1. Metro Showdown: Biggest game of the season on opening night? La Cueva is ranked No. 2 and Volcano Vista No. 3 as we head into the post season.Our readers feel that Volcano Vista is the number one contender picking them to play in the State Championship this season. La Cueva, although they won it all last season and have only lost two games in two years is somehow the pick against this season. Also, add in the fact that La Cueva features maybe one of the best WR cores we've seen. Volcano Vista does feature it's best team in the program history but they do have a tall task in the opening weekend. Will this be the first meeting with a late November/early December sequel?
2. Eddy County War Has New-ish Quarterbacks: Artesia will feature Clay Houghtaling under center this season from the get-go. Houghtaling started out as QB-2 behind Trent Taylor last season but would eventually throw for 1,402 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. For the Cavemen they return to quarterback Kaden Smith who won a pair of games, including the ECW last season, returns as QB-1 after suffering an injury last season. Which quarterback has the bigger outing? Smith likely to use his legs more and Houghtaling his arm; Smith will be under a new OL and Houghtaling returns a couple quality WR but many will be new.
3. New era in Hobbs. Can Stevens continue winning? The Clovis Wildcats have won the last five meetings and pretty much controlled this regional rivalry. The last Hobbs won in this series back in 2013, a 30-28 win. The Hobbs Eagles have a new head coach in Ken Stevens who led the Eunice Cardinals to consecutive titles and has won the last 25 games as a head coach. Just beat Clovis. The Eagles will have plenty of new this season replacing their quarterback along with a senior heavy defense from last season. This could be more of a shopping list this season for the Eagles as the Stevens era begins with a bare cupboard.
4. Real or No Deal: Folks were quick to jump on our way too early rankings that Hope Christian will reload instead of rebuild. This is what they have to replace: Nick Henry, who passed for 1,500 yards, Vince Quezada who did everything from throwing, receiving, kicking and rushing. The defense does have some pieces but overall the Huskies may have graduated one of their best teams. Here is what they get in week one: the second ranked team in 4A football in the Portales Rams that features one of the best defensive lines in the state. A new Hope offense could struggle early against the Rams.
2. Eddy County War Has New-ish Quarterbacks: Artesia will feature Clay Houghtaling under center this season from the get-go. Houghtaling started out as QB-2 behind Trent Taylor last season but would eventually throw for 1,402 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. For the Cavemen they return to quarterback Kaden Smith who won a pair of games, including the ECW last season, returns as QB-1 after suffering an injury last season. Which quarterback has the bigger outing? Smith likely to use his legs more and Houghtaling his arm; Smith will be under a new OL and Houghtaling returns a couple quality WR but many will be new.
3. New era in Hobbs. Can Stevens continue winning? The Clovis Wildcats have won the last five meetings and pretty much controlled this regional rivalry. The last Hobbs won in this series back in 2013, a 30-28 win. The Hobbs Eagles have a new head coach in Ken Stevens who led the Eunice Cardinals to consecutive titles and has won the last 25 games as a head coach. Just beat Clovis. The Eagles will have plenty of new this season replacing their quarterback along with a senior heavy defense from last season. This could be more of a shopping list this season for the Eagles as the Stevens era begins with a bare cupboard.
4. Real or No Deal: Folks were quick to jump on our way too early rankings that Hope Christian will reload instead of rebuild. This is what they have to replace: Nick Henry, who passed for 1,500 yards, Vince Quezada who did everything from throwing, receiving, kicking and rushing. The defense does have some pieces but overall the Huskies may have graduated one of their best teams. Here is what they get in week one: the second ranked team in 4A football in the Portales Rams that features one of the best defensive lines in the state. A new Hope offense could struggle early against the Rams.
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