5A Football: Way-too-early preseason rankings
NMPreps.com's early preseason rankings before the 2020 (2021 Spring) season. The rankings will change before the Spring season.
NO. 18 CHAPARRAL LOBOS
After a 6-4 season in 2017, the Lobos have gone 1-18 in the last two seasons' including going 0-9 overall and 0-3 in district play in 2019. The Lobos struggled on both sides of the ball and appeared outmatched in each contest. If we are looking for good from last season, the Lobos gave some experience to younger prospects last season. Quarterback Peter Castro (2022) earned some experience and could be one to watch moving forward. Look for Bryan Cordero and Martin Adame to carry the Lobos this season as two experienced 2021 OL/DL prospects. New head coach Gilbert Rojas knows the uphill battle he will have this season.
NO. 17 LOS ALAMOS HILLTOPPERS
Los Alamos is a tough job and the Hilltoppers are looking to sit near the bottom 5A Football again this season. The Hilltoppers went 3-7 overall and 0-3 in district play. The three wins came against 4A opponents and depending on the new seven game schedule they could be fighting for a win with their new district of Capital, Farmington, Miyamura, and Piedra Vista. It depends on the three non-district games but this could be a long season for the green and yellow. The good news for the team is returning mobile quarterback Tyler Weiss (2021) who had over 1,000 yards - passing and rushing. Alex Chavez (2021) also returns on defense for the Hilltoppers and will look to lead a new group. The Hilltoppers won't be a 'bad' team and they will compete but the order could be too much for them.
NO. 16 VALLEY VIKINGS
Things reached a low last season for the Vikings as they went 0-10 overall and had their third season under .500 in four years. The Vikings improved throughout the season and almost won the final game of the season, 28-25 loss at Valencia. The good news for the Vikings is they had a roster that would have many of the players returning this season. Gabriel Torres (2022/QB), Jesse Murphy (2021/RB), Andrew Lopez (2021/RB) and Ian Torres (2021/WR). The district will be tough but they could compete this coming season. Belen, Del Norte, Highland, and Los Lunas will make up the district slate for the Vikings.
NO. 15 BELEN EAGLES
The Eagles are in a rebuild right now and although they we have them starting at the 15th spot in our preseason ranking they could be an early climber. They'll battle with Del Norte and Highland for position in district play along with Valley for the runner up spot to defending champ Los Lunas. The Eagles will be in year two of head coach Ty House and the Eagles are hoping for a step forward in the process. The rebuilding is real though and the Eagles will need to replace their quarterback and some key members off the defense. There seems to be enough excitement in the returning players to have the Eagles thinking about playing LL for the DC. Leading running back Anthony Roybal returns for his senior season after going for 700 yards last season in eight games. Ben Hirschfeld (2021) took several snaps under center last season and likely the replacement as quarterback in 2021. The Eagles have potential to be a 3/4 win team in the 7-game season and possibly a playoff team. 5 to 6 wins would be ideal to make the post season this year though.
NO. 14 MIYAMURA PATRIOTS
The Patriots, initially, a little lower in the rankings around 11 or 12 but with the news that top 5A ranked quarterback Cael Stewart (2022) decided to transfer to Arizona it dropped a couple slots. Stewart, as a sophomore, threw for over 1,000-yards and showed plenty of promise. The season was a mess last season with the Patriots finishing with 2-wins, their head coach getting into trouble and eventually led to him being out as head coach. Welcome, new head coach Shelby Reeves and what could be a very young and inexperienced roster. The 2019 Patriots actually had plenty of seniors taking up starting or key roles that will mean building up depth and experience. A shortened season could play into their favor for a team that needs to rebuild. Jack Dowling (2021) and Sean-Matt Garcia (2021) could be a pair of all-district wide receivers and the names to know for the Patriots.
NO. 13 SANTA TERESA DESERT WARRRIORS
After registering three consecutive winning seasons the Desert Warriors are looking to continue success after going 7-3 overall (2-1 district) during the 2019 season. The Desert Warriors fell 27-26 in the first round last season, nearly winning a playoff game. Getting back to the playoffs will require some work as the district is stronger this season with the addition of Mayfield High School, which comes down from 6A. The good news is Head coach Shae Vierra returns quarterback Matthew Lopez (2021) and after a successful season under center. Lopez rushed for 900-yards and passed for another 700-yards creating high expectations with a mobile quarterback under Vierra as of late. The cherry on top for this team? They also return 2022 running back Adrian Rodriguez who went for 1,028-yards and 5 touchdowns last season. This Desert Warriors team could be a dark horse to getting into the playoffs and winning a game but they also have some excitement from a talented 2022 group. Right now I'd buy on ST.
