Who are some sophomores to watch this season?

Post Season Awards Watch: Wide Receivers

At the conclusion of the 2016 season we will hand out our post season awards to the best players at each position. Today, we look at the receivers who make our short list before the season comes to an end.

1. Junior Pena - SR - Centennial High School: You've heard the name all season long and Pena has backed it with 928-yards, 9 touchdowns and has helped the Hawks to a 7-2 record. Pena has been one of the best this season and could be the name that takes home the award, right now the leader until the members take the official vote.

2. Cade Hackey - SR - Hatch Valley High School: One of the best wide receivers at the 2016 NMPreps.com Football combine, Hackey has lived up to the hype and more. 663-yards, 9 touchdowns and the Bears in position to defend their state championship. They are ranked in the Top-25 of all New Mexico teams at 7-1.

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3. Cason Clay - SR - Hobbs High School: With 848-yards it's hard to not enjoy the season Clay is having this year. Clay also has 7-touchdowns on the season (pending one more game) and looking like a sure next level talent for the Eagles. Clay is the type of receiver who you can throw in his direction and he does the rest of the work. Plenty of yards are after the catch.

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4. Brandon Baeza - JR - Las Cruces High School: Baeza plays for the team that people love this season and will BUY next season as favorites to win it all with one of the top duos. Baeza a next level speed and talent has 625-yards on the season and 8 touchdowns.

5. Justin Black - JR - Aztec High School: The Tigers have been one of the biggest risers in the Fab 50 rankings and playing well as of late. They currently have an edge as DC of 1-5A. Black has 845-yards, 8 touchdowns on the season.

6. Santiago Williams - SR - Albuquerque High School: The Bulldogs at 4-4 are staying alive with a win last week over West Mesa. Williams currently leads the state with 982-yards and 16-touchdowns and could sneak higher on the list or win the award win members take their vote with that stat line.

7. David Cormier - SR - Volcano Vista High School: The Hawks are playing well this season at 6-2 and ranked in the Top-10. Cormier has 8 touchdowns and 553-yards on the season.

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8. Andrew Erickson - JR - Manzano High School: The Monarchs, another team that has come out of nowhere to place among the best in the state. They are currently ranked in the Top-10 and in first place of District 2-5A. Erickson has 374-yards and 4 touchdowns.


What's Next?

We have two spots left for our end of the season ballot. 10 names will be finalist, feel free to add nominations and also placing most on the honorable mention. We have left off several names, you the fans will vote!

Las Cruces vs Onate +2,500 either way
Grine's Pick: Onate
Why: I am taking the risk with this pick and buying into the Onate Knights this week to make that fina statement and sneak into the Top-10. Las Cruces is solid, we all know the weapons, but something tells me this veteran Knights unit gets it done.

La Cueva vs Eldorado +2,000 either way
Grine's Picks: La Cueva
Why: The Bears haven't been dominant this season, Eldorado hasn't lived up to the hype. The rivalry will always be there. I guess I am going with the Bears who have played a tad better this season.

Moriarty vs Portales +1,500 either way
Grine's Pick: Portales
Why: Moriarty has to love this now that I picked against them - I did last week and they won. Portales brings an attack on offense that Moriarty could struggle against - they have a good QB and RB along with a defense that is better than any they have seen this season.

Dexter vs Capitan +1,500 either way
Grine's Pick: Capitan
Why: Well, this one is another tough game to pick - most are this week with the playoffs for Pick 'Em starting. Capitan is playing well, so has Dexter but Capitan has a solid D that could create issues for Dexter.

Escalante vs Fort Sumner +1,500 either way
Grine's Pick: Fort Sumner
Why: This is a battle like others on this list that you have to enjoy. It will be a grind and one of the instant classics. They are sure to meet again in the playoffs. Round one on our hands.

St. Pius X vs Belen +1,000 (Belen is upset +2,000)
Grine's Pick: St. Pius X
Why: We have a 15-point line in our prediction and I am taking the pick with the Sartans. Belen struggled with Roswell and this offense of St. Pius could be better than that of the Coyotes.

Artesia vs Goddard +800 (Goddard is upset +1750)
Grine's Pick: Artesia
Why: Who would pick against Artesia this season. Hard to not like everything about them. Goddard, if someone could get them from 5A might be that team. RB is playing really well.

Clovis vs Sandia +800 (Sandia is upset +2,000)
Grine's Pick: Clovis
Why: Clovis is too good to get upset in this game. Sandia is struggling this season.

Hatch vs Cobre +800 (Cobre is upset +2,000)
Grine's Pick: Hatch Valley
Why: The Bears and Indians is a headline game in 4A football. However, the Top-25 ranked Bears are a pair of touchdowns better.

Miyamura vs Farmington +600 (Farmington is upset +900)
Grine's Pick: Farmington
Why: I think the Scorpions were shocked last week against Aztec and don't see it happening again.

