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Regional football preview, Aug. 31

Texico (1-0) at Dexter (1-0), 7 p.m. today

Last week: Both teams won their openers on the road last Friday. The Demons topped Santa Rosa 21-14. Texico took a 30-20 win at Eunice. Texico coach Pat Crowley said the Wolverines gave great energy and effort against Eunice, and he was surprised how well they communicated on defense so early in the season.

Last meeting: 2017, Dexter swept a pair of games, 26-7 in the regular season and 36-13 in the Class 3A first round.

What to look out for: Demons quarterback Jarren Amaro accounted for 186 of Dexter’s 214 yards of offense. He carried 16 times for 82 yards and went 4-of-7 in the air for 104 yards.

“They’ve got a good complement of backs,” Crowley said. “They run a good wishbone double tight. They use the fullback very effectively, and (Amaro) can spread you out and throw.”

Friona at Farwell, 7 p.m. (CDT) today

Last week: This is opening week for Texas football teams.

Last meeting: 2017, Friona 28-16.

Keys for Friday: “Their receiving corps is really good,” Farwell coach Danny Brittain said. “Jonathan Hernandez is about 6-3, 6-4 (listed 6-1) and is fast as can be. That quarterback (Marco Monreal) has turned into a really good runner, and he throws the ball well too. He’s turned into a great quarterback.”

Carrizozo (1-0) at Floyd, 3 p.m. today

Last week: The Grizzlies beat Springer 59-36, while Friday marks the season opener for Floyd.

Last meeting: Carrizozo won 52-2 in 2012, when both teams played eight-man.

What to look for: Floyd coach Steve Foust admits he knows little about the Grizzlies.

“We’ve got one senior, John McDonald, and two juniors,” Foust said. “They’ve been playing a number of years. We’re going to run the football, play great defense and we’ll see.

“They’re coming down from eight-man, and it should be a heck of game.”

Floyd is dressing nine players, and Foust said he plans to start an eighth-grader and play a couple of freshmen. He said the young players have had great attitudes and have worked hard throughout the preseason.

Ramah (0-1) vs. Melrose, 3 p.m. Saturday at Mountainair

Last week: Ramah fell to Foothill 52-0. Melrose was idle last week.

Last meeting: The teams haven’t played since their six-man days. Ramah jumped to 11-man after winning the six-man title in 2001, and hasn’t faced Melrose since dropping to eight-man in 2014.

What to look for: “It’s kind of hard to get film on them,” Melrose coach Caleb King said. “They’re kind of a team in a rebuilding program. They’ve got a couple of good athletes. Their quarterback is a good athlete, their running back is good and they’ve got a big, physical line.

“We’ve got a couple of younger guys, a young offensive line and a young tailback (Timber Hill). They looked good in the scrimmage, but they’re going to have to grow up pretty fast.”

Notes: The game is being played at Mountainair in an effort to save both schools on travel expenses. King said the Buffaloes will have to be careful this season to maintain what depth they have, and middle linebacker Jake Pierce is being held out with a minor injury.

Elida (1-0) at Animas, 4 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Elida defeated Lake Arthur 52-0. Season opener for the Panthers.

Last meeting: No recent meetings. Elida is competing in six-man for the first time in several seasons, after consolidating with Dora the last few years in eight-man.

Keys to Saturday: “They’re quick,” Elida coach Jared Hestand said of the Panthers. “They’re not very big, but they’re quick. They’ll give us a run for our money.”

Stopping sophomore running back Boomer Morris will be a key for the Tigers, who have cautious confidence after their season-opening win.

“That was a good boost for us,” Hestand said. “It was a good motivator, but that doesn’t set the tone for how it’s going to go this year. Anything can happen. Lake Arthur gave us a run, but our numbers ran them down.”

— compiled by Kevin Wilson