2023 Team Previews: Class 5A South Central Region

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 5A Preview Southern New Mexico&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEMING</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Rich Perales&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mascot</strong>: Wildcats&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Twitter</strong>: @DemingWildcat</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colors</strong>: Cardinal, Navy Blue&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 8-5 (5A Semifinals)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview</strong>: Bolstered by a deep run in last season's 5A playoffs and sparkling new facilities, the Deming football program is riding high. However, they must find replacements for three standout next level caliber players – DE Ian Ortiz (signed with CSU-Pueblo), RB Fabian Reyna (Western New Mexico) and DB Gabriel Villegas (Adams State). That's the job for new head coach Rich Perales, who replaced the retired Greg Simmons, who led the Wildcats to eight wins and a semifinal playoff berth in his final season. Underrated quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='837197' first='Ryan' last='Alfaro']</strong> is an elite athlete with dual threat skills. Deming intends to utilize his passing skills more this season with play action passes and quick drops. Senior <strong>Aiden Jaquez</strong> succeeds Reyna at RB but will still play defense. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='510673' first='Ezra' last='Hensley']</strong>, our No. 1 offensive lineman prospect in the 2025 class, powers the young Deming O-Line. <strong>Elijah Cabrera</strong> will be the center. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103216' first='Jared' last='Almanza']</strong>, an excellent baseball player, joins the football program for the first time and showed during 7-on-7 season that he could excel at WR. Jaquez could line up at slot. Decorated junior LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611155' first='Isaiah' last='Pizarro']</strong> leads the defense and could get some carries on offense. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118366' first='Sebastian' last='Acuna']</strong>, sophomore<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1751380' first='Vincente' last='Chacon'] </strong>and five-foot-11, 205-pound sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851887' first='Isaac' last='Martinez'] </strong>joins him at the second level to give the Wildcats a solid LB corps. &nbsp;The D-Line will be young. Senior safety <strong>A.J. Flores</strong> headlines the secondary. He's been offered by WNMU. <strong>Anthony Alacron</strong> is at strong safety. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103220' first='Ryan' last='Barrera']</strong> will be one of the cornerbacks. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Schedule</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 18 DEL NORTE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 26 at Organ Mountain (Sat.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 1 at Goddard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 8 ARTESIA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 15 BELEN</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 22 SILVER</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 29 at Mayfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 6 Bye</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 13 at Santa Teresa*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 20 CHAPARRAL*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 27 at Gadsden*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach's Comments</strong>: “We lost some key players. We have only five seniors. We're junior loaded this year and we have a good crew of sophomores and freshmen coming up. . .Coach Simmons didn't like to throw the ball. We were three yards and a cloud of dust. With Ryan, we're going to do some play action stuff, some three-step quick game. I'm excited about that. Ryan is throwing the ball very well. Aiden Jaquez will do well at running back. ” – Deming head coach&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>********************************************************************************</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GADSDEN&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Dino Facio Jr.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mascot</strong>: Panthers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Twitter</strong>: @GadsdenPanthers; @CoachFacio</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colors</strong>: Maroon and Gold&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 5-7 (5A Quarterfinals)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview</strong>: In many respects, Gadsden was THE ‘feel good' story of the 2022 season. After playing as an independent in 2021, the numbers finally worked for the Panthers and they moved from Class 6A to Class 5A (where they've wanted to be for years) for the 2022-23 cycle. Gadsden celebrated the move with arguably its best season in decades, earning a playoff berth, beating Los Alamos on the road &nbsp;and reaching the quarterfinals. Now comes the hard part – doing it again. They won't have dynamic quarterback Tomas Herrera anymore as he graduated in May &nbsp;and signed with NMMI. Four quarterbacks competed throughout the summer and preseason camp for the job. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119637' first='Adrian' last='Munoz']</strong>, freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155087' first='Anthony' last='Palomares']</strong>, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615429' first='Daan' last='Cano']</strong> and junior <strong>Sergio Mendoza</strong> have battled for months and we'll finally find out the answer on Thur. night when Gadsden hosts defending 3A champion Ruidoso in the season opener. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615673' first='Alfredo' last='Andrade']</strong> (136 carries in 2022) and senior <strong>Ryan Hernandez</strong> return at running back and should provide the Panthers with a productive run game. Andrade was Gadsden's second leading rusher behind Herrera last season. Juniors <strong>Christopher Orozco </strong>and <strong>Steven Morales</strong> are back at wide receiver and look to boost the Panthers' passing attack. Six-foot-6, 300-pounder <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590197' first='Victor' last='Montiel']</strong> powers the O-Line. Several colleges have expressed interest. Senior center <strong>Oscar Romero</strong> is back as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815958' first='Nathaniel' last='Lopez']</strong> will play both ways and excels as a defensive lineman with 62 tackles in 2022. He possesses next level talent and is the strongest player on the team. His younger brother, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854198' first='Alexander' last='Lopez']</strong>, joins him on the D-Line. Senior MLB <strong>Roman Gonzalez</strong> and Cano (137 tackles in 2022) spearhead the LB corps. <strong>Zach Talavera</strong> and <strong>Silvestre Morales</strong> anchor the secondary. