5 Wild Card Teams in 2016
Joshua J Grine of NMPreps.com
Today, we look at those "mystery" teams heading into the 2016 season. We know the favorites, mostly the powers, and we have an idea of some contenders. However, some teams are just hard to read and could be in the conversation of boom or bust.
CIBOLA COUGARS
Rod Williams was the talk last season as a dark horse that excelled expectations for the most part. Under WIlliams the Cougars have finished over .500 in each of his three seasons and avoid losses to graduation filling the holes automatically. Wild Card team because the District gets tougher, maybe three bids to state, but they return serious experience from Gannon Chavez who threw for 1,321-passing yards and a 907-rushing Running back in Kazyan Martin. Just how high can they go?
PIEDRA VISTA PANTHERS
Staying in 1-6A we look at the new member to the classification in the Panthers. The move UP is rarely an easy task however a playoff team (semi-finals) in 5A the Panthers also display some serious talent to compete early. They have the Texas Tech commit in 6-foot-6, 280 pound Dylan Weaver along with a talented running Quarterback by the name of Elijah Gamboa. However, only three - maybe four, go to state from 1-6A can they break the mold that soon?
RUIDOSO WARRIORS
On paper, Ruidoso has the roster and coaching staff to be back in the conversation to win it all. They return a QB who passed for 1,916-yards in Kyler Woodul, a running back who rushed for 1,317-yards in Cisco Mayville, and junior receiver who caught for 749-yards! That my NMPNation is more than enough to BUY on them. Now why would I have them as a Wild Card? Other programs are still good with the likes of Hatch Valley, Cobre, and Robertson along with District rival Portales.
DEL NORTE KNIGHTS
The Knights had their share of bad luck losing their top next level prospect at running back. They finished 2016 under .500 behind a difficult schedule but ended on a high note with a 42-0 win over Los Alamos and bear upset of Capital (22-15). You have to like that about the seasoning moving forward along with adding the play of 210 pound running back Avery See, but do they have to replace to many holes?
LOVINGTON WILDCATS
The drought in Wildcat country is alive after a 1-9 season and missing State since 2012. A new era begins at Lovington this fall, as Anthony Gonzlaes replaces longtime coach Jaime Quinones. The good news is the QB was only a junior and showed big signs of being a stud. The schedule is set up to allow for some success and, even in year one, the ceiling is always high in football country.
Joshua J Grine of NMPreps.com
Today, we look at those "mystery" teams heading into the 2016 season. We know the favorites, mostly the powers, and we have an idea of some contenders. However, some teams are just hard to read and could be in the conversation of boom or bust.
CIBOLA COUGARS
Rod Williams was the talk last season as a dark horse that excelled expectations for the most part. Under WIlliams the Cougars have finished over .500 in each of his three seasons and avoid losses to graduation filling the holes automatically. Wild Card team because the District gets tougher, maybe three bids to state, but they return serious experience from Gannon Chavez who threw for 1,321-passing yards and a 907-rushing Running back in Kazyan Martin. Just how high can they go?
PIEDRA VISTA PANTHERS
Staying in 1-6A we look at the new member to the classification in the Panthers. The move UP is rarely an easy task however a playoff team (semi-finals) in 5A the Panthers also display some serious talent to compete early. They have the Texas Tech commit in 6-foot-6, 280 pound Dylan Weaver along with a talented running Quarterback by the name of Elijah Gamboa. However, only three - maybe four, go to state from 1-6A can they break the mold that soon?
RUIDOSO WARRIORS
On paper, Ruidoso has the roster and coaching staff to be back in the conversation to win it all. They return a QB who passed for 1,916-yards in Kyler Woodul, a running back who rushed for 1,317-yards in Cisco Mayville, and junior receiver who caught for 749-yards! That my NMPNation is more than enough to BUY on them. Now why would I have them as a Wild Card? Other programs are still good with the likes of Hatch Valley, Cobre, and Robertson along with District rival Portales.
DEL NORTE KNIGHTS
The Knights had their share of bad luck losing their top next level prospect at running back. They finished 2016 under .500 behind a difficult schedule but ended on a high note with a 42-0 win over Los Alamos and bear upset of Capital (22-15). You have to like that about the seasoning moving forward along with adding the play of 210 pound running back Avery See, but do they have to replace to many holes?
LOVINGTON WILDCATS
The drought in Wildcat country is alive after a 1-9 season and missing State since 2012. A new era begins at Lovington this fall, as Anthony Gonzlaes replaces longtime coach Jaime Quinones. The good news is the QB was only a junior and showed big signs of being a stud. The schedule is set up to allow for some success and, even in year one, the ceiling is always high in football country.
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