2022 Team Preview: Pojoaque Valley Elks

<strong>Pojoaque Valley 2022 Preview</strong> <strong>Head Coach</strong>: Pat Mares <strong>Mascot</strong>: Elks <strong>Twitter</strong>: @PojoaqueV; @pach1804; <span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">@atkmartinez06</span> <strong>Colors</strong>: Kelly Green and White <strong>2021 Record</strong>: 5-4 (1-2 District) <strong>Overview</strong>: Last season RB Dominic Esquibel was the star of Pojoaque Valley’s offense with nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 27 TD on just 97 carries. His reward was a signed letter of intent to play for New Mexico Highlands. This year talented senior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137891" first="Adam" last="Pacheco"]</strong> takes center stage, and based on his performance in the Albuquerque Metro Passing League he’s eager to showcase his talents to a wider audience. An excellent student, Pacheco already holds an offer from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Indiana with other D2 and D3 schools expressing interest. He threw for 1,257 yards and 17 TD in 9 games last season. Pacheco has such a high football IQ that he often serves as an additional coach on the field. He quickly recognizes defensive schemes. Who replaces Esquibel at RB? Probably not just one guy. The Elks anticipate a running back-by-committee approach. Junior <strong>Isiah Martinez</strong> showed promise last season and at 175+ pounds and could play a fullback type role. Sophomore <strong>Elias Martinez</strong> (6-1, 190 pounds) has good size. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="275554" first="Ethan" last="Meloy-Chavez"]</strong> brings shiftiness to the RB position. Those three, all of whom will be back in  2023, will share the football at the outset of this season. Sophomores <strong>Josh Urioste</strong> and <strong>Killian Medina</strong> got valuable experience at wide receiver in 2021 and both eye a major role this year in Pojoaque’s passing attack. Medina will likely play in the slot. Senior <strong>Jeremy Quintanna</strong> showed big-play potential in 2021. Senior <strong>Derek Sanchez</strong>, a basketball standout, adds depth. Another basketball player, sophomore <strong>Luke Pacheco</strong> (6-1, 225 pounds; cousin to Adam) will line up at tight end. Senior <strong>D.J. Jaramillo</strong> and <strong>Santiago Garcia</strong> anchor the offensive line. Junior <strong>Jhett Law</strong> (6-5, 300 pounds) brings great size to the trenches. Defensively, Pojoaque Valley relies on several two-way players. The secondary should be the strength. Quintanna is an outstanding outside linebacker/safety. Urioste will be one of the cornerbacks while Medina shines at safety. Meloy-Chavez will be the other outside linebacker. <strong>Schedule</strong>: After enjoying a home-heavy schedule in 20921, Pojoaque Valley plays a road-dominated schedule in 2022. In  fact, their first 5 games are on the road. Their first home game won’t be until Oct. 7. Aug. 19 at Socorro Aug. 26 at Bloomfield Sept. 16 at Los Alamos Sept. 23 at Portales Sept. 30 at Robertson Oct. 7 HIGHLAND Oct. 14 MORIARTY* Oct. 21 at Taos* Oct. 28 ESPANOLA VALLEY* * District Game <strong>Top Storyline</strong>: Are all the young players Pojoaque Valley relied upon last season up to the task of taking on greater roles for the Elks as they seek to sustain the momentum generated in 2021? <strong>Final Thoughts</strong>: Is Pojoaque Valley finally beginning to turn the corner? After compiling a 9-41 record over a five-year stretch (2015-19), the Elks were 7-6 during the 2021 calendar year (spring &amp; fall seasons), including 5-4 last fall, the school’s first single season winning record in a decade. Pat Mares seems to be the perfect coach for the Elks program. <strong>Coach’s Comments</strong>: “We had a lot of young guys step into roles last season and they gained a lot of experience. They’re more confident going into the new season. Many were freshmen last year and now they’re sophomores. They know they can compete with some of the best and biggest players out there. That’s a huge thing. Our numbers were so good last season we were able to have a JV team. That was helpful for a lot of the younger guys. That’s crucial for program development. That will benefit us going forward” – Pojoaque Valley coach Pat Mares. https://twitter.com/pach1804/status/1548008141010321408 https://twitter.com/atkmartinez06/status/1547411707726745600 https://twitter.com/pach1804/status/1539647471290404864 &nbsp;