2023 Team Previews: 6A Battling for Respect (Capital, Sandia)
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<p><strong>2023 6A Preview, Battling For Respect </strong></p>
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<p><strong>CAPITAL</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Joaquin Garcia </p>
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<p><strong>Mascot</strong>: Jaguars </p>
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<p><strong>Twitter</strong>: @Capitalhighjags</p>
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<p><strong>Facebook</strong>: https://www.facebook.com/capitaljagsfootball/</p>
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<p><strong>Colors</strong>: Turquoise blue, silver, and black</p>
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<p><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 5-5 (No Playoffs) </p>
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<p><strong>Overview</strong>: Capital finished an encouraging .500 in their first season in Class 6A but didn't make the playoffs. The quarterback is junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119613' first='Deaven' last='Montano']</strong>, who spent time at receiver last fall. He started one game at QB as a freshman in 2021. Behind him are a pair of freshmen, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604951' first='Ace' last='Bachicha']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680194' first='Josh' last='Baker']</strong>. After [player_tooltip player_id='611120' first='Juan' last='Munoz'] transferred to Cleveland, the Jaguars will adopt a running back by committee approach. Seniors <strong>Fabian Ryan, Angelo Baker</strong> and <strong>Joseph Rodriguez</strong> will be three of the ball carriers. It's the same story at wide receiver with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103196' first='Elijah' last='Rodriguez']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590745' first='Kristopher' last='Trujillo']</strong>, <strong>Matthew Trujillo</strong> and others expected to rotate into the lineup. The Jaguars return <strong>Ricardo Martinez</strong> and <strong>Ryan Garcia</strong> to the offensive line. <strong>Hernan Salas</strong> will be the starting center. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751385' first='Elias' last='Griego']</strong> is expected to earn a starting job. Defensively, <strong>Angelo Baker</strong> will be the starting MLB and serve as the leader of the defense. Capital is switching back to the 4-3 this season and head coach Joaquin Garcia will be calling the defensive plays. The DEs are <strong>Reeve Trujillo</strong> and <strong>Kris Trujillo</strong>. The outside linebackers will be [player_tooltip player_id='615716' first='Eli' last='Dominguez'] and Fabian Ryan. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103196' first='Elijah' last='Rodriguez']</strong> headlines the secondary. <strong>Angel Gonzalez</strong> will be the free safety. </p>
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<p><strong>2023 Schedule</strong>: </p>
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<p>Aug. 18 at Grants</p>
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<p>Aug. 26 at St. Michael's (Sat.)</p>
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<p>Sept. 1 LOS ALAMOS</p>
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<p>Sept. 7 ALAMOGORDO (Thur.)</p>
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<p>Sept. 16 at Albuquerque Academy (Sat.)</p>
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<p>Sept. 22 ATRISCO HERITAGE</p>
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<p>Sept. 29 at Los Lunas*</p>
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<p>Oct. 6 Bye</p>
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<p>Oct. 14 at Albuquerque High (Sat.)*</p>
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<p>Oct. 20 CLOVIS*</p>
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<p>Oct. 27 SANTA FE*</p>
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<p>* District Game</p>
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<p><strong>Coach's Comments</strong>: “For as long as I've been here, people have underestimated us. We try to use that as motivation. We may not get the numbers like everybody else, but the kids we do get are tough kids. They want to prove people wrong and prove we are a good program. Every year we continue to get better. I tell the kids all the time we just need to worry about us, and not what everybody else is saying. We're excited for Deaven. He's been working real hard. He leads by example. He practices what he preaches.” – Capital head coach Joaquin Garcia </p>
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<p>****************************************************************************************************</p>
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<p><strong>SANDIA </strong></p>
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<p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Chad Adcox </p>
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<p><strong>Mascot</strong>: Matadors </p>
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<p><strong>Twitter</strong>: @SandiaMatadors</p>
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<p><strong>Facebook</strong>: https://www.facebook.com/groups/41662473019/</p>
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<p><strong>Colors</strong>: Cardinal Red and Columbia Blue</p>
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<p><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 4-6 (No Playoffs) </p>
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<p><strong>Overview</strong>: Sandia has consistently been about a .500 football team for the last decade. In fact, the last time the Matadors won more than seven games was 2013 when they reached the quarterfinals of the 5A playoffs. Last season's backup QB, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103734' first='Cruz' last='Rivera']</strong>, is the new full-time starter after starting several games in 2022. Rivera was inconsistent from a performance standpoint. If he becomes consistently good, the sandia offense will benefit. Sandia must find a worthy successor to the dynamic Malachi Thymes at running back. The Matadors go into the season with a running back by committee approach. As many as four running backs were competing for playing time in preseason camp. <strong>Cyruiez Galbreath</strong>, <strong>Daymon Gleason</strong>, <strong>Lucas Hoswell</strong> <strong>and Aidan Maldonado</strong> are vying for playing time. None have carried the ball in a varsity game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590743' first='Jacob' last='Adcox']</strong> (offered by NM Highlands) and <strong>Grayson Frederich</strong>, both dynamic playmakers, return at wide receiver. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119683' first='Joey' last='Harris']</strong> will line up in the slot with <strong>Isaiah Chavez</strong> being eyed for outside receiver. Along the offensive line, Sandia is looking for a new left tackle after three-year starter Franklin Finch graduated and signed with Eastern New Mexico. Two OL starters return – RG <strong>Rafael Molina</strong> and RT <strong>Demitri Smith</strong>. Sophomore <strong>Robert DeHerrera</strong> (listed at 295 pounds) will be a first-time starter. Defensively, the five returners are DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103408' first='Juanito' last='Cruz']</strong>, speedy DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590746' first='Hunter' last='Maldonado']</strong> (ran fastest time at ENMU camp in June), OLB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259059' first='Thomas' last='Adams']</strong>, MLB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259042' first='Jeremiah' last='Bustillos']</strong> and LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103405' first='Luke' last='Gonzales']</strong>. The defensive line will be entirely new. <strong>Steven Quezada</strong> and <strong>Isaiah Ellison</strong> are two newcomers expected to make an impact in the trenches.</p>
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<p><strong>2023 Schedule</strong>:</p>
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<p>Aug. 19 at Atrisco Heritage (Sat.)</p>
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<p>Aug. 26 PIEDRA VISTA (Sat.)</p>
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<p>Sept. 1 at Albuquerque High</p>
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<p>Sept. 8 Bye</p>
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<p>Sept. 14 at Volcano Vista (Thur.)</p>
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<p>Sept. 22 MANZANO</p>
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<p>Sept. 30 at West Mesa (Sat.)*</p>
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<p>Oct. 6 ELDORADO*</p>
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<p>Oct. 13 FARMINGTON*</p>
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<p>Oct. 20 at La Cueva*</p>
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<p>Oct. 26 CIBOLA (Thur.)</p>
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<p>* District Game</p>
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<p><strong>Coach's Comments</strong>: “We have some very good skill guys. We don't have a lot of depth. We'll be OK on the lines, but we need some young guys to step up. Our message to our kids all spring and summer was Sandia football needs to get out of this rut going back to 2015. We had to win the day in the weight room and then in 7-on-7 and on the field. The kids busted their butts in the weight room. Last year we lost some close games and we couldn't put it together. We had three losses by seven or fewer points. If we had won those games, our record would look a lot better.” – Sandia head coach Chad Adcox. </p>
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2023 6A Preview, Battling For Respect
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