Henderson: Breaking Down The Undefeated
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com
Cleveland Storm
Head Coach: Heath Ridenour
Best Offensive Player: Gabe Ortega, QB
Best Defensive Player: Roope Henry, LB
Record: 5-0
Points For: 249
Points Allowed: 63
Best Win: Beating El Paso Del Valle 52-36
Hendo's Overview: Cleveland is doing what Cleveland was supposed to do this year: Win big. The amount of talent they have on the roster made them the clear cut favorite to run the table, but as Coach Heath Ridenour said after the Sandia game which they won 42-7, "We don't have anything, we have to stay poor, hungry, and driven." On the season Senior Quarterback Gabe Ortega has thrown for 614-yards and 8 touchdowns, their leading rusher is Landry Hayes who has 359-yards, and their leading receiver is Marcus Williams who has hauled in 345-yards. Of course non of their offense could move a muscle if it were not for an outstanding offensive line, I've seen them play twice in person and they out-muscle every team on every down. On defense Roope Henry has looked like a D-1 linebacker, Sean Davis has been very good in the trenches, Brendon Armstead, Ryan Anderson, and Marcus Williams have also played key roles on defense. This week they head into a marquee match up against Eldorado, a team that beat them 57-56 in 2015 and a team that has won their last 15 out of 17 games. Volcano Vista, Cibola, and Rio Rancho also remain on their schedule, each capable of taking Cleveland down to the wire. I think they are good, not sure if they are great, but they are still my No. 1 vote each week.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Eldorado
W - Santa Fe
W - Volcano Vista
W - Cibola
? - Rio Rancho
Alamogordo Tigers
Head Coach: Dale Hooper
Best Offensive Player: Hunter Graham, RB
Best Defensive Player: Isaiah Saldana, LB
Record: 5-0
Points For: 268
Points Against: 54
Beat Win: Beating Mayfield 46-28
Hendo's Overview: When we discuss Coach of the Year, we must throw in Dale Hooper's name as I doubt there was anyone outside of their locker room that saw them 5-0 thus far. Sure, they have not played the toughest schedule out of the 6A elite, but they have proved themselves a contender and beating Mayfield in mid-September was a special win that teams can thrive off of for the remainder of the season. Their offense has been a juggernaut with Junior Quarterback Kyle Hooper throwing for 1,300-yards already in 5 games, their outside receivers our very sure-handed, I feel they have the best set of receivers I've seen live this season. What makes their offense really dangerous is Hunter Graham, their 200 pound running back who when he gets going, he's gone or he's going to run you over. They don't have a ton of notable defensive guys, but players like Isaiah Saldana and Peter Sanders have creating a wood-shed unit which has allowed just 10.8 points per game. Their remaining schedule is very difficult with games against Deming, Artesia (in Artesia), Carlsbad, Clovis, and Hobbs. They lost to all of those teams last year besides Deming.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Deming
? - Artesia
W - Carlsbad
? - Clovis
? - Hobbs
Eldorado Eagles
Head Coach: Charlie Dotson
Best Offensive Player: Jayce Jackson, QB
Best Defensive Player: Noah Sweitzer, LB
Record: 5-0
Points For: 243
Points Against: 57
Best Win: Beating Mayfield 49-28
Hendo's Overview: I knew Eldorado would be dangerous in 2015, but 5-0 with big wins against Volcano Vista and Mayfield I did not see coming. Coach Dotson said it best this summer during my campus visit, "With any good program, seniors want to win, and this team is no different than last years." That has always stuck with me and the seniors on this team and exceptional athletes. Last weekend against Mayfield Quarterback Jayce Jackson threw for 225-yards and 5 touchdowns, Linebacker Noah Sweitzer had 21 tackles on defense, one of their better players Isaiah Martinez did not play (for undisclosed reasons) and they whooped up on the Trojans. This game against Cleveland will be telling in the sense: is there anyone in New Mexico that can hang with Cleveland, but I don't think if they lose we just pencil them out as a contender, think they already proved they are the district favorite and are going to be there in the end as either a Elite 8 or a Final 4 Team.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
