2024 Look Ahead: Manzano Monarchs

Now that its move to Class 4A is cemented, it's go time for Manzano.   It's been a rough last few years for the Monarchs, but a talented core and a reasonable schedule have the Manzano players and coaches optimistic for a turnaround season in 2024.   Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1258970' first='James' last='Vautier'] returns after an encouraging junior season in which he threw for over 1,200 yards and 14 TD.   “James is beginning to understand the finer points of our offense and what his role is,” Manzano head coach Stephen Johnston told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “He has good football knowledge.  He understands his strengths and limitations and plays well within the system.   “He doesn't try to do anything outside of that. He works well with the people around him. He played a lot of quarterback as a sophomore because of injuries, so you could say he's a three-year starter.”   Last season's top two running backs have graduated – Elijah Barber and Josh Nieto. Right now, Johnston plans a running-back-by-committee approach with rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='854302' first='Justin' last='Duran'] headlining the group. Duran also played outside linebacker in 2023 but could become exclusively a running back.   Duran, though, will be given the opportunity to earn outright the No. 1 RB job.   “Justin is where we'll start and then we'll see if other guys fit around him,” Johnston said. “Right now, we want to look at Justin. He's a three-sport athlete and very athletic. We like those type  of guys. He has good speed and good cutting ability. He's a little more mature and more confident in himself compared to a year ago.”   Manzano also loses its top three receivers from last season. Nieto (49 receptions), Robert Lucero (36) and Barber (21) combined for 106 receptions in 2023. The top returning receiver has a familiar last name to most Manzano fans - [player_tooltip player_id='1137881' first='Aiden' last='Erickson']. He's the younger brother of former Monarch standouts Andrew and Austin Erickson, both of whom have played WR for the New Mexico Lobos.   [player_tooltip player_id='1137881' first='Aiden' last='Erickson'] averaged close to 19 yards per catch in 2023 when he was a two-way standout for the Monarchs. He also totaled 35 tackles and 3 interceptions as a ball-hawking defensive back.   “Aiden is extremely dynamic,” Johnston said. “Last season we had him playing safety a lot. He was a great safety. He played just about every down for us, so he never came off the field. He's a coach's son, so he's a tough player. We enjoy him. Aiden is going to be everything as advertised. He's fast, strong and extremely athletic. Great football mind.”   Austin Erickson was hired by Manzano to coach wide receivers, so he'll be coaching his younger brother on that side of the ball.   The jobs behind Erickson at receiver are up for grabs. Six-foot-2, 185-pound rising sophomore Vincent Varela will get a long look because of his impressive size and speed. He played H-Back and defensive end as a freshman in 2023.   “Vincent is very young and very green but he has a lot of upside,” Johnston said. “He might be able to fill a H-Back or slot role for us. He's very athletic. He's very dedicated and motivated. He's another three-sport athlete. He's a tall, physical guy. We're excited about him.”   The offensive line could be anchored by 280-pound rising senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1194194' first='Ricky' last='Scroggins'], who has next level aspirations. Scroggins is also an outstanding defensive tackle and will likely play both ways. He's one of five returning offensive linemen who saw extensive action in 2023. Manzano loses just one graduating senior at the position.   Six-foot-5, 270-pound rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1266485' first='Landon' last='Casalino'] will be another offensive line anchor for the Monarchs. Center Zach Valdez and rising juniors Elias Tafoya and James Hall are also back, giving the Monarchs a very experienced O-Line on the varsity level.   “Landon has the ability to play at the next level,” Johnston said. “He's still young. He has a great frame to keep building upon. I don't think he understands his size quite yet. Once he does, it will be scary for other people. If he continues to do what he's supposed to do, he'll have a lot of offers.”   Scroggins will anchor the D-Line as an active defensive tackle and nose guard. Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1137898' first='Bodi' last='True'] (listed at 6-1, 185 pounds) had 31 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 7 QB hurries and 6 sacks in 7 games as a sophomore in 2023. Another rising junior DL to watch is Dru Finks. Robert Moreno and possibly rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1679786' first='Cai' last='Cole'] could have larger roles in 2024.   “We're going to be a defense that's going to shuffle a lot of kids into the game to make sure they're fresh,” Johnston said. “Our defense is going to be very aggressive and physical. It's going to take our kids playing full speed all the time. Most of the kids we're going to start with have varsity experience from a year ago.”   At linebacker, Manzano loses Eli Darnell, last season's leading tackler with 102. Who replaces him is still up in the air. Rising senior Isaac Placencia is a possibility.Manzano was set to hold spring practice the final two weeks in May.   [player_tooltip player_id='1137881' first='Aiden' last='Erickson'] could see time on the second level as a hybrid safety and outside linebacker. Reggie Clark was a standout DB in 2023 and brings experience to the third level. He's physical and fast enough for the Manzano coaches to drop him into the box from time to time.   Senior Khaliq Waites could see action at linebacker after sitting out the 2023 season. He contributed to the Monarchs' defense as a sophomore in 2022 and is talented enough to play a variety positions. He's physical with good speed. He can play in the box.   Manzano hopes to take advantage of a 2024 schedule front-loaded with home games. The Monarchs opens the slate with home games against Highland and Rio Grande in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively.   “I like how our schedule is aligned for us to get better every week,” Johnston said. “We wanted to be battle tested by the time we got to our open week. Portales (on Sept. 21) will be a good measuring stick of where we are.”       2024 MANZANO FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:   Aug. 23 HIGHLAND (7 p.m.)   Aug. 30 RIO GRANDE (7 p.m.)   Sept. 6 at Del Norte (7 p.m.)   Sept. 13 HOPE CHRISTIAN (7 p.m.)   Sept. 21 PORTALES (Sat., 1 p.m.)*   Sept. 28 CHAPARRAL (Sat., 1 p.m.)*   Oct. 4 Bye   Oct. 11 at Albuquerque Academy (6 p.m.)*   Oct. 18 at Valencia (7 p.m.)*   Oct. 25 at Silver (7 p.m.)*   Nov. 2 at St. Pius X (Sat., 11 a.m.)*   * District 4A-2 Game   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RickyS5071/status/1723552146145386914 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/L57578Landon/status/1767746730508841460 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AuDesigns/status/1792616475657674870 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ManzanoFB/status/1737886323300585476 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/vautier_james/status/1789351646994252268 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/VinnyVarela84/status/1793862070850732211 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Cole98627941854/status/1792996861751509311 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ManzanoFB/status/1728586943003492505 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/isaacplacencia_/status/1789432564387594575 </div></figure>

Now that its move to Class 4A is cemented, it's go time for Manzano.