How can a high school win 29 state football championships??? What has been the driving factors of their success?

Feature: Finding That Dark Horse in 2015-2016
Joshua J. Grine of NMPreps.com

It's far to early to tell or place a sharpie on teams that will make the state tournament (yes, I will still give predictions like I did yesterday) on who will make the state tournament, win a game or who will be at home.

Or maybe it is easy to sharpie teams in for the 16.

Anyhow, today I will take a stab at three teams that might surprise you, and I'll reach, along with three that might disappoint.

Teams That Might Might Be That Dark Horse

VOLCANO VISTA HAWKS

Yes, the Hawks (1-0) might not even win their district (1-6A) as we all know it will be tough one to win. However, this team might once again be in a situation to play in a tie breaker or even going into the State Tournament as a high seed that upsets some teams along the way. That is why we consider them a "Team that Might Surprise" being that they will go underrated into March but have the chance to make a legit Final Four run if they peak at the right moment. They already shocked with a win over Sandia and also they scored 60-points. So much for my preseason review on "slow down". David Cormier (2016) is a top name that we know but he's already playing like a player that will lead his squad.

MIYAMURA PATRIOTS

Okay, we are not buying the stock just yet. But the (2-0) Patriots have already shown signs that they will be much improved for the season. The district is down and two convincing wins and the Patriots might be able to break out some dancing shoes. However, likely the case is the Patriots are a back 6 team (seeds 11-16) but hey you have to start some place. They have a date with Bernalillo on December 8th a game where we could really stat to gauge who they are. Chandler Charles (2016) might be the new name on the board and will be part of this backcourt.

HATCH VALLEY BEARS

Head coach Derek Bean has built a program with the Bears and this season might be the breakout, state tournament season. I wouldn't be surprised if this team makes the tournament, and wins a game. They had a opening night win of 75-42 but it was the stud Michael Castillo's play (35 points) that caught our eye that this team might be the dark horse title moving forward.

Three Teams That Might Fail To Live Up To Expectations

HIGHLAND HORNETS

No, we aren't quick to jump ship on our preseason Top-25 ranking, even though they fell out this week, but the Hornets (0-2) start might have us selling to save money. They looked promising with a close first half with No. 5 Hope Christian but let it slip away in the second. Yes, they have played the two toughest games in Top-5 teams but something is telling me that they are a 15/16 seed to out team.

FARMINGTON SCORPIONS

I picked dark horse teams this preseason and I was ready to bet the house for the Scorpions. Now, I'm a little thankful that I decide to wait on that bold prediction. The Scorpions didn't show well during the opener in a 90-67 loss that they failed to be any part of the contest. Granted it was against the No. 9 Grants Pirates who are ranked No. 1 in 5A as well.

RUIDOSO WARRIORS

It's far too early to start this conversation but whatever the story might be in this one the Warriors loss to Dexter does not look good come resume time. I was high on the Warriors during the preseason to possibly making some noise in 4A but maybe not so much. Hey, it's week three though and plenty of games to go.


What teams would you buy right now?

What teams would you sell back right now to save on early predictions?

Each week the team at NMPreps.com creates the All-NMPreps.com Team with the top performances of the past week..

Jordyn Lewis (Ramah/ Senior/ 5’7”/ Guard) 27 Points Tuesday vs. Zuni, 64 Points in Championship Game
Nikki Benally (Piedra Vista/ Senior/ 5’6”/ Guard) 22 Points vs. Taos, 20 Points vs. Navajo Prep
Cassie Vickery (Tularosa/ Junior 5’6”/ Guard) 19 Points vs. Rehoboth, 31 points, 11 rebounds vs. Fort Sumner
Kelly Burton (Springer/ Senior/ 5’5/ Guard) 11 Points vs. Trinidad, 25 Points vs. Primero
Sydney Candelaria (Eldorado/ Junior/ 5’7/ Guard) 28 Points, 9 rebounds vs. Volcano

From the NMAA


NMAA ANNOUNCES NMAA HALL OF FAME ‘CLASS OF 2016’


ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The New Mexico Activities Association, in conjunction with the NMAA Hall of Fame Committee, announces the Class of 2016 for induction into the NMAA Hall of Fame. The NMAA Hall of Fame induction ceremony and luncheon will be Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 12 p.m. at the Marriott Pyramid Hotel.


