Football Game Preview: Volcano Vista Hawks vs. Piedra Vista Panthers

For the first time this season, Volcano Vista will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will host the Piedra Vista Panthers at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. One thing working in Volcano Vista's favor is that they have posted at least 31 points in their last three matchups.

Volcano Vista is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of New Mexico's top teams: Eldorado, who was ranked 17th at the time (Volcano Vista was ranked fourth). The Hawks breezed past the Golden Eagles to the tune of 35-7 last Friday. The Hawks haven't had any issues with the Golden Eagles recently, as the game was their fifth consecutive victory against them.

Aurelius Wiley had another great game (as he tends to do), rushing for 167 yards and three scores while picking up 9.8 yards per carry, and also throwing for 84 yards and one TD.

Volcano Vista didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Aiden Gonzales and Mateo Anaya. Volcano Vista got some further help from Oen Nicholas: he made six total tackles (5.0 for loss).

Meanwhile, it's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 49-13, which was the final score in Piedra Vista's tilt against Canyon on Friday.

Piedra Vista's defeat dropped their record down to 3-2. As for Volcano Vista, their win bumped their record up to 4-1.

Everything came up roses for Volcano Vista against Piedra Vista when the teams last played back in October of 2024, as the team secured a 48-7 victory. Do the Hawks have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Panthers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.