2023 Previews: 6A ABQ Metro (Cibola, Eldorado, Volcano Vista)
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2023 6A Preview Albuquerque Metro Region CIBOLA Head Coach: Chris Howe Mascot: Cougars Twitter: @cibolafootball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cibolafootball Colors: Brown and Gold 2022 Record: 6-5 (6A First Round) Overview: The Aden Chavez Era is over at Cibola, so…
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Continue Reading2023 6A Preview Albuquerque Metro Region
CIBOLA
Head Coach: Chris Howe
Mascot: Cougars
Twitter: @cibolafootball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cibolafootball
Colors: Brown and Gold
2022 Record: 6-5 (6A First Round)
Overview: The Aden Chavez Era is over at Cibola, so the Cougars are starting over at quarterback with sophomore Noah Carroll Noah Carroll 5'9" | 160 lbs | QB Cibola | 2026 State NM , who had an opportunity to build chemistry and camaraderie with his receivers during 7-on-7 season. Carroll is several inches shorter and may pounds lighter than Chavez, so there will be an adjustment for the Cibola offense. But he showed during the summer he has the skill set to put up some solid passing numbers as a sophomore. He also possesses good speed, making him a legitimate dual threat QB. Look for Cibola to roll him out more than they did with Chavez because of his height. Sophomore Logan Duran will be the backup QB. Junior Devon Dunkin (21 carries in 2022) will carry most of the running back load this season. Cibola loses its top four receivers from a season ago (Brayden Mummert signed with Fort Lewis College), so the Cougars will need new pass catchers to step up. Replacing Mummert at tight end will be 6-foot-3 senior Cale Jones. FLC and other colleges have expressed interest. Varsity newcomer Jordan Gould Jordan Gould 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Cibola | 2026 State NM , arguably the fastest player on the team and one of the headliners of Cibola’s outstanding sophomore class, impressed during 7-on-7 season with his elite athleticism. Junior Derrick Velasquez and senior Elijah Foster are both tall hoop standouts (6-foot-3 or taller) and can leap to the moon. Junior center Hipolito Gurule leads a young offensive line after starting every game last season. Senior Jacob Libaridian is the left tackle. Sergio Jaramillo Sergio Jaramillo NM will start at right tackle. Defensively, DE Abram Smith-Bernhard returns to the lineup while DE Max Scurlock and NG Voltaire Venegas Voltaire Venegas 6'0" | 195 lbs | DL Cibola | 2025 State NM are first-time starters. The solid LB corps will be led by impressive sophomore Hayes Baum Hayes Baum 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Cibola | 2026 State NM , who is already generating interest from colleges. Nikolas Ramirez Nikolas Ramirez 5'10" | 205 lbs | LB Cibola | 2024 State NM will start alongside Baum. Seniors Donovan Archuleta and Ilir Demusaj are the outside linebackers. In the secondary, safety Antonio Salcido Antonio Salcido 5'11" | 155 lbs | DB Cibola | 2025 State NM is back after starting nearly every game in 2022. The cornerback spot is led by junior Tim Gallegos.
2023 Schedule:
Aug. 18 ELDORADO
Aug. 26 VALLEY (Sat.)
Sept. 1 at West Mesa
Sept. 9 FARMINGTON (Sat.)
Sept. 15 Bye
Sept. 22 at Piedra Vista
Sept. 30 at Atrisco Heritage (Sat.)*
Oct. 6 VOLCANO VISTA*
Oct. 13 RIO RANCHO*
Oct. 20 at Cleveland*
Oct. 26 at Sandia (Thur.)
* District Game
Coach’s Comments: “Last season was tough with Aden going down. It was unexpected. We’ve put last season behind us. It’s a brand new program. We’re continuing to build the culture we’re looking for at Cibola. We have a very good group of young players, sophomore and juniors led by a smaller group of seniors that are good leaders and good athletes. Ther kids are really buying in to what we’re doing. . .Noah seems like the total package. He’s a great leader. He spins the football very well and sees the field very well. It’s hard going into a season with a sophomore quarterback and Noah will make some mistakes, but right now he’s the future for us at quarterback. He’s a worker. He’s always in the weight room or asking guys to go throw the ball.” – Cibola head coach Chris Howe
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ELDORADO
Head Coach: Charlie Dotson
Mascot: Golden Eagles
Twitter: @EldoEaglesFB
Colors: Texas Orange and Gold
2022 Record: 2-8 (No Playoffs)
Overview: Losing seasons for Eldorado have been rare under head coach Charlie Dotson, who has led the Golden Eagles since 2007. Last season’s two wins were the fewest in at least two decades. But Eldorado is optimistic they have the talent and experience, particularly on offense, to bounce back in 2013. Senior quarterback Brandon OIivas begins his third season with the Eldorado varsity, so his experience will help lift the Eldorado offense. It helps, as well, that most of his wide receivers are back along with workhorse junior running back Johnpaul Ludi, who carried 127 times last season. Junior Daniel Quinones Daniel Quinones 5'8" | 170 lbs | WR Eldorado | 2025 State NM is the No. 2 RB and should also play at slot. As many as eight starters return on offense for the Eagles. Dynamic senior WR Josiah Mitchell Josiah Mitchell 6'0" | 155 lbs | WR Eldorado | 2024 State NM holds multiple college offers. He had 50+ receptions last season. Six-foot-4 Joshua Jackson Joshua Jackson 6'5" | 205 lbs | WR Eldorado | 2024 State NM is a two-sport standout for Eldorado. He led the Eagles with 8 TD receptions in 2022. Senior Jessie Wells gives the Eagles good depth at the WR position. Senior center Alex LeFebre Alex LeFebre 6'0" | 215 lbs | OL Eldorado | 2024 State NM anchors the offensive line. Four O-linemen who saw significant action last season are back. Defensively, Eldorado must improve under a new defensive coordinator. The Eagles allowed 34+ points in all of their eight setbacks in 2022, 45+ points five times. Just a few starters return on that side of the ball, so the Eldorado defense is best described as a ‘work in progress.’ Safety Erick Thomas Erick Thomas 5'9" | 150 lbs | DB Eldorado | 2024 State NM returns after suffering an injury in 2022. DB Quinn Teupell is one of the returning starters. NG/DE Kevin Cuomo Kevin Cuomo 5'9" | 205 lbs | LB Eldorado | 2025 State NM is an elite power lifter, winning the state title in his weight class. The linebackers will feature several fresh faces. Preseason camp was marked by fierce battles for the starting LB jobs.
