2024 Look Ahead: Valencia Jaguars

Valencia's 4-7 record last season probably raised few eyebrows around New Mexico, but second-year coach LeDarrius Cage, a former Cleveland assistant, has made remarkable progress since taking over the Jaguars program about 18 months ago.   Most importantly, the number of players in the program has doubled. A year ago, 30 or so players were consistently showing up for summer workouts. This year, about 65 to 70 players are routinely showing up for workouts, so the numbers have essentially doubled.   Cage has been working with a core group of returning players since January, allowing the Jaguars to enjoy a full offseason unlike last year when Cage was hired in April.   “We lost a lot of games last year because we weren't physically strong enough to really compete,” Cage said. “We had a lot of sophomores starting for us last year. We've done a lot of work this offseason. We've gotten much stronger in the weight room and a little bit faster.   “The guys know the expectations moving forward. It's helped out with our freshmen and the guys who are new to the program. The ultimate goal is to get to a player-led program where the players are the ones who worry about the culture and the coaches just coach football.”   Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1595752' first='Aidan' last='Harrington'] returns to lead the Jaguars' offense. A year ago, Harrington made the transition from defensive back to QB, and this will be his second season playing the position.   “Aidan is very smart,” Cage said. “He owned the position last year. When we installed the new playbook, he was able to pick things up quickly. This year, he's been a leader and helping drive the program. His mechanics have gotten better. He's more of a dual threat guy. I think he's going to have a big season. Hos maxes in the weight room have increased significantly.”   Valencia loses 1,000-yard rusher Daniel Villegas, who missed the last couple of games in 2023 due to an injury. Junior Michael Storms helped fill in during Villegas' absence and he could have the edge in the battle for the No. 1 RB job. He's competing with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1118403' first='Isaiah' last='Rodriguez'], who carried 40 times for 279 yards and 4 TD in 2023. Promising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1604768' first='Santino' last='Mares'] is in the mix as well.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1595834' first='Cade' last='Ash'] was Valencia's second leading receiver in 2023 behind the graduated Jorge Zuniga. Junior Aidan Brogdon looks to have a bigger role in the passing game this season.   “Cade will definitely be our No. 1 passing target this year,” Cage said. “He and Aidan already have a good connection, so I'm excited to see what happens this year.”     Despite losing NMHU signee Andrew Rightley, Valencia's offensive line could be stout. Six-foot-3 junior [player_tooltip player_id='1266460' first='Diego' last='Baeza'] has enormous potential. Baeza is strong and possesses great feet. He'll likely play left guard. The right tackle will be 6-foot-4 [player_tooltip player_id='1594500' first='Cesar' last='Marquez']. Six-foot-3 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1257353' first='Robert' last='Benitez'] is back after missing most of last season with an injury and will likely start at left tackle.   “Our offensive line is one of the best in 4A,” Cage said. “Those guys don't  get a lot of credit. They are going to be a big piece of our success this year.”   Defensively,  senior Angel Lino anchors the defensive line and Cage hope she has a big impact. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1594610' first='Aiden' last='Gonzalez'] transitions from O-Line to D-Line and should prove to be a good edge rusher. Behind those two, Valencia will likely start a couple of inexperienced sophomores along the defensive front.   At linebacker, the aforementioned [player_tooltip player_id='1118403' first='Isaiah' last='Rodriguez'] returns after making 65 tackles with 10 TFL in 2023. He was the Jaguars' leading tackler. He will be paired with Mares on the inside. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1751810' first='Jordan' last='Henry'] returns at outside LB.   The secondary's top mission in 2024 is to limit the number of explosive plays by opposing offenses. The Jaguars allowed a good number of deep balls down the field. Brogdon and Ash hope to help solve those issue at safety. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1751815' first='Christian' last='Gonzalez'] returns at safety.     2024 VALENCIA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:   Aug. 23 KIRTLAND CENTRAL (7 p.m.)   Aug. 30 GADSDEN (7 p.m.)   Sept. 6 at Belen (7 p.m.)   Sept. 13 at Cuba (7 p.m.)   Sept. 20 SILVER (7 p.m.)*   Sept. 27 at Portales (7 p.m.)*   Oct. 4 CHAPARRAL (7 p.m.)*   Oct. 11 Bye   Oct. 18 MANZANO (7 p.m.)*   Oct. 25 at St. Pius X (7 p.m.)*   Nov. 2 at Albuquerque Academy (Sat., 1 p.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/VHSJagFootball/status/1764665476163002608 </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/VHSJagFootball/status/1808939455103054132 </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/VHSJagFootball/status/1765773194538148329 </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/VHSJagFootball/status/1735098424268062991 </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/VHSJagFootball/status/1733125361343308005 </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/VHSJagFootball/status/1733125173841186841 </div></figure>

Valencia's 4-7 record last season probably raised few eyebrows around New Mexico, but second-year coach LeDarrius Cage, a former Cleveland assistant, has made remarkable progress since taking over the Jaguars program about 18 months ago.