Gruver, Texas (1-3) at Texico (2-2)
• When: 6 p.m. today
• Last meeting: 2009, the Wolverines rallied in the second half for a 21-12 victory at Texico.
• Last week: The Wolverines dropped a 27-26 decision to the Clovis junior varsity. Gruver posted a 33-22 win over Hooker, Okla.
• Of note: Texico took a tough loss at the hands of a Class 5A JV last week in a game which started on Thursday and was suspended until Saturday morning due to lightning. “It was a hard-fought game; we just fought a little bit too late,” said Wolverines coach Ryan Autrey, whose team trailed 27-14 entering the final period. “We had our chances, but we didn’t capitalize and they did.” … Autrey said he isn’t overly concerned about record. “I don’t care about wins and losses,” he said. “I care about getting better.” … One of the Greyhounds’ losses this season came against Farwell (41-0 on Sept. 10). “I told my kids, ‘We’re not Farwell, and they’re not going to play the way they did two weeks ago,” Autrey said.

Clovis sophs (1-2) at Fort Sumner (4-0)
• When: 1 p.m. Saturday
• Last meeting: The teams have never met.
• Last Last week: The Wildcats lost to the Frenship (Texas) junior varsity 20-14. Fort Sumner posted a 32-23 victory at McCurdy.
• Of note: Fort Sumner picked up the Wildcats this season to fill a hole in the schedule. It gives the Foxes six home games, but coach Matt Moyer noted his squad’s four road trips are all relatively long. … Moyer said the teams hope to schedule another game next year. “We don’t really know much (about them),” he said. “We’re kind of in the dark.” … The Foxes, four-time Class 1A state champions (2005-08), are looking to mount another title run. “We’re progressing, getting better,” Moyer said. Hopefully, we can be around  at the end (of the postseason).”

Melrose (3-1) vs. Reserve (2-2)
• When: 1 p.m. Saturday at Mescalero
• Last meeting: The teams have never faced each other.
• Last week: Melrose won at Menaul 40-32 while Gateway Christian beat Reserve 42-6 in the “8-man showcase” at Menaul.
• Of note: Reserve is located near the Arizona border in the far southwestern part of the state, necessitating a neutral site. The teams will play again next year, Melrose coach Dickie Roybal said. … The Mountaineers’ best player is 6-foot-2, 160-pound running back-tight end/linebacker Jagger Kaber, Roybal said. “They’re big,” Roybal said. “We got to watch them last weekend (at Menaul). They’ve got a good football team.” … The Buffaloes, two-time defending 8-man state champions, are nursing some injuries, Roybal said, including TE Aaron Dearing (knee) and defensive end Dillon Pareo (neck). Roybal said G/DT Josh Broom (elbow), hurt early in last week’s game, should be ready to go.

CCS (4-0) at Hondo (2-1)
• When: 4 p.m. today
• Last meeting: 2005, Clovis Christian lost at Hondo 64-51.
• Last week: Clovis Christian beat New Mexico School for the Deaf at Santa Fe 68-19 in its 6-man District 2 opener. Hondo won at House/Grady 44-36.
• Of note: Both teams are nicknamed “Eagles.” … Hondo is the defending state runnerup in 6-man. CCS coach Jason Swann said Hondo runs a 6-man version of a spread offense. “All their plays are designed runs with a chance to pass,” he said. … Junior Christian Guillen, a 5-foot-10, 180-pounder, serves as a lead blocker on offense and is Hondo’s top defender, Swann said, adding that junior Luis Mantano and sophomore Andrew Padilla are the top threats on offense. “They’re small, but they’re all fast,” Swann said.

