2023 Team Preview: Lovington Wildcats
Photo: Facebook
In this article:
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<p><strong>Lovington 2023 Preview</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Anthony Gonzales </p>
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<p><strong>Mascot</strong>: Wildcats </p>
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<p><strong>Twitter</strong>: @lvtwildcatsfb; @CoachGonzo96 </p>
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<p><strong>Colors</strong>: Royal Blue and White </p>
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<p><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 5-7 </p>
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<p><strong>Overview</strong>: Lovington won the Class 4A state championship in 2021, winning 10 games for the first time since 2011. Last season, the Wildcats overcame an 0-6 start to capture the district title and advanced to the semifinals of the 4A playoffs before falling to Silver. The standard at Lovington, though, has been set in stone for decades – championship game or bust. This year, Lovington appears to have the talent and coaching to get back to the state championship game.</p>
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<p>Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275459' first='Wyatt' last='Gomez']</strong>, last season's backup to Ashton Aranda, is the logical choice to take over at quarterback. Gomez has been a camp warrior and he's throwing the ball well in 7-on-7 competition. But he's still competing with two younger quarterbacks for the starting job: Rising juniors <strong>Mathew Prudencio</strong> and 6-foot-3 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118377' first='Patrick' last='Sanchez']</strong>. Prudencio was the starting QB for Lovington's JV team in 2022 and got some varsity experience as a defensive back. Gomez, though, remains the heavy favorite to win the job and has impressed the Lovington coaches with his offseason work ethic. Look for Prudencio and Sanchez to contribute at other positions.</p>
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<p>Lovington had three rushers with 100+ carries last season and two of them are back. Both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613065' first='Camon' last='Ochoa']</strong> (488 yards on 101 carries) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615565' first='Ondalis' last='Cardenas']</strong> (100 rushes, 612 yards) have two high school seasons remaining. Both have had fantastic off-seasons in the weight room, gaining strength and weight. Both have added 12-15 pounds of muscle to their frames and should be able to handle the weekly pounding that comes with carrying the football. Ochoa and Cardenas will likely share carries at RB, largely to help them stay fresh for defense as both are outstanding on that side of the ball as well.</p>
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<p><strong>Alex Holguin</strong> rushed for 100+ yards last season but he's being eyed as a slot receiver with Ochoa and Cardenas demonstrating they could be a two-headed RB monster in 2023. Five of the six receivers with 10+ receptions last season return to the Wildcats, led by rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275593' first='Cesar' last='Gonzalez']</strong> (team-high 35 receptions in 2022) and Holguin (34 receptions for 616 yards, 18.1 yards per catch). Both have the ability to play at the next level. <strong>Demarcus Thompson</strong> was slowed by injuries last fall but he might be the best receiver when all is said and done in November. He also serves as Lovington's primary kick returner. Thompson should be able to stretch defenses with his speed. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340352' first='Anson' last='Marquez']</strong> is an excellent possession receiver with two years of varsity experience already. A trio of rising sophomores show promise: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137465' first='Kyler' last='Reaves']</strong> (6-1, 185), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137475' first='Jayden' last='Gutierrez']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137867' first='Elijah' last='Rivero']</strong>. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103929' first='Ealan' last='Clayton']</strong> will contribute at slot. Sanchez could be in the mix at outside receiver as well if he doesn't end up being the Wildcats quarterback.</p>
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<p>Lovington historically produces plenty of next level caliber offensive linemen, and this season should be no different. Junior OT <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613058' first='Valente' last='Herrera']</strong> (6-3, 290) and sophomore OT <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853015' first='Alex' last='Rivera']</strong> (6-4, 265) are the anchors along with senior center <strong>Leonardo Taranago-Rubio</strong>. Rivera started 4 games as a freshman in 2022. He's attracting interest from Div. 1 schools. Herrera has started for two years. Last season was his first as an offensive tackle and he was an All-State selection. He has drawn D1 interest as well. Herrera has turned heads during camping season. Senior G <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815942' first='Jayden' last='Bosquez']</strong> (5-11, 290) is back. <strong>Marcus Henderson</strong> is the tight end.</p>
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<p>Defensively, Ochoa and Cardenas are dynamic defensive players in addition to being exceptional running backs. They will anchor the secondary as safeties. All three linebackers return from last season: <strong>Josh Carrasco</strong>, <strong>Ryan Weiser</strong> and Marquez. Carrasco has been an All-State performer for two years. Weiser started at LB last season as a sophomore and is fearless at stopping the run. Gonzalez also excels at cornerback. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137867' first='Elijah' last='Rivero']</strong> will start at the opposite cornerback spot. <strong>Julius Arroyo</strong> is a new name to know at defensive end.</p>
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<p><strong>Schedule</strong>: Lovington opens the season with a home game against 5A Roswell before playing five straight games on the road, including Santa Teresa, Hobbs, Artesia and two Texas schools. Homecoming will be against 6A Santa Fe before district play starts. </p>
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<p>Aug. 18 ROSWELL</p>
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<p>Aug. 25 at Seminole (TX)</p>
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<p>Sept. 1 at Santa Teresa</p>
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<p>Sept. 8 at Hobbs</p>
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<p>Sept. 15 at Denver City (TX)</p>
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<p>Sept. 22 at Artesia</p>
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<p>Sept. 29 SANTA FE</p>
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<p>Oct. 6 Bye</p>
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<p>Oct. 13 BERNALILLO*</p>
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<p>Oct. 20 at Albuquerque Academy*</p>
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<p>Oct. 27 PORTALES*</p>
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<p> * District Game </p>
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<p><strong>Coach's Comments</strong>: “We're a real motivated group right now. Last season our guys got their feelings hurt. They know the standard. Visiting with our kids in the offseason and sitting down with each one of them, I told them six years ago when I started that making it to semifinals and not winning, I would have felt pretty good about that. But based on where we are right now with the program, that's not OK. It has really motivated our kids in the offseason. They feel like they left a lot on the table and have a lot to prove. . .Our non-district schedule is tough. It's tough for a reason. It's hard to find teams that want to play. Some of it is based on location. It's tough to get 4A opponents. That's a testament to our kids. It's going to be the same way this year. . .Between basketball, powerlifting and track, it was a very productive offseason. Our guys are ready to roll. . .Wyatt is taking steps every single day. We have three guys at the QB position and they can all play. They're all mobile quarterbacks and done a good job throwing the football. One of the big things for Wyatt this offseason was developing his leadership skills. He has done that. He's been a good leader. He's doing everything possible to make sure he's the starting QB for Week 1.” – Lovington head coach Anthony Gonzales.</p>
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Lovington 2023 Preview
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