Cleveland Has Chance To Be Perfect
- By kyle h
- New Mexico High School Football
- 9 Replies
Cleveland had chance to be perfect
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com
The Cleveland Storm now 12-0 on the season are just one win away from being perfect. This Saturday, December 5th the Storm host the No. 2 seeded Eldorado Eagles in the 6A Championship game. This is the first State Championship game ever at Cleveland High School and the first ever Metro Area Football Championship.
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Rewind to week 6 of the high school football season when The Storm found themselves trailing 14-0 to Eldorado in the first quarter, though The Storm would eventually win that game 41-34 when the dust had settled, the end result had made it clear that Cleveland and Eldorado were the two best high school football teams in New Mexico. Now the two teams meet again in week 15, Cleveland with a chance to be perfect again, something Cleveland has done one other time in 2011 when they went 13-0 under then Head Coach Kirk Potter.
The 2011 Cleveland Storm Football Team who went 13-0 is ranked 8th out of 100 teams in the NMPreps.com Greatest Ever High School Football Team Rankings. That year the Storm scored 641-points (49.3 average), allowed 218 (16.7 average), were led by New Mexico Lobo Commits Cole Gautsche at quarterback and Romell Jordan at Running Back. How does this 2015 team stack up? Very similar, maybe better as the 2015 Storm has scored 597-points (49.8 average), allowed 171 (14.25 average), and are led by New Mexico Lobo Commits Gabe Ortega at quarterback, Marcus Williams at receiver, and Henry Hattis their 6-foot-7, 265 pound linemen committed to PAC 12 Power Stanford.
“This is going to be a hard senior group for me to let go. Sometimes I got to change the subject when I talk about them, as it gets a little emotional for me. These are the freshmen that I brought up when I first took over the job, so I would like to think they are product of the program kids, good group of kids that work very hard, very talented, they have bought into one another, and they want to be great together. When you totally get kids to believe in what you are doing, you want those type of kids to stick around forever.”
2015 Cleveland Storm Football Season Results
W - Manzano 53-0
W - @ Del Valle 52-36 (trailed 7-0)
W - Onate 52-0
W - @ Clovis 50-20 (trailed 7-0)
W - @ Sandia 42-7
W - Eldorado 41-34 (trailed 14-0)
W - Santa Fe 57-0
W - @ Volcano Vista 54-20
W - Cibola 39-6
W - @ Rio Rancho 44-14
W - @ Manzano 50-7 *Quarterfinals
W - @ Mayfield 63-27 *Semifinals
vs. Eldorado *State Championship Game
Preparing For Eldorado
The Eldorado Eagles who are 10-2 on the season after beating Las Cruces last weekend 44-42 off a game winning field goal are a real threat to stop this perfect run. Ridenour about the Eagles Football Team, he is quick to point out that Eldorado’s success comes from up top, “When you talk about Eldorado, you’ve got to talk about their Head Football Coach Charlie Dotson. He Does a fantastic job of getting kids motivated to play and he has an amazing sense of school pride being that he graduated from Eldorado. He’s about passion and love for his school and that feeds off into his kids and that is why they play so hard.”
First Time They Played
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Cleveland has trailed three times this season, that is all. They trailed against El Paso Del Valle in week 2 when Del Valle returned a kick for a touchdown to start the game, they trailed against Clovis 7-0 in week 4 when Clovis went on a 9 minute scoring drive, and trailed by 14 against Eldorado in week 6. “They are a great team, well coached, and give great effort. It was a lot of fun, it was a great game, and we were fortunate to come out on top,” Said Stanford Offensive Linemen Commit Henry Hattis on round two with the Eagles.
Fortunate to come out with the victory is right as Eldorado was driving with the game tied 34-34 until a fumble gave the ball back to Cleveland with just minutes left in the game, a short touchdown run was the difference in front of 11,000 screaming fans. The Eagles are scoring 46.3 points per game on offense and love to feed to rock to 210 pound Running Back Noah Swietzer and 260 pound Fullback Elias Baker.
“Eldorado is very athletic team and young too, so they are going to be good down the road, but I feel we have more depth and speed. Our defense has become one unit throughout the season, we are all playing together for each other,” said 6-foot-4, 180 pound linebacker Roope Henry.