L - Cleveland
W - La Cueva
? - Sandia
W - Highland
W - Manzano
Centennial Hawks
Class 5A
Head Coach: Aaron Ocampo
Best Offensive Player: George Nino, OL
Best Defensive Player: Jerry Gurrola, DL
Record: 5-0
Points For: 267
Points Against: 117
Best Win: Beating Las Cruces 42-35
Hendo's Overview: I feel that Centennial wins games because of Coaching, two-platooning, and their size in the trenches. In my opinion I don't think they have the best skill position players. Sure they have a quarterback in Dante Lopez who has throw for over 920-yards, have Junior Pena as their do-it-all athlete, and running back Keith Jasso who has rushed for 370-yards, but they win up front in the trenches. George Nino at 320 and Cameron Burkley at 280 pounds anchor their offensive unit. Defensively Jake Boykin has been outstanding with 39 total tackles and Jerrmy Gurrola has 28 tackles with 5 sacks. Their schedule is very favorable from here on out, which could keep them healthy heading into the playoffs.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Los Lunas
W - Valencia
W - Chaparral
W - Belen
W - Santa Teresa
Artesia Bulldogs
Class 5A
Head Coach: Cooper Henderson
Best Offensive Player: Justin Houghtaling, QB
Best Defensive Player: Codey Scott, DL
Record: 5-0
Points For: 189
Points Against: 47
Best Win: Beating Hobbs 38-28
Hendo's Overview: The Artesia Bulldogs have won their last 17 out of 18 games if you can believe it. This year's group has been firing on all cylinders and has won each game with good margin. Their three game road trip ends with taking on the Las Cruces Bulldawgs, a game that is always tough and we've seen these two have some epic battles in the last 10-seasosns. On the season they have been propelled by 6-foot-5 Quarterback Justin Houghtaling who has thrown for over 1,000-yards, against Carlsbad he was 34-54 passing. Ethan Duff has been a new name at running back, really fast and also a good receiver. Their defense however, has been the real surprise, likely one of their best defensive units in the last few years. Guys like Codey Scott who has 10 sacks, Jacob Enriquez at backer, and Carlos Carrasco who has 4 interceptions each have the ability to make big plays. Is this team beatable, sure, but it's going to be a tough road to climb as they can score pretty much at will.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
? - Las Cruces
? - Alamogordo
W - Roswell
? - Goddard
W - Lovington
St. Pius X Sartans
Class 5A
Head Coach: San Juan Mendoza
Best Offensive Player: Drew Ortiz, QB
Record: 5-0
Points For: 206
Points Against: 33
Best Win: Defeating Miaymura 38-15
Hendo's Overview: I knew St. Pius X would be even better than their 8-win season in 2014, they returned a ton of talent. Last week they earned somewhat of a statement win against Miyamura winning 38-15 to get win number 5. Their schedule has been super light and that is why they are not getting more attention in the rankings. They beat 2-3 Del Norte, 1-4 Los Alamos, 2-3 Gallup, 0-5 Bernalillo before beating now 3-2 Miyamura. Their remaining schedule continues to be favorable with games against St. Michael's, Rio Grande, Lovington, Moriarty, and Grants. Good chances St. Pius X continues to run the table and ends the season 10-0, potentially landing a 1-2 seed come playoff time.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - St. Michael's
W - Rio Grande
? - @ Lovington
W - @ Moriarty
W - @ Grants
Espanola Sundevils
Class 5A
Head Coach: Miguel Medina
Best Offensive Player: Marcos Flores, ATH
Record: 5-0
Points For: 218
Points Against: 36
Best Win: Beating Gallup 42-22
