NO. 11 ALBUQUERQUE BULLDOGS
2018 Season: 9-17 overall, 5-5 district Head Coach: Ron Garcia

Scoop: The Albuquerque High Bulldogs are likely the biggest trend upward this preseason. Yes, the Bulldogs are coming off a 9-win season but they could be one of the most improved teams this coming season. Guard, Jude Tapia (2020) is one of the top players in the state and will look to carry the Bulldogs forward. It was a slow start last season dropping the first seven games (0-7) and not earning a win until the 2019 portion but did go 9-10 after that first win.

Ceiling: First Two Road (8-9 Seed). The Bulldogs started to play well after the break last season and it could be a payoff for a carryover into this coming season. The Bulldogs were in the conversation late into the final weeks at a share of the district regular season title, this year could be another cluster at the top between Santa Fe, Capital, and Albuquerque. Manzano in the shadows.

Floor: Bubble IN (13-16 Seed Range). The Bulldogs won't miss out on the playoffs this season. The floor would be finishing third in the race with Santa Fe and Capital, that would place them here around the 13-16 range.

Quick Prediction: 14-16 wins. I see them getting some early wins, that they didn't earn last season. If they split those first seven (4-3 or 3-4) and add in the 9 they would win after the break, could put them at 12 or 13. They'll also have to avoid losses to bottom two - Sandia & Rio Grande - a late loss last season to Sandia hurt their playoff bid chances.

Continued Rankings
#12 Eldorado Eagles
#13 Gadsden Panthers
#14 Capital Jaguars
#15 Roswell Coyotes
#16 Carlsbad Cavemen
#17 Sandia Matadors
#18 Manzano Monarchs
#19 West Mesa Mustangs
#20 Mayfield Trojans
#21 Centennial Hawks
#22 Piedra Vista Panthers
#23 Farmington Scorpions
#24 Alamogordo Tigers
#25 Deming Wildcats
#26 Cibola Cougars
#27 Rio Grande Ravens

Who do you for this coming season?

6A FOOTBALL (Last Update: 4/2/19)
No. 1 Cleveland Storm
No. 2 La Cueva Bears
No. 3 Rio Rancho Rams
No. 4 Volcano Vista Hawks
No. 5 Centennial Hawks
No. 6 Las Cruces Bulldawgs
No. 7 Eldorado Eagles
No. 8 Mayfield Trojans
No. 9 Clovis Wildcats
No. 10 Hobbs Eagles
No. 11 Manzano Monarchs
No. 12 Cibola Cougars
No. 13 Carlsbad Cavemen
No. 14 Sandia Matadors
No. 15 Gadsden Panthers
No. 16 West Mesa Mustangs
No. 17 Atrisco Heritage Jaguars
No. 18 Onate Knights

5A FOOTBALL (Last Update: 6/27/19)
No. 1 Artesia Bulldogs
No. 2 Roswell Coyotes
No. 3 Los Lunas Tigers
No. 4 Goddard Rockets
No. 5 Piedra Vista Panthers
No. 6 Deming Wildcats
No. 7 Valencia Jaguars
No. 8 Belen Eagles
No. 9 Farmington Scorpions
No. 10 Del Norte Knights
No. 11 Capital Jaguars
No. 12 Santa Teresa Desert Warriors
No. 13 Valley Vikings
No. 14 Santa Fe Demons
No. 15 Alamogordo Tigers
No. 16 Miyamura Patriots
No. 17 Los Alamos Hilltoppers
No. 18 Highland Hornets
No. 19 Chaparral Lobos

4A FOOTBALL (Last Updated: 6/26/19)
No. 1 St. Pius X Sartans
No. 2 Portales Rams
No. 3 Ruidoso Warriors
No. 4 Bloomfield Bobcats
No. 5 Grants Pirates
No. 6 Silver Colts
No. 7 Lovington Wildcats
No. 8 Kirtland Central Broncos
No. 9 Taos Tigers
No. 10 Aztec Tigers
No. 11 Bernalillo Spartans
No. 12 Espanola Valley Sundevils
No. 13 Moriarty Pintos
No. 14 Gallup Bengals
No. 15 Pojoaque Valley Elks

3A FOOTBALL
No. 22-No. 1 Ranked Here

2A FOOTBALL

NO. 12 ELDORADO EAGLES
2018 Season: 22-7 overall, 7-1 district Head Coach: Roy Sanchez

Scoop: The Eldorado Eagles projected rank for the 2019/2020 season may seem like a bit high, for those familiar with this program that is historically in the top-8 section. The Eagles must replace Kameron Valencia and Tyler Quintana, both of which made the all-state team, only ten players make that list in the entire classification. So replacing two with that award would be difficult for any program. Head coach Roy Sanchez does well reloading and that reload might be in the likes of 6-foot-6 Deraje Agbosi (2020) who is doing well on the summer circuit/club ball scene.

