Contenders & Pretenders: Most Likely to Dethrone Cleveland
NMPreps takes a look at some of the top teams in each classification with the likelihood of upsetting the previous champs. Yes, we are using the "Elite" Bowl games played at UNM as our defending champs.
TOP CONTENDERS
Rio Rancho Rams (3-1 record): The Rams and new head coach Gerry Pannoni didn't fare well last season against the Cleveland Storm falling 42-0 at Lighting Bolt Stadium. Well, this year the Rams have some experience returning and games under their belt with their new head coach. Also, they feature the top-ranked running back in the state in Zach Vigil (2022). The needs are at quarterback this season; they have strengths on defense and return several skill-positioned players.
Cibola Cougars (2-0 record): Yes, the Cibola Cougars have made our 'Top Contenders' list of teams to dethrone the Cleveland Storm. The reason is clear - they return the top-ranked quarterback in the state in Aden Chavez (2023), along with wide receiver Nathan Lopez (2022) and Brayden Mummert (2023) an under the radar TE. They will need to replace Slayd Campos at running back and Steven Barela (WR/SS/QB). Two must-know names on defense are Maverick Gracio (2022), a 6-foot-4 powerful defensive end along with Middle Linebacker Peyton Harrison (2023).
Volcano Vista Hawks (2-1 record): Before the calls for my head happen. Yes, I get it the top three contenders all hail from District 1-6A. That's just to show how strong this district will be in 2021. Where to start? The Hawks looked solid in the spring and have been known to pull a perfect regular season out. Yes, Josh Gerardo (2022) is a new QB under the center but the senior to be is one of the better newcomers out this coming fall. Kieran Cordova (2022) returns at running back after rushing for 206 yards on 7 carries this spring! He'll share the backfield with Acen Aguilar (2022) who rushed for 179-yards during the spring. We then add in likely the most athletic player on the Hawks, a top-ranked basketball player as well in Kaden Valdez (2022). The senior to be is a flat-out stud on the field and went for 422-yards receiving during the spring.
La Cueva Bears (0-3 record): Head scratch? Well, for the Bears I wouldn't read too much into the 0-3 Spring season. They lost to three very quality teams in Los Lunas, Volcano Vista, and Eldorado. Also, it was projected to be a year that they would have been searching for several replacements. This leads us to this season with the Bears featuring some talent and athletes. Some names to know as we head into the 2021 season. Collis Bousliman (2022/CB), Myuh Robertson (2022/WR), and on defense we know the University of New Mexico recruits Hunter Haemker (2022), the MLB who is going to captain this defense.
THE REST
NMPreps takes a look at some of the top teams in each classification with the likelihood of upsetting the previous champs. Yes, we are using the "Elite" Bowl games played at UNM as our defending champs.
TOP CONTENDERS
Rio Rancho Rams (3-1 record): The Rams and new head coach Gerry Pannoni didn't fare well last season against the Cleveland Storm falling 42-0 at Lighting Bolt Stadium. Well, this year the Rams have some experience returning and games under their belt with their new head coach. Also, they feature the top-ranked running back in the state in Zach Vigil (2022). The needs are at quarterback this season; they have strengths on defense and return several skill-positioned players.
Cibola Cougars (2-0 record): Yes, the Cibola Cougars have made our 'Top Contenders' list of teams to dethrone the Cleveland Storm. The reason is clear - they return the top-ranked quarterback in the state in Aden Chavez (2023), along with wide receiver Nathan Lopez (2022) and Brayden Mummert (2023) an under the radar TE. They will need to replace Slayd Campos at running back and Steven Barela (WR/SS/QB). Two must-know names on defense are Maverick Gracio (2022), a 6-foot-4 powerful defensive end along with Middle Linebacker Peyton Harrison (2023).
Volcano Vista Hawks (2-1 record): Before the calls for my head happen. Yes, I get it the top three contenders all hail from District 1-6A. That's just to show how strong this district will be in 2021. Where to start? The Hawks looked solid in the spring and have been known to pull a perfect regular season out. Yes, Josh Gerardo (2022) is a new QB under the center but the senior to be is one of the better newcomers out this coming fall. Kieran Cordova (2022) returns at running back after rushing for 206 yards on 7 carries this spring! He'll share the backfield with Acen Aguilar (2022) who rushed for 179-yards during the spring. We then add in likely the most athletic player on the Hawks, a top-ranked basketball player as well in Kaden Valdez (2022). The senior to be is a flat-out stud on the field and went for 422-yards receiving during the spring.
La Cueva Bears (0-3 record): Head scratch? Well, for the Bears I wouldn't read too much into the 0-3 Spring season. They lost to three very quality teams in Los Lunas, Volcano Vista, and Eldorado. Also, it was projected to be a year that they would have been searching for several replacements. This leads us to this season with the Bears featuring some talent and athletes. Some names to know as we head into the 2021 season. Collis Bousliman (2022/CB), Myuh Robertson (2022/WR), and on defense we know the University of New Mexico recruits Hunter Haemker (2022), the MLB who is going to captain this defense.
THE REST
- Clovis Wildcats: They graduated plenty. Can they replace to challenge for the state championship?
- Eldorado Eagles: Losing several players but have a young core coming up. Maybe a year or so back?
- Las Cruces Bulldawgs: Lost Lopez at QB and that is a big blow. Back-to-back years of losing studs might send them in a rebuild. Great coach though so could be a dark horse.