Top Offense In New Mexico
As mentioned the offense is scoring 49.8 points per game. They have three D-1 prospects on offense and plenty of offensive firepower. Quarterback Gabe Ortega who is up for both the New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year Award and NMPreps.com Mr. Football Award has thrown for 2,078-yards, rushed for 524-yards, and scored a total of 27 touchdowns. “There is some pressure being the quarterback of the No. 1 team in the State, but these guys make plays around me, I know I can trust every single one of them, and after that first snap all that pressure goes away”
Ortega is a three year starter at Cleveland High School and will leave Cleveland as one of the All-Time top players to ever come out of the program’s short history. “When I was a sophomore I was brought in by those seniors, they showed me the Cleveland way, taught me how things run around here and from there I have taken their leadership and tried to pass it down to these younger guys so they can see the Storm way, it’s just been an awesome experience.
Ortega’s top targets include 6-foot-4 Marcus Williams who has caught for 768-yards with 11 touchdowns, 6-foot-4, Adam Cook who has caught for 406-yards and 3 touchdowns, 5-foot-10 speedster Ryan Anderson who has caught for 401-yards and 3 touchdowns, 6-foot-5, 180 pound Justice Jackson who has caught for 342-yards. “Gabe and I have been playing together since about 7th grade, we’ve got a good connection, I know where he is going to be and he he knows where I am going to be,” Said Marcus Williams a recent Lobo Commit.
Ryan Anderson has been a threat receiving and rushing the football, totaling over 800-yards and 7 touchdowns. “It’s a big deal this weekend and I’ve always seen myself playing in the state championship game and it’s been a dream of mine since I was 4-years old. Just having the opportunity to play in the game with the brothers, friends, in front of the community is amazing.”
In The Trenches
Along with 6-foot-7, 265 pound tackle Henry Hattis, the Storm has tremendous size on both sides of the football this year. 6-foot-1, 290 pound Demetry Rodriguez missed most of the season with knee injury has played the last two games, Daimon Altarmirano is a promising offensive tackle at 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, Senior Linemen Santos Taylor at 6-foot-2, 278 pounds looks to be another next level guy, Adam Cook is a 6-foot-4, 225 pound Tight End, and Brendon Armstead at 220 pounds has had a great season on the defensive line.
Kickoff Is Set For Saturday
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com
The Cleveland Storm now 12-0 on the season are just one win away from being perfect. This Saturday, December 5th the Storm host the No. 2 seeded Eldorado Eagles in the 6A Championship game. This is the first State Championship game ever at Cleveland High School and the first ever Metro Area Football Championship.
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Rewind to week 6 of the high school football season when The Storm found themselves trailing 14-0 to Eldorado in the first quarter, though The Storm would eventually win that game 41-34 when the dust had settled, the end result had made it clear that Cleveland and Eldorado were the two best high school football teams in New Mexico. Now the two teams meet again in week 15, Cleveland with a chance to be perfect again, something Cleveland has done one other time in 2011 when they went 13-0 under then Head Coach Kirk Potter.
The 2011 Cleveland Storm Football Team who went 13-0 is ranked 8th out of 100 teams in the NMPreps.com Greatest Ever High School Football Team Rankings. That year the Storm scored 641-points (49.3 average), allowed 218 (16.7 average), were led by New Mexico Lobo Commits Cole Gautsche at quarterback and Romell Jordan at Running Back. How does this 2015 team stack up? Very similar, maybe better as the 2015 Storm has scored 597-points (49.8 average), allowed 171 (14.25 average), and are led by New Mexico Lobo Commits Gabe Ortega at quarterback, Marcus Williams at receiver, and Henry Hattis their 6-foot-7, 265 pound linemen committed to PAC 12 Power Stanford.
“This is going to be a hard senior group for me to let go. Sometimes I got to change the subject when I talk about them, as it gets a little emotional for me. These are the freshmen that I brought up when I first took over the job, so I would like to think they are product of the program kids, good group of kids that work very hard, very talented, they have bought into one another, and they want to be great together. When you totally get kids to believe in what you are doing, you want those type of kids to stick around forever.”
2015 Cleveland Storm Football Season Results
W - Manzano 53-0
W - @ Del Valle 52-36 (trailed 7-0)
W - Onate 52-0
W - @ Clovis 50-20 (trailed 7-0)
W - @ Sandia 42-7
W - Eldorado 41-34 (trailed 14-0)
W - Santa Fe 57-0
W - @ Volcano Vista 54-20
W - Cibola 39-6
W - @ Rio Rancho 44-14
W - @ Manzano 50-7 *Quarterfinals
W - @ Mayfield 63-27 *Semifinals
vs. Eldorado *State Championship Game
Preparing For Eldorado
The Eldorado Eagles who are 10-2 on the season after beating Las Cruces last weekend 44-42 off a game winning field goal are a real threat to stop this perfect run. Ridenour about the Eagles Football Team, he is quick to point out that Eldorado’s success comes from up top, “When you talk about Eldorado, you’ve got to talk about their Head Football Coach Charlie Dotson. He Does a fantastic job of getting kids motivated to play and he has an amazing sense of school pride being that he graduated from Eldorado. He’s about passion and love for his school and that feeds off into his kids and that is why they play so hard.”
