Way-too-early 2021 NMPreps Top-20 Rankings
No. 15 Centennial Hawks
No. 16 Deming Wildcats
No. 17 Socorro Warriors
No. 18 Hobbs Eagles
No. 19 St. Michael's Horsemen
No. 20 West Mesa Mustangs
NO. 15 CENTENNIAL HAWKS |
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| Class 6A | Record: 2-2 overall; Beat Carlsbad, 40-27 in Bowl Game |
| Head Coach: Aaron Ocampo |
| Returning Offensive Player: Isaiah Abeyta, 2023, WR |
The Centennial Hawks appear to be on a rebuild after graduating a bulk of talent the last three years. The difference with Ocampo teams and graduating their top talent is they typically have developed some depth behind departing seniors. Ian Lopez (2022) will likely get the nod at quarterback after an impressive showing in the bowl game. Lopez spent the 2021 spring season sitting behind Rueckner (Karsten) but will be a new name to know. He'll have some under the radar weapons in Isaiah Abeyta, Nathan Lara (2023) and Seth Chavez (TE/2022). Yes, uncertainty surrounds the Hawks and that is the reason for one of their highest preseason rankings.
NO. 16 DEMING WILDCATS |
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| Class 5A | Record: 3-1 overall; Won Bowl Game vs Santa Teresa 40-0 |
| Head Coach: Greg Simmons |
| Top Returning Player on Offense: Joey Reza, RB, 2022 |
| Top Returning Player on Defense: Ian Ortiz, DE, 2023 |
SPRING PREVIEW (MAY 27TH)
The Deming Wildcats will need to replace a solid core of players from this Spring roster, around 12-graduating seniors but the future and next season could look promising. Running back Joey Reza (2022) has been a name on the radar and the 5-11 RB will be a focus for most defenses. Tony Aguilar, QB (2022) also returns and brings some experience at the quarterback position after splitting sometime this Spring. The new name on the list is 6-foot-3 DE Ian Ortiz who can cause issues on defense for teams.
NO. 17 SOCORRO WARRIORS |
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| Class: 3A | Record: 5-0 overall; Won Bowl Game vs Dexter, 48-14. |
| Head Coach: Damian Ocampo |
| Top Returning Player on Offense: Jordan Armijo, RB, 2022 |
| Top Returning Player on Defense: Orion Rottman, DE, 2022 |
SPRING PREVIEW (MAY 20TH)
If the Warriors find a quarterback to replace Nathaniel Fresquez, coach Damian Ocampo's team should make another trip to the 3A championship game. The Warriors are in a position to make it a football dynasty in 3A football. Both the offense and defense appear to be in good shape with a handful of returning talent. Jordan Armijo (RB), Orion Rottman (TE), Marcus Armijo (ATH/2023), and Adadrian Jackson (WR/2022) create an explosive offense that could break some records in 2021. On defense, you add Brian Armijo (LB/2023) with Rottman (DE), J. Armijo (DB), and Jackson (DB) to a very deep and stout defense.
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NO. 18 HOBBS EAGLES |
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| Class: 6A | Record: 2-3 overall; Won Bowl Game, 47-0 vs Onate |
| Head Coach: Ken Stevens (3rd Season at Hobbs; 4-11 at Hobbs) |
| Key Returning Player on Offense: Colton Graham (2022/QB) |
| Key Returning Player on Defense: Aldo Argott (2022/LB) |
SPRING PREVIEW (MAY 12TH)
The Eagles bring back quarterback Colton Graham and enough talent to rank in the NMPreps New Mexico Top 20 this preseason. The Eagles won their final two games last season over Artesia (56-27) and Onate (47-0). Looking at the losses last season, a four-point loss to Clovis, a three-point loss to Lovington, and a six-point loss to Carlsbad could just mean they had a slow start. On a regular season, they could have pulled off 6 or 7 wins after that slow start. I feel they are on the brink of a playoff run season and 2021 could be that season.
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NO. 19 ST. MICHAEL'S HORSEMEN |
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| Record: 3-0 overall |
| Head Coach: Joey Fernandez | Assistant Coaches: Joey Butler, Kevin Hauk, Michael Pitel |
| Key Returners: Lucas Coriz (QB/2022); Devin Flores (2022); Daymon Lujan (RB/2022); |
| Class: 3A |
SPRING PREVIEW (APRIL 12TH)
Led by one of the top head coaches in New Mexico, a next-level quarterback in Lucas Coriz (2022), and a defense that only allowed 29-points (21 of those coming in the bowl game against Raton), the Horsemen is NMPreps pick to play for the 3A title in 2021. Coriz threw for nearly 700-yards and 11-touchdowns in the short three-game season and looked every bit ready to have the Horsemen as a true title contender. Also, the excitement on offense for the Horsemen comes in the form of Devin Flores (2022) and Daymon Lujan (2022) along with Creed Chavez (2022/WR). Flores does it on both sides of the ball for the Horsemen and had a big showing during their bowl game. They'll be challenged next season with a handful of district opponents looking to return at full strength but this could be a Horsemen team with enough talent to write its own ending.
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NO. 20 WEST MESA MUSTANGS |
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| Record: 3-0 overall (2-0 district) |
| Head Coach: Anthony Ansotigue |
| Key Returning Players: Daniel Ayala (QB/2022); Chris Johnson (SB/CB/2023); Anthony Rodriguez (WR/2023); Anthony Wilkins (OL/2022) |
| Class 6A |
SPRING PREVIEW (APRIL 10TH)
With Daniel Ayala back to direct the West Mesa offense, head coach Anthony Ansotigue will look to continue building the Mustangs football program. The Mustangs are coming off their best season in football and finished with a bowl, a perfect 3-0 record and ranked for the first time since 2017 when they finished 7-4. Ayala played a huge role at quarterback for the Mustangs but a wealth of talent returns on the sidelines for the Mustangs; the x-factor is returning an experienced line anchored by Anthony Wilkins, 6-foot-3 OL. In those trenches will also have Nathan Martinez (2022), Abram Smith-Bernhardt (2024), and Brandon Brewton (2023). Chris Johnson and Anthony Rodriguez provide options on the outside for Ayala as two reliable receivers. On offense, the holes to fill will be with Ja'Calvin Newsom (RB/signed with Eastern New Mexico) and WR Joseph Thompson who left as graduating seniors.
