The weekend that will be Sept. 17-18

I'm trying a new idea for my blog by giving you the heads up on what is coming this weekend around the area. I might - or might not - provide my predictions (if it strikes me, so sue me. Seriously, I'd like to know the grounds so that I know where I can and can't tread. It's not a threat. just a challenge.)
The next two days has plenty for a high school sports fan to chew on - and get heartburn. And just about every sport will be represented (but shouldn't they always?). So without further ado, let's go to the highlights:

Football
St. Michael's at Las Vegas Robertson, Friday, 7 p.m.
The skinny: The former district rivals meet for the first .... blah, blah, blah. You've read enough about that. This game really will determine who is the best in the North. Thanks to Socorro's win over Raton, the margin between the Ponies, the Cards and the Tigers is paper thin. Maybe even smaller.
This game features two teams that love to do two things: run and play defense. If this game is over in an hour, I wouldn't be shocked. What I will be shocked about is if either quarterback Robertson's Daniel Martinez or St. Michael's Michael Wiegel pass for more than 100 yards. If they do, it's not a good sign.
So I will say the winner will be the team that passes for the least amount of yards.
The loser? West Las Vegas, which plays Ruidoso at home - the newly renovated Frank Herrera Complex. I hear it's a nice place. But just like a tree in a forest, if nobody is around to look at it, does any one care?
Bold prediction: St. Michael's 24, Robertson 20. (To avoid last-second field goal drama for newbie Will Webber).

Note to the Santa Fe High and Capital football fans. Yes your teams play Friday, but it's ROBERTSON-ST. MICHAEL'S!!!! Just like next week it will be ST. MICHAEL'S-SANTA FE HIGH!!!!


Fort Sumner at McCurdy School, Saturday, 1 p.m.
The skinny: Remember the whole Charlie Brown-kicking-the-football comic strips? Well, Lucy (Fort Sumner) insists that this time she won't pull the ball away. Good luck with that, Charlie (Bobcats.)

Volleyball
Tournament of Champions, Friday and Saturday
The skinny: Are you bored of watching Pojoaque Valley dominate? I'm sure the rest of the North is, too. So here's your chance (Santa Fe High, Robertson, Capital, St. Michael's, West Las Vegas, Española Valley, Santa Fe Indian School, this means you!) to stop the carousel. Chances are you won't. Wait, make that you won't.

Boys soccer
Santa Fe Preparatory at Albuquerque Hope Christian, Friday, 3 p.m.
The skinny: Read the following statements on Saturday:
- The Blue Griffins are 7-0.
- They are Class A-AAA contenders.
- They avenged themselves against the Huskies, who beat them in a monsoon-soaked shootout 3-2 last year.
- They just beat the No. 3 team in A-AAA.
You know what you want to read, Santa Fe Prep.
So do it.

Monte del Sol at St. Michael's, Saturday, 1 p.m.
The skinny: Desert Academy is a distance fourth - maybe fifth? - in District 2A-AAA. Monte del Sol has a chance to make this a three-team race. The Horsemen, on the other hand, can turn this into what this district has been prior to 2009: An exclusive club that only Santa Fe Prep is a member of. Besides, the new guy usually fumbles his way around the room at your parties any way. Why bother of letting him in?

Cross country
Valdez Memorial Invitational, Pecos High School, Saturday, 9 a.m.
The skinny: Watch Antonio Varela run. Nothing more needs to be said.