2024 Look Ahead: Kirtland Central Broncos (Four Corners Week)

Three consecutive losing seasons, including a 3-7 record in 2023, has Kirtland Central eager to get back on the winning track.   Travis Clary begins his third season as head coach after serving as the Broncos' offensive coordinator for three years.   “Our message to the guys all spring and summer has been we need to keep our noses to the grindstone and keep rolling,” Clary told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We need to keep pushing  to get better. With a record of 3-7, we need to get better in all facets, on and off the field.”   Quarterback Tyler Joe graduated, so the Broncos are searching for a new QB. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1272789' first='Chance' last='Aspass'] (listed at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds) will get a long look and should be given a fair opportunity to win the job. Aspass was primarily Kirtland Central's JV QB last season.   “He is strong in the weight room,” Clary said. “He likes to be physical. I see him being more of a dual threat guy. In the sub-varsity games last year, he loved running between the tackles as a QB. Chance has been the guy we've been working with knowing we had to find a replacement for Tyler. Chance stepped up to the plate and was willing to work. Right now, the job is pretty much his unless somebody else comes along.”   Last season's leading rusher, Demusico Edsitty, also graduated. Who replaces him? Clary plans a running back-by-committee approach with senior Payton Mike leading the way. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1790900' first='Matthew' last='Decker'] will be another option.     “We're looking to share the workload back there,” Clary said. “Payton Mike is quick and fast. He spelled Edsitty last season. He's a very shifty and quick kind of runner. We're working some other guys in there as well.”   Kirtland Central is also eying a fresh crop of receivers. Speedy senior [player_tooltip player_id='1594667' first='Deronte' last='Tso'] has enjoyed a solid summer in team drills and 7-and-7 at slot receiver. Tso played primarily linebacker last season but could spend more time on the offensive side in 2024. He runs track and is a member of the Broncos' 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams.   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1752424' first='Keoni' last='Scott'] returns to the football program after taking last season off. He last played for the Broncos as a freshman in 2022. Senior Justin Henry is another option at WR after playing DB the past two seasons. He'll likely play both sides of the ball.   “Scott is a consistent receiver that we can count on with his routes and his ability to catch the football,” Clary said.     Six-foot-4, 295-pound senior LT Nicolas Dodge anchors the offensive line. Fort Lewis College offered in June. He has spent a large portion of his summer attending camps. Except for Dodge, Kirtland Central must replace four starters on the O-Line.   Sophomores Cohen Harvey (6-1, 260)  and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1594613' first='Nickolas' last='Billie'], who played D-Line last season, are expected to earn starting job. Billie will also play both ways. Sophomores Steven Little (6-2, 260 pounds) and Brian Jones (6-1, 296) bring good size to the O-Line as well. Kirtland Central could be young yet big on the offensive line. Expect some early growing pains but they could soon develop into a formidable unit.   Defensively, the experienced linebacker corps looks to be the strength of the unit with Tso, JJ Foutz (team-leading 57 tackles in 2023) and Jharrin Tyler (52 tackles) all going into their third season as starters.   “Those guys have been the heart and soul of our defense since they've been sophomores,” Clary said.   Billie will again line up at defensive tackle after a solid 2023 season. Beyond Billie, the Broncos will be young and inexperienced along the D-Line. The secondary returns Henry and senior Bradley Franco at safety. The cornerbacks will be returning starter [player_tooltip player_id='1752411' first='Kayben' last='Dowdy'] and junior newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='1752429' first='Gaven' last='Mulnix'].   2024 KIRTLAND CENTRAL FOOTBALL:   Aug. 23 at Valencia (7 p.m.)   Aug. 30 PAGOSA SPRINGS (CO)(7 p.m.)   Sept. 6 SHIPROCK (7 p.m.)   Sept. 13 at Bloomfield (7 p.m.)*   Sept. 20 GRANTS (7 p.m.)*   Sept. 27 Bye   Oct. 4 at Bernalillo (7 p.m.)*   Oct. 11 ESPANOLA VALLEY (7 p.m.)*   Oct. 18 at Taos (7 p.m.)*   Oct. 25 at Aztec (7 p.m.)*   Nov. 1 MORIARTY (7 p.m.)*   *  District 4A-1 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/NicolasDodge70/status/1801749274444894222 </div></figure>

Three consecutive losing seasons, including a 3-7 record in 2023, has Kirtland Central eager to get back on the winning track.