2023 Schedule:
Aug. 18 at Cibola
Aug. 25 at Rio Rancho
Aug. 31 at Atrisco Heritage (Thur.)
Sept. 8 PIEDRA VISTA
Sept. 16 CLOVIS (Sat.)
Sept. 23 VOLCANO VISTA (Sat.)
Sept. 29 LA CUEVA*
Oct. 6 at Sandia*
Oct. 13 Bye
Oct. 21 FARMINGTON* (Sat.)
Oct. 27 at West Mesa*
* District Game
Coach’s Comments: “Two and eight is never what we plan on doing. Our goal is always to get into the playoffs and do the best we can to win a state championship. That’s always our expectation. This year, I think we’re going to be a better team but we have the same schedule. A lot of teams we’ll be playing are going to be better too. Obviously, we have our work cut out for us. We return a lot of players on offense, so our expectations are high there. But our defense will be young and inexperienced.” – Eldorado head coach Charlie Dotson
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VOLCANO VISTA
Head Coach: Chad Wallin
Mascot: Hawks
Twitter: @vvhsfootball
Web: https://volcanovistafootball.com/
Colors: Black and Platinum
2022 Record: 10-3 (6A Semifinals)
Overview: Boosted in part by strong quarterback play, Volcano Vista has been one of the state’s top 6A programs over the last seven seasons, compiling an impressive record of 51-22 since the start of the 2016 campaign, including 30-10 since 2019 when they were the No. 1 seed in the 6A playoffs. The Hawks’ prolific offense was again on display last season as Volcano Vista amassed over 5,500 total yards en route to a semifinal appearance in the playoffs. Who will be the successor to graduated QB Elliot Paskett-Bell (signed with NMMI), who threw for over 3,200 yards and 34 TD. Juniors Ilijah Hanson and Eli Salas Eli Salas 5'9" | 145 lbs | DB Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM , freshman Dreyden Montgomery and others competed for the starting job during preseason camp. Most likely, Hanson or Salas will earn the starting nod for the Aug. 18 season opener at Las Cruces. Salas is shifty, elusive and fast, while Hanson is more of a pocket passer and is very good at quickly going through his progressions. Running back Alijah Gonzales Alijah Gonzales 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM is probably Volcano Vista’s best athlete. He rushed for almost 700 yards and 12 TD in 2022 while battling injuries. If he stays healthy, Gonzales will get plenty of carries. He’ll also play linebacker in certain situations. Junior Mason Gurule Mason Gurule 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM is the No. 2 RB and will get his share of carries. The top four wide receivers are seniors Devin Banks, Tyler Stuart, Aden Cardiel and dynamic junior Michael Justis Smith. Heavily recruited Zachary Markham Zachary Markham 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM (6-3, 280 pounds) anchors the offensive line from his left tackle spot. Markham has been offered by CSU-Pueblo, West Texas A&M, Western Colorado, NMMI and all three D2 school in New Mexico. Senior Ezekiah Ortiz will be the left guard, giving the Hawks a large and talented left side of the line. Defensively, the defensive line will be young as all five of the players who rotated there were seniors last season. Promising sophomore Alvin Gomez is the name to know. He has a great motor, great hands and is very aggressive. Senior Alex Cozby Alex Cozby 6'5" | 200 lbs | DL Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM will be one of the defensive ends. Inside linebacker should be the strength of the Hawks defense with Kian Vander Wilt Kian Vander Wilt 6'2" | 230 lbs | LB Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM (100 tackles, 9.5 TFL in 2022), Hunter Martinez Hunter Martinez 6'0" | 180 lbs | DL Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM (83 tackles) and Jace Anderson all returning. Vander Wilt has been offered by Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico. The outside linebackers are juniors Thomas Pettus and Adam Jaramillo. The secondary will be anchored by Joshua Larranaga, Cesar Valles and Hudson Brown. Bryan Zajac Bryan Zajac 5'7" | 135 lbs | DB Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM could make an impact.
2023 Schedule:
Aug. 18 at Las Cruces (Field of Dreams)
Aug. 25 WEST MESA
Sept. 2 CARLSBAD (Sat.)
Sept. 8 LA CUEVA
Sept. 14 SANDIA (Thur.)
Sept. 23 at Eldorado (Sat.)
Sept. 29 CLEVELAND*
Oct. 6 at Cibola*
Oct. 13 Bye
Oct. 20 RIO RANCHO*
Oct. 28 at Atrisco Heritage (Sat.)*
* District Game
Coach’s Comments: “We lost 36 seniors and we have a much smaller senior class this year. Talking to some of the other coaches around Albuquerque, they’re going through the same thing. The Class of 2024 lost their freshman year to Covid. Right now, we have about 20 or 21 seniors, which is the first time in about five years we haven’t had 30 or more seniors. But we have some talent in that senior group and some good leadership qualities. They ran the offseason very well.” – Volcano Vista head coach