New Deal (4-0) at Farwell (4-0)
• When: 7:30 p.m. (CDT) today
• Last meeting: 2009, New Deal handed the Steers a 48-7 loss in the first round of the Class 1A Division I playoffs last year at Wolfforth, Texas. Farwell has dropped into Division II this season.
• Last week: Farwell won at Tucumcari 33-10. New Deal routed Seagraves 47-13.
• Of note: Both teams are nicknamed “Eagles.” … The Lions are ranked fourth in this week’s AP Texas Class 1A poll; Farwell is No. 13. “It’ll be a good challenge for us,” Steers coach Mike Prokop said. “If you have a weak spot, they’ll find it.” … The Steers are easily off to their best start in several years, and are bouyed by their status in the 1A poll. “It helps us to get  the kids to believe in what we’re doing, but we’re still trying to (eliminate) mistakes,” Prokop said. He said the Lions have “a massive, veteran offensive line,” adding that they try to run the ball first but are a capable passing team.

Bovina (3-1) at Sundown (3-1)
• When: 7:30 p.m. (CDT) today
• Last meeting: The teams haven’t played each other in a number of years.
• Last week: The Mustangs were beaten at Dimmitt 25-18. New Deal crushed Morton 61-7.
• Of note: Bovina will try to bounce back against a rugged opponent after seeing an 18-7 lead through three quarters disappear last week at Dimmitt. … Sundown scored 61 unanswered points last week after falling behind Morton 7-0 early. … Bovina coach Hector Guevara said the Roughnecks run a wing-T formation. “We have to stop their run,” he said. “If we can do that, we’ll be in good shape.” … Junior RB Garrett Carter led a Roughnecks rushing attack which gained 484 yards, scoring four TDs (14, 44, 29, 57) and gaining 190 yards on just eight carries.

Lubbock Roosevelt (3-0) at Muleshoe (3-0)
• When: 7:30 p.m. (CDT) today in the District 1-2A Division I opener for both teams.
• Last meeting: The teams, at one time in the same district, haven’t met over the last several years.
• Last week: Both teams had an open date.
• Of note: Both teams dominated their opponents in the first three games. Roosevelt outscored its opponents 137-41 while the Mules had a 125-40 margin over their foes.

Dora at Lake Arthur
• When: 7 p.m. today.
• Records: Dora 1-3, Lake Arthur 1-3.
• Last meeting: 2009, Lake Arthur beat Dora 100-52.
• Last week: Dora lost to San Jon 53-41. Lake Arthur lost to Roy 71-52.
• Lake Arthur players to watch: Senior Angelo Rivera leads the team in rushing with a 342 yards, seven touchdowns and 15 tackles. Rivera also leads the team in scoring with 48 points.
• Note: Rivera ran for 528 yards and 10 touchdowns in last year’s game.

Valley Christian at Elida
• When: 4 p.m. today.
• Records: Elida 2-2, Valley Christian 1-2.
• Last meeting: First meeting, district opener.
• Last week: Elida routed Vaughn 46-18. Valley Christian had a bye week.
• Coach’s comment: “We’ve played them in a scrimmage game and they played it tight. They we’re spread out, they had three offensive linemen, quarterback, tight end and fullback. They play a type of smash mouth football.” — Elida’s Clay Ferguson.
• Valley Christian players to watch: Seniors Gus Gray, William Kolker, Daniel La Volpa, Logan Rader and Mathew Straley.
Note: This is the 6-man District 2 opener for both teams.

Foothill at Floyd
• When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
• Records: Foothill 1-2, Floyd 0-4
• Last meeting: 2009, Foothill routed Floyd 48-8.
• Last week: Floyd forfeited its game with Mountainair. Foothill was routed by Tatum 42-20.
• Coach’s comment: “They will run twin receivers on both sides and then run a spread things out with a spread offense. They like to run out of the I-formation and some out of the slot. Foothill looks like a strong group of kids and very athletic.” — Floyd’s Rafael Roybal.
• What to watch for: Foothill’s quarterback can throw the ball deep and runs fairly well.
• Note: Floyd is currently 1-1 against Foothill. The Broncos defeated the Falcons on Oct. 4, 2008.

— Freedom New Mexico