Ceiling: Next Four (5-8 Seed Range). Quick reload. In our ceiling section we try to think the highest possible projection for a team, hosting a first-round game in the state tournament would be that ceiling. They will be somewhat under the radar entering the season but by mid-January you should see the full picture on how far this team could potentially go.

Floor: Bubble Team (15-18 Seed Range). I doubt we would see the Eagles on the first two out section (17-18 seeds) with a head coach like Roy Sanchez. They Eagles play in a favorable district, outside of La Cueva, they should be able to finish above .500 again and edge out West Mesa (No. 19), Piedra Vista (No. 22), and Farmington (No. 23). That alone could keep them out of this bubble range. Finishing behind one, could put them in the 15-16 spots. Finishing behind two of those three would put them in the 17-18 spots.

Quick Prediction: 15 wins. I think the Eagles take a dip next season, not far, but a dip nonetheless. They should get 5 of the 15 wins in district play, they play an APS heavy schedule (like all) so a games against Rio Grande and lower tier APS teams will only help.

Continued Rankings
#13 Gadsden Panthers
#14 Capital Jaguars
#15 Roswell Coyotes
#16 Carlsbad Cavemen
#17 Sandia Matadors
#18 Manzano Monarchs
#19 West Mesa Mustangs
#20 Mayfield Trojans
#21 Centennial Hawks
#22 Piedra Vista Panthers
#23 Farmington Scorpions
#24 Alamogordo Tigers
#25 Deming Wildcats
#26 Cibola Cougars
#27 Rio Grande Ravens

RIO RANCHO RAMS
Spring Preseason Rank: No. 3
2018 Record: 4-7 overall, 3-2 district
Playoffs: First Round

BREAKDOWN
Best-case scenario: 7-3 overall. The Rio Rancho Rams continue to play the best in 6A football and also travel north to Colorado Springs to take on a very talented Pine Creek High School; Pine Creek won the meeting in Rio Rancho last season, 45-23. Favorite wins (3): Cibola, West Mesa (road), Atrisco Heritage. Coin Flip wins (4 of 7): Centennial, Volcano Vista (road), Clovis, Las Cruces (road), Cleveland, La Cueva, Pine Creek (CO). So the story here will be which four can they win out of the coin flip group? Clovis and Las Cruces seem to be the early picks.They'll then have to beat either Volcano Vista (No. 4) La Cueva (No. 2), Pine Creek, or rival Cleveland (No. 1). Yes, that's right they play all five teams in the top-6 spring rankings.

Worst-Case scenario: 4-6 overall. We take the four favorites and only getting one in the coin flip group. 5-5 and most would still be inclined to take the Rams to win a game or two in the playoffs. They can't afford a slip against a favorite group team and will still have to take out 1 of 7 from the coin flip group.

Over/Under: 4.5 wins. The Rams could be at 4-6 again this regular season but it wouldn't be a 'bad' 4-6 because, as mentioned, they are playing 5 teams ranked in the top-6 (the Rams are the sixth team in the top-6. Clovis, ranked 9th this preseason gives them 6 of the top-10 on their schedule along with Pine Creek from Colorado Springs. The safe bet is UNDER but I like to bet on the right side of head coach David Howes so I go OVER and leaning towards 6-4 overall, one shy of the best case scenario.

SCHEDULE
8.23 vs Centennial
8/30 at Pine Creek (Colorado)
9/6 vs Clovis
9/14 at Las Cruces
9/20 at La Cueva
10/4 vs Cibola
10/10 at West Mesa
10/18 vs Atrisco Heritage
10/26 at Volcano Vista
11/1 vs Cleveland

Avoid Stretches: They open the first five weeks with TOUGH opponents. They have to try and get 3 of the 5 in order to get to our 6-win prediction and also stay in reach of the best-case of 7-wins.

