Top 10 Most Intriguing 2022 Games Involving APS Schools
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The Albuquerque Public School district released the complete 2022 football schedule a few weeks ago. We’ve broken it down and here are the 10 most intriguing games involving APS schools this coming season: La Cueva at Rio Rancho (Aug. 19):…
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Continue ReadingThe Albuquerque Public School district released the complete 2022 football schedule a few weeks ago. We’ve broken it down and here are the 10 most intriguing games involving APS schools this coming season:
La Cueva at Rio Rancho (Aug. 19): The last time we saw these two teams on the field together, they engaged in arguably the Game of the Year, a 35-34 thriller in the Class 6A playoff semifinals. We know who La Cueva’s quarterback will be ( Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM ) but Rio Rancho? The Rams could have an intense QB battle in preseason camp. We’ll finally get an answer on who the starter will be in this game. The first 5 games for La Cueva are as brutal as you will ever see.
Las Cruces at Volcano Vista (Aug. 19): Las Cruces typically makes at least one trip to Albuquerque annually and this year it comes in Week 1. The Bulldawgs will have a new QB and RB but like most proud programs overflowing with tradition they usually reload and not rebuild. This game is a great opportunity for Volcano Vista to prepare for its difficult district schedule (Cleveland, Rio Rancho, Cibola) in October.
Centennial at La Cueva (Sept. 2): Don’t sleep on Centennial. The Hawks possess the returning talent to repeat as district champions – RB Mikah Gutierrez Mikah Gutierrez 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Centennial | 2023 State NM and WR Isaiah Abeyta Isaiah Abeyta 5'10" | 155 lbs | WR Centennial | 2023 State NM are the biggest names, while the offensive line should be outstanding. La Cueva will counter with RB Gabriel Buie Gabriel Buie 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB La Cueva | 2023 State NM and WR Exodus Ayers Exodus Ayers 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Proctor Academy | 2024 State New E . This fantastic Week 3 battle could be a 6A title game preview.
Cibola at Farmington (Sept. 9): Cibola and its new head coach opens the 2022 season with three road games in their first four contests, although two will be in Albuquerque. QB Aden Chavez Aden Chavez 6'5" | 210 lbs | QB Cibola | 2023 State NM , the state’s top signal caller, leads the Cougars into the Four Corners to face the Scorpions, who are entering their inaugural season in Class 6A. Is this Farmington’s ‘Welcome to 6A’ moment?
La Cueva at Los Lunas (Sept. 16): Los Lunas is another program going into their debut season in Class 6A, but they have dynamic dual threat QB Paul Cieremans Paul Cieremans 5'10" | 195 lbs | QB Los Lunas | 2023 State NM and a manageable district. To their credit, the Tigers loaded up their non-district slate with attractive games like this one. Armenta vs. Cieremans is worth the price of admission.
Cleveland at Cibola (Oct. 21): Not only is this a great matchup between two of the top offensive teams in the state, it’s also a district game and it falls on the next-to-last week of the regular season. Cleveland has a ton of offensive skill position players returning from last season’s undefeated championship team, including QB/WR Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM , RB Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM and WR Nic Trujillo Nic Trujillo 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NM . And they add RB Andres Aguirre Andres Aguirre 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2024 State NM . Chavez and the Cougars high-powered passing attack (3 top-notch pass catchers in Branden Castillo Branden Castillo 5'9" | 145 lbs | WR Cibola | 2023 State NM , Marcus Wilson and Brayden Mummert Brayden Mummert 6'3" | 220 lbs | TE Cibola | 2023 State NM ) will try to keep up. The scoreboard operator will earn his pay this game.
Volcano Vista at Carlsbad (Sept. 2): As you may remember, these two teams were scheduled to meet in the regular season last year but the contest was cancelled due to Covid concerns. Because of seeding, they met in the first round of the playoffs with Volcano Vista prevailing. Carlsbad has a new head coach – former New Mexico State assistant Oliver Soukup – and speedy WR Eli Asay Eli Asay WR Carlsbad | 2023 State NM as they look to improve on last season’s 3-7 record.
Los Lunas at Cibola (Sept. 24): Possibly the best QB matchup of the season with Chavez and Cieremans dueling just as they did last season when the Tigers prevailed in a hard-fought game on their own turf. Another key Class 6A measuring stick for Los Lunas before they begin district play.
Eldorado at Clovis (Sept. 16): Eldorado could be better than people think. The Eagles, looking for redemption after losing in the first round of the 6A playoffs at Hobbs last November, have a promising QB in Brandon Olivas Brandon Olivas 5'10" | 160 lbs | QB Eldorado | 2024 State NM and some nice young receivers. Eldorado loves the power running game, too, so we’ll see who steps up at running back. Clovis eyes a bounce back season after a disappointing 3-7 campaign in 2021. Good test for both teams.
Manzano at Mayfield (Aug. 19): Anytime an Albuquerque team faces a Las Cruces team, especially at the Field of Dreams, it’s always a compelling story. The main storyline here is Manzano’s move from Class 6A to 5A. How will the Monarchs fare? This contest could offer us a clue. Mayfield loses their top two running backs but the Trojans never seem to run out of replacements. They’ll be ready.
Additional Games:
La Cueva at Cleveland (Aug. 26)
Bloomfield at St. Pius X (Aug. 20)
NMMI at Hope Christian (Oct. 1)
Atrisco Heritage at Santa Fe (Sept. 23)
Sandia at Piedra Vista (Aug. 26)
Cibola at Rio Rancho ( Oct. 14)
Santa Fe at West Mesa (Aug. 18)
Santa Teresa at Rio Grande (Sept. 10)
Albuquerque High at Organ Mountain (Aug. 19)
Deming at Del Norte (Aug. 19)
Highland at Bernalillo (Sept. 9)
Valley at St. Pius X (Sept. 2)
2022 Schedule@cibolafootball @CoachRodWill @IBthecoach pic.twitter.com/OHciCvVxwt
— Aden Chavez (@AdenChavez08) March 7, 2022
2022 FB schedule for @LaCuevaFootball (La Cueva).
8/19 at Rio Rancho
8/26 CLEVELAND
9/2 CENTENNIAL
9/9 VOLCANO VISTA
9/16 at Los Lunas
9/24 at Albuquerque High
9/30 ELDORADO
10/13 at West Mesa
10/21 at Sandia
10/28 FARMINGTONToughest schedule in the state?@AidanArmenta pic.twitter.com/0DWt1pxdqD
— Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) April 7, 2022