First Time They Played
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Cleveland has trailed three times this season, that is all. They trailed against El Paso Del Valle in week 2 when Del Valle returned a kick for a touchdown to start the game, they trailed against Clovis 7-0 in week 4 when Clovis went on a 9 minute scoring drive, and trailed by 14 against Eldorado in week 6. “They are a great team, well coached, and give great effort. It was a lot of fun, it was a great game, and we were fortunate to come out on top,” Said Stanford Offensive Linemen Commit Henry Hattis on round two with the Eagles.
Fortunate to come out with the victory is right as Eldorado was driving with the game tied 34-34 until a fumble gave the ball back to Cleveland with just minutes left in the game, a short touchdown run was the difference in front of 11,000 screaming fans. The Eagles are scoring 46.3 points per game on offense and love to feed to rock to 210 pound Running Back Noah Swietzer and 260 pound Fullback Elias Baker.
“Eldorado is very athletic team and young too, so they are going to be good down the road, but I feel we have more depth and speed. Our defense has become one unit throughout the season, we are all playing together for each other,” said 6-foot-4, 180 pound linebacker Roope Henry.
Top Offense In New Mexico
As mentioned the offense is scoring 49.8 points per game. They have three D-1 prospects on offense and plenty of offensive firepower. Quarterback Gabe Ortega who is up for both the New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year Award and NMPreps.com Mr. Football Award has thrown for 2,078-yards, rushed for 524-yards, and scored a total of 27 touchdowns. “There is some pressure being the quarterback of the No. 1 team in the State, but these guys make plays around me, I know I can trust every single one of them, and after that first snap all that pressure goes away”
Ortega is a three year starter at Cleveland High School and will leave Cleveland as one of the All-Time top players to ever come out of the program’s short history. “When I was a sophomore I was brought in by those seniors, they showed me the Cleveland way, taught me how things run around here and from there I have taken their leadership and tried to pass it down to these younger guys so they can see the Storm way, it’s just been an awesome experience.
Ortega’s top targets include 6-foot-4 Marcus Williams who has caught for 768-yards with 11 touchdowns, 6-foot-4, Adam Cook who has caught for 406-yards and 3 touchdowns, 5-foot-10 speedster Ryan Anderson who has caught for 401-yards and 3 touchdowns, 6-foot-5, 180 pound Justice Jackson who has caught for 342-yards. “Gabe and I have been playing together since about 7th grade, we’ve got a good connection, I know where he is going to be and he he knows where I am going to be,” Said Marcus Williams a recent Lobo Commit.
Ryan Anderson has been a threat receiving and rushing the football, totaling over 800-yards and 7 touchdowns. “It’s a big deal this weekend and I’ve always seen myself playing in the state championship game and it’s been a dream of mine since I was 4-years old. Just having the opportunity to play in the game with the brothers, friends, in front of the community is amazing.”
In The Trenches
Along with 6-foot-7, 265 pound tackle Henry Hattis, the Storm has tremendous size on both sides of the football this year. 6-foot-1, 290 pound Demetry Rodriguez missed most of the season with knee injury has played the last two games, Daimon Altarmirano is a promising offensive tackle at 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, Senior Linemen Santos Taylor at 6-foot-2, 278 pounds looks to be another next level guy, Adam Cook is a 6-foot-4, 225 pound Tight End, and Brendon Armstead at 220 pounds has had a great season on the defensive line.
Kickoff Is Set For Saturday
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Poll
PREVIEW: ELDORADO VS. CLEVELAND
- By kyle h
- New Mexico High School Football
- 17 Replies
Feature: Cleveland Trying To Be Perfect
Feature: Eldorado Trying To Win 1st Title Since 1980
6A State Championship Preview
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com
No. 2 Eldorado 10-2 @ No. 1 Cleveland 12-0 - Saturday, December 5th at 1PM
More to follow - Keep checking this thread
Last Time They Played 41-34 Cleveland
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Breaking Down The Offense
Both offenses for Cleveland and for Eldorado have been stellar this year and are both well versed in the pass and in the run game. Today we breakdown a few of their highlights to give you an inside look at what they do offensively.