The ring ceremony will take place during the U.S. Bank State Basketball Championships on March 10, 2016, at halftime of the 6:30 p.m. semifinal game at WisePies Arena aka The Pit.


The Inductees Are:


Gene Pino – Del Norte, La Cueva, Albuquerque Public Schools, NMAA

Gene was a student-athlete participating in football, basketball, and track for the Belen Eagles. He graduated from the University of New Mexico earning his B.S. and M.S. degrees in physical education and sports administration. He was a teacher, coach, athletic coordinator, assistant principal and Executive Director of the APS Foundation for Albuquerque Public Schools. He served as the district chairperson for 1-AAAAA, as a member of the NMAA Foundation Board of Directors, and has been an Assistant Director at the New Mexico Activities Association for the last ten years. He was part of a team of community leaders to reinstate middle school sports in Albuquerque Public Schools in 1995.


Tim Rice – Crownpoint, Gallup McKinley County Schools

Tim graduated from Olney High School and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from East Central State College in Ada, Oklahoma. He was a teacher, coach, and athletic director at Crownpoint High School for 37 years. His cross country teams won four state championships along with five runner-up and seven third place finishes. He served on the NMAA sportsmanship, scholarship, and realignment committees. He was also a Coaches Education instructor and has been a track and field official at the NMAA State Track Championships for 41 consecutive years.


Gary Tripp – Moriarty/Edgewood, Rio Rancho Public Schools, NMAA

Gary was an all-state athlete participating in football, basketball, and baseball for the West Las Vegas Dons. He graduated from New Mexico Highlands University while lettering in the sport of baseball. He was a teacher, coach, athletic director, and principal for the Moriarty-Edgewood School District for 16 years before serving as an assistant principal and principal at Rio Rancho High School for five years. He then took over as the Executive Director of the NMAA – a position that he held for eight years. During his tenure, he helped the NMAA become one of the top interscholastic associations in the country. He spearheaded efforts to host first class state tournaments, form sport specific coaches committees, implement the Pursuing Victory with Honor sportsmanship program, and create the NMAA Foundation which has given back over $200,000 to the students of New Mexico since 2007.


The NMAA Hall of Fame was established in 1976 and is comprised of an elite group of 97 accomplished individuals who have made significant contributions to interscholastic athletics and activities in New Mexico. In order to be considered, nominees must show great support of the NMAA’s philosophy and objectives, they must have a combination of involvement in formulating regulations and procedures for various interscholastic education programs, and they must have a minimum of 25 years of service, 20 of which must have been in New Mexico. Nominations are then screened by the NMAA Hall of Fame Selection Committee which consists of current and former leaders within interscholastic athletics and activities. The committee meets in October each year and then selects a maximum of four individuals for induction. The Class of 2016 – Gene Pino, Tim Rice, and Gary Tripp - will represent the 98th through 100thmembers of this prestigious group.


For additional information pertaining to this release, please contact Dusty Young, NMAA Associate Director at (505) 977-5385 or dusty@nmact.org.

Any word on who may be petitioning the NMAA on the new realignment?
Pretty quiet out there from I have heard

Cobre looking for game Week #3 - Sept. 9, 2016 and Scrimmage.
Please contact Coach Jerry Martinez @ (575) 590-2025.

