Cibola Cougars 2024 Preseason Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #26
NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps
2023 Playoffs: Missed
Points Scored: 119
Points Given Up: 397
Streak into 2024: 15-game losing streak
2024 Classification: District 1-6A
2023 Season Recap: A Challenging Year of Transition
The 2023 season marked the beginning of a new era under head coach Chris Howe, and while the Cougars didn’t secure a win, they showed resilience against a tough slate of opponents. The season kicked off with a 41-20 loss to 6A Eldorado, followed by a close 15-3 defeat against 5A Valley. The Cougars faced a scorching hot West Mesa team next, falling 46-20, before dropping their home opener to Farmington 39-0. A challenging road game against Piedra Vista resulted in a 41-7 loss.
In their district opener, Cibola fought hard but came up short against Atrisco Heritage, losing 36-25 to a team enjoying one of its best seasons. The Cougars then faced the gauntlet of District 1-6A, suffering losses to Volcano Vista (60-14), Rio Rancho (48-17), and Cleveland (61-7). They closed the season with a non-district matchup against Sandia, narrowly missing a victory in a 10-6 defeat, extending their losing streak to 15 games dating back to the 2022 season.
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NMPreps Preseason Rank: #26
NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps
2023 Season Review
Record: 0-10 overall, 0-4 district2023 Playoffs: Missed
Points Scored: 119
Points Given Up: 397
Streak into 2024: 15-game losing streak
2024 Classification: District 1-6A
2023 Season Recap: A Challenging Year of Transition
The 2023 season marked the beginning of a new era under head coach Chris Howe, and while the Cougars didn’t secure a win, they showed resilience against a tough slate of opponents. The season kicked off with a 41-20 loss to 6A Eldorado, followed by a close 15-3 defeat against 5A Valley. The Cougars faced a scorching hot West Mesa team next, falling 46-20, before dropping their home opener to Farmington 39-0. A challenging road game against Piedra Vista resulted in a 41-7 loss.
In their district opener, Cibola fought hard but came up short against Atrisco Heritage, losing 36-25 to a team enjoying one of its best seasons. The Cougars then faced the gauntlet of District 1-6A, suffering losses to Volcano Vista (60-14), Rio Rancho (48-17), and Cleveland (61-7). They closed the season with a non-district matchup against Sandia, narrowly missing a victory in a 10-6 defeat, extending their losing streak to 15 games dating back to the 2022 season.
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2024 Outlook: Offensive & Defensive Players to Watch
There’s reason for optimism as the Cibola Cougars aim to end their losing streak in 2024. One of the top 2026 prospects, linebacker Hayes Baum, returns to anchor the defense. Ranked #11 (NMPreps100) in the state, Baum had an impressive sophomore season, recording 123 tackles, 19 tackles for loss (TFL), and 6 sacks. His standout performance last season caught the attention of many, and he will be a key player in the Cougars' defensive efforts moving forward.This is premium content. Please subscribe to view.
