The best New Mexican thing or saying.

New Mexico Military Colts 2024 Season Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #46

NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps

2023 Season Review​

Record: 10-3 overall, 4-0 district
2023 Playoffs: 3A Semifinals
Points Scored: 433
Points Given Up: 163
Streak into 2024: 1-game losing streak
2024 Classification: District 3-3A

Season Recap: Colts' High-Flying Season Ends in Semifinals

The 2023 season was a season of highs for the Colts, who won the district championship, secured 10 wins, and reached the 3A state playoffs semifinals. The Colts' offense exploded, racking up 433 points (averaging 33.3 points per game), while their defense stood strong, allowing just 163 points (12.5 points per game).

The Colts started off with wins over Alamogordo-JV (36-7) and Cloudcroft (49-6). They then suffered a 30-8 loss to 2A Texico before thumping Hagerman (45-0) and Hot Springs (41-8). A surprising loss to Loving (13-12) ended their non-district play with a 4-2 record.

The Colts then ran through district play with wins over Ruidoso (55-14), Dexter (22-8), and Tucumcari (60-6). In the playoffs, the Colts earned the 5-seed and played host to 12-seed Navajo Prep in the first round, winning 48-8, followed by a trip north to Las Vegas to defeat 4-seed West Las Vegas 35-8. The Colts then traveled back north, falling to 1-seed St. Michael's 41-0 in the semifinals. The season ended with a 10-3 record for the NMMI Colts.

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2024 Outlook: Offensive & Defensive Players to Watch

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St. Michael's Horsemen 2024 Preseason Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #37

NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps

2023 Season Review​

Record: 11-2 overall, 3-1 district
2023 Playoffs: 3A State Champions
Points Scored: 345
Points Given Up: 185
Streak into 2024: 7-game win streak
2024 Classification: District 2-3A

Season Recap: St. Michael's Horsemen Achieve Championship Glory​

After finishing as the runner-up in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022, the St. Michael's Horsemen finally captured the state championship in 2023, their first since 2012 and the fourth under head coach Joey Fernandez (previous titles in 2003, 2007, and 2012). The Horsemen's journey to glory was marked by resilience and a string of impressive performances.

The Horsemen opened the 2023 season with a hard-fought 39-30 win over 4A Taos on the road. They followed up by hosting and defeating 6A Capital, 28-20, and then edged out their rivals, 6A Santa Fe, 27-20. Their first setback came with a 28-7 loss to 5A Los Alamos, but they quickly rebounded with a 19-7 victory over 4A Aztec. A two-day and rainy game against West Las Vegas resulted in a narrow 7-6 defeat, marking their start in District 2-3A play.

The Horsemen then embarked on an impressive run, starting with a dominant 21-0 win at Robertson, followed by a close 27-24 victory over Raton. They continued their momentum with a 34-18 triumph in an out-of-district game against El Paso-Cathedral, Texas and finished their regular season with a resounding 54-0 win over Santa Fe Indian, ending with an 8-2 overall record and a 3-1 mark in District 2-3A.

Earning the top seed in the playoffs, the Horsemen narrowly escaped a quarterfinals challenge from 9-seed Raton, winning 21-14. They then routed 5-seed New Mexico Military Institute 41-0 in the semifinals. In the state championship, played two days after Thanksgiving in snowy conditions across northern New Mexico, St. Michael's defeated 2-seed Robertson 21-16, securing the championship and capping off a remarkable 11-2 season with a seven-game winning streak.

The Horsemen's 2023 campaign was a testament to their grit and perseverance, culminating in a well-deserved state title that ended a decade-long championship drought.

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2024 Outlook: Offensive & Defensive Players to Watch​

The Horsemen are poised for another standout season as they welcome back a core of talent from their state championship team. Leading the charge is starting quarterback Reed Bass (2025), who threw for 1,150 passing yards and 18 touchdowns last season.

