Login to view embedded media
Rio Rancho Rams Overview
Today, we kicked off the 2015 NMPreps.com High School Football Tour Powered by Tate Branch Auto Group at Rio Rancho High School. It was only right to start where the 2014 season ended. Last year the Rams finished 13-0 defeating Mayfield 33-31 in an epic state championship game. There is no way to spin it heading into 2015, Rio Rancho graduated a ton of talent. They must replace a quarterback who threw for 4,500-yards, a running back who had over 1,800 all-purpose yards, a receiver that caught for 1,300-yards, two linebackers that accounted for nearly 200 tackles, a defensive linemen that racked up 11.0 sacks, and defensive back that record 8 interceptions. All those guys are gone.
“We had a great spring and we are really looking forward to seeing how these younger guys step in. We got some seniors that want to prove themselves and we’re excited for the challenge.” said Head Rio Rancho Football Coach David Howes.
Taking Over For Easton Bruere
Steve Bailey (Pictured) a 6-foot-3, 165 pound senior will take over for Easton Bruere at Quarterback. Though he has some very big shoes to fill replacing a three-year starter, Rio Rancho Quarterbacks continue to thrive under Offensive Coordinator Carl Bruere. In-fact, Rio Rancho has had a quarterback throw for more than 2,500-yards in each of the last 4-seasons. Also, keep an eye
Logan Bruere a 6-foot-4, 180 pound sophomore who is likely No. 2 on the depth chart as well as 6-foot-4, 190 pound
Dakota Carrasco.
D-1 Prospect Grant Hermanns
6-foot-6, 255 pound Offensive Tackle
Grant Hermanns (pictured right) has offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, San Diego State, Texas Tech, and Washington State. Speaking with Head Rio Rancho Football Coach David Howes he could not be any more high on his prized linemen. “You cannot get any better than Grant. First guy here and last one to leave. He’s a great leader and we’re really excited for what he’s going to do. He’s a great football player, but an even better person.” Hermanns is also hearing from Florida and Michigan as of late, we’ll keep you posted on his latest recruiting updates.
Video Interview With Hermanns Here
New Offensive Names To Watch In 2015
If you add up the numbers, Rio Rancho will have to replace 5,785-yards of offense and more than 70 touchdowns. As mentioned Steve Bailey will take over at quarterback. Junior
Josh Foley is slated to be the No. 1 running back. At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds Foley won the 6A 110M hurdles this past spring and if you talk with anyone from Rio Rancho, they’ll tell you that Josh is likely the best football player out of the Foley brothers that have been through the program. Keep tabs on
Brian Drake at the receiver position and watch for 240 pound
Elijah Goodwin who could also see time at running back in short yardage situations.
New Defensive Names To Watch In 2015
Same story with the defensive side of the football: Rio Rancho graduated a ton of All-State caliber guys. Their incoming linebackers and secondary will not take much of a drop off.
Trey Parnell is a 220 pound junior,
Vincent Palmeri (Pictured) caught our eye today as another 200 pound linebacker that showed he is very technically sound.
Patrick Chavez is a hybrid defensive linemen/linebacker that checks in at 220 pounds and also watch for
Greg Hermanns at outside linebacker. Their linebackers really stood out today. In the secondary, the Rams return two starters.
Santiago Salazar who had 45 tackles last year as a junior and Josh Foley who had 38 tackles as a sophomore. Throw in a Brian Drake, it’s a super athlete trio of defensive backs that will be very difficult to get behind.
Breaking It Down
When you’re not busy look up Rio Rancho’s 2014 season and you’ll realize just how special of a year it was. No matter the program, you cannot replace top end talent like they had. With that said, Rio Rancho returns their entire coaching staff, returns one of the best offensive linemen in the West, returns Josh Foley at running back who should have a breakout year, Returns 6-7 on defense that are going to be as good as anybody. Don’t write off Rio Rancho when making your preseason predictions, these guys are still going to be in the mix. The looming question mark I have is how will Quarterback Steven Bailey take on the role of leading the offense. He has zero varsity starts. Looking at their 2015 schedule
I am circling that week 3 game against La Cueva and that week 4 game against Las Cruces. We’re going to learn a lot about this bunch during two pivotal back to back weeks.
2015 Football Schedule
Eldorado *Scrimmage
@ Valley
EP Americas
La Cueva
@ Las Cruces
Clovis
@ Atrisco
@ Santa Fe
Volcano Vista
@ Cibola
Open
Cleveland
2015 Returning Stat Leaders
Santiago Salazar - 2016 Defensive Back - 45 tackles, 2 ints
Josh Foley - 2017 Defensive Back - 38 tackles, 1 int
Grant Hermanns - 2016 Offensive/Defensive Linemen - 37 tackles
Vincent Palmeri - 2016 Linebacker - 30 tackles
Patrick Chavez - 2016 Linebacker - 25 tackles, 3.0 sacks
2014 Football Schedule
W - Valley 55-0
W - EP Americas 46-18
W - La Cueva 41-20
W - Las Cruces 30-22
W - Clovis 42-14
W - Atrisco 57-14
W - Santa Fe 63-7
W - Volcano Vista 42-0
W - Cibola 51-16
W - Cleveland 24-22
W - Las Cruces 41-23 *Quarterfinals
W - Eldorado 64-43 *Semifinals
W - Mayfield 33-31 *Title Game
2014 Stat Leaders
Easton Bruere - 2015 Quarterback - Threw for 4,567-yards and 49 touchdowns
Angelo Lujan - 2015 Running Back - Ran for 809-yards and 10 touchdowns
Brady Patterson - 2015 Receiver - Caught for 1,341-yards and 16 touchdowns
Anthony Nolan - 2015 Linebacker - 131 total tackles
Ikaika Waters - 2015 Linebacker - 108 total tackles
Adrian Linzy - 2015 Defensive Linemen - 11.0 sacks
Miguel Barreras - 2015 Defensive Back - 8 interceptions
