Sights and Sounds: Bernalillo Scrimmage Jamboree

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BERNALILLO</strong> – Bernalillo junior wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599893' first='Joseph' last='Duran']</strong> has yet to make a catch in a varsity game but he showed Thursday night why he's considered a legitimate contender to become one of the top breakout players of the year in the Albuquerque Metro Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Utilizing his speed, jumping ability and soft hands, Duran caught three long TD passes in a three-way scrimmage between Bernalillo, St. Pius X and Santa Fe at Spartans Stadium. He transferred to Bernalillo High from nearby Volcano Vista prior to the 2023-24 academic year but was restricted to playing for the Spartans JV team last fall due to transfer rules.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We've said [player_tooltip player_id='1599893' first='Joseph' last='Duran'] was going to be special,” Cobos said. “He could only play JVs last year. He's very excited to come out here and showcase his talents. He's going to be a game-changer for us. Teams will have a hard time double-teaming our guys.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, Duran is finally eligible for varsity action and his performance Thursday showed why Bernalillo confidently believes they are one of the top teams in Class 4A with the potential for a deep playoff run in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have a lot of work to do, but we know we're a talented football team,” Cobos said. “We just have to buy in as a team. We played hard tonight but we were vanilla. We played a lot of base stuff on offense and defense.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duran joins 6-foot-3 sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853757' first='Ulisses' last='Castro']</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599971' first='Kenneth' last='Saiz']</strong> for a formidable WR trio for the Spartans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Our guys understand they can't be selfish,” Cobos said. “It will be somebody's turn each night. We don't know who that's going to be until we see what the defense is doing to us.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bernalillo QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615632' first='Uriel' last='Castro']</strong> unleashed several long, accurate throws on Thursday night, including one where he rolled to his left and fired a missile about 50 yards downfield across his body on the run. Castros looked ready to lead a potentially prolific Bernalillo offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Uriel likes to throw the ball deep,” Cobos said. “We threw him into the fire as a sophomore a couple of years ago and last year he had a big junior year. This year we're looking forward to riding his coattails as a senior.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Nate Encinias enters the new season as Bernalillo's top – and “most elusive” per Cobos - running back. The backups will be juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853756' first='Mario' last='Molinar']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267039' first='Josh' last='Barajas']</strong>. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='837172' first='Gabriel' last='Trujillo']</strong> could get some carries as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have plenty of running backs to carry the ball,” Cobos said. “We look forward to giving them the ball. We believe we gave a very good run offense as well as a passing offense.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bernalillo defense – fondly known as the ‘Goon Squad' – will be physical and hard-hitting, Cobos said. Molinar is the top returning tackler with 122 last season as a sophomore. He already has 159 career tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have a lot of returners with some new guys mixed in,” Cobos said. “They're jelling well. We preach swarming to the football. Right now, our defense is flying around. Our defensive coordinator, Coach Mac, does an outstanding job getting us ready.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bernalillo opens the 2024 season next Friday night at home against Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We know Valley is going to be big and physical,” Cobos said. “They're a 5A team coming to our place.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 1: Varsity, Part 4 (Ball at 20)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/q2vvD0byCQQ?si=b9b-Lc4uHaFsWFf2","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/q2vvD0byCQQ?si=b9b-Lc4uHaFsWFf2 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 2: Varsity, Part 3 (Ball at 20)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/HvomcbzeOA8?si=mF7P51RGmokvNj9w","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/HvomcbzeOA8?si=mF7P51RGmokvNj9w </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 3: Varsity, Part 2 (Ball at 50) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/wTxyaT-P2D0?si=sTvguG0lT_RmFnZL","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/wTxyaT-P2D0?si=sTvguG0lT_RmFnZL </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 4: Varsity, Part 1 (Ball at 50)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/mY286x4suTg?si=Z8_TybmshVFpVAWn","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/mY286x4suTg?si=Z8_TybmshVFpVAWn </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 5: Junior Varsity</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/CV1jtB_oxfY?si=eEty2HBUFWJ8BNF6","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/CV1jtB_oxfY?si=eEty2HBUFWJ8BNF6 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->