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Any small school varsity’s or big school jvs that may need a scrimmage we would like to add a 3rd team to our scrimmage on Thursday august 15th 6:00 pm in Santa Rosa. Right now it’s us and Thoreau. We will also have jvs scrimmaging. Booster club cooks a big meal for all involved. Get a hold of coach chavez 5757810338 if interested.

Robertson Cardinals 2024 Preseason Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #38

NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps

2023 Season Review​

Record: 10-3 overall, 3-1 district
2023 Playoffs: 3A State Championship Runner-Up
Points Scored: 396
Points Given Up: 136
Streak into 2024: 1-game losing streak
2024 Classification: District 2-3A

Season Recap: A Year of Near Triumph​

The Robertson Cardinals and head coach Leroy Gonzales continued their success with a 10-win season that featured an appearance in the state championship game. Robertson opened the season with a 28-13 win over Socorro, then hosted a home game beating Cobre 3-0. Week three was a Labor Day weekend loss at home to Santa Rosa 27-24. They rebounded by beating Ruidoso 51-0 on the road down south. After a bye week, they traveled back south, beating Dexter 42-14, then traveled to Pojoaque Valley, winning 45-0 in an impressive three-game span.

They started District 2-3A with a loss to rival St. Michael's, 21-0, at home. Then came a five-game win streak, beating district opponents Santa Fe Indian 52-0, Raton 37-14, and crosstown rival West Las Vegas 37-6. In the playoffs, they faced familiar foes Socorro, winning 45-13 in the quarterfinals, and Cobre, winning 16-7 in the semifinals.

In a snowy blizzard to start the morning, the Cardinals and rival St. Michael's met in Santa Fe for the 3A state championship. The game was tight throughout, but the Cardinals ultimately fell 21-16, finishing the season 10-3 overall and 3-1 in District 2-3A.

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NMPreps Best and Worst Case Scenarios: Capital Jaguars

NMPreps continues our fan-favorite annual feature as we review all the schedules in New Mexico high school football with our Best & Worst Case Scenario for the 2024 season. In this feature, we will review all 10 games for each team leading up to the 2024 season. #nmpreps

2024 Schedule:

*Denotes District

2023 Recap

Capital is coming off a 1-9 overall season and their last in 6A football as they make the move down to 5A for the 2024 and 2025 realignment. They will also feature a new head coach in 2024. View our preseason preview here.

Best Case Scenario: 7-3 overall, 5-2 in district​

An intriguing schedule for the Capital Jaguars as we head into 2024. New coach, new classification, new expectations. Can they achieve a 7-win season? Not sure, but let's break it down on how they could. They will be favored in games against Del Norte, Rio Grande, and Miyamura. All three of those teams are looking to improve as well, but the Jaguars should be able to win out. Next, the coin flip games against Santa Fe, Belen, Espanola Valley, and Highland. This is going to be a tough feat but not out of the question. They hung around with Santa Fe last season, falling 28-21. Belen has won 3 games in two years, Espanola despite having a great season could take a step back, and Highland is going to be good with a top-ten RB the Jaguars could challenge. Watch out for a city rivalry game in week two with St. Michael's as well. Also, last season the game with Los Alamos was close (23-20), and this could flip into a CF by the time they meet.

Worst Case Scenario: 3-7 overall, 3-4 in district​

This would mean only winning the three games that they are favored in against Del Norte, Miyamura, and Rio Grande. 3 feels like a solid floor for the Jaguars.

Final Thoughts: Over/Under Wins 4.5​

We went with a number somewhere in the middle between the BC and the WC. I am leaning towards the over with an NMPreps prediction of going 5-5 overall. I am playing it conservatively as there is a lot to learn about a program with a new HC, but we are intrigued. Last year's 1-9 overall season could have easily been 8-2, which is crazy to think how close each game was last season, but they just fell short.