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Schedule</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 17 RUIDOSO (Thur.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 24 at El Paso (TX) High (Thur.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 1 at Alamogordo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 8 CLINT (TX)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 15 ORGAN MOUNTAIN</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 21 GODDARD (Thur.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 29 VALENCIA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 6 Bye</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 13 at Chaparral</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 20 at Santa Teresa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 27 DEMING</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach's Comments</strong>: “Our community has finally felt the impact of what a high school football program can bring to a small town. A lot of people have now made their way back to our program. People want to be around winners. When you win, they'll come. We've seen a tremendous amount of support. Last year was big for our program, our school and our community. Everybody is now expecting for us to be successful. Everywhere, people expect us to be good and they expect us to win. I tell the team all the time that pressure is a good thing. How we respond to that will tell our story.” – Gadsden head coach Dino Facio Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>************************************************************************************</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SANTA TERESA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Shae Vierra&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mascot</strong>: Desert Warriors&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Twitter</strong>: @STHS_Football</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colors</strong>: Black and Turquoise&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 4-7 (5A Playoffs, First Round)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview</strong>: Santa Teresa has quietly put together some solid seasons in recent years, compiling a mark of 34-20 between 2017-22. Last season the Desert Warriors (arguably the coolest nickname in NM High School football) earned a playoff berth before losing to Mayfield in the 1^st round. Shae Vierra, who begins his 15^th season as Santa Teresa's head coach, is overseeing a massive roster overhaul. The Desert Warriors will be very young in 2023. The youth movement begins at quarterback. Last season's starting QB, Jack Bumgardner, is a senior but he suffered an ACL injury during the offseason and won't play football this fall. As a result, athletic sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137846' first='Nicholas' last='Vierra']</strong> (son of the HC) will be the starting QB after seeing limited action as a freshman in 2022. Being a coach's son, he has a high football IQ and is already a good leader. Junior <strong>Ayell Saldana</strong> elevates to No. 1 RB. What he lacks in size, he makes up for with impressive speed and quickness. The No. 2 RB job is still up for grabs. The receiving corps, senior-dominated in 2022, will be entirely new. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119692' first='Ulysses' last='Montes']</strong> is back, though, after serving in a limited backup role as a freshman last season. Montes had 1 reception in 2022. Andrew Gonzalez transferred to Canutillo (TX) High after making 17 receptions as a sophomore last fall. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155056' first='Armando' last='Ramirez']</strong> is a promising freshman WR. Along the offensive line, three-year starter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590680' first='Nathan' last='Saenz']</strong> is the anchor at center. Senior guard <strong>Danial Porras</strong> was an all-district performer in 2022. Defensively, speedy senior CB <strong>Adrian Uranga</strong> is one of the cornerstones. He's been playing varsity for four years. Linebackers <strong>Jaxon Bowron </strong>(6-0, 190) and <strong>Matthew Lopez</strong> (6-1, 200) bring good size and superb athleticism to the second level. Seniors <strong>Zion Monarrez</strong> and <strong>Darrell Froese</strong> are the defensive linemen to watch. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Schedule</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 18 at Goddard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25 at Mayfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 1 LOVINGTON</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 8 COBRE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 14 VALENCIA (Thur.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 22 at El Paso (TX) Mountain View</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 29 ARTESIA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 6 Bye</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 13 DEMING*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 20 GADSDEN*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 26 at Chaparral*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach's Comments: “We lost a lot of players from last season,&nbsp; probably about 80 percent of our roster. We have very few returners. Our top goal for the offseason was getting our young guys stronger. We're going to be very dependent on sophomores this season.” – Santa Teresa head coach Shae Vierra.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DemingWildcat/status/1691073776078016512?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DemingWildcat/status/1691073776078016512?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DemingWildcat/status/1690207073274056704?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DemingWildcat/status/1690207073274056704?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GadsdenPanthers/status/1690454263762468864?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GadsdenPanthers/status/1690454263762468864?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GadsdenPanthers/status/1686223779515842560?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GadsdenPanthers/status/1686223779515842560?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/STHS_Football/status/1597408476762091520?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/STHS_Football/status/1597408476762091520?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/STHS_Football/status/1691829409332813890","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/STHS_Football/status/1691829409332813890 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->