2024 Look Ahead: Clovis Wildcats

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's Year 3 of the flexbone for the Clovis Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrew McCraw's second year as head coach produced a district title for Clovis, who stunned Los Lunas with a remarkable fourth quarter comeback in the final regular season game to earn a guaranteed spot in the Class 6A playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The following week, though, Clovis suffered a lopsided loss to rival Hobbs in a first round playoff game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Our message to the team has been we've built a good foundation, but now it's time to build the walls and put up some decorations,” McCraw told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We've done some good things the first two years. We were probably hoping for more than what we got last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“But we were happy with the district title, especially how we won it. We have some momentum but we need to keep going and keep building. So far, we've had a good offseason. Some kids have gotten a lot stronger and earned the opportunity to be on the field.”&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most significant question facing Clovis this season is who replaces the prolific duo of [player_tooltip player_id='275376' first='Jett' last='Stone'] and [player_tooltip player_id='275303' first='Kash' last='Roberts'] at quarterback and chief running back, respectively. In a run-dominated offense (Clovis attempted only 78 passes all season), Stone and Roberts accounted for 2,450 rushing yards, 78.1 percent of the Wildcats' total.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who's next? Impressively strong (and speedy) rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137899' first='John' last='Royal']</strong> periodically spelled Roberts last season and now he becomes one of the main ball carriers after playing mainly defense last season. He averaged close to 7 yards per carry and scored 2 touchdowns in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Pound for pound, John is probably the strongest kid in our program,” McCraw said. “He can deadlift 500 pounds. He's big, strong kid. But he has some good speed, too. He has the best track times, too. He's a little bigger than Kash was but maybe not as fluid. But he's just as fast and hits the hole hard. We may be a little more ground and pound this season. John is definitely the guy we're looking to take over that spot.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154930' first='Javier' last='Jimenez']</strong>, last season's backup QB and starting safety, and rising junior <strong>Clifton Brown</strong>, the JV QB and a cornerback in 2023, will compete for the quarterback job. Brown will play a number of positions on offense for the Wildcats – QB (he's the best passer), slot and outside receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right now, the Clovis offense will revolve primarily around Royal, Jimenez and Brown. All three should be major contributors. Rising senior <strong>Preston Green</strong> and rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267018' first='Johnny' last='Molina']</strong> will both be key receivers as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clovis must also replace most of its starting offensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='275427' first='Jeremiah' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1103208' first='Aiden' last='Brown'] both signed with Eastern New Mexico while TE Kohen Matus will walk on at West Texas A&amp;M.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising senior <strong>Dakota Scott</strong> returns at center. Rising senior <strong>Claudio Hernadez</strong> is being eyed to for one of the guard spots. He played mostly JVs last year. <strong>Kaleb King</strong> played a lot of defense last year and served as the sixth O-Linemen. Now he gets his chance to start. &nbsp;The other two OLine spots will be the subject of intense competition between numerous candidates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We don't necessarily need a big offensive line,” McCraw said. “But we need guys who will be physical and can move. I'm excited to see what we've got. Right now, they're untested.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Clovis returns defensive ends <strong>Giovanni Gonzales</strong>, an excellent pass rusher, and <strong>Troy Richter</strong>. Rising junior <strong>Irvin Rodriguez</strong> was hobbled by an injury last season and underwent surgery but he's healthy now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCraw said most of the spots in the defensive back seven are up for grabs. Rising junior <strong>Matthew Ochoa</strong> looks to have one LB spot sewn up after being a backup LB and special teams standout as a sophomore. Jimenez, Brown and Molina could see action in the secondary along with Green. But if they're playing on offense, younger players will have to step in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have some pretty good players coming back, but we know we're going to have to play some young kids,” McCraw said. “With our schedule, we have to get after it quick. We have to grow up fast.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 CLOVIS SCHEDULE</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 23 at Farmington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30 RIO RANCHO</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 6 CLEVELAND</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 13 Bye</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 20 at Cibola</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 27 CARLSBAD*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 4 at Las Cruces*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 11 ORGAN MOUNTAIN*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 18 at Hobbs*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 25 CENTENNIAL*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nov. 1 at Alamogordo*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 6A-3 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/coachmccraw/status/1718132083388764427","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/coachmccraw/status/1718132083388764427 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->