Back on Track: The next three game stretch against district opponents Cibola, West Mesa and Atrisco Heritage helps.

Split at the End: Beating Volcano or Cleveland will be idle for the Rams but also could either prepare or hurt them entering the post season.

Related
Capitan Tigers
Carlsbad Cavemen (May 28th)
Clovis Wildcats (May 27th)
Estancia Bears
Hatch Valley Bears
Hobbs Eagles (June 6th)
Las Cruces Bulldawgs (June 20th)
West Las Vegas Dons

Do you give a head coach to truly evaluate? Is there a number of years? Can you tell after a year?

Not sure of any details nor is it any of our business but we have heard of a bad incident involving a player from Goddard.

Prayers from Clovis Wildcat Football

Valencia High School will be hosting a 7 on 7 Sat July 20th. 6 game min and lunch will be provided.
Contact valenciafootballboosters@gmail.com to register or get more information

who do you got?

NO. 14 CAPITAL JAGUARS
2018 Season: 21-10 overall, 5-5 district Head Coach: Ben Gomez

Scoop: The 2019/2020 season could be an interesting one for District 5-5A and brings an interesting dynamic. Counting returning players, the Jaguars should be the best and one of the most complete teams with depth. The schedule is typically a little lighter and will guide on their way to 17-20 win range and the district season could cause for a beat up battle. Sticking to the Jaguars, they return TJ Sanchez (2020) and Seth Arroyos (2020) both double digit scoring last season; Sanchez led the way with 19 points per game. This could be the making of what the other team across town did. High start that ended with playing on the final Saturday. They won six of the final eight games of the season before falling to Eldorado in the first round of the state tournament.

Ceiling: Mixed Bag (7-14). This feels like a cop-out with a huge margin like this for the Jaguars with a 7-spot spread. However, many teams could be in this category as the Jaguars and are in this next tier or group that have returnees we like, but, just waiting for a better price to risk the bet.

Floor: Not really a bubble but a bubble nonetheless (16-19). They won't fall far this season and be in a situation that they could be out. Too much talent and experience coming back. So why the floor prediction then? Will they continue to peak at the right time? Will their depth provide enough after TJ? I'll be intrigued to see this squad.

Quick Prediction: 18 wins. If you've followed since 2009, I've been a big fan of Gomez teams (before and after the departure). His teams have done well as the season goes along as long as they stay healthy and truly buy into him. This will be the biggest movement team.

Continued Rankings
#15 Roswell Coyotes
#16 Carlsbad Cavemen
#17 Sandia Matadors
#18 Manzano Monarchs
#19 West Mesa Mustangs
#20 Mayfield Trojans
#21 Centennial Hawks
#22 Piedra Vista Panthers
#23 Farmington Scorpions
#24 Alamogordo Tigers
#25 Deming Wildcats
#26 Cibola Cougars
#27 Rio Grande Ravens

Chance Harris-Jaden Phillips (Malik Phillips) - Clovis High School
Scoop: Harris, as a sophomore, threw for 1,548-yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Jaden (2020) and Malik (2021) caught for over 1,000 of those yards and 10 touchdowns. Keep your eyes on the Cats.

Clay Houghtaling-Eric Cueto (Braxton McDonald) - Artesia High School
Scoop: Houghtaling (2020) moves into the QB-1 role alone this season and returns Eric Cueto (2020) who went for 470-yards last season. The first target in the Bulldog system gets plenty of looks, Cueto could see his total improve drastically with more looks and Houghtaling has the arm to get it to him.

Derek Rivera - Isaiah Griffin - St. Pius X School
Scoop: Rivera (2020) was one of the best quarterback newcomers last season and now has the favorite St. Pius Sartans looking to close things out this season. The Sartans, the 1-seed in the playoffs fell in the semifinals last season. Griffin (2020) was on the receiving end of 900-yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

Diego Pavia - Ivan Rodriguez - Volcano Vista High School
Scoop: Officially, they have yet to connect in a regular season game with Pavia (2020) sitting out last season due to transfer rules. Rodriguez gives the dynamic QB with a solid target after catching for 561-yards last season and 7-touchdown catches.

Gage Guardiola-Layson Powell - Ruidoso High School
Scoop: The Warriors bring back a very talented squad and for a program with a pair of titles this decade, this could be the team to watch. Guardiola (2020) came over from Mayfield a couple years ago and passed for 1,820-yards last season with 12 touchdowns. Powell (2020) a top receiving to watch, had 699-yards last season and 7 touchdowns - you should see that number rise.