Touchdown Pass Against Manzano
Key here is great excellent blocking, beautiful touch pass from Ortega, outstanding grab by Williams
Option Touchdown Run By Gabe Ortega
Key here is Gabe Ortega making a good read to cut up field, also showing off his D1 Speed
Touchdown Pass Against Cleveland
Key here is fake from Quarterback Jayce Jackson to Fullback Elias Baker
Big Yardage Pick Up Against Las Cruces
Key here was fake to FB, key option read by QB, great moves by Swietzer at RB
Feature: Eldorado Trying To Win 1st Title Since 1980
6A State Championship Preview
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com
No. 2 Eldorado 10-2 @ No. 1 Cleveland 12-0 - Saturday, December 5th at 1PM
More to follow - Keep checking this thread
Last Time They Played 41-34 Cleveland
Login to view embedded media
Breaking Down The Offense
Both offenses for Cleveland and for Eldorado have been stellar this year and are both well versed in the pass and in the run game. Today we breakdown a few of their highlights to give you an inside look at what they do offensively.
Touchdown Pass Against Manzano
Key here is great excellent blocking, beautiful touch pass from Ortega, outstanding grab by Williams
Option Touchdown Run By Gabe Ortega
Key here is Gabe Ortega making a good read to cut up field, also showing off his D1 Speed
Touchdown Pass Against Cleveland
Key here is fake from Quarterback Jayce Jackson to Fullback Elias Baker
Big Yardage Pick Up Against Las Cruces
Key here was fake to FB, key option read by QB, great moves by Swietzer at RB
Championship Coverage - Find It Here
- By kyle h
- New Mexico High School Football
- 4 Replies
Enter The NMPreps.com Football Message Board Here
Class 6A State Championship
No. 2 Eldorado 10-2 @ No. 1 Cleveland 12-0
Saturday, December 5th, Game Time 1PM
Get Tickets For This Game Here
Preview: Cleveland has chance to be perfect
Preview: Eldorado trying for first title since 1980
Class 5A State Championship
No. 2 Artesia 11-1 @ No. 1 Centennial 12-0
Saturday, December 5th, Game Time 1PM
Get Tickets For This Game Here
Preview: Artesia trying for 29th State Football Title
Preview: A New Southern Power Arises in Centennial
Class 4A State Championship
No. 4 Robertson 10-2 @ No. 2 Hatch Valley 12-0
Saturday, December 5th, Game Time 1PM
Get Tickets For This Game Here
Preview: Hatch looking for perfect season
Preview: Robertson looking for redemption
Class 3A State Championship
No. 3 Eunice 8-3 @ No. 1 Estancia 12-0
Saturday, December 5th, Game Time 1PM
Get Tickets For This Game Here
Preview: 1st Year Coach Takes Eunice to the Finals
Preview: Estancia big favorite to stay King of the Mountain
Related Coverage
Front Page of NMPreps.com
50 Players To Watch During The State Championships
Meet the Head Coaches coaching in this weekend's state championship games
NMPreps.com's All-Sophomore Team
NMPreps.com's All-Tournament Team
Underdog Eldorado trying to win first championship since 1980
- By kyle h
- New Mexico High School Football
- 3 Replies
Underdog Eldorado trying to win first championship since 1980
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com
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The Eldorado Eagles are the underdog in this weekend’s Class 6A State Championship game against top ranked and super power the Cleveland Storm who are 12-0. The Eagles 10-2 on the year are playing in their 8th State Championship Football Game, most recently they reached the 2008 title game only to lose to Las Cruces 26-21.
The Eagles reached state title games in back to back seasons in 1990 and in 1991 only to lose to Clovis in both of those match ups. Out of the 7 state championships that Eldorado has played in they have a combined record of 1-6. The 1980 team coached by Jerry Hall featured a quarterback by the name of Jim Everett who went on to play for Purdue and then went to play in the NFL for the Los Angles Rams. That year the Eagles won their first and so far only State Football Championship defeating the Clovis Wildcats 14-11.
Dynamic Senior Class
While Eldorado is labeled the “underdog” Head Football Coach Charlie Dotson has established what today you can consider the top Albuquerque High School Football Program boasting a two-year record of 20-4. Pretty remarkable considering they graduated Blue Chip Quarterback Zach Gentry who is now red-shirting at Michigan. The question marks surrounding whether or not Eldorado could rise to the occasion and make another run this year without Gentry was answered immediately as Eldorado ran through their first three opponents by a combined score of 156-8. This current group was YAFL Super Bowl Champs and while they might lack D-1 commits, they don’t lack college level prospects.
