Wingate Bears 2024 Season Preview
NMPreps Preseason Ranking: #84NMPreps 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: 3-7 overall, 0-3 districtPlayoffs: Missed
Points Scored: 162
Points Given Up: 319
Streak into 2024: 3-game losing streak
The Wingate Bears started the 2023 season with promise, winning their first two games. However, they only managed one more win throughout the season, finishing with a 3-7 record. Despite a competitive showing in their first district game, losing 26-20 in overtime to Crownpoint, the Bears struggled, dropping their next two district games 30-6 to Cuba and 50-0 to Thoreau. They would ultimately miss out on the 2023 playoffs.
Offensive/Defensive Outlook
The Bears enter the 2024 season needing to replace several key players, including quarterback Dylan Clark and standout players Darrius Begay and Titus Moran. LaDanion Begay, who earned some snaps at quarterback last season, is likely the favorite to take over under center. Eric Woodman showed promise at both running back and linebacker, while Alex Lee will return to add depth on defense at the linebacker position. Senior Arwin Thompson will provide experience in the secondary, positioning the defense as a potential strength for the Bears. The offensive and defensive lines will need to fill the void left by Austin Gordo, but Hezekiah Kazhe (2027), along with seniors Cassius Holiday and Isaac Sandoval, are expected to be instrumental.Realistic Expectations
While the full 2024 schedule is not yet available, we do know the Bears will play in the newly formed District 1-3A, which includes Crownpoint, Gallup, Shiprock, Thoreau, Tohatchi, Wingate, and Zuni. If the Bears can mesh well, they have a shot at finishing in the middle of the pack with a 3-3 district record. Earning a couple of non-district wins could see them finish the season at .500, with a 5-5 overall record, marking significant improvement. However, without knowing the full schedule, our realistic expectation for the Bears is another 3-7 season, though this could change once the complete schedule is revealed.Continue
2024 Preseason Rankings
