TEAM VIEWS
(1) St. Pius X Sartans (Record: 7-3 Overall, 5-0 District): The St. Pius X Sartans won 5-straight to end the season and seven of the final eight games on their way to earn the 1-seed. The signature wins for the Sartans are wins over Portales (2), Taos (3) and Kirtland Central (4). Key player to keep an eye on this post season for the Sartans is quarterback Derek Rivera, 2020. Head Coach: David Montoya
(2) Portales Rams (Record: 7-3 Overall, 3-0 District): The Portales Rams are entering the playoffs on a 5-game winning streak outscoring opponents 244 to 27. The Rams have key wins over Lovington (6), Dexter, and St. Michael's. Julian Urioste, 2019, the quarterback for the Rams is one to watch after passing for 1,352-yards and rushing for another 876-yards this season. Head Coach: Jaime Ramirez
(3) Taos Tigers (Record: 8-1 Overall, 4-1 District): A record type of season for the Taos Tigers winning 8-games and and starting the season 6-0. The Tigers have key wins over St. Michael's, Aztec, and Grants this season. Running back Jonathan Garcia, 2019, has rushed for over 1,100 yards this season as he will lead the Tigers into the playoffs. Head Coach: Art Abreau.
(4) Kirtland Central Broncos (Record: 7-3 Overall, 3-0 District): The Kirtland Central Broncos enter the playoffs on a seven game winning streak after starting the season 0-3. The Broncos hold key wins over Piedra Vista, Aztec and Bloomfield. One key player to watch during the playoffs is quarterback Brock Dowdy, 2020. Head Coach: Greg Jenks.
(5) Bloomfield Bobcats (Record: 6-4 Overall, 2-1 District): The Bloomfield Bobcats earned the 5-seed in the playoffs on a final night win over Aztec, 27-14 to finish second in district 1-5A. The Bobcats also hold wins over St. Michael's and Montezuma-Cortez, CO. The Bobcats are led by quarterback Rogelio Gonzales who has 1,996 passing yards (7 games) and 16 passing touchdowns this season. Head Coach: Bob Allcorn.
(6) Lovington Wildcats (Record: 5-4 Overall, 2-1 District): The Lovington Wildcats enter the playoffs after finishing second in district 4-4A. The Wildcats hold wins over playoff teams Ruidoso and Moriarty. Casey Perez, 2020, leads the way for the Wildcats; the quarterback has 1,830 yards passing and 16 passing touchdowns this season. Head Coach: Anthony Gonzales
(7) Grants Pirates (Record: 8-2 Overall, 3-2 District): The Grants Pirates enter the playoffs as winners of four of the final five games. This is one of the lowest seeds during the modern format for the State Playoffs (2005). The Pirates key wins are over playoff teams Bernalillo and Zuni. Running back Isaiah Johnson, 2020, leads the way out of the backfield. Head Coach: Rio Thompson.
(8) Ruidoso Warriors (Record: 6-4 Overall, 1-2 District): The Ruidoso Warriors, the 4A state champions in 2017, look to defend their title from the 8-seed this postseason. The Warriors started the season 5-1 and have key wins over Silver, Moriarty, and Hatch Valley. Gabriel Dorame (2019), Layson Powell (2020), and Grant Oberheu (2021), lead one of the top receiving cores in the classification. All three have over 500-yards receiving this season for a combined 16 total touchdowns. Head Coach: Kief Johnson
(9) Aztec Tigers (Record: 5-5 Overall, 1-2 District): The Aztec Tigers winners of 4 of the final 6 games enter the post season on the road as they travel to Ruidoso (8). The Tigers hold a key win over St. Pius X (1). The Tigers are led by 2,000 yard passing quarterback Zach Taylor a senior this season. Head Coach: Matthew Steinfeldt
(10) Silver Colts (Record: 5-5 Overall, 1-2 District): The Silver Colts have enter the post season after playing in a 5A district. The Colts started the season 5-1 with key wins over Cobre, Bowie (TX), and Round Valley (AZ). Key player to watch is Nathaniel Lucero who leads the defense for the Colts this season. Head Coach: Raul Diaz.
(11) Bernalillo Spartans (Record: 6-4 Overall, 2-3 District): The Bernalillo Spartans finish over .500 this season and have experience a record breaking season start the season 5-0. The Spartans have Damian Gutierrez (2019) who has passed for 1,273-yards this season along with 19 passing touchdowns. Head Coach: John Cabos
(12) Moriarty Pintos (Record: 3-7 Overall, 0-3 District): The Moriarty Pintos will travel to Bloomfield during the first round to face former head coach Bob Allcorn. The Pintos have schedule with top teams Kirtland Central, Portales and Ruidoso this season. Xavier Romero leads the way out of the backfield with 767-yards. Head Coach: Joseph Anaya.
