Centennial the clear front runner to win District 3-5A
By Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com
Centennial beat Las Cruces last year 49-47 in a thriller
Rankings are based off our Preseason Top 100
4. Centennial
The Hawks made their first big splash on the New Mexico High School Football Season in 2014 going 11-2 on the season under Head Coach Aaron Ocampo. Their 11-wins came against some notable teams as they blasted Onate in the opener 42-10, beat Las Cruces 49-47 in a thriller, before losing their only game of the regular season which came against Belen losing 38-35. The Hawks landed the No. 3 seed in the playoffs where they would beat Miyamura in the quarterfinals 69-20, before losing to Belen in the semifinals 31-24. Their two home run hitters on offense are gone: Christian Cedano at quarterback graduated and Jaylen Boston at running back is no longer on the team for undisclosed reasons (he would of been a senior this year). Returning however are some 4-year linemen that are simply among the best in New Mexico. 6-foot-1, 310 pound offensive linemen George Nino, 6-foot-0, 275 pound Cameron Burkely, and 6-foot-0, 240 pound defensive linemen Jerry Gurrola are top 20 players in New Mexico with 4-year experience. This year watch for new names like Quarterback Dante Lopez, receiver Bryce Rewalt, Tight End Chase Austin, and Defensive Linemen Marcus Minnick.
20. Belen
We knew the Eagles would make a title run into the 2014 season and they did just that winning 11 games losing only twice to Artesia in week 1 and in week 14 in the finals 49-21. They do graduate a ton of talent: Manuel Romero at FB, 3-year quarterback Chris Peralta, Jon Barba, Elias Balteirrez, and a ton of high caliber linemen on both sides of the football all depart. We’ve seen Belen slip and miss the playoffs just once since Lerma took over in 2008 and while this incoming group looks young, expect this new crop of Eagles to hold the rope. Gunner Robinson at linebacker is one prospect on our summer radar.
28. Los Lunas
It's going to be tough to win the district this year for 2nd year head coach Terrell Trantham, but they have enough returning talent that reaching the playoffs is very much likely. Their game starts with returning junior running back O'Maury Samuels who has already been offered by the New Mexico State Aggies. At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, he might be the most complete back in the State of New Mexico and he is only a class of 2017 prospect. Also returning for Los Lunas is Quarterback Hunter Wisneski who busted out a few games last year, also watch for 6-foot-2, 170 pound Trevor Brohard., If they can build a solid line over the summer, Los Lunas is going to be tough to handle in 2015.
33. Valencia
Likely a down season at 6-5 if you ask Valencia followers: The reason is because they had so much talent on the 2014 roster. An early exit losing to Piedra Vista 44-21 in the playoffs was Kevin Jolley's last game as Valencia Head Coach and in steps former Clayton Head Coach Collin Justiss. Justiss has taking Clayton to back to back state titles, actually he's coached in three state titles in three years taking Capitan to the finals in 2012. Look for Fermin Lucero to take over at quarterback, they lose pretty much all their skill guys, but return defensive linemen Zach Lowe who had 10.5 sacks as a sophomore.
73. Chaparral
The Lobos went 2-8 during the 2014 season, the highlight of the season was of course beating district rival Santa Teresa 24-19. They also beat San Elizario 20-14. Winning two games at Chaparral is impressive considering the Lobos won a total of 1 during the 2012 and 2013 season.
74. Santa Teresa
The Desert Warriors went 0-5 in district play last year losing their last 5 games of the season, even losing to Chaparral 24-19. It's been a while since Santa teresa has visited the playoffs, 2010 was the last time the Desert Warriors were in the post season. Santa Teresa should have some size up front" Isaac Lara at 285, Raymond Lopez at 285, and Julian Urquidi at 250 pounds.
By Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com
Centennial beat Las Cruces last year 49-47 in a thriller
Rankings are based off our Preseason Top 100
4. Centennial
The Hawks made their first big splash on the New Mexico High School Football Season in 2014 going 11-2 on the season under Head Coach Aaron Ocampo. Their 11-wins came against some notable teams as they blasted Onate in the opener 42-10, beat Las Cruces 49-47 in a thriller, before losing their only game of the regular season which came against Belen losing 38-35. The Hawks landed the No. 3 seed in the playoffs where they would beat Miyamura in the quarterfinals 69-20, before losing to Belen in the semifinals 31-24. Their two home run hitters on offense are gone: Christian Cedano at quarterback graduated and Jaylen Boston at running back is no longer on the team for undisclosed reasons (he would of been a senior this year). Returning however are some 4-year linemen that are simply among the best in New Mexico. 6-foot-1, 310 pound offensive linemen George Nino, 6-foot-0, 275 pound Cameron Burkely, and 6-foot-0, 240 pound defensive linemen Jerry Gurrola are top 20 players in New Mexico with 4-year experience. This year watch for new names like Quarterback Dante Lopez, receiver Bryce Rewalt, Tight End Chase Austin, and Defensive Linemen Marcus Minnick.
20. Belen
We knew the Eagles would make a title run into the 2014 season and they did just that winning 11 games losing only twice to Artesia in week 1 and in week 14 in the finals 49-21. They do graduate a ton of talent: Manuel Romero at FB, 3-year quarterback Chris Peralta, Jon Barba, Elias Balteirrez, and a ton of high caliber linemen on both sides of the football all depart. We’ve seen Belen slip and miss the playoffs just once since Lerma took over in 2008 and while this incoming group looks young, expect this new crop of Eagles to hold the rope. Gunner Robinson at linebacker is one prospect on our summer radar.
28. Los Lunas
It's going to be tough to win the district this year for 2nd year head coach Terrell Trantham, but they have enough returning talent that reaching the playoffs is very much likely. Their game starts with returning junior running back O'Maury Samuels who has already been offered by the New Mexico State Aggies. At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, he might be the most complete back in the State of New Mexico and he is only a class of 2017 prospect. Also returning for Los Lunas is Quarterback Hunter Wisneski who busted out a few games last year, also watch for 6-foot-2, 170 pound Trevor Brohard., If they can build a solid line over the summer, Los Lunas is going to be tough to handle in 2015.
33. Valencia
Likely a down season at 6-5 if you ask Valencia followers: The reason is because they had so much talent on the 2014 roster. An early exit losing to Piedra Vista 44-21 in the playoffs was Kevin Jolley's last game as Valencia Head Coach and in steps former Clayton Head Coach Collin Justiss. Justiss has taking Clayton to back to back state titles, actually he's coached in three state titles in three years taking Capitan to the finals in 2012. Look for Fermin Lucero to take over at quarterback, they lose pretty much all their skill guys, but return defensive linemen Zach Lowe who had 10.5 sacks as a sophomore.
73. Chaparral
The Lobos went 2-8 during the 2014 season, the highlight of the season was of course beating district rival Santa Teresa 24-19. They also beat San Elizario 20-14. Winning two games at Chaparral is impressive considering the Lobos won a total of 1 during the 2012 and 2013 season.
74. Santa Teresa
The Desert Warriors went 0-5 in district play last year losing their last 5 games of the season, even losing to Chaparral 24-19. It's been a while since Santa teresa has visited the playoffs, 2010 was the last time the Desert Warriors were in the post season. Santa Teresa should have some size up front" Isaac Lara at 285, Raymond Lopez at 285, and Julian Urquidi at 250 pounds.
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