2023 Team Preview: Aztec Tigers
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<p><strong>Aztec 2023 Preview</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Hank Strauss </p>
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<p><strong>Mascot</strong>: Tigers </p>
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<p><strong>Twitter</strong>: @BaylorSeabolt; @Howells2008; @JayGod_19</p>
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<p><strong>Colors</strong>: Black and Orange </p>
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<p><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 5-7 </p>
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<p><strong>Overview</strong>: After reaching the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs last fall, Aztec hopes to take another step in the second season under head coach Hank Strauss. As we saw at the Fort Lewis College 7x7 Tournament a few weeks ago, rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275457' first='Landan' last='Frost']</strong> and rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259057' first='Angelo' last='Griego']</strong> are battling for the starting Tigers quarterback job. Frost suffered a foot injury early last season and missed several weeks of action. He threw for 1,325 yards and 189 TD as a sophomore in 2021, so he's proven he can produce as the starter. When he returned, he played receiver and caught 18 passes for 179 yards and 2 TD. Griego threw for 226 yards and 2 TD as a backup QB in 2022.</p>
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<p>The good news for whoever wins the QB job is they will have one of the top players in 4A as a passing target. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275041' first='Baylor' last='Seabolt']</strong>, who will likely get an opportunity to play at the next level, was Aztec's No. 1 receiver last season with 58 receptions for 643 yards and 6 TD. Rising senior <strong>Jayden Godbay</strong> looks to become a key component of the passing game<strong>. Kris Cook</strong> will get a look at slot receiver. Rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137468' first='Kale' last='Watson']</strong> hopes to duplicate his success on the baseball diamond. Running back will be by committee, just like last season when four ball carriers had between 36 and 53 carries. Seabolt had the most carries (53) and rushing yards (333). He should be an integral part of the rushing attack again. Rising junior <strong>Bryton Floyd</strong>, who played primarily on defense in 2022 as a linebacker, will get some carries as well.</p>
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<p>Aztec has multiple returning starters on the offensive line. Left tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='591932' first='Jaylen' last='Ignacio']</strong> is back. He's also an elite wrestler. The left guard is 260-pound <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134298' first='Israel' last='Silva']</strong>. On the opposite side, rising junior <strong>Tanyon Bentley</strong> returns at right tackle. The open spots are center and right guard. Defensively, the stocky and incredibly strong Seabolt anchors the defense from his outside linebacker position. Seabolt had 130+ tackles in 2022. Frost plays defense too. Godbay and Watson should be major contributors as well. DL <strong>Logan Day </strong>has caught Strauss' eye during offseason workouts and aims to have a huge senior season. Six-foot-3, 250-pound DT <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118903' first='Matais' last='Zah-Pena']</strong> could have a breakout season. </p>
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<p><strong>Schedule</strong>: After opening the season with a home contest against regional rival Miyamura, Aztez plays three straight non-district games against nearby Colorado schools. The Sept. 16 home game vs. Silver is one to watch. In fact, the three-game stretch in September against Silver, St. Michael's and Taos should be the key to the season.</p>
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<p>Aug. 18 MIYAMURA</p>
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<p>Aug. 25 CORTEZ (CO)</p>
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<p>Sept. 1 at Bayfield (CO)</p>
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<p>Sept. 8 at Durango (CO)</p>
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<p>Sept. 16 SILVER (Sat.)</p>
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<p>Sept. 23 at St. Michael's (Sat.)</p>
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<p>Sept. 29 TAOS</p>
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<p>Oct. 6 Bye</p>
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<p>Oct. 13 at Gallup*</p>
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<p>Oct. 20 BLOOMFIELD*</p>
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<p>Oct. 27 at Kirtland Central* </p>
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<p>* District Game </p>
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<p><strong>Coach's Comments</strong>: “Even though we were below .500 last season, every single team we lost to made it to the semifinals or the championship game of their respective classifications. We had a crazy year last year. We're looking forward to getting a few of those close games that didn't go our way to go our way this year. . .Either Landon or Angelo will do a tremendous job at quarterback. Landon has a few game reps. He was our backup last season. Regardless of how it works out, we're going to be pretty good with whoever wins the job. Even if Angelo wins the job, Landon will go back and play receiver. . .Running back will still be by committee. Some games, we let four or five guys run the rock. . .Having Baylor at receiver and at running back is super helpful for us considering how much of a threat he is when we put him in space. When we line him up at receiver, that usually takes one more guy out of the box and we can run the ball.” – Aztec head coach Hank Strauss. </p>
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