Lovington Wildcats 2024 Preseason Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #23
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: 4A State Champions
Points Scored: 513
Points Given Up: 383
Streak into 2024: 7-game win streak
2024 Classification: District 2-5A
The season kicked off with two tough losses against 5A Roswell (45-18) and Seminole, TX (76-21). However, the Wildcats quickly rebounded with a dominant 58-7 victory over 5A Santa Teresa and a hard-fought 26-23 win against 6A Hobbs. Momentum continued as they triumphed on the road against Denver City, TX (51-48) but faced another setback against 5A powerhouse Artesia (44-0).
From there, the Wildcats caught fire, beginning a seven-game win streak that showcased their resilience and determination. They posted a commanding 62-20 victory over 6A Santa Fe before sweeping through district play with wins over Bernalillo (47-26), Albuquerque Academy (47-26), and Portales (29-21).
Entering the 4A State Playoffs as the 2-seed, Lovington dominated the competition, starting with a 52-0 rout of 7-seed Española Valley, followed by a 45-26 win over 3-seed Silver. In the state championship game, they met district rival and 4-seed Portales, where they delivered a decisive 57-21 victory to claim the title. The Wildcats finished their remarkable season with a 10-3 overall record.
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Gomez was a dynamic force last season, throwing for over 3,600 yards and 51 touchdowns. Thompson, the reigning New Mexico Mr. Football, was a dual-threat on both sides of the ball, amassing over 1,100 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns on offense.
Despite these losses, the Wildcats return several key players who will be critical to their success in 2024. Camon Ochoa (2025) is expected to be a focal point of the offense after rushing for 742 yards and 9 touchdowns last season. Alec Holguin (2025) also returns, adding 365 yards and 3 touchdowns to his resume.
The QB1 role is up for grabs, with Patrick Sanchez (2025) and Matthew Prudencio (2025) both seeing limited action last season and likely in contention for the starting job. At WR, Elijah Rivero (2026) will be a key target after a standout sophomore season, racking up 823 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.
Defensively, the Wildcats will need to replace several starters, but they bring back important contributors like Kyler Reaves (2026), Ochoa, and Sanchez. Reaves was a tackling machine last season with 77 total tackles (TT) and 12.5 tackles for loss (TFL). Sanchez added 5.5 sacks and 46 TT, while Holguin and Jayden Gutierrez (2026) each tallied 4 interceptions.
Lovington’s non-district schedule is equally daunting. They open the season on August 23rd against 6A Hobbs, followed by a rematch against 4A Portales, the team they defeated in the 2023 4A State Championship, on August 30th. The Wildcats then face a road test against 6A Carlsbad on September 6th.
District play kicks off on September 13th against Roswell, followed by a trip to Goddard on September 20th, and a home game against Artesia on September 27th. The Wildcats will then host Mayfield on October 4th before closing out the district slate with games against Gadsden (October 18th), Deming (October 25th), and Santa Teresa (November 1st).
Given the jump in classification and the strength of their new district, the Wildcats face an uphill battle in 2024. NMPreps’ preseason prediction projects Lovington to finish with a 4-6 overall record, a respectable outcome given the circumstances. However, with a new coach at the helm in Josh Bailey and a roster filled with young talent, the Wildcats could surprise, especially if their key players step up in big moments.
More Previews: New Mexico HS Football 2024 Preseason Rankings (link)
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #23
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: 10-3 overall, 3-0 district2023 Playoffs: 4A State Champions
Points Scored: 513
Points Given Up: 383
Streak into 2024: 7-game win streak
2024 Classification: District 2-5A
2023 Season Recap: "Wildcats Roar to 4A Glory"
The 2023 season for the Lovington Wildcats was nothing short of spectacular. The Wildcats exploded onto the scene, amassing over 500 points on their way to claiming the 4A State Championship. Leading the charge was Rivals & NMPreps 2023 New Mexico Mr. Football award winner, Demarcus Thompson, who was instrumental in Lovington’s success.The season kicked off with two tough losses against 5A Roswell (45-18) and Seminole, TX (76-21). However, the Wildcats quickly rebounded with a dominant 58-7 victory over 5A Santa Teresa and a hard-fought 26-23 win against 6A Hobbs. Momentum continued as they triumphed on the road against Denver City, TX (51-48) but faced another setback against 5A powerhouse Artesia (44-0).