“I think both of our teams Cleveland and Eldorado like our senior groups. They have progressed each week, have done everything right, and I am real proud of the group overall. We got passed a tough semifinal game, got to the championship game, and I just hope things go well on Saturday,” Said Eldorado Head Football Coach Charlie Dotson who took over as Head Coach at Eldorado in 2007.
Things have seemed to go more than well for Eldorado this year as they have outscored the comp 556-217 on the season. Their offense has scored in the seventy’s twice. Last week against Las Cruces in the semifinals on the road, they reeled off an epic last minute drive under back up quarterback Mark Denis, then kicked a 38-yard field to win as time expired to beat the Bulldawgs 44-42. The week before that they beat Hobbs 70-20 recorded 14 quarterback sacks.
Season Results
W - Rio Grande 52-0
W - Valley 55-0
W - West Mesa 49-8
W - Volcano Vista 38-21
W - Mayfield 49-28
L - Cleveland 41-34
W - La Cueva 42-3
L - Sandia 17-12
W - Highland 71-16
W - Manzano 40-21
W - Hobbs 70-20 *Quarterfinals
W - @ Las Cruces 44-42 * Semifinals
vs. Cleveland *State Championship Game
What Makes Them Go
“The offense starts with the quarterback Jayce Jackson who has thrown for 2,700-yards passing and 25 touchdowns (yes, he is expected to play against Cleveland on Saturday. Jackson went down in the late second half against Las Cruces and did not return for the rest of the game with what looked like an ankle injury), following Zach Gentry, he has played right at the level, putting up touchdowns and making plays on his feet. The offensive line has done a great job this year and we have good running backs and good receivers, all facets just like Cleveland does,” said Dotson. And when talking about the defense, Dotson compliments their three main units, “We don’t have the biggest defensive line, but they play hard. Noah Sweitzer is in the middle and some good junior linebackers that have good feet, and we have defensive backs that we trust.”
Preparing For Cleveland
Again, the Eagles have a tough hill to climb stopping what could be the best prep football team to come through New Mexico since 2011, Eldorado’s Charlie Dotson feels there are some similarities between the two programs, “Coach Ridnour does a great job with their program and they have three D-1 kids that have already committed. They have a lot of talent and they play well together, I think both our programs are similar in that: you’ll see a lot of hard play come Saturday, but you’ll see sportsmanship and see kids having fun playing football and playing for each other and that is what it’s all about in the end.”
Noah Sweitzer who scored two touchdowns against Cleveland in the first meeting has showed great respect when talking about The Storm, “Cleveland has a lot of athletes on offense and on defense and they are coached very well. We’re going to have come out to play if we want to beat them.” Sweitzer is a 210 pound running back that ran for 110-yards last weekend against Las Cruces and he’s also the team’s top defensive player at linebacker where he has recorded nearly 200 total tackles. He is also up for the NMPreps.com Mr. Football Award, something few linebackers in New Mexico have accomplished.
David Inman is a 6-foot-2, 185 pound receiver and defensive back who scored two touchdowns and recorded an interception during their first meeting with Cleveland is excited about an All-Metro Final, “They are a great team, it’s cool to have No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the state championship game, it’s the first All-Metro Championship, its just a great experience to be apart of.”
Seniors
The Eagles have over 20 seniors on their year’s roster. Christian Rodriguez a 5-foot-10, 235 pound defensive linemen talked about their camaraderie in the trenches, “Our defensive line, we work hard and know how to be physical. We love to hit and have really bonded well together, we like to play for the man next to us, something that keeps us going.”
Sweitzer echoed the same comments, “We are very close this year from seniors all the way down to freshmen, our seniors try to build a foundation for the freshmen to follow, this is family and it will always be family.”
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com
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The Eldorado Eagles are the underdog in this weekend’s Class 6A State Championship game against top ranked and super power the Cleveland Storm who are 12-0. The Eagles 10-2 on the year are playing in their 8th State Championship Football Game, most recently they reached the 2008 title game only to lose to Las Cruces 26-21.
The Eagles reached state title games in back to back seasons in 1990 and in 1991 only to lose to Clovis in both of those match ups. Out of the 7 state championships that Eldorado has played in they have a combined record of 1-6. The 1980 team coached by Jerry Hall featured a quarterback by the name of Jim Everett who went on to play for Purdue and then went to play in the NFL for the Los Angles Rams. That year the Eagles won their first and so far only State Football Championship defeating the Clovis Wildcats 14-11.