Related: New Mexico High School Football's 2024 Best and Worst Case Scenarios

2024 Best & Worst Case Scenarios

In this thread, we will list all the 2024 NMPreps Best & Worst Case Scenarios. We'll take an initial look at each team's schedule and provide our best and worst record projections. These projections are based on our NMPreps rankings and consider whether each game is a coin flip, favored, or underdog matchup. Click on the teams below to see their scenarios.

• Alamogordo Tigers
• Albuquerque Bulldogs
• Albuquerque Academy Chargers
• Artesia Bulldogs
• Atrisco Heritage Academy Jaguars
• Aztec Tigers
• Belen Eagles
• Bernalillo Spartans
• Bloomfield Bobcats
• Capital Jaguars
• Carlsbad Cavemen
• Cibola Cougars
• Pojoaque Valley Elks
• Rio Rancho Rams
• St. Pius X Sartans
• West Las Vegas Dons

Click the team to view our feature.

Grants Pirates 2024 Season Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #39

NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps

2023 Season Review​

Record: 6-5 overall, 2-1 district
2023 Playoffs: 4A First Round
Points Scored: 280
Points Given Up: 311
Streak into 2024: 1-game losing streak
2024 Classification: District 1-4A

Season Recap: Grants Pirates' Remarkable Turnaround in 2023

The Grants Pirates and second-year head coach Steve Brown are entering the 2024 campaign with momentum after a remarkable turnaround in 2023. Before Brown's arrival, the Pirates had endured two consecutive 1-9 seasons, compiling a dismal 2-18 overall record in 2021 and 2022. The 6-win season in 2023 was a significant achievement for a program that had been languishing atthe bottom.

The Pirates' seeason began with a 33-17 loss to 5A Capital, followed by a dominant 56-0 victory over 3A Gallup. They then faced back-to-back losses to 4A Bloomfield (60-7) and 4A Moriarty (21-13). However, the team rebounded with wins over 3A Hope Christian (35-18), 4A Taos (28-27), and 4A Kirtland Central (54-42), finishing their non-district schedule with a 4-3 overall record.

Entering district play, the Pirates suffered a 40-7 loss to Silver but concluded the regular season with district wins over Valencia (35-21) and St. Pius X (21-14). They secured the 8-seed in the 4A playoffs but fell to 9-seed Albuquerque Academy (35-7) in the first round, ending the season with a 6-5 overall record and a 2-1 district record.

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2024 Outlook: Offensive & Defensive Players to Watch

Following their remarkable turnaround in 2023, the Grants Pirates are set to build on their success with several key players returning to the roster. Leading the charge is running back Andres Lazos (2025), who had an outstanding season last year, rushing for 1,273 yards and 12 touchdowns. Lazos demonstrated consistency and explosiveness, surpassing the 100-yard mark in six games and averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

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Did Navajo Prep hire a coach?

Santa Fe Indian Braves 2024 Season Preview​

NMPreps Preseason Ranking: #83

NMPreps continues to release our very early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps

2023 Season Review​

Record: 1-9 overall, 0-4 district
Playoffs: Missed
Points Scored: 58
Points Given Up: 429
Streak into 2024: 7-game losing streak

The Santa Fe Indian Braves had a challenging 2023 season, ending with a seven-game losing streak. After a narrow loss in the opener to Cuba (13-12) and a win over Laguna-Acoma (16-15), their season quickly spiraled downward. They were shut out by Pojoaque (50-0) and suffered heavy defeats to McCurdy (44-15) and Espanola Valley (59-6). In District 2-3A play, they faced stiff competition from eventual state champions St. Michael's, state runner-up Robertson, West Las Vegas, and Raton, scoring just 9 points while conceding 190.

Offensive/Defensive Outlook​

The Braves fielded 37 players last season and will graduate only 9 or 10, but the roster's constant turnover raises concerns. Key departures include Leonard Baldonado, a vital player on both sides of the ball. Junior Jacoby Mendoza, who started at quarterback as a sophomore, will bring some stability under center. Juniors Cameron Gutierrez and Jared Velasquez will be key targets at receiver. Matias Martinez is expected to help fill the backfield void left by Baldonado. Alex Tsosie returns as the lone experienced offensive lineman, which could pose challenges. Caleb Martinez, who had early success running the ball, will be a crucial player.

