6A Team Previews: ABQ Metro (AHS, Atrisco, West Mesa)
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2023 6A Albuquerque Metro Preview ALBUQUERQUE HIGH Head Coach: Desmond Anaya Mascot: Bulldogs Twitter: @BulldogCityFB; @coachdezanaya Colors: Kelly Green and White 2022 Record: 3-7 (No Playoffs) Overview: Desmond Anaya begins his first season at head coach of…
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Continue Reading2023 6A Albuquerque Metro Preview
ALBUQUERQUE HIGH
Head Coach: Desmond Anaya
Mascot: Bulldogs
Twitter: @BulldogCityFB; @coachdezanaya
Colors: Kelly Green and White
2022 Record: 3-7 (No Playoffs)
Overview: Desmond Anaya begins his first season at head coach of the AHS Bulldogs. Experienced senior Frank Hren is the quarterback. He’s an excellent athlete. He also runs track and competes in powerlifting, so he’s fast and strong. He’ll be protected by a study offensive line that includes elite LT T.J. McCarthy (offers from all 3 D2 programs in the state) and LG Esteven Baca. Sophomore RB Alberto Landeros Alberto Landeros 5'8" | 150 lbs | RB Albuquerque High | 2026 State NM played varsity last season as a freshman. Junior Jonathan Chavez Jonathan Chavez 5'9" | 160 lbs | RB Albuquerque | 2025 State NM averaged 8.0 yards per carry last season with one 100+ yard rushing game. Both run downhill and are able to gain the tough yards inside. Junior Isaac Houlihan Isaac Houlihan 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Albuquerque | 2025 State NM , Gabe Fernandez and Abran Vigil Abran Vigil 5'8" | 145 lbs | DB Albuquerque | 2025 State NM are the top WR targets with Jordan Choice Jordan Choice 5'9" | 140 lbs | WR Albuquerque | 2025 State NM being a promising newcomer. Baca is an excellent defensive lineman as well. One of the standouts of the Bulldogs’ defense will be outstanding SS Diego Viscarra Diego Viscarra 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Albuquerque High | 2024 State NM , who had 76 tackles in 2022. He has been offered by New Mexico Highlands. Vigil is an excellent LB.
2023 Schedule:
Aug. 18 ORGAN MOUNTAIN
Aug. 25 Bye
Sept. 1 SANDIA
Sept. 7 at West Mesa (Thur.)
Sept. 15 at Farmington
Sept. 21 at La Cueva (Thur.)
Sept. 29 at Clovis*
Oct. 6 LOS LUNAS*
Oct. 14 CAPITAL* (Sat.)
Oct. 20 at Santa Fe*
Oct. 27 at Manzano*
* District Game
Coach’s Comments: “Being a head coach for the first time has been a lot of fun and a lot of work. I love being with the players every day and helping them develop. They’re ready to learn. That makes it easier. Frank can do it all as an athlete. We have to give him plays that work for him. We’re building around what we do best. He’s a great leader.”– Albuquerque High head coach Desmond Anaya.
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ATRISCO HERITAGE
Head Coach: Howard Knezevich
Mascot: Jaguars
Twitter: @AtriscoJags; @HowardKnezevich
Colors: Gold, Green and Navy Blue.
2022 Record: 5-6 (6A First Round)
Overview: Howard Knezevich is leading the revival of the Atrisco Heritage program. Numbers are up (120 players) and the Jaguars made the playoffs last fall, a big step for the program. The Jaguars got some good news recently when QB Dean Marquez Dean Marquez 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Atrisco Heritage | 2024 State NM was told by doctors that he was progressing quicker than expected from a serious shoulder injury he suffered in the next-to-last regular season game against Cleveland. Marquez, who underwent surgery several months ago, is expected to return around midseason. Until then, junior Landon Griego Landon Griego 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Atrisco Heritage Academy | 2025 State NM will be the starting quarterback. He started the final regular season game and the playoff game against Volcano Vista. Griego played well during the spring and summer and looks like a different QB. He’ll have an outstanding WR corps catching his passes, starting with the dynamic (and speedy) duo of senior Marquise Renfro Marquise Renfro 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Atrisco Heritage | 2024 State NM and junior Latavious Morris Latavious Morris 5'9" | 150 lbs | RB Atrisco Heritage | 2025 State NM . Junior Chauncey Lane Chauncey Lane 5'4" | 130 lbs | WR Atrisco Heritage | 2025 State NM returns while Jayden Ortiz Jayden Ortiz 5'6" | 125 lbs | WR Atrisco Heritage | 2024 State NM is back after taking some time off. The No. 1 RB will be Andres Villalobos. Atrisco is hoping for improved offensive line play to boost the run game and allow the QB time to make throws. Three seniors led by center Santiago Gordon highlight the group. Senior Aidan Atencio is 6-foot-3, 300 pounds. Six-foot-2, 250-pound freshman Dominick Lewallen Dominick Lewallen 6'2" | 250 lbs | OL Atrisco Heritage | 2027 State NM will be the starting left tackle. He could potentially become a big-time OL prospect. The Jaguars should be better on defense this season. Elycio Roybal Elycio Roybal 5'11" | 200 lbs | DL Atrisco Heritage Academy | 2025 State NM is the top DL. Sophomore DE Marcos Chavez saw action as a freshman last fall while sophomore Julian Alarcon (6-2, 240) is another promising young DL. Senior Joziah Lopez Joziah Lopez 6'0" | 175 lbs | LB Atrisco Heritage | 2024 State NM (90+ tackles in 2022) headlines the LB corps.
