2023 Preseason Team Rankings - 2A Football
NO. 1 TEXICO WOLVERINES (Last season: 9-4 overall)
Skinny: The Wolverines are loaded and have a handful of must-see players that contributed to the 2022 state runner up team. Cade Figg (2024), Alex Fuentes (2025) and Taye Smith (2025) create a trio that should have the Wolverines playing on the final day again.
NO. 2 EUNICE CARDINALS (Last season: 7-4 overall)
Skinny: The Cardinals will be a major threat to return as the top team in 2A with 2026 quarterback Elijah Melancon returning. Melancon passed for 2,182 yards and 31 touchdowns as a freshman.
NO. 3 SANTA ROSA LIONS (Last season: 9-3 overall)
Skinny: The Lions are coming off a successful 2022 season and will need to fill holes. Nicolas Chavez (2024) and Jykub Gage (2024) look to continue the success built in 2022.
NO. 4 JAL PANTHERS (Last season: 13-0 overall)
Skinny: The Panthers lose two players that will go down as the best ever in school history and class 2A football. Two players for next season are Brandon Houston (2024) and Jesus Carreon (2024) who helped guide a tough defense.
NO. 5 ESTANCIA BEARS (Last season: 7-4 overall)
Skinny: Although losing all-star quarterback Ja'Brae Boyer hurts, the return of Josh Calhoon (2024) will carry the Bears forward. Calhoon rushed for over 1,200-yards last season.
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No. 6 Loving Falcons (7-4 overall)
No. 7 Tularosa Wildcats (4-7 overall)
No. 8 Escalante Lobos (5-6 overall)
No. 9 Hagerman Bobcats (2-8 overall)
No. 10 Capitan Tigers (1-9 overall)
No. 11 Laguna-Acoma Hawks (3-7 overall)
No. 12 Mescalero Apache Chiefs (2-8 overall)
NO. 1 TEXICO WOLVERINES (Last season: 9-4 overall)
Skinny: The Wolverines are loaded and have a handful of must-see players that contributed to the 2022 state runner up team. Cade Figg (2024), Alex Fuentes (2025) and Taye Smith (2025) create a trio that should have the Wolverines playing on the final day again.
NO. 2 EUNICE CARDINALS (Last season: 7-4 overall)
Skinny: The Cardinals will be a major threat to return as the top team in 2A with 2026 quarterback Elijah Melancon returning. Melancon passed for 2,182 yards and 31 touchdowns as a freshman.
NO. 3 SANTA ROSA LIONS (Last season: 9-3 overall)
Skinny: The Lions are coming off a successful 2022 season and will need to fill holes. Nicolas Chavez (2024) and Jykub Gage (2024) look to continue the success built in 2022.
NO. 4 JAL PANTHERS (Last season: 13-0 overall)
Skinny: The Panthers lose two players that will go down as the best ever in school history and class 2A football. Two players for next season are Brandon Houston (2024) and Jesus Carreon (2024) who helped guide a tough defense.
NO. 5 ESTANCIA BEARS (Last season: 7-4 overall)
Skinny: Although losing all-star quarterback Ja'Brae Boyer hurts, the return of Josh Calhoon (2024) will carry the Bears forward. Calhoon rushed for over 1,200-yards last season.
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No. 6 Loving Falcons (7-4 overall)
No. 7 Tularosa Wildcats (4-7 overall)
No. 8 Escalante Lobos (5-6 overall)
No. 9 Hagerman Bobcats (2-8 overall)
No. 10 Capitan Tigers (1-9 overall)
No. 11 Laguna-Acoma Hawks (3-7 overall)
No. 12 Mescalero Apache Chiefs (2-8 overall)