Hendo's Overview: Just a week ago the NMPreps.com Nation voted Espanola No. 1 overall in a blind vote just going off numbers. I don't know if Espanola has ever been 5-0. Anyone? Their opening season win against El Paso Cathedral raised eyebrows, but since Cathedral has been pretty bad on the season, down year for them. They beat West Las Vegas 50-0, they beat Pojoaque 54-0, they beat Wingate 52-0. It's good to be building confidence and in years past these games are either shootouts for Espanola are losses, this year they are blowing past them like they should every year. They beat Gallup by good margin, but are these guys really good this year? Like top 10 good? Taos is likely the best team they have played this year and they are down in terms of their program, but we'll finally get a chance to see what they are made of when they take on Del Norte on Oct. 16th, they also play a rising Capital on October 30th. Espanola could really finish 8-2 this year or even 9-1.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Taos
? - Del Norte
W - Los Alamos
? - Capital
W - Bernalillo
Hatch Valley
Class 4A
Head Coach: Jack Cisco
Best Offensive Player: Adrian Grajeda, RB
Best Defensive Player: Austin Franzoy, LB
Points For: 236
Points Against: 56
Best Win: Beating Lordsburg 63-29
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Tularosa
W - Socorro
? - Silver
? - Cobre
W - Hot Springs
Portales Rams
Class 4A
Head Coach: Jamie Ramirez
Best Offensive Player: Bronte Staugaard, RB
Record: 5-0
Points For: 208
Points Against: 31
Best Win: Defeated Robertson 26-13
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Pojoaque
? - Hope Christian
W - Ruidoso
? - St. Mike's
W - NMMI
NMMI Colts
Class 4A
Head Coach: Randy Montoya
Points For: 133
Points Against: 29
Best Win: Defeated Hot Springs 23-17 OT
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Roswell JV
? - Ruidoso
L - St. Mike's
? - Academy
? - Hope Christian
L - Portales
Estancia Bears
Class 3A
Head Coach: Stewart Burnett
Record: 5-0
Points For: 242
Points Against: 67
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Tularosa
W - Clayton
W - Dulce
W - Cuba
W - Laguna Acoma
8Man
Melrose 5-0
Gateway Christian 5-0
6Man
Grady/San Jon 4-0
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com
Cleveland Storm
Head Coach: Heath Ridenour
Best Offensive Player: Gabe Ortega, QB
Best Defensive Player: Roope Henry, LB
Record: 5-0
Points For: 249
Points Allowed: 63
Best Win: Beating El Paso Del Valle 52-36
Hendo's Overview: Cleveland is doing what Cleveland was supposed to do this year: Win big. The amount of talent they have on the roster made them the clear cut favorite to run the table, but as Coach Heath Ridenour said after the Sandia game which they won 42-7, "We don't have anything, we have to stay poor, hungry, and driven." On the season Senior Quarterback Gabe Ortega has thrown for 614-yards and 8 touchdowns, their leading rusher is Landry Hayes who has 359-yards, and their leading receiver is Marcus Williams who has hauled in 345-yards. Of course non of their offense could move a muscle if it were not for an outstanding offensive line, I've seen them play twice in person and they out-muscle every team on every down. On defense Roope Henry has looked like a D-1 linebacker, Sean Davis has been very good in the trenches, Brendon Armstead, Ryan Anderson, and Marcus Williams have also played key roles on defense. This week they head into a marquee match up against Eldorado, a team that beat them 57-56 in 2015 and a team that has won their last 15 out of 17 games. Volcano Vista, Cibola, and Rio Rancho also remain on their schedule, each capable of taking Cleveland down to the wire. I think they are good, not sure if they are great, but they are still my No. 1 vote each week.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Eldorado
W - Santa Fe
W - Volcano Vista
W - Cibola
? - Rio Rancho
Alamogordo Tigers
Head Coach: Dale Hooper
Best Offensive Player: Hunter Graham, RB
Best Defensive Player: Isaiah Saldana, LB
Record: 5-0
Points For: 268
Points Against: 54
Beat Win: Beating Mayfield 46-28