Dynamic Senior Class
While Eldorado is labeled the “underdog” Head Football Coach Charlie Dotson has established what today you can consider the top Albuquerque High School Football Program boasting a two-year record of 20-4. Pretty remarkable considering they graduated Blue Chip Quarterback Zach Gentry who is now red-shirting at Michigan. The question marks surrounding whether or not Eldorado could rise to the occasion and make another run this year without Gentry was answered immediately as Eldorado ran through their first three opponents by a combined score of 156-8. This current group was YAFL Super Bowl Champs and while they might lack D-1 commits, they don’t lack college level prospects.
“I think both of our teams Cleveland and Eldorado like our senior groups. They have progressed each week, have done everything right, and I am real proud of the group overall. We got passed a tough semifinal game, got to the championship game, and I just hope things go well on Saturday,” Said Eldorado Head Football Coach Charlie Dotson who took over as Head Coach at Eldorado in 2007.
Things have seemed to go more than well for Eldorado this year as they have outscored the comp 556-217 on the season. Their offense has scored in the seventy’s twice. Last week against Las Cruces in the semifinals on the road, they reeled off an epic last minute drive under back up quarterback Mark Denis, then kicked a 38-yard field to win as time expired to beat the Bulldawgs 44-42. The week before that they beat Hobbs 70-20 recorded 14 quarterback sacks.
Season Results
W - Rio Grande 52-0
W - Valley 55-0
W - West Mesa 49-8
W - Volcano Vista 38-21
W - Mayfield 49-28
L - Cleveland 41-34
W - La Cueva 42-3
L - Sandia 17-12
W - Highland 71-16
W - Manzano 40-21
W - Hobbs 70-20 *Quarterfinals
W - @ Las Cruces 44-42 * Semifinals
vs. Cleveland *State Championship Game
What Makes Them Go
“The offense starts with the quarterback Jayce Jackson who has thrown for 2,700-yards passing and 25 touchdowns (yes, he is expected to play against Cleveland on Saturday. Jackson went down in the late second half against Las Cruces and did not return for the rest of the game with what looked like an ankle injury), following Zach Gentry, he has played right at the level, putting up touchdowns and making plays on his feet. The offensive line has done a great job this year and we have good running backs and good receivers, all facets just like Cleveland does,” said Dotson. And when talking about the defense, Dotson compliments their three main units, “We don’t have the biggest defensive line, but they play hard. Noah Sweitzer is in the middle and some good junior linebackers that have good feet, and we have defensive backs that we trust.”
Preparing For Cleveland
Again, the Eagles have a tough hill to climb stopping what could be the best prep football team to come through New Mexico since 2011, Eldorado’s Charlie Dotson feels there are some similarities between the two programs, “Coach Ridnour does a great job with their program and they have three D-1 kids that have already committed. They have a lot of talent and they play well together, I think both our programs are similar in that: you’ll see a lot of hard play come Saturday, but you’ll see sportsmanship and see kids having fun playing football and playing for each other and that is what it’s all about in the end.”
Noah Sweitzer who scored two touchdowns against Cleveland in the first meeting has showed great respect when talking about The Storm, “Cleveland has a lot of athletes on offense and on defense and they are coached very well. We’re going to have come out to play if we want to beat them.” Sweitzer is a 210 pound running back that ran for 110-yards last weekend against Las Cruces and he’s also the team’s top defensive player at linebacker where he has recorded nearly 200 total tackles. He is also up for the NMPreps.com Mr. Football Award, something few linebackers in New Mexico have accomplished.
David Inman is a 6-foot-2, 185 pound receiver and defensive back who scored two touchdowns and recorded an interception during their first meeting with Cleveland is excited about an All-Metro Final, “They are a great team, it’s cool to have No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the state championship game, it’s the first All-Metro Championship, its just a great experience to be apart of.”
Seniors
The Eagles have over 20 seniors on their year’s roster. Christian Rodriguez a 5-foot-10, 235 pound defensive linemen talked about their camaraderie in the trenches, “Our defensive line, we work hard and know how to be physical. We love to hit and have really bonded well together, we like to play for the man next to us, something that keeps us going.”
Sweitzer echoed the same comments, “We are very close this year from seniors all the way down to freshmen, our seniors try to build a foundation for the freshmen to follow, this is family and it will always be family.”
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Poll
Team Rankings Preseason Rankings: Rio Grande Ravens
- By J Grine
- New Mexico High School Basketball - Boys
- 13 Replies
NMHSCA All-Metro Teams
- By kyle h
- New Mexico High School Football
- 5 Replies
Produced by the Coaches that are members of the NMHSCA
Click here to learn more about the All-Metro Football Awards Show and how to purchase tickets.
