While the small schools are getting started in their state football playoffs, the big school programs have one week left in the 2009 regular season.

Some of those teams will see their season end while others are still jockeying for playoff positioning. Here is a rundown of what some Northern New Mexico teams will be looking for with this weekend's games. All games are tonight unless otherwise noted.

Class AAAAA

Santa Fe High (0-9, 0-3 2AAAAA) vs. Abq. Sandia (4-5, 2-1)

Where: Ivan Head Stadium

The skinny: The Demons waved bye-bye to postseason hopes weeks ago and are crossing their fingers just to avoid the dreaded winless season. Obviously, an 0-10 record is not what first-year head coach Ray Holladay had in mind, but the strength of this team is in its sophomore and junior classes. With a drop to Class AAAA next year, there actually is some hope coming from this season.

Class AAAA

Capital (3-6, 2-1 2AAAA) vs. Los Alamos (3-6, 2-1)

Where: Sullivan Field, Los Alamos

The skinny: Neither team is happy to be in this position. The loser is done and the winner needs fortune to smile its way from the state tournament selection committee. A four-win, second-place team from what has been the worst district in AAAA is not guaranteed a playoff spot. Still, a win keeps hope alive for one more day. To add an element of intrigue, Capital head coach Stephen Castille played for Los Alamos and head coach Bob Scott in the 1990s. Castille has yet to beat Los Alamos on the Hill, but in a year where both programs are down, this could be his chance.

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Española Valley (2-7, 0-3) vs. Bernalillo (6-3, 3-0)

Where: Bernalillo

The skinny: Head coach Bill Moon has his Sundevils playing out the string at this point. Moon hasn't exactly been given all he was expected to get to rebuild the program. Playing the district champion in the season finale will at least bring a merciful end to a rough season for Española Valley.

Class AAA

St. Michael's (6-3, 1-2 2AAA) vs. Pojoaque Valley (6-3, 1-2)

Where: Jacona Field (Saturday)

The skinny: The fact that these two teams are still battling for playoff spots is as much a testament to the improvement of the Elks under head coach Quevin Redding as it is to the recent struggles of the Horsemen.

While it's hard to imagine St. Michael's being left out, head coach Joey Fernandez said after last week's loss to Las Vegas Robertson it was a possibility. If his team loses three straight and finishes fourth in the district, the selection committee could do the unthinkable.

For Pojoaque, the elation of the program's first winning season has subsided considerably after all-too-familar blowout losses to Raton and Robertson. A competitive loss could result in the Elks sneaking in the Class AAA state playoffs as a No. 11 or No. 12 seed.

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Las Vegas Robertson (6-3, 2-1) vs. West Las Vegas (2-7, 0-3)

Where: Cardinal Field

The skinny: The rivalry doesn't have much steam anymore, but there is still something riding on this game. Robertson isn't flying under the radar anymore after beating St. Michael's and an earlier road win over Socorro. Another one-sided Cardinals win could wrap up a top-four seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye. It also could wrap up the district coach of the year honors for Richard Martinez. Assuming the Cardinals aren't in letdown mode after thumping the Horsemen, this game should provide the Cardinals plenty of momentum.

Class A State Playoffs

No. 4 McCurdy (6-3) vs. No. 5 Jal (5-4)

Where: Martinez Field, McCurdy (Saturday)

The skinny: McCurdy knocked off Jal in the 2008 Class A quarterfinals and are looking for a similar result Saturday. The winner faces No. 2. Hagerman in the semifinals.

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No. 6 Escalante (7-3) vs. No. 3 Fort Sumner (7-3)

Where: Fort Sumner (Saturday)

The skinny: Escalante averaged more than 33 points per game and hopes to keep that offense rolling on the road against a Fort Sumner team that allowed just 16 ppg. To the winner comes the unenviable task of facing No. 1 Clayton in next week's semifinals.