NMPreps.com's early preseason rankings before the 2020 (2021 Spring) season. The rankings will change before the Spring season.
NO. 18 CHAPARRAL LOBOS
After a 6-4 season in 2017, the Lobos have gone 1-18 in the last two seasons' including going 0-9 overall and 0-3 in district play in 2019. The Lobos struggled on both sides of the ball and appeared outmatched in each contest. If we are looking for good from last season, the Lobos gave some experience to younger prospects last season. Quarterback Peter Castro (2022) earned some experience and could be one to watch moving forward. Look for Bryan Cordero and Martin Adame to carry the Lobos this season as two experienced 2021 OL/DL prospects. New head coach Gilbert Rojas knows the uphill battle he will have this season.
NO. 17 LOS ALAMOS HILLTOPPERS
Los Alamos is a tough job and the Hilltoppers are looking to sit near the bottom 5A Football again this season. The Hilltoppers went 3-7 overall and 0-3 in district play. The three wins came against 4A opponents and depending on the new seven game schedule they could be fighting for a win with their new district of Capital, Farmington, Miyamura, and Piedra Vista. It depends on the three non-district games but this could be a long season for the green and yellow. The good news for the team is returning mobile quarterback Tyler Weiss (2021) who had over 1,000 yards - passing and rushing. Alex Chavez (2021) also returns on defense for the Hilltoppers and will look to lead a new group. The Hilltoppers won't be a 'bad' team and they will compete but the order could be too much for them.
NO. 16 VALLEY VIKINGS
Things reached a low last season for the Vikings as they went 0-10 overall and had their third season under .500 in four years. The Vikings improved throughout the season and almost won the final game of the season, 28-25 loss at Valencia. The good news for the Vikings is they had a roster that would have many of the players returning this season. Gabriel Torres (2022/QB), Jesse Murphy (2021/RB), Andrew Lopez (2021/RB) and Ian Torres (2021/WR). The district will be tough but they could compete this coming season. Belen, Del Norte, Highland, and Los Lunas will make up the district slate for the Vikings.
NO. 15 BELEN EAGLES
The Eagles are in a rebuild right now and although they we have them starting at the 15th spot in our preseason ranking they could be an early climber. They'll battle with Del Norte and Highland for position in district play along with Valley for the runner up spot to defending champ Los Lunas. The Eagles will be in year two of head coach Ty House and the Eagles are hoping for a step forward in the process. The rebuilding is real though and the Eagles will need to replace their quarterback and some key members off the defense. There seems to be enough excitement in the returning players to have the Eagles thinking about playing LL for the DC. Leading running back Anthony Roybal returns for his senior season after going for 700 yards last season in eight games. Ben Hirschfeld (2021) took several snaps under center last season and likely the replacement as quarterback in 2021. The Eagles have potential to be a 3/4 win team in the 7-game season and possibly a playoff team. 5 to 6 wins would be ideal to make the post season this year though.
NO. 14 MIYAMURA PATRIOTS
The Patriots, initially, a little lower in the rankings around 11 or 12 but with the news that top 5A ranked quarterback Cael Stewart (2022) decided to transfer to Arizona it dropped a couple slots. Stewart, as a sophomore, threw for over 1,000-yards and showed plenty of promise. The season was a mess last season with the Patriots finishing with 2-wins, their head coach getting into trouble and eventually led to him being out as head coach. Welcome, new head coach Shelby Reeves and what could be a very young and inexperienced roster. The 2019 Patriots actually had plenty of seniors taking up starting or key roles that will mean building up depth and experience. A shortened season could play into their favor for a team that needs to rebuild. Jack Dowling (2021) and Sean-Matt Garcia (2021) could be a pair of all-district wide receivers and the names to know for the Patriots.
NO. 13 SANTA TERESA DESERT WARRRIORS
After registering three consecutive winning seasons the Desert Warriors are looking to continue success after going 7-3 overall (2-1 district) during the 2019 season. The Desert Warriors fell 27-26 in the first round last season, nearly winning a playoff game. Getting back to the playoffs will require some work as the district is stronger this season with the addition of Mayfield High School, which comes down from 6A. The good news is Head coach Shae Vierra returns quarterback Matthew Lopez (2021) and after a successful season under center. Lopez rushed for 900-yards and passed for another 700-yards creating high expectations with a mobile quarterback under Vierra as of late. The cherry on top for this team? They also return 2022 running back Adrian Rodriguez who went for 1,028-yards and 5 touchdowns last season. This Desert Warriors team could be a dark horse to getting into the playoffs and winning a game but they also have some excitement from a talented 2022 group. Right now I'd buy on ST.
Last edited:
