2024 Look Ahead: Cibola Cougars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few teams are as eager for the 2024 season to begin than the Cibola Cougars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cibola went winless in 2023, and, not surprisingly, most jobs will be up for grabs when preseason camp begins in early August. In fact, many position battles have probably already started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars hope many of the young players who played at the varsity level last fall benefit from the experience, and that growth leads to more wins in 2024. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Last year we played a lot of sophomores and juniors,” Cibola head coach Chris Howe told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We're getting all those guys back, which is great. Last year definitely lit a fire based on how hard they're working right now. This is the best off-season we've had since I've been at Cibola. The kids are getting stronger and working their butts off.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Considering the struggles of the Cibola offense in 2023 – the Cougars scored 20+ points only three times, fewer than 10 points five times – competition for most spots should be spirited, starting at quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851864' first='Noah' last='Carroll']</strong> led the Cibola offense for most of last season, but he'll need to beat out multiple challengers to keep his starting QB job. Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1748810' first='Mack' last='Cash']</strong> and rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259063' first='Antonio' last='Salcido']</strong>, an outstanding defensive back, will compete with Carroll, giving rise to a three-way battle throughout the summer months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Noah grew up a lot,” Howe said. “We're going to have an open battle there. We'll have two juniors battling it out. We also have a senior who has played quarterback before who's working over there as well. It's a matter of the whole team doing better. If we block better, the quarterback can make better reads. If we run the ball better, he'll have time to make his reads.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All three QB candidates are regarded as dual threat as they have the ability to make plays with their feet. Cash is an exceptional track athlete and one of the state's top pole vaulters. Caroll is probably the best passer in the group while Salcido is well respected for his leadership skills and all-around skills. If Salcido doesn't win the QB job, he'll contribute as a wide receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mack will likely carry the rock at running back if he doesn't win the QB job. Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1748730' first='Emmanuel' last='Apodaca'] </strong>and rising senior <strong>Devin Randolph </strong>are both in the mix and should get some carries as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeremiah Gutierrez</strong>, who led Cibola in receptions as a sophomore last season, is back at wide receiver. Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672439' first='Danny' last='Triplett']</strong> returns as well after an encouraging sophomore season in which he split time between the varsity and JV. Six-foot-1 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851863' first='Jordan' last='Gould']</strong> is another promising young receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along the offensive front, Cibola returns four starters from a season ago: <strong>Hipolito Gurule</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229572' first='Sergio' last='Jaramillo']</strong>, <strong>Max Scurlock </strong>and <strong>Zach Johnson</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cibola defense will be led by junior MLB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854199' first='Hayes' last='Baum']</strong>, who made 123 tackles with 19.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries in 2023. Those impressive stats are why Baum was our Sophomore of the Year in last December's Look Back, Look Ahead for Class 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baum is strong, fast and fearless. He finished fifth in Class 5A in the 220-pound weight class at the state powerlifting championships last month in Rio Rancho.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Hayes is a force,” Howe said. “He keeps getting bigger and stronger.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Salcido is one of the top safeties in the Albuquerque Metro Region. He had 71 tackles, 5 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles as a junior in 2023. Rising junior <strong>Jalil Dixon</strong> will play the other safety spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive line will be led by rising senior DE/NT <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259026' first='Voltaire' last='Venegas']</strong>, who had 57 tackles, 10.0 TFL and 4.5 sacks in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howe expects Cibola to put together a turnaround season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We ought to be a playoff team,” Howe said. “These young guys are hungry. I feel we have one of the best coaching staffs in the state. We picked up some new coaches from UNM. We're fired up to get rolling.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cibola competes in one of the toughest districts in the state with Cleveland, Farmington, Piedra Vista, Rio Rancho and Volcano Vista. AS a result, the back half of the schedule promises to be very challenging. The non-district schedule includes Albuquerque High, Sandia, Eldorado, Carlsbad and Clovis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 CIBOLA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 23 ALBUQUERQUE HIGH (7 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30 SANDIA (7 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 6 at Eldorado (7 p.m.)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 13 at Carlsbad (7 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 20 CLOVIS (7 p.m.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 27 Bye</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 4 at Rio Rancho (7 p.m.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 12 CLEVELAND (Sat., 11 a.m.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 18 at Farmington (7 p.m.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 26 PIEDRA VISTA (Sat., 1 p.m.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nov. 1 at Volcano Vista (7 p.m.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 6A-1 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/The__Baum/status/1720117726683840899","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/The__Baum/status/1720117726683840899 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Antonio50430501/status/1722054116145311796","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/Antonio50430501/status/1722054116145311796 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/The__Baum/status/1784414096785375470","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/The__Baum/status/1784414096785375470 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Antonio50430501/status/1780438232922013751","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/Antonio50430501/status/1780438232922013751 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/The__Baum/status/1734761038179152230","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/The__Baum/status/1734761038179152230 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->