Jeff Davison-Tre Watson - Cleveland High School
Scoop: Although we don't have complete numbers for the duo, both are ranked in the top-20 overall players to watch in New Mexico next season. Davison (2021) passed for over 1,000-yards as a sophomore and looking to only get better. Watson (2021) already holding a D-1 offer could be on the receiving end of a handful of deep throws by Davison.

John Balizan - Estevan Gonzales - West Las Vegas High School
Scoop: Balizan (2020) has been on the top must watch quarterbacks list for a pair of seasons now. This could be the year of the Dons with Jon Balizan passing for 2,500-yards last season and 24 touchdowns. Estevan Gonzales (2020) went for 553 receiving yards last season as a junior and now moves into the top target slot.

Kade Benavidez-Andrue Garcia - Los Lunas High School
Scoop: Benavidez (2020) moved into the starting role a season early, taking over for an injured Nick Gaerlan and tossed for 1,736-yards and 12-touchdowns last season. Garcia (2020) led the way with 840 receiving yards last season along with 6 touchdowns. Year two between these two should only provide more power for the 5A runner up last season.

Mason Caperton-Avante Stevens - Eunice High School
Scoop: The Cardinals are coming off back-to-back state championships and perfect records, riding a 25-game win streak. Yes, they'll have a new head coach but with Caperton throwing for 2,722-yards and 34-touchdowns should be enough for any new HC. Add top receiving target Avante Stevens (2020) who went for 700 yards and 4 touchdowns, provides the opportunity for a third title.

Troy White-David - Ty Jenkins (Brock Dowdy) - Kirtland Central High School
Scoop: The Broncos will be a dark horse favorite to make a deep playoff run next season. White-David (2020) passed for 1,403-yards and 22 touchdowns last season. He returns two targets in Ty Jenks and Brock Dowdy that each went for over 300-yards receiving.

Honorable Mention

Quarterback - Connor O'Toole & Prince 'Nas' Robertson (Ja'Shon Lowery) - La Cueva High School
Scoop: How could we not add this to the list? O'Toole (2020) is one of the highest recruited prospects in New Mexico and add in top-15 talent Ja'Shon Lowery and whomever gets the calls as QB-1 walks into a perfect situation. Austin Smith (2020) threw for 426 yards last season hitting 24 of his 41 throws (.585). Assumption is that he will move into the QB-1 slot.

NO. 13 GADSDEN PANTHERS
2018 Season: 16-10 overall, 8-4 district Head Coach: Juan Gonzales

Scoop: A big step forward for the Gadsden Panthers basketball program as they earned a bid to the State Tournament as a 14-seed last season. The Panthers went 16-10, finishing above .500, after two years missing the playoffs and only winning 15-games in two years. The Panthers program hasn't reached the Elite Eight in the modern format of the state tournament (2006) but this season could be an open year for the Panthers to get into the next round, they are 0-7 in the first round since the 16-team format came into play. This could be one of the 'best' Panther teams put together with the return of Diego Hernandez (2020), Kobe Barrientos (2020), and would even throw in Abel Acosta (2020). Hernandez and Barrientos both led the way in scoring for the Panthers with 17.3 ppg and 14.9 ppg as juniors. They only graduate one from last season and bring back virtually on contributors from last season.

Ceiling: High Hopes (9-12 Seed Range). The duo of Hernandez and Barrientos should provide some excitement for the basketball program at Gadsden High School. They have yet to win a state tournament game in basketball history, this seed range would put them on the road still but breaking through the ceiling is a real possibility.

Floor: Status Quo (13-17 Seed Range). I like the Panthers and what they return this coming season. Can they make a leap into the top-8 (shoot top-10) will still be the question. They'll have to get more from supporting cast in order to beat some of the best.

Quick Prediction: 15-18 wins. The Panthers are going to be fine next season if all stay healthy. The win range is very much attainable and another 8-4 type of season in district play could have them looking at a chance at playing for a district championship. Las Cruces and Onate favor but if your remember correctly the Panthers finished the regular season as district runner-ups.