Hendo's Overview: When we discuss Coach of the Year, we must throw in Dale Hooper's name as I doubt there was anyone outside of their locker room that saw them 5-0 thus far. Sure, they have not played the toughest schedule out of the 6A elite, but they have proved themselves a contender and beating Mayfield in mid-September was a special win that teams can thrive off of for the remainder of the season. Their offense has been a juggernaut with Junior Quarterback Kyle Hooper throwing for 1,300-yards already in 5 games, their outside receivers our very sure-handed, I feel they have the best set of receivers I've seen live this season. What makes their offense really dangerous is Hunter Graham, their 200 pound running back who when he gets going, he's gone or he's going to run you over. They don't have a ton of notable defensive guys, but players like Isaiah Saldana and Peter Sanders have creating a wood-shed unit which has allowed just 10.8 points per game. Their remaining schedule is very difficult with games against Deming, Artesia (in Artesia), Carlsbad, Clovis, and Hobbs. They lost to all of those teams last year besides Deming.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Deming
? - Artesia
W - Carlsbad
? - Clovis
? - Hobbs
Eldorado Eagles
Head Coach: Charlie Dotson
Best Offensive Player: Jayce Jackson, QB
Best Defensive Player: Noah Sweitzer, LB
Record: 5-0
Points For: 243
Points Against: 57
Best Win: Beating Mayfield 49-28
Hendo's Overview: I knew Eldorado would be dangerous in 2015, but 5-0 with big wins against Volcano Vista and Mayfield I did not see coming. Coach Dotson said it best this summer during my campus visit, "With any good program, seniors want to win, and this team is no different than last years." That has always stuck with me and the seniors on this team and exceptional athletes. Last weekend against Mayfield Quarterback Jayce Jackson threw for 225-yards and 5 touchdowns, Linebacker Noah Sweitzer had 21 tackles on defense, one of their better players Isaiah Martinez did not play (for undisclosed reasons) and they whooped up on the Trojans. This game against Cleveland will be telling in the sense: is there anyone in New Mexico that can hang with Cleveland, but I don't think if they lose we just pencil them out as a contender, think they already proved they are the district favorite and are going to be there in the end as either a Elite 8 or a Final 4 Team.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
L - Cleveland
W - La Cueva
? - Sandia
W - Highland
W - Manzano
Centennial Hawks
Class 5A
Head Coach: Aaron Ocampo
Best Offensive Player: George Nino, OL
Best Defensive Player: Jerry Gurrola, DL
Record: 5-0
Points For: 267
Points Against: 117
Best Win: Beating Las Cruces 42-35
Hendo's Overview: I feel that Centennial wins games because of Coaching, two-platooning, and their size in the trenches. In my opinion I don't think they have the best skill position players. Sure they have a quarterback in Dante Lopez who has throw for over 920-yards, have Junior Pena as their do-it-all athlete, and running back Keith Jasso who has rushed for 370-yards, but they win up front in the trenches. George Nino at 320 and Cameron Burkley at 280 pounds anchor their offensive unit. Defensively Jake Boykin has been outstanding with 39 total tackles and Jerrmy Gurrola has 28 tackles with 5 sacks. Their schedule is very favorable from here on out, which could keep them healthy heading into the playoffs.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Los Lunas
W - Valencia
W - Chaparral
W - Belen
W - Santa Teresa
Artesia Bulldogs
Class 5A
Head Coach: Cooper Henderson
Best Offensive Player: Justin Houghtaling, QB
Best Defensive Player: Codey Scott, DL
Record: 5-0
Points For: 189
Points Against: 47
Best Win: Beating Hobbs 38-28
