12 for 12: Units with Strength
Joshua Grine
Each team is known for certain things each year, while most have several areas we try to get a look at the strength of each team. We will look at our early preseason rankings as we go down the line of each team in the classification.
12. Aztec - Linebackers
Brady Moffert, the 6-foot-1, 200 pound Linebacker is one of the top names to know in 5A football overall as he led the team in tackles with a whopping 122 total on the season, 59 solo. Kyler Duggins another season is another senior Linebacker that brings plenty to the table for the Tigers. At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds Duggins had 66-total tackles and 4-sacks last season. The up and coming name is senior Brandon Trennepohl, 5-foot-8, who had 55-total tackles to create a triple force at the LB core.
11. Del Norte - Offensive Linemen
Yes, the Knights graduate a few guys off the line from last season but do boast some big returners. The Knights have plenty of strengths in skill position players but the men up front could make a name for themselves if they haven't already. Led by senior McCormick Harry a 6-foot-6, 250 pound beast who could find himself among the best OL's returning this season. Add in for size 6-foot-3, 240 pound Austin Barnes and maybe up and coming junior at 6-foot-4 and 232 pound in Noah Jones.
10. Farmington - Running Backs
The Scorpions at No. 10 in 5A could be one of the most underrated teams heading into the 2016 season. They return a wealth of talent that is ready to prove their worth led by junior running back Axel Fowler who rushed for 908-yards as a sophomore last season for 13 touchdowns on 99-carries (9.2 average). Add in senior Donovan Gonzalez who had 337-yards for 4-touchdowns last season. A pair of new names that could see more experience, only creating more depth is Antonio Tate Weahkee (2 touchdowns) and Matthew Minard (50 yards on 5 carries).
9. Capital - Secondary
In a changing game of scoring points, plenty of points, the Jaguars could be regarded as one of the better defensive teams. The keep the games relatively low in scoring, when scores in the 40-50 are the norm, they look to hold teams to their average or under. Looking at this secondary you have to mention rising prospect in Mark Segura a 5-foot-9, Free Safety who recorded 85-tackles last season. Also, strong safety Francisco Miranda a 5-foot-6 junior who will see his role grow this season. Up and coming name is junior cornerback Dominic Vinge who will also have a bigger role.
8. Roswell - Defensive Linemen
The Coyotes defense was underrated last season and could be credited for much of the success last season. Against teams that like to run the ball their opponents were held to under 20-points in most cases. They did struggle against passing/good quarterback teams but this DL might have to be given more credit than we have publicized. First we will start with Ricardo Silva, DT, who recorded 56-total tackles. Throw in Rudy Castillo (Sr/DE) and Donald Truex (Sr/T) - who showed well at the NMPreps.com combine. They'll have plenty of depth on defense this season, including this DL and will be one to watch.
7. Belen - Skill Position & Youth
The Belen Eagles are soaring into a new direction this Fall and they have clear for take off in every direction down 1-25. Yes, youth is a strength with a new head coach and youth that has experience. They return some special skill players that will look to make a breakout year and they will only be juniors with plenty of experience under their belt before they open their wings this season. Quarterback Thomas Wisneski passed for 553-yards (9 Touchdowns) and rushed for 366 (2 touchdowns) as a sophomore starting QB. Timothy Bunker rushed for 302-yards as a sophomore and up-and-coming prospect Diego Casillas rushed for 179 as a freshman. Let's not stop there as Jacob Lash returns for his junior season at WR with 116-yards last season. Mateo Romero, the senior in the preview returns as the leading receiver last season.
6. St. Pius X - Linebackers
The Sartans will have one of their best teams in recent history and that is coming off a 10-2 season. They also have the best Linebacker units in 5A football led by a trio in Austin Schull, Adrian Leon and Jared Vigil who provide the Sartans with this top notch defense. As we said they return off a 10-win season but still lack the respect that they a due making them somewhat of a dark horse pick. Most are picking Artesia (you should), Los Lunas (I did) and Alamogordo in 5A but the Sartans should be right in the mix. The balance for the Sartans with a strong offense and this defensive unit that could lead them far into the playoffs. The defense only allowed three teams to score 20 points (Artesia 21 in the quarterfinals and Moriarty 21 and Lovington 20). Their defense averaged giving up 12 points per game in 2015 ranking first in 5A for fewest points allowed.