Robertson looking for game Week #1 Aug 26.
call Coach Leroy Gonzalez @ (505)617-4940

Final USA Today/NSCAA national boys' soccer rankings:

1. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio) 22-0-1
1. St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) 18-0-0
3. Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.) 22-0-1
4. Marquette University High (Milwaukee, Wis.) 19-2-0
5. Jesuit (Carmichael, Calif.) 24-2-1
6. Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park, Kan.) 19-1-0
7. Chaminade (Mineola, N.Y.) 18-2-2
8. La Salle Academy (Providence, R.I.) 19-0-1
9. Central Bucks East (Doylestown, Pa.) 26-0-0
10. McDonogh School (Owings Mills, Md.) 21-0-1
11. Walt Whitman (South Huntington, N.Y.) 20-1-1
12. Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque, N.M.) 21-1-1
13. Libertyville (Libertyville, Ill.) 19-3-1
14. Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.) 20-2-1
15. Glastonbury (Glastonbury, Conn.) 18-2-0
16. Whitefish Bay (Milwaukee, Wis.) 23-2-1
17. Salesianum School (Wilmington, Del.) 14-3-1
18. Anoka (Anoka, Minn.) 17-3-2
19. Broomfield (Broomfield, Colo.) 18-2-0
20. St. Francis DeSales (Columbus, Ohio) 19-2-2
21. Delbarton School (Morristown, N.J.) 22-1-0
22. Webster Groves (St. Louis, Mo.) 23-5-2
23. Lincoln-Sudbury Regional (Sudbury, Mass.) 15-3-4
24. Brentwood (Brentwood, N.Y.) 18-2-0
25. Beacon (New York, N.Y.) 16-3-1


Final USA Today/NSCAA Region VIII boys' soccer rankings:

1. Jesuit (Carmichael, Calif.) 24-2-1
2. Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque, N.M.) 21-1-1
3. Broomfield (Broomfield, Colo.) 18-2-0
4. Lincoln (Portland, Ore.) 19-2-1
5. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) 18-2-3
6. McMinnville (McMinnville, Ore.) 18-2-4
7. Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove, Calif.) 18-1-4
8. Napa (Napa, Calif.) 18-1-2
9. Timberline (Boise, Idaho) 19-1-0
10. Carson (Carson City, Nev.) 17-3-1
11. Fairview (Boulder, Colo.) 15-3-1
12. Hood River Valley (Hood River, Ore.) 17-0-3
13. Wooster (Wooster, Nev.) 18-1-0
14. Albuquerque High (Albuquerque, N.M.) 16-4-1
15. Green Valley (Henderson, Nev.) 25-3-2

Many New Mexico Teams play Texas, Arizona or Colorado schools throughout the year. These are the results so far this season. (As of December 2)

New Mexico Girls vs. Texas (20-18)
Adrian 33, San Jon 27
Bel Air (El Paso) 59, Cobre 30
Bel Air (El Paso) 45, Cliff 23
Canyon 57, Clovis 24
Clint 43, Silver 31
Clovis 30, Grapevine 27
Coronado (El Paso) 62, Mayfield 59
Des Moines 45, Dalhart 20
Dora 49, Morton 47
Elida 44, Friona 32
Friona 67, Floyd 33
Friona 42, Dexter 35
Gadsden 66, El Paso 28
Gadsden 57, Patterson Institute (El Paso) 42
Hobbs 60, Coronado (Lubbock) 54 (In OT)
Las Cruces 49, Americas (El Paso) 43
Las Cruces 69, Irving (El Paso) 9
Mayfield 58, El Dorado (El Paso) 38
Mayfield 50, Franklin (El Paso) 46
Mescalero Apache 53, Immanuel Christian (El Paso) 24
Morton 64, Hagerman 18
Mosquero 58, Channing 22
Mosquero 49, Adrian 24
Mosquero 42, Holy Cross Academy 20
Onate 43, Chapin (El Paso) 42
Onate 51, Montwood (El Paso) 44
Palo Duro (Amarillo) 42, Clovis 32
Palo Duro (Amarillo) 55, Hobbs 45
Parkland (El Paso) 40, Gadsden 35
Parkland (El Paso) 43, Santa Teresa 21
Post 50, Goddard 25
San Jon 38, Adrian (Adrian) 27
Santa Teresa 36, Loretto (El Paso) 26
Santa Teresa 68, Faith Christian (El Paso) 2
Southcrest Christian (Lubbock) 29, Clovis Christian 27
Sundown (Sundown) 66, Dora 35
Texline 44, Des Moines 23
Texline 43, Mosquero 34
Texico 61, Farwell 56
Wylie 39, Clovis 30