Click here to learn more about the All-Metro Football Awards Show and how to purchase tickets.
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Poll
PREVIEW: HATCH VS. ROBERTSON
- By kyle h
- New Mexico High School Football
- 26 Replies
4A State Title Game Preview, Undefeated Hatch hosts Hard Hitting Cardinals
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com
No. 4 Robertson 10-2 @ No. 2 Hatch Valley 12-0
Saturday, December 5th
Game Time 1PM
Team Comparions
Robertson Head Coach: Leroy Gonzales
Robertson’s Record: 10-2
Hatch Valley Head Coach: Jack Cisco
Hatch Valley’s Record: 12-0
Game Preview
Rewind to the 2014 Class 4A Quarterfinals when these two teams met in Las Vegas, New Mexico and in upset fashion the Bears defeated 10-0 Robertson 20-16. Nearly one year later the two meet again, this time the game is in Hatch, New Mexico and this time it’s Hatch Valley that is undefeated. The Storyline is: Hatch going for perfection, Robertson looking for an upset and a redemption from last year’s loss.
Cardinals Riding A 10-Game Winning Streak
Robertson started 0-2 this year with losses to Portales and to Cobre to start the season, but since September 9th, 2015 the Cardinals are 10-0. In their last 5 games Robertson has outscored the competition 202-20 and last week the Cardinals took down previously unbeaten Portales in the semifinals 26-14.
On the season the Cardinals are led by a Sophomore Quarterback in Arjay Ortiz who has thrown for 985-yards and 12 touchdowns, they have two solid running backs in Junior Marc Grano and Joseph Griego who has 1,297-yards and 15 touchdowns. On defense three-year starter Francisco Arguello at linebacker leads the team with 124 tackles, Arjay Ortiz has 8 interceptions.
Hatch Valley Has Proved Unbeatable
Head Bears Football Coach Jack Ciscon has won one state title before, it came during the 2000 season when he led Roswell to a 10-3 season defeating Piedra Vista in the finals 35-31. Hatch Valley has not won a state championship since 2005 under then Head Coach Charles Gleghorn and the last time Hatch Valley went undefeated was back in 2004 when they went 13-0 beat Santa Rosa in the finals 46-7. This year’s Hatch Valley team has an outstanding offense which is scoring 45.4 points per game and a defense that has 9.8 points per game.
Their two first playoff games have not been close with Hatch defeating Hope Christian in the quarterfinals 43-14 and last week defeating Cobre 41-12. The Bears are led by Senior Quarterback Jared Garay who has thrown for 991-yards and 17 touchdowns and three year starter at running back Adrien Grajeda who has rushed for 1,498-yards and 21 touchdowns. On defense Austin Franzoy leads the team in tackles with 79, Manny Rodriguez has 61 tackles, and Cade Hackey along with Rodriguez each have 4 interceptions.
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com
No. 4 Robertson 10-2 @ No. 2 Hatch Valley 12-0
Saturday, December 5th
Game Time 1PM
Team Comparions
Robertson Head Coach: Leroy Gonzales
Robertson’s Record: 10-2
Hatch Valley Head Coach: Jack Cisco
Hatch Valley’s Record: 12-0
Game Preview
Rewind to the 2014 Class 4A Quarterfinals when these two teams met in Las Vegas, New Mexico and in upset fashion the Bears defeated 10-0 Robertson 20-16. Nearly one year later the two meet again, this time the game is in Hatch, New Mexico and this time it’s Hatch Valley that is undefeated. The Storyline is: Hatch going for perfection, Robertson looking for an upset and a redemption from last year’s loss.
Cardinals Riding A 10-Game Winning Streak
Robertson started 0-2 this year with losses to Portales and to Cobre to start the season, but since September 9th, 2015 the Cardinals are 10-0. In their last 5 games Robertson has outscored the competition 202-20 and last week the Cardinals took down previously unbeaten Portales in the semifinals 26-14.
On the season the Cardinals are led by a Sophomore Quarterback in Arjay Ortiz who has thrown for 985-yards and 12 touchdowns, they have two solid running backs in Junior Marc Grano and Joseph Griego who has 1,297-yards and 15 touchdowns. On defense three-year starter Francisco Arguello at linebacker leads the team with 124 tackles, Arjay Ortiz has 8 interceptions.
Hatch Valley Has Proved Unbeatable
Head Bears Football Coach Jack Ciscon has won one state title before, it came during the 2000 season when he led Roswell to a 10-3 season defeating Piedra Vista in the finals 35-31. Hatch Valley has not won a state championship since 2005 under then Head Coach Charles Gleghorn and the last time Hatch Valley went undefeated was back in 2004 when they went 13-0 beat Santa Rosa in the finals 46-7. This year’s Hatch Valley team has an outstanding offense which is scoring 45.4 points per game and a defense that has 9.8 points per game.
