2023 Team Preview: Hobbs Eagles
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<p><strong>2023 Hobbs Preview</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Ken Stevens </p>
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<p><strong>Mascot</strong>: Eagles </p>
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<p><strong>Twitter:</strong> @HobbsEaglesFB</p>
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<p><strong>Colors</strong>: Black and Gold </p>
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<p><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 9-2 (6A Quarterfinals) </p>
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<p><strong>Overview</strong>: Hobbs enjoyed an outstanding regular season in 2022, earning a Top 4 seed and a first-round bye for the Class 6A playoffs. But the Eagles suffered a heartbreaking last-second home loss to Volcano Vista in the quarterfinals, ending their season in frustrating fashion. Many of the top players from last season have graduated and the Eagles need their successors to step up if they want to earn another Top 4 seed.</p>
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<p>Hobbs has a proud tradition of producing quality quarterbacks (See UTEP QB Gavin Hardison) and the Eagles hope this year's starter follows in their footsteps. Throughout the summer and the first week of preseason camp, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817391' first='Owen' last='Callaway']</strong> and Carlsbad transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119255' first='Brock' last='Beaty']</strong> have been competing for the job. Callaway has a little more speed and mobility while Beaty is a big, strong pocket passer. Callaway has been in the system longer and probably understands the offense better.</p>
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<p>Hobs must also replace 2022's leading rusher, Diego Baeza. The likely new No. 1 RB is senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103655' first='Saul' last='Armendariz']</strong>, who averaged about five carries per game in 2022. Junior <strong>Omarion Kennedy</strong> will get an opportunity to carry the football as well. Replacing highly productive WR Kaden Trevino (preferred walk-on at New Mexico State) as the Eagles' No. 1 WR is senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592369' first='Jeremiah' last='Jaquez']</strong> (42 receptions for 672 yards and 9 TD in 2022). After him, Hobbs will rely on inexperienced receivers to step up, including junior <strong>D'Shawn Franklin</strong> and senior <strong>Justin Black</strong>.</p>
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<p>Along the offensive line, LG <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590302' first='Joshua' last='Ray']</strong> (6-3, 295) and LT <strong>Omar Mascarenas</strong> (6-3, 280) both return and give the Eagles a LARGE left side of the line. Promising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1057304' first='Kylar' last='Pickering']</strong> (6-4, 260) will start on the right side. Junior <strong>Landon Needham</strong> will join him there. The center is senior <strong>Adyn Kays</strong>.</p>
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<p>Defensively, last season's leading tackler MLB Kenyon Singleton (137 tackles) signed with Eastern New Mexico. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815949' first='Zaeden' last='McPherson']</strong> will slide over from OLB to take over for Singleton in the middle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103266' first='Cameron' last='Hernandez']</strong> return at OLB after making 78 tackles in 2022. Juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119266' first='Tristan' last='Davis']</strong> and <strong>Gustavo Diaz-Castro</strong> complete the LB quartet and will be counted on to help replace Singleton's production.</p>
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<p>Six-foot-0, 315-pound nose tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103274' first='Oliver' last='Hill']</strong> anchors the defensive line. Six-foot-4, 250-pound senior <strong>Kanyon Johnson</strong> played primarily JV last season but saw action with the varsity at defensive tackle. Promising sophomore <strong>Gabriel Henry</strong> will play defensive end in addition to occasionally carrying the football at RB for the Eagles. The secondary will be young with four new starters, including senor CBs <strong>Carlos Jimenez</strong> and <strong>Manny Murillo</strong>. Safety <strong>Brycen Avila</strong> saw extensive action in the secondary last season before suffering an injury. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137893' first='Javen' last='Hernandez']</strong> will be the other safety. </p>
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<p><strong>2023 Schedule</strong>: After the traditional season opener against Clovis, Hobbs faces regional rivals Artesia, Roswell and Lovington before heading to Rio Rancho for an intriguing non-district matchup. That leads the Eagles into district play and the first two contests are Las Cruces and Centennial. </p>
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<p>Aug. 18 at Clovis</p>
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<p>Aug. 25 at Artesia</p>
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<p>Sept. 1 ROSWELL</p>
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<p>Sept. 8 LOVINGTON</p>
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<p>Sept. 15 at Rio Rancho</p>
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<p>Sept. 22 Bye</p>
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<p>Sept. 29 LAS CRUCES*</p>
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<p>Oct. 6 at Centennial*</p>
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<p>Oct. 13 ALAMOGORDO*</p>
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<p>Oct. 20 at Organ Mountain*</p>
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<p>Oct. 27 CARLSBAD*</p>
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<p>* District Game</p>
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<p><strong>Coach's Comments</strong>: “We were senior heavy last year, so we graduated a ton of players on both sides of the ball. Moving into the spring, we had a lot of work to do. We have a lot of good players coming back, but some haven't logged much varsity time. We had a good offseason in the weight room. We had some good installation practices to the point where the players are comfortable with what we're doing. Leading into the summer, we continued to grow and gain reps with all the new starters. We're excited for the challenges ahead and we're expecting big things from this team. . .The quarterback battle has been a good competition. It's been tightly contested. After our scrimmage, I'll make a decision and go with it.” – Hobbs head coach Ken Stevens. </p>
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<p> </p>
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2023 Hobbs Preview
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