2023 Team Preview: Bernalillo Spartans
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Head Coach: John Cobos Mascot: Spartans Twitter: @BernaliloF, @j2cobos Colors: Red and Gray 2022 Record: 2-8 Overview: Just when it seemed Bernalillo was on the upswing, the Spartans fell to 2-8 last season, losing a defensive…
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Continue ReadingHead Coach: John Cobos
Mascot: Spartans
Twitter: @BernaliloF, @j2cobos
Colors: Red and Gray
2022 Record: 2-8
Overview: Just when it seemed Bernalillo was on the upswing, the Spartans fell to 2-8 last season, losing a defensive struggle, 7-6, to district rival Albuquerque Academy in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. It was the last of four setbacks by six points or less for Bernalillo in 2022. The 2023 edition of the Spartans will feature a small senior class (5 players) but large junior and sophomore classes. The most recognizable rising senior is 6-foot-4 WR/DB Mason Espinda-McChriston Mason Espinda-McChriston 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Bernalillo | 2024 State NM , who has been offered by New Mexico Highlands and Eastern New Mexico while FBS New Mexico has expressed interest. In 2022, Espinda-McChriston had 47 receptions for 712 yards and 4 TD on offense and 79 tackles and 2 interceptions on defense. He has shown off his incredible leaping ability in recent 7-on-7 events.
Expect Espinda-McChriston to attract a lot of double teams from opposing defensive backs. When he does, rising senior WR Shawn Armijo Shawn Armijo 5'11" | 160 lbs | LB Bernalillo | 2024 State NM will work against single coverage, opening up the possibility of him enjoying a big season. 2025 quarterback Uriel Castro Uriel Castro 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Bernalillo | 2025 State NM will be responsible for getting his two playmakers the football. Castro is an elite baseball player who came out for football for the first time in 2022. He could make a big leap in his level of performance. Rising senior Diego Molinar Diego Molinar 5'7" | 165 lbs | DB Bernalillo | 2024 State NM takes over as the No. 1 running back after finishing second on the Spartans in carries and rushing yards last fall. The offensive line lost four of five starters from last season, but several young blockers should step up. Ryan Berg will start at center. Rising junior Jaden Lovato is 6-foot-3, 275 pounds. He should start at guard.
Defensively, Bernalillo loses several elite players from a unit that played well last season but wasn’t rewarded due to the struggles of the offense. Rising junior Gabe Trujillo, rising sophomores Ivan Ruiz and Josh Barajas and Diego Molinar Diego Molinar 5'7" | 165 lbs | DB Bernalillo | 2024 State NM should line up at linebacker. Nate Encinias is a name to know as well. Watch out for freshman Ulisses Castro Ulisses Castro 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Bernalillo | 2027 State NM (2027) at defensive end. He’s listed at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds with FOUR more years of high school football ahead of him. He saw extensive action with the varsity in 2022 as an 8th-grader. He’ll be expected to pressure the quarterback. Mario Molinar Mario Molinar LB Bernalillo | 2026 State NM (younger brother of Diego) and Lee Miller Lee Miller 5'10" | LB Bernalillo | 2025 State NM will be counted on to make plays as well. Bernalillo has no shortage of cornerbacks led by senior Diego Vigil.
Schedule:
Aug. 17 at Valley (Milne)(Thur.)
Aug. 25 ESPANOLA VALLEY
Sept. 1 at Del Norte (Milne)
Sept. 7 at Highland (Milne)(Thur.)
Sept. 15 MORIARTY
Sept. 22 at Taos
Sept. 29 LOS ALAMOS
Oct. 6 at Lovington*
Oct. 13 PORTALES*
Oct. 21 at Albuquerque Academy* (Sat.)
* District Game
Coach’s Comments: “Our record last year wasn’t for a lack of talent at all. We had a hard time getting all our kids on the same page. Football is a team game. But we had separate cliques and that made it tough. We lost some close games. We were in the mix. I don’t think teams are taking us lightly anymore. We’re trying to be relevant and we’re getting to that point. I don’t want to say we’re young because our juniors and sophomores have been in our program since the 7th grade. They understand the expectations and things we want. We’re trying to build a program. . . . Mason Espinda-McChriston Mason Espinda-McChriston 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Bernalillo | 2024 State NM is our horse. Everybody is going to game plan towards him. I’ve told him that. He had to improve his speed and he can stretch the field now. . .I’m looking forward to Shawn Armijo Shawn Armijo 5'11" | 160 lbs | LB Bernalillo | 2024 State NM having a big year for us. . . Diego Molinar Diego Molinar 5'7" | 165 lbs | DB Bernalillo | 2024 State NM is a thick, strong kid. I think he can rush for 1,000 yards this year. We need to run the football to open up our passing game. I’m excited for our offensive coordinator. Our offense should be explosive and we should be able to score points.” – Bernalillo head coach John Cobos.