Their two first playoff games have not been close with Hatch defeating Hope Christian in the quarterfinals 43-14 and last week defeating Cobre 41-12. The Bears are led by Senior Quarterback Jared Garay who has thrown for 991-yards and 17 touchdowns and three year starter at running back Adrien Grajeda who has rushed for 1,498-yards and 21 touchdowns. On defense Austin Franzoy leads the team in tackles with 79, Manny Rodriguez has 61 tackles, and Cade Hackey along with Rodriguez each have 4 interceptions.
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Poll
FINAL VOTE FOR MR. FOOTBALL - YOU DECIDE
- By kyle h
- New Mexico High School Football
- 6 Replies
How It Works: The NMPreps.com Mr. Football Award Powered By The Tate Branch Auto Group is given to the best high school football player in the State of New Mexico after each season. Each week during the football season, NMPreps.com tracks the progress of each player, and during the quarterfinal week of the playoffs a final set of candidates will be released. We also take into account coaches thoughts and fan's input based off the NMPreps Message Board. This works just like the Heisman Trophy award.
Great Time To Get Your Family A Subscription To Vote!!!
2015 NMPreps.com Mr. Football Candidates
Gabe Ortega - Quarterback - Cleveland - Class of 2016 - Has thrown for 2,087-yards this year with
27 touchdowns
Henry Hattis - Offensive Linemen - Cleveland- Class of 2016 - 6-foot-7, 265 pound offensive tackle
that is committed to Stanford
Isaac Amaya - Quarterback - Hobbs - Class of 2016 - Has thrown for 3,641-yards and scored 45
touchdowns
Isaac Vance - Running Back - Mayfield - Class of 2017 - Has rushed for 1,750-yards and scored 30 touchdowns
Justin Houghtaling - Quarterback - Artesia - Class of 2016 - Has thrown for 2,900-yards and 31 touchdowns
Kameron Miller - Quarterback - Las Cruces - Class of 2016 - Has thrown for 2,548-yards, rushed for
1,715-yards, and scored 46 touchdowns
Noah Sweitzer - Linebacker - Eldorado - Class of 2016 - Has over 191 total tackles, has over 650
yards rushing
Semifinalists
Bronte Staugaard - Running Back - Portales - Class of 2016 - Has rushed for 1,639-yards and 29 total touchdowns
Jimmy Gallegos - Running Back - Sandia - Class of 2016 - 1,500-yards rushing, 19 touchdowns and 50 tackles on defense
Dominic Montano - Escalante - Quarterback - Class of 2016 - Has rushed for 2,255 yards, thrown for 607-yards, and scored 53 touchdowns.
Great Time To Get Your Family A Subscription To Vote!!!
2015 NMPreps.com Mr. Football Candidates
Gabe Ortega - Quarterback - Cleveland - Class of 2016 - Has thrown for 2,087-yards this year with
27 touchdowns
Henry Hattis - Offensive Linemen - Cleveland- Class of 2016 - 6-foot-7, 265 pound offensive tackle
that is committed to Stanford
Isaac Amaya - Quarterback - Hobbs - Class of 2016 - Has thrown for 3,641-yards and scored 45
touchdowns
Isaac Vance - Running Back - Mayfield - Class of 2017 - Has rushed for 1,750-yards and scored 30 touchdowns
Justin Houghtaling - Quarterback - Artesia - Class of 2016 - Has thrown for 2,900-yards and 31 touchdowns
Kameron Miller - Quarterback - Las Cruces - Class of 2016 - Has thrown for 2,548-yards, rushed for
1,715-yards, and scored 46 touchdowns
Noah Sweitzer - Linebacker - Eldorado - Class of 2016 - Has over 191 total tackles, has over 650
yards rushing
Semifinalists
Bronte Staugaard - Running Back - Portales - Class of 2016 - Has rushed for 1,639-yards and 29 total touchdowns
Jimmy Gallegos - Running Back - Sandia - Class of 2016 - 1,500-yards rushing, 19 touchdowns and 50 tackles on defense
Dominic Montano - Escalante - Quarterback - Class of 2016 - Has rushed for 2,255 yards, thrown for 607-yards, and scored 53 touchdowns.
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Poll
Team Rankings Preseason Rankings: Rio Rancho Rams
- By J Grine
- New Mexico High School Basketball - Boys
- 10 Replies