Mayfield, Las Cruces appear to be loaded
Centennial one of two teams making leap to Class 6A
After the Albuquerque metro area claimed both slots in last year’s Class 6A state championship game, southern New Mexico probably is itching to reclaim some territory.
Mayfield, which opens at home Friday against Rio Rancho in a potential state championship game preview, is generally regarded as the strongest challenger from that half of the state. But not the only one.
The Trojans, who fell in last year’s semis to Cleveland, have three Division I talents on offense, led by running back Isaac Vance (committed to Kent State) and wide receiver Gaven Swinson (NMSU). New QB Torry Locklin has offers but has yet to commit. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior southpaw gives Mayfield a dual-threat presence.
But it is Vance who really is the mainstay; the 5-8, 160-pounder went over 1,800 rushing yards last season, with 26 touchdowns. He also is a regular in the Mayfield passing game, and has gamebreaking capabilities from anywhere. Vance was voted to 6A’s All-State first team as a junior.
“He’s the ‘wow’ factor in football,” Mayfield coach Mike Bradley said.
The 6-4 Swinson had 1,200 receiving yards and 11 TDs last season.
“Gaven Swinson is the real freaking deal,” Alamogordo coach Dale Hooper said.
If the Trojans’ defense performs well, Mayield is surely primed to be a strong contender.
“That’s a big ‘if’,” Bradley said with a laugh.
Las Cruces and new coach Mark Lopez also open with a fresh face at QB in Payton Ball, a standout running back for the Bulldawgs last season who does have experience at quarterback at younger levels. He steps in for the graduated Kam Miller.
“He’s a very natural quarterback,” Lopez said of Ball. All five offensive linemen in front of Ball return, which is good news for running backs Ryan Beltran and Chase Chaloupek.
Las Cruces also features one of the state’s most dynamic and entertaining two-way players in 5-8, 155-pound junior wide receiver/cornerback Brandon Baeza. He is the first freshman ever to start for the Bulldawgs, who are in Albuquerque on Friday night to face Eldorado at Wilson Stadium.
“We have high expectations, as we do every year,” Lopez said. “It’s part of the culture. And we’re pleased with what we’ve done so far.”
The last time Las Cruces played the Eagles, Eldorado won 44-42 on a field goal as time expired in a tremendous state semifinal at the Field of Dreams last season.
“That’s been a driving force for us in the offseason,” Lopez said. “To be able to get back on the field with them is great.”
Centennial’s last game was also at the FOD, although the Hawks were lost to Artesia in the 5A title game. Centennial is one of two new 6A programs, the other being Piedra Vista.
The Hawks have 12 starters returning, including QB Dante Lopez, running back Joaquin Gutierrez, who went over 1,000 yards as a sophomore, and wide receiver Jr. Peña, who was named to 5A’s All-State first team last season.
“It’s really kind of strange,” Centennial coach Aaron Ocampo said as he contemplated the Hawks’ move up to 6A. “I think inside of our program, we kind of know and understand that there’s not much of a transition when it comes to your daily tasks.”
Centennial has two appearances in Albuquerque — Friday at Albuquerque High at Milne Stadium, and Week 3 at La Cueva at Wilson. The Hawks also face Manzano and Cleveland in the nondistrict in Las Cruces.
Oñate has 15 starters returning and plans to insert itself into the conversation.
The Knights’ defense returns eight, and that unit will be tested frequently against a demanding schedule, starting Saturday as they play host to Cleveland. Linebacker Matt Young has given a commitment to NMSU, and another linebacker, Forest McKee, last season’s leading tackler and a first-team All-State member in 2015, has interest from several D-I programs, including New Mexico.
“This is the group we’ve been waiting for,” Oñate coach Brent Jaquess said.
In a recurring theme across 6A, Oñate also opens with a new QB: junior Aaron Sanchez. And the Knights have handful of skill-position athletes back, including size on the perimeter.
“We definitely match up with anybody,” Jaquess said.
Carlsbad and Hobbs have joined the four Las Cruces schools and Gadsden in one mega district.
The Eagles’ offense was ravaged by graduation. They lost their starting QB, their two leading rushers, four of their top five wide receivers — only Cason Clay is back — and most of the line.
But Hobbs coach Charles Gleghorn said athletes are stepping in off of the Eagles’ undefeated JV team from last season, including several receivers.
“And they were very explosive,” Gleghorn said. “We won’t miss a beat with our skill positions.”
Prolific QB Isaac Amaya graduated and is being succeeded by junior Gavin Hardison. Gleghorn praised Hardison’s throwing skills.
“I’m excited that we have him the next two years,” the coach said.
The Cavemen labored to a 1-9 mark last season, but Carlsbad played exceedingly well in the second half of the season, losing four games — all to playoff teams — by a combined 20 points.
But Carlsbad returns 28 seniors, including 14 starters — nine on defense.
“They took it upon themselves that they would take this program to another level and I think they’re on their way,” Cavemen coach Gary Bradley said. “They’ve had a great offseason. Without a doubt, we’re a much better team.”
Senior quarterback Jonah Leyva and senior RB Tyler Gonzales pace the offense, with Colton Montaño (LB/ FB) and Gage Shoup (DE/TE) also among Carlsbad’s top athletes.
Carlsbad opens Friday at Artesia. It’s the first time these Eddy County rivals have met in an opener since 1930, former Bulldogs coach Cooper Henderson told the Artesia Daily Press.
The Cavemen’s District 3-6A opener puts Gary Bradley against his brother Mike and Mayfield on Sept. 24 at the Field of Dreams.
Clovis coach Eric Roanhaus has been leading the Wildcats so long that not only has he coached his sons, he is coaching a grandson. Sebastian Roanhaus, in fact, is Clovis’ new starting QB.
Clovis might feature one of the best 1-2 running back tandems in 6A with junior Seth Lopez and (especially) senior Micah Gray.
“We’ve got some options,” Roanhaus said. “But all backs look the same when you don’t block for them.”
This was a reference to the Wildcats graduating their entire offensive line and tight end, so Clovis — which joins District 2 with the Northeast Heights schools, plus Santa Fe — must develop up front.
“They’re a work in progress,” the veteran coach said. “And I’m not real patient.”