5. Goddard - Athletes
The Goddard Rockets are somewhat in the unknown this season and have plenty of questions to answer. They have a new head coach in Chris Waite along with several prospects that we have yet to meet in the headlines. Two things we know is they have some athleticism in quarterback Cameron Stevenson who works on the ground but will air it out when needed. Special teams and on the defensive end of the ball you have a rising prospect in senior Devon Quiroz who will likely be the name you continue to hear this season out of Rockets camp. The Rockets were a tale of two stories all of last season putting up points in wins but the following week struggling. Good news is they won the close contests when games were within a touchdown. Consistency will be the answer this season, a better defense but for now the strengths is in the hands of the athletes.
4. Los Lunas - Next Level Talent
The Tigers have athletes and we could have easily put that as the strength but having next level talent better fits the bill as they have two who have committed to Division One programs in O'Maury Samuels to Michigan and Trevor Brohard to New Mexico State. When is the last time any 5A program that features two prospects committed early to D-1 programs? This team has talent and they could be grooming some future top prospects as Jacob Luna, as a sophomore in 2015, rushed for 359-yards with limited carries with plenty of talent in the backfield last season. Add in a 2019 prospect in Michael Montoya who contributed big as a freshman last season on both the offense and defensive side of the ball.
3. Deming - Mystery Team
The Wildcats are very high in the rankings to start the season - we can agree. The Wildcats are the team of many questions as they only truly submitted stats on one player last season we will look for that player to take this team on his shoulders. The good news is that they have moved to 5A football from 6A. The strength at this time is being the mystery team. They graduated the most players of teams in 5A football so the title of top player on this team is a mystery. A pair of young running backs and wide receivers will look to carry the Wildcats into the realignment in 5A football. A couple to keep a close eye on is juniors Shane Mora and Mando Perales. Can a mystery team be a strength? For the sake of this feature and argument - yes!
Note: Will be updated daily.
2 Alamogordo
1. Artesia
Joshua Grine
Each team is known for certain things each year, while most have several areas we try to get a look at the strength of each team. We will look at our early preseason rankings as we go down the line of each team in the classification.
12. Aztec - Linebackers
Brady Moffert, the 6-foot-1, 200 pound Linebacker is one of the top names to know in 5A football overall as he led the team in tackles with a whopping 122 total on the season, 59 solo. Kyler Duggins another season is another senior Linebacker that brings plenty to the table for the Tigers. At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds Duggins had 66-total tackles and 4-sacks last season. The up and coming name is senior Brandon Trennepohl, 5-foot-8, who had 55-total tackles to create a triple force at the LB core.
11. Del Norte - Offensive Linemen
Yes, the Knights graduate a few guys off the line from last season but do boast some big returners. The Knights have plenty of strengths in skill position players but the men up front could make a name for themselves if they haven't already. Led by senior McCormick Harry a 6-foot-6, 250 pound beast who could find himself among the best OL's returning this season. Add in for size 6-foot-3, 240 pound Austin Barnes and maybe up and coming junior at 6-foot-4 and 232 pound in Noah Jones.
10. Farmington - Running Backs
The Scorpions at No. 10 in 5A could be one of the most underrated teams heading into the 2016 season. They return a wealth of talent that is ready to prove their worth led by junior running back Axel Fowler who rushed for 908-yards as a sophomore last season for 13 touchdowns on 99-carries (9.2 average). Add in senior Donovan Gonzalez who had 337-yards for 4-touchdowns last season. A pair of new names that could see more experience, only creating more depth is Antonio Tate Weahkee (2 touchdowns) and Matthew Minard (50 yards on 5 carries).
9. Capital - Secondary
In a changing game of scoring points, plenty of points, the Jaguars could be regarded as one of the better defensive teams. The keep the games relatively low in scoring, when scores in the 40-50 are the norm, they look to hold teams to their average or under. Looking at this secondary you have to mention rising prospect in Mark Segura a 5-foot-9, Free Safety who recorded 85-tackles last season. Also, strong safety Francisco Miranda a 5-foot-6 junior who will see his role grow this season. Up and coming name is junior cornerback Dominic Vinge who will also have a bigger role.
