide to the road to the state championships.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 #NMPreps #NewMexicoFootball #HighSchoolSports #SebastianNoel #ProViewNetworks #JamesYodice #NMPlayoffs #NMAthletics #ClevelandStorm #LasCrucesBulldawgs #LaCuevaBears #RioRanchoRams #LosLunasTigers #ABQJournal #NMSoccer #NMCrossCountry

    55 min

  4. 11/07/2025

    New Mexico High School Football Playoff Preview with ProView’s Sebastian Noel

    Albuquerque Journal Prep Sports Editor James Yodice sits down with Sebastian Noel, Play-by-Play Broadcaster for ProView Networks, for a complete breakdown of the 2024 New Mexico high school football playoff brackets. Together they analyze key matchups across 6A, 5A, and 4A—spotlighting powerhouse programs like Las Cruces, Cleveland, La Cueva, Los Lunas, and Rio Rancho—while highlighting standout players including Parker Miller, Micah Takahashi, and Monty Melendez.They also preview the state soccer and cross-country championships, share playoff predictions, and discuss why this stretch marks one of the busiest times of the year in New Mexico prep sports. Packed with expert insight, statistics, and bracket analysis, this episode is your ultimate guide to the road to the state championships.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 #NMPreps #NewMexicoFootball #HighSchoolSports #SebastianNoel #ProViewNetworks #JamesYodice #NMPlayoffs #NMAthletics #ClevelandStorm #LasCrucesBulldawgs #LaCuevaBears #RioRanchoRams #LosLunasTigers #ABQJournal #NMSoccer #NMCrossCountry

    28 min

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 10/16/2025

    Week 9: Preview Artesia (#1) vs Roswell (#2) @ Wool Bowl w/Coaches Jeff Lynn & Jeremy Maupin

    #NMPreps #NewMexicoFootball #PrepCentral #AlbuquerqueJournal #ArtesiaBulldogs #RoswellCoyotes #WoolBowl #VolcanoVista #RioRanchoRams #ClevelandStorm #NMACT #HighSchoolFootball #Week9

    43 min

  8. 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
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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.

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