Defensively, the Braves must replace several positions. Martinez returns at linebacker alongside sophomore Mylan Archuleta and Caleb Martinez, who will provide experience in the secondary. However, beyond these players, the defense will largely feature new faces.

Realistic Expectations​

The Santa Fe Indian Braves face significant uncertainty heading into the 2024 season. Former head coach Bill Moon stepped down at the end of 2023, and a replacement has yet to be announced. The absence of a true summer program and preseason further complicates their situation. Opting to play as an independent team in the new alignment block, they avoid a tough District 2-3A but still face an uphill battle. Realistic expectations suggest a 0-10 or 1-9 season, contingent on their final schedule. Known games include an August 30th home opener against Newcomb and an October 18th matchup against Pojoaque Valley.

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2024 Preseason Rankings

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Manzano Monarchs 2024 Season Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #41

NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps

2023 Season Review​

Record: 2-9 overall, 1-2 district
2023 Playoffs: 5A First Round
Points Scored: 199
Points Given Up: 394
Streak into 2024: 2-game losing streak
2024 Classification: District 2-4A

Season Recap: Building Momentum Despite Challenges​

The Manzano Monarchs wrapped up the 2023 season with a 2-9 overall record, including a 1-2 mark in district play, and made a trip to the 5A state playoffs. After back-to-back one-win seasons, the Monarchs pushed ahead in 2023, showing signs of progress under third-year head coach Stephen Johnson, who now holds a 4-26 overall record. The season began with a tough loss to 5A Mayfield (55-0), but the Monarchs bounced back with a road victory over 5A Belen (16-7). They then endured a six-game losing streak, falling to 6A Atrisco Heritage (55-17), Santa Fe (42-31), Sandia (35-0), Highland (18-8), and Valley (62-42) to start district play.

The Monarchs secured their second win of the season with a dominant 63-8 victory over Del Norte in district play. They narrowly lost to Albuquerque 14-13 in a non-district game to end the regular season at 2-8 overall and 1-2 in district play. Despite the challenges, the Monarchs earned an at-large bid as the 11-seed in the state playoffs, where they fell to 6-seed Valley 50-0 in the first round. The 2023 season showed glimpses of potential and progress for the Monarchs, setting the stage for further development in the upcoming year.

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2024 Outlook: Offensive & Defensive Players to Watch​

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Santa Fe Demons 2024 Season Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #40

NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps

2023 Season Review​

Record: 2-8 overall, 1-3 district
2023 Playoffs: Missed
Points Scored: 182
Points Given Up: 423
Streak into 2024: 1-game win streak
2024 Classification: District 2-6A

Season Recap: Add Title Here​

The Santa Fe Demons’ 2023 football season was marked by a series of challenges and hard-fought battles that ultimately saw the team finish with a 2-8 overall record and 1-3 in district play. Despite missing the playoffs, the Demons showed resilience,, ending the season on a positive note with a victory.

The season began on a tough note with a four-game losing streak. In their opener, the Demons faced 6A West Mesa and suffered a heavy 42-6 loss. The following week, they traveled to Roswell, where they were overwhelmed 58-6. Hosting 3A St. Michael's provided a closer contest, but the Demons fell short, losing 2720. Their struggles continued as they traveled to Silver and were defeated 35-0.

In their fifth game, the Demons finally broke through with a significant win. They hosted 4A Manzano and secured a hard-earned 42-31 victory, which seemed to provide a glimmer of hope for the struggling team. However, this momentum was short-lived as the Demons entered another four-game losing streak.

The team closed out its non-district schedule with a 62-20 loss to 4A Lovington, ending non-district play with a 1-5 record. Entering district 5-6A play, the Demons hoped for better outcomes but continued to face formidable opponents. Hosting Clovis, they were outmatched, losing 62-42. On the road at Los Lunas, the team fell 57-6, followed by a 28-12 loss to Albuquerque.

