2023 Team Preview: Pojoaque Valley Elks
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<p><strong>Pojoaque Valley 2023 Preview</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Zeke Villegas </p>
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<p><strong>Mascot</strong>: Elks </p>
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<p><strong>Twitter</strong>: @CoachZekeV </p>
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<p><strong>Colors</strong>: Green and White </p>
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<p><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 0-9 </p>
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<p><strong>Overview</strong>: Following a winless season in 2022, Pojoaque Valley hired charismatic Capital assistant Zeke Villegas as its new head coach. Based on their enthusiasm and energy at various 7-on-7 events in June, the Elk players appear to have responded positively to the coaching change. Numbers are up with about 45-50 players regularly showing up for summer workouts. In addition, they have been learning a new playbook on both sides of the ball.</p>
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<p>Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275554' first='Ethan' last='Meloy-Chavez']</strong> and rising junior <strong>Mario Baros</strong> have shared snaps at quarterback during 7x7 season, and the competition is expected to last through the summer and possibly into preseason camp. Pojoaque Valley's new offense demands a mobile quarterback and both Meloy-Chavez and Baros fit the mold. Last season's leading rusher, [player_tooltip player_id='837180' first='Elias' last='Martinez'], transferred to Cleveland. The Elks plan to utilize multiple running backs with a fullback as well.</p>
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<p>Six-foot-3, 200-pound rising junior <strong>Luke Pacheco</strong> will be the fullback with juniors <strong>Joshua Urioste</strong> (6-1, 175) and <strong>Killian Medina</strong> (4.6 in 40), and freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1129687' first='Jonah' last='Villegas']</strong> (son of the head coach; runs 40 in 4.5) expected to be a three-headed monster at running back. Villegas transferred from St. Michael's. Six-foot-4 WR <strong>Andrew Martinez</strong> should be the primary target in the passing game. He's shown to be a threat downfield. Medina and Villegas will play slot in addition to RB, giving the Elks plenty of size and speed there. Pacheco will line up at tight end in addition to FB.</p>
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<p>The offensive line will be HUGE with a pair of 300-pounders and a trio in the 265-270 range manning the front. <strong>Jhett Law</strong> (6-5, 320), <strong>Isaiah Martinez</strong>, <strong>Marcus Sandoval</strong>, <strong>Caleb Gutierrez</strong> and <strong>Andres Terrazas</strong> (6-5, 290) should be the starting five. Add Pacheco as tight end and Pojoaque Valley won't lack for size along the offensive front.</p>
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<p>Defensively, the standouts are expected to be Pacheco, Meloy-Chavez, Urioste, Medina and Villegas. Most of the offensive line will play DL as well. </p>
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<p><strong>Schedule</strong>: Pojoaque Valley has an impressive home slate with Bloomfield, SFIS, Los Alamos, Robertson, Highland and Taos all making the trip to PV. Five of the first 7 games are at home. </p>
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<p>Aug. 18 at Navajo Prep</p>
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<p>Aug. 25 BLOOMFIELD</p>
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<p>Sept. 2 Bye</p>
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<p>Sept. 9 SANTA FE INDIAN</p>
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<p>Sept. 15 LOS ALAMOS</p>
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<p>Sept. 22 at Cloudcroft</p>
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<p>Sept. 29 ROBERTSON</p>
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<p>Oct. 6 HIGHLAND</p>
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<p>Oct. 13 at Moriarty*</p>
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<p>Oct. 20 TAOS*</p>
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<p>Oct. 27 at Espanola Valley*</p>
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<p> * District Game </p>
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<p><strong>Coach's Comments</strong>: “Being a head coach has been amazing. We started in January when I got hired and we've been going for six months already. We've had a good turnout. The numbers we've had are a huge jump from last year. Our main core is going to be many of the guys who played last year. But we have a lot of kids in different positions. Our quarterbacks are splitting snaps and the competition is very close. They fit my style of offense because they are mobile. They fit our system well. . .We have the pieces here to be successful at Pojoaque. . .Based on what I've seen in 7-on-7, we're going to be 50-50 on offense. I originally thought we might be 70-30 running the ball. We have speed and size, and we have the offensive line. It's looking good. Defensively, our guys are picking the system quickly. The kids have already bought in and that's a huge plus.” – Pojoaque Valley head coach Zeke Villegas. </p>
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Pojoaque Valley 2023 Preview
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