NMPreps 2024 New Mexico High School Football Preseason (Way-Too-Early) Team Rankings: Laguna-Acoma Hawks
As we dive into the intricate tapestry of New Mexico high school football, our spotlight today is on the Laguna-Acoma Hawks, a team brimming with potential and poised for a new chapter in the upcoming 2024 season. With a preseason rank of #16 in the 2A category and an overall standing of #88, the Hawks are gearing up to redefine their narrative on the gridiron.
Team Overview: Laguna-Acoma Hawks
The Hawks concluded the 2023 season on a high note with a resounding 60-14 victory over Hozho Academy, breaking a three-game losing streak. Notable triumphs over Zuni (3A) and Newcomb (2A), a now-district rival, highlighted their potential. Boasting a roster predominantly comprised of underclassmen, the Hawks are poised to build upon their foundation and showcase their prowess in the upcoming 2024 campaign.
Offense Outlook:
Quarterback Derek Victorino Jr. returns as a dynamic force, having thrown for 810 yards and 8 touchdowns in his junior year. Leading the team in rushing with 395 yards and 6 rushing touchdowns, Victorino Jr. is set to spearhead the Hawks' offensive charge. The emergence of sophomores Dailey and Tiller in the previous season hints at a formidable offense, promising breakout performances in the 2A football landscape.
Defensive Outlook:
The defensive lineup features standout players in Victorino Jr., Dailey, and Tiller, complemented by the prowess of the Deutawe brothers. Tiller, with an impressive 79 total tackles (46 solo) in 2023, anchors a defense that holds promise and intrigue for the upcoming season.
Realistic Expectations:
Despite a sense of being undervalued in the rankings, the Hawks are ready to prove their mettle on the field. The district showdowns, particularly against a Newcomb team they defeated convincingly, will be pivotal in determining the accuracy of this way-too-early prediction. The newly formed District 1-3A poses challenges with teams like Cuba, Hozho Academy (#17), McCurdy, Navajo Prep, and Newcomb. The Hawks' path to the playoffs hinges on overcoming the competition in this six-team district. If they harness their potential over the summer, the Hawks could emerge as a rising force in the 2A football landscape. Stay tuned as we closely follow the journey of the Laguna-Acoma Hawks in the upcoming season.
Prediction: 1-9 overall, 1-4 district*
--*When schedules are released we will give another preseason prediction
NMPreps 89-Team Rankings for the 2024 Season
#89 - Hozho Academy - Preview
As we dive into the intricate tapestry of New Mexico high school football, our spotlight today is on the Laguna-Acoma Hawks, a team brimming with potential and poised for a new chapter in the upcoming 2024 season. With a preseason rank of #16 in the 2A category and an overall standing of #88, the Hawks are gearing up to redefine their narrative on the gridiron.
Team Overview: Laguna-Acoma Hawks
- Location: Casa Blanca, NM
- Preseason Rank: #16 (2A) / #88 (overall)
- 2023 Record: 3-7 overall, 0-3 district
- Points Scored: 205
- Points Given Up: 343
- Key Offensive Players: Derek Victorino Jr., QB (2025); Jayden Dailey, RB (2026); Kahi Tiller, RB (2026)
- Key Defensive Players: Kahi Tiller, LB (2026); Jayden Dailey, LB (2026); Derek Victorino Jr. (2025); Marshall Deutawe (2026); Sean Deutawe (2025)
The Hawks concluded the 2023 season on a high note with a resounding 60-14 victory over Hozho Academy, breaking a three-game losing streak. Notable triumphs over Zuni (3A) and Newcomb (2A), a now-district rival, highlighted their potential. Boasting a roster predominantly comprised of underclassmen, the Hawks are poised to build upon their foundation and showcase their prowess in the upcoming 2024 campaign.
Offense Outlook:
Quarterback Derek Victorino Jr. returns as a dynamic force, having thrown for 810 yards and 8 touchdowns in his junior year. Leading the team in rushing with 395 yards and 6 rushing touchdowns, Victorino Jr. is set to spearhead the Hawks' offensive charge. The emergence of sophomores Dailey and Tiller in the previous season hints at a formidable offense, promising breakout performances in the 2A football landscape.
Defensive Outlook:
The defensive lineup features standout players in Victorino Jr., Dailey, and Tiller, complemented by the prowess of the Deutawe brothers. Tiller, with an impressive 79 total tackles (46 solo) in 2023, anchors a defense that holds promise and intrigue for the upcoming season.
Realistic Expectations:
Despite a sense of being undervalued in the rankings, the Hawks are ready to prove their mettle on the field. The district showdowns, particularly against a Newcomb team they defeated convincingly, will be pivotal in determining the accuracy of this way-too-early prediction. The newly formed District 1-3A poses challenges with teams like Cuba, Hozho Academy (#17), McCurdy, Navajo Prep, and Newcomb. The Hawks' path to the playoffs hinges on overcoming the competition in this six-team district. If they harness their potential over the summer, the Hawks could emerge as a rising force in the 2A football landscape. Stay tuned as we closely follow the journey of the Laguna-Acoma Hawks in the upcoming season.
Prediction: 1-9 overall, 1-4 district*
--*When schedules are released we will give another preseason prediction
NMPreps 89-Team Rankings for the 2024 Season
#89 - Hozho Academy - Preview