Despite these setbacks, the Demons showcased their fighting spirit in the final game of the season. They faced off against Capital and emerged with a 28-21 win, providing a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season. This victory allowed the Demons to end their season on a positive note, carrying a one-game win streak into 2024.

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2024 Outlook: Offensive & Defensive Players to Watch​

The Santa Fe Demons are looking to turn the tide in 2024 after a challenging 2023 season, where they struggled on both sides of the ball, scoring 182 points while conceding 423. As they gear up for the new season, several key players and newcomers are set to make an impact.

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Organ Mountain Knights 2024 Season Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #42

NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps

2023 Season Review​

Record: 0-10 overall, 0-5 district
2023 Playoffs: Missed
Points Scored: 67
Points Given Up: 379
Streak into 2024: 15-game losing streak
2024 Classification: District 3-6A

Season Recap: A Year of Struggles for the Knights

The 2023 season was a challenging one for the Organ Mountain Knights, who ended with a 0-10 overall record and an 0-5 mark in district play. The Knights struggled to find their footing on both sides of the ball, scoring only 67 points throughout the season while allowing a staggering 379 points. Averaging just 6.7 points per game, the offense faced difficulties in establishing rhythm and consistency, while the defense gave up an average of 37.9 points per game, highlighting the need for significant improvements.

The season began with a 34-17 loss at Albuquerque, followed by a 33-6 defeat against Deming. Despite showing moments of potential, the Knights couldn't overcome their opponents, falling to Mayfield (40-10), Rio Rancho (34-7), and Gadsden (40-7).

The second half of the season proved just as tough, starting district play with losses to Centennial (42-0), Carlsbad (29-10), Las Cruces (42-0), Hobbs (58-10), and Alamogordo (27-0). The Knights' 15-game losing streak, which stretches into 2024, underscores the challenges faced by the team and sets the stage for a critical season of rebuilding and growth.

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2024 Outlook: Offensive & Defensive Players to Watch​

On offense, the Knights face significant challenges with the graduation of their starting quarterback, running back, and top receiver. Xavier Perez (2025) steps up as the most experienced returning player under center, having appeared in nine games last season. Despite limited reps, Perez completed 6 of 21 passes for 99 yards. The team struggled in the passing game, finishing with only 676 passing yards and 2 passing touchdowns.

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West Las Vegas Dons 2024 Season Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #43

NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps

2023 Season Review​

Record: 7-4 overall, 3-1 district
2023 Playoffs: 3A Quarterfinals
Points Scored: 314
Points Given Up: 206
Streak into 2024: 2-game losing streak
2024 Classification: District 2-3A

Season Recap: West Las Vegas Dons Show Promise with Strong 2023 Campaign​

The West Las Vegas Dons had a promising 2023 season, finishing with a 7-4 overall record and a 3-1 mark in district play. The season kicked off with a solid 27-0 victory over Escalante, but the team faced a setback during their long trip south to Dexter, where they fell 40-27. Another tough road loss followed against Portales, ending in a 48-14 defeat. However, the Dons rebounded strongly with a key 48-11 win over Española Valley, sparking a six-game winning streak that included decisive victories over Wingate (55-0) and Thoreau (42-6).

Entering District 2-3A play, the Dons triumphed in a two-day, rain-delayed game against top-ranked St. Michael's with a nail-biting 7-6 win. They continued their success by defeating Raton 33-21 and Santa Fe Indian 47-2. Unfortunately, the Dons fell short in what could have been the district championship, losing to crosstown rival Robertson 37-6 on their rival’s home field. Despite this, the Dons secured a 4-seed in the playoffs and earned a first-round bye. However, their season ended in the quarterfinals with a 35-8 loss to the visiting 5-seed New Mexico Military.

