Newcomb Skyhawks 2024 Season Preview
NMPreps Preseason Ranking: #80
NMPreps continues to release our very 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
Playoffs: Missed
Points Scored: 212
Points Given Up: 235
Streak into 2024: 1-game losing streak
The Newcomb Skyhawks experienced a season of highs and lows in 2023. The beginning of the season looked bleak, as they started 0-4 with heavy losses to Laguna-Acoma (40-6), Moriarty (54-0), Cuba (28-6), and Crownpoint (12-6). Early challenges, possibly due to missing key players, made it seem like the season might be a wash.
However, the Skyhawks turned a corner midseason, winning four of their next five games. They snapped their four-game losing streak with a dominant 40-0 win over Shiprock, followed by a 60-6 victory against Wingate. Despite suffering a 37-0 loss to Thoreau, the team showed resilience as they entered district play.
In District 1-3A action, Newcomb secured consecutive wins against Tohatchi (18-14) and Zuni (40-6), positioning themselves for a potential playoff run. Unfortunately, their season ended on a heartbreaking note with a 38-36 overtime loss to Navajo Prep, which dashed their playoff hopes and cost them the district championship.
2026 RBs Colt Yazzie and Landon Noble, who combined for 300 yards last season, will be crucial in stepping up to fill the void in the backfield. Noble also found the end zone, showing promise for the upcoming season. Kinjii Natonabah (2025) adds another dimension to the running game, having averaged an impressive 7.3 yards per carry on 12 attempts, totaling 87 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Natonabah will be a key player, teaming up with Darium Peshlakai (2026), Zakkius Negale (2025), and Michael Fasthorse (2025). Natonabah led the team in tackles with 69 total, including 54 solo tackles, showcasing his ability to anchor the defense. Negale was a disruptive force on the line, recording 5 sacks and 8 hurries, and will be counted on to apply pressure in the backfield once again.
The Skyhawks' defensive unit will need to build on their individual successes to create a cohesive and formidable front, capable of keeping the team competitive in a tough district. With returning talent on both sides of the ball, Newcomb has the potential to leverage their experience and physicality to make a significant impact in the 2024 season
With a 4-6 record last season, the Skyhawks showed resilience after a tough start, and their ability to bounce back mid-season is a positive sign. The 2024 schedule sets the stage for a promising start, with the Skyhawks hosting Wingate (ranked 84th in NMPreps 2024 preseason rankings) and Santa Fe Indian (83rd), followed by games against Gallup, Tohatchi (81st), and Loving in non-district play.
Their new District 1-2A includes Cuba, Hozho Academy (ranked 89th), Laguna-Acoma (88th), McCurdy, and Navajo Prep, offering a mix of competition that the Skyhawks can navigate with their ground-heavy offensive strategy and solid defensive returners.
While replacing nearly 1,500 rushing yards from graduated seniors is a tall order, the promising performances of Colt Yazzie, Landon Noble, and Kinjii Natonabah in limited roles last season suggest that the running game can remain a strength. On defense, Natonabah, along with Peshlakai, Negale, and Fasthorse, forms a solid core that can anchor the team.
Realistically, the Skyhawks have the potential to be competitive in their new district and the need to integrate new starters into key roles may present challenges. Our very early prediction is a 4-6 overall record, similar to last season, with the possibility of missing the playoffs. However, if they can hit the ground running and build momentum early, particularly with their favorable opening matchups, they might just surprise a few teams and exceed expectations.
Continue
2024 Preseason Rankings
NMPreps Preseason Ranking: #80
NMPreps continues to release our very 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: 4-6 overall, 2-1 districtPlayoffs: Missed
Points Scored: 212
Points Given Up: 235
Streak into 2024: 1-game losing streak
The Newcomb Skyhawks experienced a season of highs and lows in 2023. The beginning of the season looked bleak, as they started 0-4 with heavy losses to Laguna-Acoma (40-6), Moriarty (54-0), Cuba (28-6), and Crownpoint (12-6). Early challenges, possibly due to missing key players, made it seem like the season might be a wash.
However, the Skyhawks turned a corner midseason, winning four of their next five games. They snapped their four-game losing streak with a dominant 40-0 win over Shiprock, followed by a 60-6 victory against Wingate. Despite suffering a 37-0 loss to Thoreau, the team showed resilience as they entered district play.
In District 1-3A action, Newcomb secured consecutive wins against Tohatchi (18-14) and Zuni (40-6), positioning themselves for a potential playoff run. Unfortunately, their season ended on a heartbreaking note with a 38-36 overtime loss to Navajo Prep, which dashed their playoff hopes and cost them the district championship.
Offensive/Defensive Outlook
For the Skyhawks in 2023, it was no secret that their offensive strategy centered around a strong ground game. Senior quarterback LaDanian John had a limited role in the passing attack, with only 32 attempts for 106 yards and 3 passing touchdowns. Instead, Newcomb leaned heavily on their rushing game, accumulating over 2,000 yards on the ground. However, with nearly 1,500 of those yards produced by now-graduated seniors, the team faces a significant challenge in replacing that production.2026 RBs Colt Yazzie and Landon Noble, who combined for 300 yards last season, will be crucial in stepping up to fill the void in the backfield. Noble also found the end zone, showing promise for the upcoming season. Kinjii Natonabah (2025) adds another dimension to the running game, having averaged an impressive 7.3 yards per carry on 12 attempts, totaling 87 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Natonabah will be a key player, teaming up with Darium Peshlakai (2026), Zakkius Negale (2025), and Michael Fasthorse (2025). Natonabah led the team in tackles with 69 total, including 54 solo tackles, showcasing his ability to anchor the defense. Negale was a disruptive force on the line, recording 5 sacks and 8 hurries, and will be counted on to apply pressure in the backfield once again.
The Skyhawks' defensive unit will need to build on their individual successes to create a cohesive and formidable front, capable of keeping the team competitive in a tough district. With returning talent on both sides of the ball, Newcomb has the potential to leverage their experience and physicality to make a significant impact in the 2024 season
Realistic Expectations
"Turn the page," as Bob Seger famously sang, and that's precisely what the Newcomb Skyhawks will aim to do in the 2024 season as they transition from 3A to 2A football. This move presents new challenges and opportunities, with the Skyhawks looking to capitalize on a mix of returning talent and a fresh start in a new district.With a 4-6 record last season, the Skyhawks showed resilience after a tough start, and their ability to bounce back mid-season is a positive sign. The 2024 schedule sets the stage for a promising start, with the Skyhawks hosting Wingate (ranked 84th in NMPreps 2024 preseason rankings) and Santa Fe Indian (83rd), followed by games against Gallup, Tohatchi (81st), and Loving in non-district play.
Their new District 1-2A includes Cuba, Hozho Academy (ranked 89th), Laguna-Acoma (88th), McCurdy, and Navajo Prep, offering a mix of competition that the Skyhawks can navigate with their ground-heavy offensive strategy and solid defensive returners.
While replacing nearly 1,500 rushing yards from graduated seniors is a tall order, the promising performances of Colt Yazzie, Landon Noble, and Kinjii Natonabah in limited roles last season suggest that the running game can remain a strength. On defense, Natonabah, along with Peshlakai, Negale, and Fasthorse, forms a solid core that can anchor the team.
Realistically, the Skyhawks have the potential to be competitive in their new district and the need to integrate new starters into key roles may present challenges. Our very early prediction is a 4-6 overall record, similar to last season, with the possibility of missing the playoffs. However, if they can hit the ground running and build momentum early, particularly with their favorable opening matchups, they might just surprise a few teams and exceed expectations.
Continue
2024 Preseason Rankings
