Jal (4-2) at Fort Sumner (4-2)
When: 7 p.m. today in a District 2-1A matchup.
Last week: Jal opened its district schedule with a 55-6 rout at Mescalero. Fort Sumner, playing its district opener tonight, defeated Loving 29-17.
Last meeting: 2008, the Foxes won at Jal 29-0.
Of note: Fort Sumner, the four-time defending Class 1A state champion, has trailed in each of its games this season. … In last week’s win, the Foxes overcame six turnovers and 90 yards in penalties. … Jal has won four in a row after an 0-2 start.
Quotable: “It’s really pretty simple. We have to cut down on our mistakes, take care of the ball and block and tackle well.” — Fort Sumner coach Matt Moyer.

Melrose (6-0) at Mountainair (3-2)
When: 7 p.m. today
Last week: The top-ranked and defending state 8-man champion Buffaloes beat Animas 64-22 on a neutral field at Carrizozo. Meantime, Mountainair upended second-ranked and previously unbeaten Clovis Christian 20-6.
Last meeting: 2008, the Buffs trampled the Mustangs 66-6 at Melrose.
Of note: Melrose coach Dickie Roybal said the Mustangs are getting some players back from injury and academic problems. … The teams have met regularly over the years, including several times in the playoffs. Suffice it to say, last year’s game was an abberation. … Mountainair outgained CCS 428-119, led by cousins Santana and Cimarron Zamora, both of whom rushed for more than 100 yards and were involved in all three Mustangs touchdowns. … Melrose is looking for its 19th consecutive win, dating to the start of last season.
Quotable: “They’re playing Mountainair football now. They’ve probably got a little confidence after beating Clovis Christian.” — Roybal, on Mountainair.

House (4-2) at Elida (2-2)
When: 4 p.m. today
Last week: Elida had an open date. House beat Hondo 66-33 in both team’s 6-man District 2 opener. This is Elida’s district opener.
Last meeting: 2008, the Tigers lost at House 39-32
House players to watch: The Cowboys rely heavily on senior RBs Bobby Lee and Jarod Allen, who both possess good speed, Elida coach Ralph Gawehn said.
Notes: House has a new coach in Lyndel Bonds … Gawehn said he thinks the Cowboys might have changed their offense and defense under Bonds.
Quotable: “They’re pretty quick. We’re going to try to take it to them and shut them down early.” — Gawehn.

Honda (5-1) at Dora (3-2)
When: 4 p.m. today
Last week: Hondo lost to House 66-33. Dora fell to Lake Arthur 100-52.
Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.
Hondo players to watch: Dora coach Pablo Pena said Hondo has a good quarterback who also possesses good speed.
Notes: Pena said the teams run similar offenses, so the Coyotes shouldn’t be uncomfortable against Hondo. … Pena is concerned about his team’s ability to bounce back from last week’s lopsided loss.

Springer (1-4) at Floyd (2-4)
When: 7 p.m. today
Last week: Springer lost to Sierra Grande 44-38. Floyd lost to Foothill 48-8.
Last meeting: 2008, the Bronchos ran away from Springer 54-0.
What to watch: Springer runs a lot of counters, reverses and sweeps, Bronchos coach Rafael Roybal said.
Quotable: "They have a fairly big team with some speed. They’ve played some people tough this season." — Roybal, on Springer.

Springlake-Earth (4-1) at Farwell (2-3)
When: 2 p.m. (CDT) Saturday in the District 5-1A opener for both teams.
Last week: The Wolverines have been idle since a 21-10 with over Bovina Sept. 25. The Steers won their second-straight last week, 27-14 over Clayton.
Last meeting: 2008, Springlake-Earth edged the Steers 19-15.
What to look for: The Steers want to neutralize the Wolverines’ obvious size advantage.
“They’re big up front,” Farwell coach Mark Anglin said, referring to linemen Colby Copnner (Jr., 6-5, 305) and Jace Furr (So., 6-0, 276). “Those two guys, they almost outweigh our entire team (on the line). They’re very big.”
Time change: At Springlake-Earth’s request, the game was moved from Friday night to Saturday afternoon as the community was recovering from a car accident that claimed the life of a young girl in the community.

Nazareth (1-4) at Bovina (4-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. (CDT) in the District 3-1A opener for both teams.
Last week: Both teams were idle last week.
Last meeting: 2008, the Swifts beat Bovina 35-7 at Nazareth.
What to expect: Bovina coach Hector Guevara said the Swifts should be a force in district, despite their rough start.
“They have a lot of tradition,” he said. “They’re big and fast. I guess they’ve had a rough going early on, but they’re good.”
The key will be containing Swifts quarterback Sage Black.
Early work: Guevara said both teams got film on each other early, since each had a bye week. The Mustangs prepared by going full speed last week as if they were playing Nazareth, and have focused more on rest this week leading in.

Muleshoe (5-0) at Floydada (1-4)
When: 7:30 p.m. (CDT) today in the District 2-2A opener for both teams.
Last week: Both teams had an open date.
Last meeting: 2008, the Mules blanked Floydada 52-0 at Muleshoe.
Of note: Despite scoring only 24 points in five games, Muleshoe coach David Wood noted that the Whirlwinds have the leading Class 2A rusher in the area in 5-10, 185-pound senior Fred Williams, who has 575 yards. … Wood said the Mules will be shorthanded with some players expected to miss the game with the flu and others battling injuries. … Muleshoe is on a 20-game winning streak since the start of the 2008 season.
Quotable: “The key? Stop Williams. If we can contain him, we’ll be able to handle them.” — Wood.