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2024 Outlook: Offensive & Defensive Players to Watch

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Introducing the New Era: UNM Lobos Coaching Staff under Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall

Bronco Mendenhall, the new head coach of the University of New Mexico, has unveiled the appointment of 11 assistant coaches for the upcoming 2024 season.

Let's meet the architects of this exciting new chapter:

Jason Beck, Offensive Coordinator
Previous Stops: Syracuse (Offensive Coordinator/QBs), Virginia, BYU, Simon Fraser, Weber State, LSU

Nick Howell, Defensive Coordinator
Previous Stops: Vanderbilt (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties), Virginia, BYU

Shane Hunter, Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers
Previous Stops: Utah Tech (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties), Virginia, BYU, Snow College

Famika Anae, Offensive Line
Previous Stops: Campbell (Offensive Line), Texas A&M-Commerce, Dixie State, Virginia, BYU

Kirk Garner, Running Backs
Previous Stops: East Tennessee State (Running Backs), Vanderbilt, Virginia

Matt Johns, Tight Ends
Previous Stops: William & Mary (Passing Game Coordinator/QBs), Virginia

Jan Jorgensen, Edge
Previous Stops: BYU (Defensive Analyst), Snow College, Orange Coast College

Charles Mack, Defensive Backs
Previous Stops: VMI (Director of Player Personnel/Safeties), Virginia

Micah Simon, Receivers
Previous Stops: Northern Colorado (Receivers), Syracuse

Donte Wilkins, Defensive Line
Previous Stops: Lafayette (Defensive Line), Virginia, UCLA

Nate Pototschnik, Head Athletic Performance Coach
Previous Stops: Virginia (Associate Football Strength and Conditioning), U.S. Army Veteran

Joe Spaziani, Director of Operations
Previous Stops: Virginia (Analyst-Special Projects), Offensive Graduate Assistant

Pat Hickman, Chief of Staff/Director of Player Personnel
Previous Stops: BYU (Director of Operations, Director of Recruiting), Virginia, Boise State

Evan Butts, Director of Scouting
Previous Stops: Virginia (Offensive Recruiting Coordinator), Villanova

This exceptional coaching assembly not only brings a diverse range of expertise but also a shared commitment to fostering a culture of excellence within the Lobos football program. Under the leadership of Coach Mendenhall and this accomplished staff, the University of New Mexico looks forward to an exciting and successful football journey ahead.

The NMAA now permits a two-week window between Memorial Day and July 20 for full-contact practices. How many teams are doing this? Did some do it right when school ended? Or opting for late July? Full contact or not? How many aren’t doing it at all?

Most State Championships (11-man football)

1. Artesia (5A) - 32 (played in 38) last title 2023
2. Lovington (5A) - 20 (played in 24) last title 2023
3. Eunice (2A) - 16 (played in 26) last title 2021
4. Clovis (6A) - 13 (played in 22) last title 2001
5. Jal (2A) - 12 (played in 22) last title 2022

* Artesia has won more state championships than any other school in the United States since 1950. They rank 2nd all together but the others won most of theirs prior to 1950.

St. Michael's Boys Basketball is looking for two teams to enter our tournament scheduled on January 9th-11th. This is a C Team, JV, and Varsity tournament and will give your teams 3 games each. If you are interested or have questions please contact Dakota Montoya at (505) 466-5222 or via email at dmontoya@smhs.me

Thursday Truths: Top Head Coaches in New Mexico High School Football

NMPreps Publisher Joshua Grine breaks down his tiers of the top New Mexico high school football coaches. After over 15 years on the sidelines, I've heard criticism and dislike from coaches I've never met, as well as from those I have met. Neither of those influenced my list. This is an objective ranking of the best active head coaches in New Mexico high school football.

