2022 Team Preview: Capital Jaguars

<strong>Capital 2022 Preview</strong> <strong>Head Coach</strong>: Joaquin Garcia <strong>Mascot</strong>: Jaguars <strong>Twitter</strong>: @capital_jaguar <strong>Colors</strong>: Black, Turquoise, Silver <strong>2021 Record</strong>: 4-6 <strong>Overview</strong>: The big news surrounding the Capital program is the Jaguars’ move to Class 6A, which was expected in the wake of the enormous growth in South Santa Fe. The good news is Capital returns most of its major contributors from last season, starting with dynamic dual threat senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="208737" first="Julian" last="Munoz"]</strong>. He’ll be backed up by sophomore <strong>Deaven Montano</strong>. At running back, sophomore<strong> Juan Munoz</strong>, Julian’s younger brother, is the favorite to win the starting job. <strong>Francisco Diaz</strong> and <strong>Andrew Rodriguez</strong> will get some carries as well. The Jaguars are deep at wide receiver with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="269555" first="Javier" last="Martinez"]</strong> (2^nd team All-State), <strong>Anthony Anaya</strong> and <strong>Isaiah Martinez</strong> expected to play major roles in the passing attack. Senior center <strong>Lazarus Griego</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="270052" first="Isaiah" last="Valdez"]</strong> anchor the offensive line. Defensively, Isaiah Martinez, Francisco Diaz and Anaya are outstanding two-play players. <strong>Avelino Trujillo</strong> is a solid cornerback. Valdez is the top defensive linemen. With increased numbers, Capital hopes it doesn’t have to rely on as many two-way players as last season but initially they might have to. <strong>Schedule</strong>: Capital’s move to Class 6A means the annual intra-city grudge match with Santa Fe High is now a district game and will be played in late October. The Jaguars will be tested in September with road games at Los Alamos, Alamogordo and Atrisco Heritage and home games vs. Albuquerque Academy and Los Lunas (district opener). Aug. 19 GRANTS Aug. 26 ST. MICHAEL’S Sept. 2 at Los Alamos Sept. 9 at Alamogordo Sept. 16 ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY Sept. 23 at Atrisco Heritage Sept. 30 LOS LUNAS* Oct. 7 Bye Oct. 14 ALBUQUERQUE HIGH* Oct. 21 at Clovis* Oct. 28 at Santa Fe* * District Game <strong>Top Storyline</strong>:  How will Capital fare in their first season in Class 6A? <strong>Final Thoughts</strong>: The move to 6A seems to have had a positive impact on the Capital program. Garcia said the Jaguars have more than 50 players on the active roster during preseason workouts, almost double the number at this same time last year. <strong>Coach’s Comments</strong>: “Our kids realize playing in 6A is a step up and that we have to go out there and compete. We’re going to work hard and get ready to play. We have to. The kids understand we have no choice. Our kids have gotten a lot stronger and our linemen have competed. We only had two seniors last season. The kids are believing in everything we’re doing. We’re changing the culture. We  know we can compete with the teams on our schedule.” – Capital head coach Joaquin Garcia. https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1535001307869720576