New Mexico Girls vs. Arizona (6-0)
Cleveland 52, Winslow 50
Grants 61, Winslow 58
Northwest 54, Red Valley/ Cove (Red Valley) 48
Silver 53, Morenci 35
Tohatchi 68, Red Mesa (Teec Nos Pos) 52
Tohatchi 65, Winslow 56
Tohatchi vs. Window Rock (Missing Score)

New Mexico Girls vs. Utah (3-0)
Newcomb 55, Monument Valley 45
Shiprock 68, San Juan (Blanding) 19
West Las Vegas 54, San Juan (Blanding) 21

New Mexico Girls vs. Colorado (4-6)
Cheraw 47, Mesa Vista 43
Hoehne 44, Raton 29
Mancos 51, Newcomb 49
Mesa Vista 41, Sargent (Monte Vista) 37
Trinidad 63, Springer 32
Trinidad 77, Raton 30
Raton 52, Primero 47
Sangre De Cristo 51, Mesa Vista 32
Springer 64, John Mall (Walsenburg) 27
Springer 58, Primero 48
Navajo Prep vs. Bayfield (Missing Score)

New Mexico Girls vs. Oklahoma (0-1)
Keyes 37, Des Moines 25

NMPreps.com Week Three Player of the Week

Julian Segura - Alamogordo - WR Commits to NMMI

Poll: Most Impressive Championship Victory (6A-3A)

what is the hole in his game and why no offers any idea? NMSU seems to have head in sand on this kid.

Which Football Players Are Muti Sport Athletes?

ENMU Baseball will be holding its winter/spring baseball camp January 31st. Click on the following link for more information.

http://www.readysetregister.com/Pages/series_display.php?de=291

Top Players in the Class of 2016?

NMPreps.com's Week Three Awards

Each week NMPreps.com will award the top players and coaches for the past week.

NMPreps.com Overall Player of The Week - Clay Patterson - Rio Rancho HS
Patterson, one of the top juniors returning for the 2015-2016 season is the NMPreps.com Overall Player of the Week after top performances during week three. Patterson started the week off pouring in 24 points in a win over Top-25 team Espanola Valley. Patterson, followed that performances with 25 points and 6 assist night against Highland High School.

Week Two Winner: John Paul Garcia, Tucumcari HS.
Week One Winner: Johnny McCants, Onate HS.

Week Three North Player of the Week - Eric Coca - Capital HS
Coca, helped guide the Jaguars to a championship win over Pueblo West, Colorado in the Al Armendariz Tournaemnt. Coca, had an impressive round two performance of 21 points vs 5A Top-10 team Goddard.

Week Three South Player of the Week - Jorell Mirabal - Magdalena HS
The young guard put in a top performance during week three with 35 points a game that he had seven 3-points in, with a win over Menaul.

NMPreps.com Coach of the Week - Sean Jimenez - Rio Grande HS
NMPreps.com's coach of the week goes to Sean Jimenez of the Rio Grande Ravens who led the Ravens to big programs wins over Top-25 team La Cueva and Top-25 team Capital during the week. The Ravens are off to one of their bests starts at (4-0) and ranked in the Top-25.

Week Two Winner: Brian Smith, Cleveland HS
Week One Winner: Richard Martinez, Espanola Valley HS

NMPreps.com's Week Three Player of the Week Voting

Who Improved Their Resume? Who Didn't?

Arizona vs New Mexico Noon December 19th

I'm actually pretty excited about this game this year.

What Did You Learn in Week Three?