Top Tier:​

Brandon Back (La Cueva), Joey Fernandez (St. Michael's), Jeff Lynn (Roswell), Jeremy Maupin (Artesia), Leroy Gonzales (Robertson), Shaun Wigley (Gateway Christian), Jaime Ramirez (Portales)

The objective approach to this is "Just Win Baby," as the late great Al Davis would say. The coaches in this group have all done just that, with Back, Fernandez, and Maupin winning a state championship last season. Lynn, Wigley, Ramirez, and Gonzales finished as runners-up last season, but Wigley and Gonzales also won state championships in 2022.

KING OF THE METRO

Brandon Back (La Cueva):
In Albuquerque, Brandon Back is a name to know. His La Cueva team is favored to repeat their success, showing no signs of slowing down. Do you remember when a young someone ranked them 26th in our preseason rankings? Neither do I. Now, he has built a juggernaut that could surpass the memories of La Cueva football from the 2000s. This program is run well, with solid athletes and a captain guiding the ship.

KINGS OF THE NORTH

Joey Fernandez (St. Michael's):
Heading north, Fernandez continues to add to his legacy. The Horsemen head coach since 2002, he has four titles and is currently the active head coach with the most wins at 191, potentially reaching 200 in 2024. Consistently reigning from the top, his recent trips to the final game have become a staple, playing the week of Thanksgiving. He’s led the Horsemen to the state championship game for the last three years in a row—2023 (won), 2022, and 2021.

Leroy Gonzales (Robertson):
Fernandez’s rival, Leroy Gonzales, consistently reaches the final day in 3A football, making trips to the title game in 2023, 2021 (won), 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015. This rivalry is one we hope never ends, with both schools and coaches bringing everything to the game.

KING OF THE EAST

Jaime Ramirez (Portales):
Heading east, seldomly mentioned is Jaime Ramirez guiding the Portales Rams. Even when expected to have a down year, they turn up. They played in the final game last season, falling to Lovington 35-21. He led the Rams to titles in 2019 and 2016.

KINGS OF THE SOUTHEAST

Shaun Wigley (Gateway Christian):
Now that Dickie Roybal has retired from Melrose HS, Shaun Wigley is the name in six/eight-man football. He has guided Gateway Christian to state championship games in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021 (won), 2022 (won), and 2023, making six trips in total.

Jeremy Maupin (Artesia) and Jeff Lynn (Roswell):

Down in the southeast corner of New Mexico, where football is king, Jeremy Maupin and Jeff Lynn are developing a rivalry that is fast becoming one of the best in New Mexico high school football. As Andy Bernard from "The Office" famously said, "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them." Well, we are in the good old days of this football rivalry (again).

Jeremy Maupin has won the last two titles, #32 and #31 for Artesia, marking his first two championships. Remarkably, he's only been at Artesia for three years and has led the team to the state championship in all three seasons. Before his success at Artesia, Maupin guided Los Lunas to the title game in 2018 and 2019, where they faced none other than Jeff Lynn and Roswell. Maupin got his revenge in 2023 when Artesia, the 2-seed, defeated the 1-seed Roswell Coyotes, who finished 12-1, with a score of 35-21 in the state championship game.

Jeff Lynn has also had a stellar coaching career, winning state championships in 2019 and 2018. His rivalry with Maupin adds an exciting dynamic to the southeast New Mexico football scene, with both coaches pushing each other to new heights. Fans eagerly anticipate a part 2 of their showdown in 2024.

Stay tuned as we break down Tier II and Tier III coaches in upcoming articles.

Valencia Jaguars 2024 Season Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #44

NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps

2023 Season Review​

Record: 4-7 overall, 0-3 district
2023 Playoffs: 4A First Round
Points Scored: 224
Points Given Up: 341
Streak into 2024: 4-game losing streak
2024 Classification: District 2-4A

Season Recap: Stepping Forward

Year one under Ledarrius Cage was a step forward for the Jaguars football program, aiming to reclaim some of the success they had when the school first opened over 15 years ago. The season started with a pair of wins: a 48-20 victory over 4A Kirtland Central and a 6-0 win against 5A Del Norte. However, the Jaguars then suffered a 51-0 loss to 4A Portales, a team that would end up playing for the 4A state championship in 2023.