Valley vs West Mesa +500 either way
Grine's Pick: Valley
Why: I go opposite of the pick above with a team favored to win their district falling. I just think Valley is playing a little better lately and the 'Stangs haven't played well.

Bloomfield vs Kirtland Central +500 either way
Grine's Pick: Kirtland Central
Why: A true toss up. I flipped a coin



GRINE'S RECORD
Last Week: 8-2
Overall Record: 70-31

Questions As We Head Into Week 10?

If you are, or know this individual, please feel free to pass along these words.

First of all, thank you for your feedback. I am happy to know that my husband is getting free rent inside your head. Unfortunately for you, he laughed off your letter because anonymous letters are the work of chickensh!ts and really don't carry any value in his world. Sign your name if you want to be taken seriously. Better yet, if you are truly concerned about the team, perhaps a more productive use of your time would be to offer to help out in some capacity instead of writing anonymous letters.

Please allow me to address some of your points:

1 – I know there is some agenda because you feel that my husband assisted in the firing of Randy Gutierrez. You have mentioned it several times. I assure you that there is no truth in that. The only part that my husband played was mopping up the financial disaster that the program was in at the time. Fortunately he has a degree in math so he's pretty good with numbers. Moreover, aside from the financial issues, my husband took Randy aside to advise and caution him about the other issues on which Randy had been previously counseled by the administration. He did all he could to help Randy when he saw the warning signs. Randy chose to ignore the warnings and corrective action and as such, consequences were doled out as the administration saw fit at the time.

2 – Reality check: Randy Gutierrez did not build an "incredible program" at RGHS. He had a few good years, to his credit, but the last four years at RGHS, the Ravens went 1-9, 4-6, 2-7 and 2-8 (those last two wins were my husband's as he was interim coach). Randy's best years were with the group with Adrian Baca, Jeff Acosta, etc. I think I could have won with those guys. They were great. My husband actually gives Randy a lot of credit when he speaks of him. Much more than he deserves in my opinion.

3 – My husband is not a Valley guy. Our kids went to and currently go to Valley because of where we live and where I'm from but I guarantee you he is a RGHS guy through and through. Proud Class of 1992. Active member and participant in the alumni association. Wears red and black almost every single day. Car and motorcycle icense plates all dedicated to his status as a Raven. Custom jackets, sweaters, the list goes on and on. I would challenge anyone to show me how they support and cherish their status as a Raven alum more than my husband. Or as an alumnus of any high school for that matter. I support Valley and he supports our kids and the VHS coaches as colleagues and friends but I can tell you that it is a house divided when VHS and RGHS play. What my husband doesn't do is hand out grades that students don't deserve. I know that has caused issues when eligibility is in jeopardy but he holds his students to a high standard and makes them accountable for their actions and lack of action. That has caused other coaches to accuse him of not backing up the Valle del Sur but in the end he is a teacher and has to sleep at night.

I hope that we can get back to supporting the Rio Grande football team. They are young and making progress. It is with hope that this program can be resurrected at some point in the next few years. The coach is passionate about football and passionate about Rio Grande. Please feel free to look me up at the next game. I would be happy to continue this discussion in person.

Warmest Regards,
Nanci Mascareñas

For all you Sophomore, Junior and Senior student/athletes (parents and coaches) the next testing registration and dates are:

ACT
The deadline for registering for the December 10, 2016 test is November 4, 2016

http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration-information.html

SAT
The deadline for registering for the December 3, 2016 test is November 3, 2016

https://account.collegeboard.org/login/login?idp=ECL&appId=115&affiliateId=aru&bannerId=satreg-rr&DURL=https://nsat.collegeboard.org/satweb/login.jsp

Interesting:
Bob Davie makes more than Rocky Long
Doug Martin makes 1/2 of what Bob Davie makes. I would say NMSU is getting a great deal.

http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/salaries/

Over/Under Who Achieved This Season

Who underachieved and/or who overachieved this season?

What team has the most depth this season?

Topic: Resistance Training

What do you do for resistance training? Weight room guy or not a weight room guy? What does your program look like?

Las Cruces, NM resident Tony Randazzo will be an Umpire for the World Series this year!!

Who would you take as a state champion. We know the favorites but could you see someone run the table and why.


6A
Rio Rancho

Cleveland

Onate

Las Cruces

Centennial

Manzano

Clovis

5A
Artesia

Belen

Roswell

St. Pius

Goddard

Alamogordo

Los Lunas

4A
Moriarty

Portales

Robertson

Hatch Valley

Oklahoma 66-Texas Tech 59 final, not a basketball game and no over times involved.

Countless records broke in this game like most combined yards for 2 teams in a game( some crazy number I can't remember know it was over 1700), most first downs in a game and Mehomes the TT QB broke the all time most yards by an individual with over 800 and Mayfield the OU QB threw 7 TD's with no interceptions.