I have watched QB commits to the following schools this year

University of Texas
TCU
Baylor
Mississippi
Ohio State

I think the kid from Cleveland can compete with any of them. By the way we beat all 5 of those QB's. I have watched the videos on NMPreps this year of him and he can win and play.

Week Four: What To Watch This Week

We enter week four of the basketball season and what a busy week it will be. The week features several tournaments across the state of New Mexico with some tournaments featuring some of the top teams in the state.

BIG THREE GAMES FOR MONDAY-WEDNESDAY

No. 6 Rio Rancho vs Gallup: Old district rivals square off on Tuesday night. The Rams feature top guard Clay Patterson (2017) along with his partner in the backcourt in Juan Hurt (2017).

No. 22 Los Lunas (1-1) vs No. 23 St. Pius X (3-0): This battle is the biggest match-up between 5A teams to date with both being ranked in the Top-5 of 5A. Los Lunas has Kayden Walker as the floor general while Pius brings one of the top scoring guards in Emilo Arellano.

Texico vs Tucumari: Not often I mention small school division games in our big three but Tuesday puts two of the top teams in 3A basketball against each other. John Paul Garcia the Tucumcari sharp shooter is the name to know in this contest. This is the game he proves why he should be a NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball candidate.

RAPID FIRE

Head-To-Head Games. Seeding Implications
Right now teams are in the tournament but we are looking at seeds.

• Miaymura vs Bernalillo: Both teams in play for a 9-16 seed. Either could use the win when March comes and they are in conversation.
• La Cueva vs West Mesa: Likely could have been a Big Three game. Both teams have some early season success but this head-to-head could matter come March. Winner only benefits when those talks happen.
• Eldorado vs Volcano Vista: Many believe Eldorado will get things going and will be a threat. Volcano Vista started with fire only to see some water hit that fire last week.
• Gadsden vs Alamogordo: Gadsden is more on the seed and couldn't afford a loss. Alamogordo is more on the bubble talk and this win only helps, 15 or 16 talk.

Bubble Teams That Need a Win.

• Hatch Valley vs Tularosa: Looking at Hatch Valley here on the bubble team that couldn't afford the loss.
• Manzano vs Cibola: The Monarchs are the bubble team in this conversation and could use the win here for the resume booster.
• Sandia Prep vs Moriarty: Both missed the playoffs in their classifications last season. Both need any win they can get. Big men battle in Gaddis (Prep) vs Flaming (Moriarty).

SCHEDULE

Monday
Carrizozo vs Capitan
Cliff vs Cobre
Clovis Christian vs TBA
Eunice vs Jal
Hagerman vs NMMI
Monte Del Sol vs East Mountain
Moriarty vs Sandia Prep

Tuesday
Albuquerque vs Valencia
Bloomfield vs Navajo Prep
Carrizozo vs Mescalero Apache
Cibola vs Manzano
Clovis vs Tascosa
Deming vs Santa Teresa
Dexter vs Portales
Eldorado vs Volcano Vista
Gadsden vs Alamogordo
Goddard vs NMMI
Grady vs Fort Sumner
Hatch vs Tularosa
Hondo Valley vs Capitan
Hot Springs vs Mesilla Valley
Laguna vs Rehoboth Christian
Lordsburg vs Morenci
McCurdy vs Coronado
Menaul vs Bosque
Miaymura vs Bernalillo
Monte Vista vs Taos
Newcomb vs Northwest
Rio Rancho vs Gallup
Robertson vs Santa Fe Indian
Ruidoso vs Artesia
Silver vs Chaparral
Springer vs Mosquero
St. Pius X vs Los Lunas
Tatum vs Dora
Texico vs Tucumcari
Tohatchi vs Socorro
West Las Vegas vs Roy
West Mesa vs Las Cueva
Wingate vs Crownpoint
Zuni vs Navajo Pine

Wednesday
Des Moines vs Maxwell
Mora vs Pecos
St. Pius X vs Sandia
Wagon Mound vs Questa

Which Team Was Better : 2014 Rio Rancho or 2015 Cleveland?