From there, the Wildcats caught fire, beginning a seven-game win streak that showcased their resilience and determination. They posted a commanding 62-20 victory over 6A Santa Fe before sweeping through district play with wins over Bernalillo (47-26), Albuquerque Academy (47-26), and Portales (29-21).
Entering the 4A State Playoffs as the 2-seed, Lovington dominated the competition, starting with a 52-0 rout of 7-seed Española Valley, followed by a 45-26 win over 3-seed Silver. In the state championship game, they met district rival and 4-seed Portales, where they delivered a decisive 57-21 victory to claim the title. The Wildcats finished their remarkable season with a 10-3 overall record.
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2024 Outlook: Offensive & Defensive Players to Watch
The Wildcats enter the 2024 season facing significant changes, with a new head coach and key positions to fill. Josh Bailey, stepping in as a first-time head coach, will look to guide Lovington as they navigate a new classification and district. Bailey, a former Lovington assistant, inherits a team that will be without some of its top talent from the 2023 season, including standout QB Wyatt Gomez and ATH Demarcus Thompson.Gomez was a dynamic force last season, throwing for over 3,600 yards and 51 touchdowns. Thompson, the reigning New Mexico Mr. Football, was a dual-threat on both sides of the ball, amassing over 1,100 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns on offense.
Despite these losses, the Wildcats return several key players who will be critical to their success in 2024. Camon Ochoa (2025) is expected to be a focal point of the offense after rushing for 742 yards and 9 touchdowns last season. Alec Holguin (2025) also returns, adding 365 yards and 3 touchdowns to his resume.
The QB1 role is up for grabs, with Patrick Sanchez (2025) and Matthew Prudencio (2025) both seeing limited action last season and likely in contention for the starting job. At WR, Elijah Rivero (2026) will be a key target after a standout sophomore season, racking up 823 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.
Defensively, the Wildcats will need to replace several starters, but they bring back important contributors like Kyler Reaves (2026), Ochoa, and Sanchez. Reaves was a tackling machine last season with 77 total tackles (TT) and 12.5 tackles for loss (TFL). Sanchez added 5.5 sacks and 46 TT, while Holguin and Jayden Gutierrez (2026) each tallied 4 interceptions.
Realistic Expectations and Predictions
The 2024 season presents a transition for the Lovington Wildcats as they move up from 4A to 5A, stepping into one of the state’s most challenging districts, District 2-5A. This district is home to New Mexico high school football powerhouses such as Artesia, Roswell, and Goddard, programs with a combined championship legacy that’s hard to match, actually I don't think any district can match the total number of titles.Lovington’s non-district schedule is equally daunting. They open the season on August 23rd against 6A Hobbs, followed by a rematch against 4A Portales, the team they defeated in the 2023 4A State Championship, on August 30th. The Wildcats then face a road test against 6A Carlsbad on September 6th.
District play kicks off on September 13th against Roswell, followed by a trip to Goddard on September 20th, and a home game against Artesia on September 27th. The Wildcats will then host Mayfield on October 4th before closing out the district slate with games against Gadsden (October 18th), Deming (October 25th), and Santa Teresa (November 1st).
Given the jump in classification and the strength of their new district, the Wildcats face an uphill battle in 2024. NMPreps’ preseason prediction projects Lovington to finish with a 4-6 overall record, a respectable outcome given the circumstances. However, with a new coach at the helm in Josh Bailey and a roster filled with young talent, the Wildcats could surprise, especially if their key players step up in big moments.
More Previews: New Mexico HS Football 2024 Preseason Rankings (link)
