2022 Team Preview: The Four Corners

FARMINGTON SCORPIONS   Farmington's final season in Class 5A saw the Scorpions earn the No. 1 seed in the playoffs on the strength of an undefeated regular season after dominating its Four Corners and district rivals. But a lopsided loss to Artesia in the semifinals left Farmington wondering what might have been. Now, after graduating 28 seniors,  Farmington finds itself in Class 6A in a district (6A-2) filled with Albuquerque schools. The Scorpions make four trips to Albuquerque and host Rio Rancho.   “Our players have completely embraced the move,” Farmington head coach Jeff Dalton told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “They're excited to play some big schools in different places. We're going to travel a little more, but we have the type of program that can respond. It will take some time. But the kids are fired up and our numbers are better than ever.”   Farmington has a new quarterback in 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior [player_tooltip player_id='274791' first='Trel' last='Griego'], who served as Brandon Furbee's backup in 2021. He appeared in five games and threw three TD passes. His impressive size should serve him well at the 6A level, and capture the attention of college coaches..     “He moves well,” Dalton said. “He's a basketball and football guy and even did a little track for us. He's biggest strength is his intelligence. He's a very smart kid. But he's not afraid to be physical and run the ball. And he can sling it pretty good too. We're hoping to be balanced with him, more so than what we have been in the last few years.”   Griego will be supported by a deep running back corps led by sophomore Wayland Scheke, who has emerged from a large pool of candidates to be the Scorpions' No. 1 RB. Junior Ethan Tsosie and senior [player_tooltip player_id='138075' first='Jakeem' last='Reed'] are behind him, although Reed probably  won't be available until the second half of the season as he continues to heal from injuries. Speed defines the wide receiver corps as 6-foot-3 senior Jevon Smith, senior slot Josiyah Archuleta and sophomore Michael Beck are all fleet of foot. Beck was the only freshman to qualify for the Class 5A state track & field meet in the 100 meters in May.   Junior inside linebacker Isaac Foutz is the only returning starter on defense for the Scorpions. As a result, Farmington will have plenty of new faces on that side of the ball. As you might expect, the competition for jobs during the summer and preseason camp has been fierce.                    Season Opener: Aug. 19 vs. Piedra Vista.   BLOOMFIELD BOBCATS   Class 4A Bloomfield is another Four Corners team that fell one game short of playing in the state championship game in 2021. Unlike Farmington, though, Bloomfield lost to Ruidoso at home, leaving a bitter taste in everybody's mouth. The Bobcats are using the loss as motivation heading into the new campaign. With senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='208748' first='Ryan' last='Sharpe'] healthy again after missing most of the second half of last season with a major knee injury, Bloomfield is eying taking the next step and reaching the title game. Sharpe's injury allowed sophomore Blake Spencer to gain valuable varsity experience as a freshman.   “The expectations the coaches have for Ryan and the expectations he has for himself are extremely high,” Bloomfield head coach Mike Kovacs told PrepRedzone New Mexico. “He had a great season last year even as he was fighting through the injurie she had. He had a great summer and he's looking forward to his senior year. We'll be looking to get Blake Spencer some reps in game situations too to keep him fresh.”   Sharpe is surrounded by plenty of offensive weapons to work with, including the explosive running back trio of Jesse Seitzinger, Aaron Johnson and senior Andres Gordo. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='275042' first='Drew' last='Perez'] and George Rascon highlight a deep wide receiver corp. Both are extremely fast. Junior Javon Williamson and 6-foot-1 sophomore Christian Alcantar will split time at tight end. Eli Snell-Martinez looks to put his own stamp on the program after watching his older brother Diego Snell-Martinez lead the Bobcats in rushing a season ago and make 119 tackles on defense as a linebacker. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='269607' first='Auggie' last='Aguilar'] and Sammy Eveland, a standout wrestler, spearhead the defense. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='274797' first='Robert' last='Williams'] will be the nose tackle. Jay Gutierrez and McKell Colbert will be the defensive ends and are expected to pressure the opposing quarterback.   Season Opener: Aug. 20 at St. Pius X (Sat.)   PIEDRA VISTA PANTHERS   The NMAA' realignment in December gave Piedra Vista a new district home as the Panthers join Belen, Highland and Miyamura in District 5A-1. The Panthers have a few more seniors than a year ago but a very challenging schedule featuring a four-game road trip in late September and early October, including a long trip to the Wool Bowl to face Roswell. Earlier in the schedule, they have home games against Eldorado and Goddard on back-to-back weekends.   Seniors Zach Mora-Dotson and [player_tooltip player_id='208794' first='Jacob' last='Ramsted'] lead Piedra Vista's power rushing attack. Speedy Bryce Joshlin (4th place finish in 110m hurdles at state track and field meet) will lignite the offense while [player_tooltip player_id='270048' first='Dax' last='Vigil'], Kaden Peace and [player_tooltip player_id='270045' first='Xavier' last='Lefebre'] are the leaders on defense. Piedra Vista had 130+ players participate in summer workouts as enthusiasm for the Panthers football program appears to be at an all-time high.   Season Opener: Aug. 19 at Farmington.       KIRTLAND CENTRAL BRONCOS   Kirtland Central hired long-time assistant Travis Clary as head coach after Jeff Schaum resigned in the wake of a lopsided loss last November to Silver in the first round of the 4A playoffs. The Broncos get another crack at Silver in the season opener, its third in the last 12 months, as Kirtland Central makes the long tri to southwestern New Mexico.   Kirtland Central's biggest task during the off-season was finding a worthy successor to RB Zakk Thomas, the Farmington Daily Times Player of the Year after rushing for over 1,500 yard and 17 TD. Senior Nick Cambridge gets first crack at the job with sophomore Randon Matthews behind him. Tyrus Joe and Payton Mike spent the summer battling for the starting QB job. Defensive linemen Christian Becenti and Kyler Joe spearhead the Broncos' defense.     Season Opener: Aug. 19 at Silver   AZTEC TIGERS   New Aztec head coach Hank Strauss will try to get his alma mater pointed in the right direction following a 3-8 campaign in 2021 that ended with a first-round playoff loss to eventual runner-up Ruidoso. Two-way standout [player_tooltip player_id='138058' first='Tristen' last='McNeal'] leads an impressive group of playmaking receivers that also includes [player_tooltip player_id='275041' first='Baylor' last='Seabolt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='137893' first='Marcquis' last='Henry']. Senior linebackers John Villarial and Jacob Greyeyes will led the Tigers defense.   Season Opener: Aug. 19 at Miyamura.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TreGriego/status/1535818831406346245 </div></figure>

FARMINGTON SCORPIONS