Watched a lot of crazy games in my life but this one takes the cake. These 2 always put on a fireworks show when they get together but I'm beginning to wonder if the defensive coaches are just giving the defensive guys an extra by week.

What You Got???

Who are the contender teams in 2016/2017?

Week 9 Player of the Week Nominations

2016/2017 PRE-SEASON BASKETBALL HOMEPAGE

Rankings
Preseason Rankings (Fab 50 Rankings)
6A Rankings
5A Rankings
4A Rankings
3A Rankings
2A Rankings
1A Rankings

Players
Top 10 Players in 2016/2017
Pre-Season Mr. Basketball Candidates
Pre-Season All-State Team
Breakout Players This Season
Top Duos and Trios
Top 50 Players in New Mexico

Teams
5 Things on Opening Day
Most Improved Teams for 2016/2017
Top 10 Mystery Teams in 2016/2017
Top 10 Dark Horse Teams in 2016/2017
Grine's Picks in 2017
Pre-Season State Tournament Predictions
Pre-Season District Predictions

Districts
1-6A Preview
2-6A Preview
3-6A Preview
4-6A Preview
1-5A Preview
2-5A Preview
3-5A Preview
4-5A Preview

Brackets are here (boys): http://www.maxpreps.com/playoffs/brackets.aspx?gendersport=boys,soccer&state=nm and here (girls): http://www.maxpreps.com/playoffs/brackets.aspx?gendersport=girls,soccer&state=nm

6A Boys:
1. La Cueva
2. Albuquerque High
3. Volcano Vista
4. Sandia
5. Cleveland
6. Hobbs
7. Valley
8. Gadsden
9. Atrisco Heritage
10. Cibola
11. Eldorado
12. Centennial

5A Boys:
1. Academy
2. Roswell
3. Capital
4. Chaparral
5. Los Alamos
6. Santa Teresa
7. St. Pius
8. Alamogordo
9. Los Lunas
10. Valencia
11. Farmington
12. Goddard

A-4A Boys:
1. Hope Christian
2. Santa Fe Prep
3. Socorro
4. Bosque
5. Portales
6. Monte del Sol
7. Sandia Prep
8. Hatch Valley
9. East Mountain
10. St. Michael’s
11. Bernalillo
12. Desert Academy

6A Girls:
1. La Cueva
2. Cibola
3. Cleveland
4. Hobbs
5. Eldorado
6. Rio Rancho
7. Carlsbad
8. Albuquerque High
9. Sandia
10. Clovis
11. Las Cruces
12. Volcano Vista

5A Girls:
1. St. Pius
2. Academy
3. Farmington
4. Los Alamos
5. Goddard
6. Roswell
7. Aztec
8. Los Lunas
9. Alamogordo
10. Valencia
11. Artesia
12. Bloomfield

A-4A Girls:
1. Sandia Prep
2. Hope Christian
3. St. Michael’s
4. Socorro
5. Bosque
6. Santa Fe Prep
7. Taos
8. Moriarty
9. Robertson
10. Hatch Valley
11. Bernalillo
12. Rehoboth Christian

How crazy is this VikingsEagles game. Dang

Rio Rancho is now 66th in the nation. They are getting some love on the national level. If they win out I think they can knock on the top 20. They are ranked higher than Cedar Hill 69th (a former top 10 team). Great job RR.

Can Cibola ever get over the hump?

They've had some
Serious talent but fall short at state. Can they reach the title game and win it all?

NM Preps can be a great place for professional development. I would like to start a weekly or bi weekly coaches topic about how do things around the state. we all try to pick up nuggets here and there to make our programs better. Hope nobody gets offended if we have different opinions, but I think discussions are how we become better.

Topic:Timing

When it comes to hitting I believe there are three components to be a great hitter. Swing mechanics, mental approach, and timing. I believe timing is the most important, yet the hardest to make an adjustment.

Question: What are some things you do to help players make timing adjustments?

I took a few kids to see West Texas play Midwestern State, who was ranked #4 in the Country. West Texas defeated Midwestern in a great game and I felt compelled to let everyone know that while we were there we spoke to Noah from Eldorado and Houghtaling from Artesia, we can be real proud of these two fine young gentleman. Both really respectful and a pleasure to visit with, Noah took time before kickoff to come and talk to us, even though he was playing and Houghtaling who is a redshirt spent a bit of time with us leading up to kickoff. What a great complement they are to their families, HS Programs, communities and to the rest of us from NM. Their passion for football and desire to be a respected young man was clearly apparent and I believe they should be recognized for that. In this day and age of smack talk, kids acting like punks and know it all's they were the furthest thing from that and really gave me hope for the future as well as pride in coming from the same state as these two young men.

Midwestern State has Frankie Morlock from Rio Rancho who I would add also was the same way as these two young men. He took time after the game to come say hello and visit, I know all of us in Rio Rancho are proud of Frankie.

What are they?

Top 25 Baseball Prospects to Watch in 2017?