Continued Rankings
#14 Capital Jaguars
#15 Roswell Coyotes
#16 Carlsbad Cavemen
#17 Sandia Matadors
#18 Manzano Monarchs
#19 West Mesa Mustangs
#20 Mayfield Trojans
#21 Centennial Hawks
#22 Piedra Vista Panthers
#23 Farmington Scorpions
#24 Alamogordo Tigers
#25 Deming Wildcats
#26 Cibola Cougars
#27 Rio Grande Ravens

Which teams could make a run? Which teams do you think surprise people in 2019?

Beat Netherlands, 2-0

Instead of Mt. Rushmore lets have the Fab Five of head coaches in New Mexico. Best five head coaches heading into the 2019 season. Also, best five of all-time.

Yes, we will miss some guys (not perfect). You won't agree. However, lets show some love; Please throw some guys names out, school and position. Highlight your dudes so we put them on the list in 2019.

Headed to Long Beach.

NO. 15 ROSWELL COYOTES
2018 Season: 17-11 overall, 2-4 district Head Coach: Moses Burrola

Scoop: The Roswell Coyotes started the 2018 portion of last season at 10-2 and things looked promising before a 7-9 fall after the christmas break. Third-year head coach Moses Burrola now looks to put his full stamp on the program after taking over from mentor and legendary head coach Britt Cooper. This, after the early peak last season, could be a make or break type of season. The good news: the Coyotes return all but one player and welcome back double digit scorers Taymon Burrola (2021) and Miguel Baray (2020). The bad news: the go-to scoring option Tarren Burrola, 18 points per game, has since graduated.

Ceiling: Third Tier, Bottom Half (10-12). The Coyotes reached the playoffs last season as an 11-seed (lost to Atrisco Heritage 67-49) and that was with a pair of district wins. With Hobbs and Clovis looking to still control the district, Roswell will be in a battle with Carlsbad for the third slot. Keeping the edge for third will keep them in this range and yes should be the ceiling.

Floor: Bubble IN to Bubble OUT (15-18). Last two IN or first two OUT. I truly can't see them dipping further that 18 by the end of the coming season with a shooter like Burrola on the roster. They will have to be more than just a shooting team though and making Miguel Baray, a 6-foot-4, post player more of a resource should make them a state tournament team again.

Quick Prediction: 14-18 wins. I'd lean more on the high end this season. They didn't lose any 'bad' games last season, won the games they should have, but maybe stealing one from Hobbs-Clovis could be a difference maker. That is a tall order however and it'll be important to pull off 9-11 wins in December again.

Continued Rankings
#16 Carlsbad Cavemen
#17 Sandia Matadors
#18 Manzano Monarchs
#19 West Mesa Mustangs
#20 Mayfield Trojans
#21 Centennial Hawks
#22 Piedra Vista Panthers
#23 Farmington Scorpions
#24 Alamogordo Tigers
#25 Deming Wildcats
#26 Cibola Cougars
#27 Rio Grande Ravens

Where did you play high school football and what position did you play?



Me. St. Mikes 1969 - 1973. I played DT, DE, TE, and OT.

What has more influence on winning state titles - the players, the coach, or the program?

A recent thread asked to name the all decade team. In the few lists provided, and they were some outstanding lists of great players, only one list had an Artesia Bulldog player on it, although the Bulldogs have enjoyed multiple titles during this decade with some really good players. So is it not the players?

Another recent thread asked about the greatest head coaches (Fab Five) and there were many posts that discussed the coaches named based on longevity, their coaching style, their player relations, but overwhelmingly the coaches listed have multiple state championships. So is it the coach?

Then, in another recent post - I think the same one about the head coaches - a poster said that it doesn't matter who is coaching in Artesia - they are going to win titles. Does this mean it is the program?

Thoughts??

I hope you all have a great day!

The Deming community lost a great baseball coach this past weekend. Ralph Jurado a long time assistant passed on Sunday June 30. He will be greatly missed. His energy and belief in kids to allow them to believe in themselves and get better and his loyalty to Wildcat nation is what the man was known for. A motivator and a great man.

Round One (Monday): Best cake.
Round Two (Wednesday): Best item to grill this weekend on the 4th

Reminder, you can only draft one item. You can't draft something already picked.

From the ABQ Journal: Former Rio Rancho High wrestler Bo Nickal earlier this week won the 2019 Hodge Trophy as the nation’s top college wrestler. Nickal won three national championships at Penn State, including an undefeated season as a senior at 197 pounds. He finished 120-3 with the Nittany Lions.