2023 Schedule:
Aug. 19 SANDIA (Sat.)
Aug. 24 RIO GRANDE (Thur.)
Aug. 31 ELDORADO (Thur.)
Sept. 7 at Manzano
Sept. 15 at West Mesa
Sept. 22 at Capital
Sept. 30 CIBOLA*
Oct. 6 at Rio Rancho*
Oct. 13 at Cleveland
Oct. 20 Bye
Oct. 28 VOLCANO VISTA* (Sat.)
* District Game
Coach’s Comments: “I like the way things are going. Numbers are up. We have a good freshman class. We took some big steps last year to go from 2-7 to 5-6. This year we hope to take another big step. Making the playoffs last year showed our guys we can get there. We were competitive for two quarters against Volcano in the playoffs but we collapsed. It’s been a hard climb but we’re getting there.” – Atrisco Heritage head coach Howard Knezevich.
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WEST MESA
Head Coach: Landrick Brody
Mascot: Mustangs
Twitter: @wmhs_mustangFB
Colors: Royal Blue and Scarlet
2022 Record: 5-5 (No Playoff)
Overview: Led by a 6-foot-3 gunslinging southpaw quarterback who has been offered by New Mexico, West Mesa enters the 2023 campaign with high expectations a season after barely missing the 6A playoffs. Senior Elijah Brody Elijah Brody 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB West Mesa | 2024 State NM transferred to West Mesa from Cleveland after his father was named Mustangs head coach and threw for nearly 2,500 yards and 29 TD last season. Brody is one of the top quarterbacks in the state and proved during 7×7 season that he’s worthy of those accolades. He’ll again have several elite receivers at his disposal, including Ricky Martinez Ricky Martinez 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR West Mesa | 2024 State NM and Elias Guttierez. Sophomore Marcos Ochoa is a promising newcomer. He could make a significant impact this season. He possesses elite speed and runs crips, smooth routes. He could be utilized on jet sweeps. Junior Jeremiah Ellis is a capable possession receiver.
What will help Brody and the potentially lethal West Mesa passing game is a solid rushing attack, together with Brody’s ability to make checks at the line of scrimmage and enhanced trust in the O-Line. Marcus Sharp Marcus Sharp 6'2" | 205 lbs | RB West Mesa | 2024 State NM , who is listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds with superb athleticism and physicality, has moved to running back from TE/WR. The Mustangs hope Sharp, along with the reliable Joseph Garcia, stabilize the ground game. West Mesa also has two veteran offensive linemen returning – seniors Javier Marquez (6-4, 270) and Jaycob Jinzo. Sophomore Miguel Olivus is 6-foot-3, 330 pounds, one of the biggest O-Lineman in the state. He’ll likely be a major college prospect in a couple of years.
Defensively, West Mesa must improve significantly if they want to make a deep run in the playoffs. New defensive coordinator Stacy Washington was on the Highland staff for years. Washington had the West Mesa defenders playing aggressively and with an attitude during 7×7 season. Now we’ll see if they can carry that over into the fall. Linebackers Vences Caraveo Vences Caraveo 6'0" | 170 lbs | LB West Mesa | 2024 State NM and Yorik Molinar Yorik Molinar 5'10" | 185 lbs | LB West Mesa | 2025 State NM are the sparkplugs for the Mustangs defense. DE Victor Sutherland is a returning starter. In the secondary, senior CB Tavon Archibald Tavon Archibald 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB West Mesa | 2024 State NM and 6-foot-1 ballhawk junior Sajon Thompson Sajon Thompson 6'2" | 165 lbs | DB West Mesa | 2025 State NM are the top playmakers. Archibald is a very physical player and shows little fear. Anthony Talamante and Mark Montano are seniors as well.
2023 Schedule:
Aug. 18 at Santa Fe
Aug. 25 at Volcano Vista
Sept. 1 CIBOLA
Sept. 7 ALBUQUERQUE HIGH (Thur.)
Sept. 15 ATRISCO HERITAGE
Sept. 22 Bye
Sept. 30 SANDIA (Sat.)*
Oct. 6 at Farmington*
Oct. 14 at La Cueva (Sat)*
Oct. 20 at Rio Grande
Oct. 27 ELDORADO*
* District Game
Coach’s Comments: “We had a real solid offseason. For me, as well. I have a better idea of what to expect. We lost a good group of receivers but we still have two out of that group from last year. We have gained some depth. When I first got here, in a lot of instances once we got done with the first guy, it was scary. But at the receiver spot, we’ll be seven deep. The biggest growth we’ve had is in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Our offensive line will be pretty competitive, and defensive line too. Elijah has matured a lot from an X’s and O’s standpoint, and he has gotten bigger and stronger. He took it upon himself to get his body physically ready to be competitive. He has put on about 15 pounds. He went to some camps too. Mentally, that put him in a good spot because he saw where he stood among the best in the nation. That offer from New Mexico definitely boosted his confidence. I think he will take a big step this year.” – West Mesa head coach Landrick Brody.