The Jaguars quickly rebounded with a 51-13 win over 5A Santa Teresa before falling to 4A Bloomfield (50-0), a team that went undefeated during the regular season and was the 1-seed in the 2023 playoffs, along with another shutout loss to 5A Gadsden 50-0. The Jaguars rebounded again with a 52-0 win over Rio Grande, but then district play began. It started with two tough battles, resulting in losses to St. Pius X (20-18) and Grants (35-21). They then traveled to Silver, falling 50-28 and ending the regular season 4-6 overall and 0-3 in district play.

The Jaguars earned a playoff bid but fell to Bernalillo 52-0 in the first round, ending the season with a 4-7 overall record.

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2024 Outlook: Offensive & Defensive Players to Watch​

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It’s been one week since my son Parker and I started playing EA Sports NCAA Football, each of us on our PS5 and Xbox. We transformed our living room into a true man cave, setting up both TVs side by side and playing on the couch. I haven’t played video games this much in over ten years, but I dedicated an entire week to playing non-stop between work and his football practice. We stayed up until 1:30 a.m. the first night—I was a zombie at work the next day! Normally, I go to bed at 8 p.m. almost every night, or 8:30 if I want to stay up late. Anyway, this blog is about my tenure as Offensive Coordinator (OC) to Head Coach (HC) over five years.

Year One: OC at Alma Mater New Mexico (Record: 7-6 overall)
After a terrible start going 2-4, I got bullied (by my son) into playing on All-American after starting the first two games on varsity, winning against Maine. I went on a little run and made a bowl game, beating Oregon State. I frequently passed to Luke Wysong, making sure he became a Mountain West Conference (MWC) Player of the Week a few times!

Year Two: OC at New Mexico (8-5 overall)
I improved in year two, despite another 2-4 start, with losses to USC and UCLA and a terrible conference loss to Nevada. I was up 28-7 in the third quarter and lost. I should mention I only play offense and use 3-minute quarters. I stayed at UNM despite a few opportunities elsewhere. Made another bowl game beating Navy.

Year Three: HC at South Florida (10-3 overall)
I took my first head coach job at South Florida, and boy, did I go on a run! I finally had a QB who could pass the ball, achieving several 300-yard passing games. However, I still threw two or three interceptions a game. Lost my bowl game though.

Year Four: HC at South Florida (12-1 overall)
I got hot and scheduled a weak lineup, but that’s beside the point—I wanted to win. I went undefeated in the regular season and won my conference. My QB and WR were on the Heisman watch, with the WR finishing second. Despite the success, I got pummeled by Oregon 42-19 in the first round of the College Football Playoff. My kicking and field goals were terrible, and the interceptions haunted me in this game. Nevertheless, I made the College Football Playoff! Here come the offers.

Year Five: HC at Texas (15-0, one game to go)
The offers came in, and the best one was from Texas. Although I hate Texas, it was the best option compared to Oregon State and Cal. I wish I could have coached when Manning was the QB, but he had already graduated. My current QB, Savage, and RB, Ewing, have been monsters, with Ewing winning the Heisman! I’ve reached the national championship game and will play Michigan in the title game later tonight or tomorrow night.

Stay tuned!

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Post your experiences!

Nm Prep 3A poll
St. Mikes
robertson
WLV
NMMI
Socorro
Hope
Cobre
Dexter
Pojoaque
Ruidoso
Hatch

My 3A poll
SM
Robertson
WLV
NMMI
Socorro
Dexter
Hope
Pojoaque
Cobre
Ruidoso
Hatch

Dexter moves up a couple of spots. NMMI sits at 5. They could move up higher with the emergence of a productive passing game. With 18 starters back Pojoaque should at least be competitive in 3A. Cobre and Ruisoso could both exceed expectations. It's going to be a very competitive season.

Place your picks for the teams that reach the 2024 semifinals