8. Roswell - Defensive Linemen
The Coyotes defense was underrated last season and could be credited for much of the success last season. Against teams that like to run the ball their opponents were held to under 20-points in most cases. They did struggle against passing/good quarterback teams but this DL might have to be given more credit than we have publicized. First we will start with Ricardo Silva, DT, who recorded 56-total tackles. Throw in Rudy Castillo (Sr/DE) and Donald Truex (Sr/T) - who showed well at the NMPreps.com combine. They'll have plenty of depth on defense this season, including this DL and will be one to watch.
7. Belen - Skill Position & Youth
The Belen Eagles are soaring into a new direction this Fall and they have clear for take off in every direction down 1-25. Yes, youth is a strength with a new head coach and youth that has experience. They return some special skill players that will look to make a breakout year and they will only be juniors with plenty of experience under their belt before they open their wings this season. Quarterback Thomas Wisneski passed for 553-yards (9 Touchdowns) and rushed for 366 (2 touchdowns) as a sophomore starting QB. Timothy Bunker rushed for 302-yards as a sophomore and up-and-coming prospect Diego Casillas rushed for 179 as a freshman. Let's not stop there as Jacob Lash returns for his junior season at WR with 116-yards last season. Mateo Romero, the senior in the preview returns as the leading receiver last season.
6. St. Pius X - Linebackers
The Sartans will have one of their best teams in recent history and that is coming off a 10-2 season. They also have the best Linebacker units in 5A football led by a trio in Austin Schull, Adrian Leon and Jared Vigil who provide the Sartans with this top notch defense. As we said they return off a 10-win season but still lack the respect that they a due making them somewhat of a dark horse pick. Most are picking Artesia (you should), Los Lunas (I did) and Alamogordo in 5A but the Sartans should be right in the mix. The balance for the Sartans with a strong offense and this defensive unit that could lead them far into the playoffs. The defense only allowed three teams to score 20 points (Artesia 21 in the quarterfinals and Moriarty 21 and Lovington 20). Their defense averaged giving up 12 points per game in 2015 ranking first in 5A for fewest points allowed.
5. Goddard - Athletes
The Goddard Rockets are somewhat in the unknown this season and have plenty of questions to answer. They have a new head coach in Chris Waite along with several prospects that we have yet to meet in the headlines. Two things we know is they have some athleticism in quarterback Cameron Stevenson who works on the ground but will air it out when needed. Special teams and on the defensive end of the ball you have a rising prospect in senior Devon Quiroz who will likely be the name you continue to hear this season out of Rockets camp. The Rockets were a tale of two stories all of last season putting up points in wins but the following week struggling. Good news is they won the close contests when games were within a touchdown. Consistency will be the answer this season, a better defense but for now the strengths is in the hands of the athletes.
4. Los Lunas - Next Level Talent
The Tigers have athletes and we could have easily put that as the strength but having next level talent better fits the bill as they have two who have committed to Division One programs in O'Maury Samuels to Michigan and Trevor Brohard to New Mexico State. When is the last time any 5A program that features two prospects committed early to D-1 programs? This team has talent and they could be grooming some future top prospects as Jacob Luna, as a sophomore in 2015, rushed for 359-yards with limited carries with plenty of talent in the backfield last season. Add in a 2019 prospect in Michael Montoya who contributed big as a freshman last season on both the offense and defensive side of the ball.
3. Deming - Mystery Team
The Wildcats are very high in the rankings to start the season - we can agree. The Wildcats are the team of many questions as they only truly submitted stats on one player last season we will look for that player to take this team on his shoulders. The good news is that they have moved to 5A football from 6A. The strength at this time is being the mystery team. They graduated the most players of teams in 5A football so the title of top player on this team is a mystery. A pair of young running backs and wide receivers will look to carry the Wildcats into the realignment in 5A football. A couple to keep a close eye on is juniors Shane Mora and Mando Perales. Can a mystery team be a strength? For the sake of this feature and argument - yes!
Note: Will be updated daily.
2 Alamogordo
1. Artesia
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