Hendo's Overview: The Artesia Bulldogs have won their last 17 out of 18 games if you can believe it. This year's group has been firing on all cylinders and has won each game with good margin. Their three game road trip ends with taking on the Las Cruces Bulldawgs, a game that is always tough and we've seen these two have some epic battles in the last 10-seasosns. On the season they have been propelled by 6-foot-5 Quarterback Justin Houghtaling who has thrown for over 1,000-yards, against Carlsbad he was 34-54 passing. Ethan Duff has been a new name at running back, really fast and also a good receiver. Their defense however, has been the real surprise, likely one of their best defensive units in the last few years. Guys like Codey Scott who has 10 sacks, Jacob Enriquez at backer, and Carlos Carrasco who has 4 interceptions each have the ability to make big plays. Is this team beatable, sure, but it's going to be a tough road to climb as they can score pretty much at will.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
? - Las Cruces
? - Alamogordo
W - Roswell
? - Goddard
W - Lovington
St. Pius X Sartans
Class 5A
Head Coach: San Juan Mendoza
Best Offensive Player: Drew Ortiz, QB
Record: 5-0
Points For: 206
Points Against: 33
Best Win: Defeating Miaymura 38-15
Hendo's Overview: I knew St. Pius X would be even better than their 8-win season in 2014, they returned a ton of talent. Last week they earned somewhat of a statement win against Miyamura winning 38-15 to get win number 5. Their schedule has been super light and that is why they are not getting more attention in the rankings. They beat 2-3 Del Norte, 1-4 Los Alamos, 2-3 Gallup, 0-5 Bernalillo before beating now 3-2 Miyamura. Their remaining schedule continues to be favorable with games against St. Michael's, Rio Grande, Lovington, Moriarty, and Grants. Good chances St. Pius X continues to run the table and ends the season 10-0, potentially landing a 1-2 seed come playoff time.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - St. Michael's
W - Rio Grande
? - @ Lovington
W - @ Moriarty
W - @ Grants
Espanola Sundevils
Class 5A
Head Coach: Miguel Medina
Best Offensive Player: Marcos Flores, ATH
Record: 5-0
Points For: 218
Points Against: 36
Best Win: Beating Gallup 42-22
Hendo's Overview: Just a week ago the NMPreps.com Nation voted Espanola No. 1 overall in a blind vote just going off numbers. I don't know if Espanola has ever been 5-0. Anyone? Their opening season win against El Paso Cathedral raised eyebrows, but since Cathedral has been pretty bad on the season, down year for them. They beat West Las Vegas 50-0, they beat Pojoaque 54-0, they beat Wingate 52-0. It's good to be building confidence and in years past these games are either shootouts for Espanola are losses, this year they are blowing past them like they should every year. They beat Gallup by good margin, but are these guys really good this year? Like top 10 good? Taos is likely the best team they have played this year and they are down in terms of their program, but we'll finally get a chance to see what they are made of when they take on Del Norte on Oct. 16th, they also play a rising Capital on October 30th. Espanola could really finish 8-2 this year or even 9-1.
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Taos
? - Del Norte
W - Los Alamos
? - Capital
W - Bernalillo
Hatch Valley
Class 4A
Head Coach: Jack Cisco
Best Offensive Player: Adrian Grajeda, RB
Best Defensive Player: Austin Franzoy, LB
Points For: 236
Points Against: 56
Best Win: Beating Lordsburg 63-29
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Tularosa
W - Socorro
? - Silver
? - Cobre
W - Hot Springs
Portales Rams
Class 4A
Head Coach: Jamie Ramirez
Best Offensive Player: Bronte Staugaard, RB
Record: 5-0
Points For: 208
Points Against: 31
Best Win: Defeated Robertson 26-13
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Pojoaque
? - Hope Christian
W - Ruidoso
? - St. Mike's
W - NMMI
NMMI Colts
Class 4A
Head Coach: Randy Montoya
Points For: 133
Points Against: 29
Best Win: Defeated Hot Springs 23-17 OT
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Roswell JV
? - Ruidoso
L - St. Mike's
? - Academy
? - Hope Christian
L - Portales
Estancia Bears
Class 3A
Head Coach: Stewart Burnett
Record: 5-0
Points For: 242
Points Against: 67
Predicting Their Next 5 Games
W - Tularosa
W - Clayton
W - Dulce
W - Cuba
W - Laguna Acoma
8Man
Melrose 5-0
Gateway Christian 5-0
6Man
Grady/San Jon 4-0
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