PREP FOOTBALL: ALBUQUERQUE HIGH AT A GLANCE
(One in a continuing series previewing metro-area prep football teams for the 2017 season.) Coach: Tim Johnson (2nd year; 5-5) Last season: 5-5 Returning starters: 3 offense, 8 defense Key players: Oscar Corona, sr. (6-3, 230, OT); Christian Carreathers, jr. (6-2, 286, OT/NG); Dominic Mesgale, jr. (5-8, 155, QB); Julian Urbina, soph. (6-4, 300, G); Iziah Hall, sr. (5-10, 145, WR); Javier Pavia, sr. (5-10, 160, MLB/ slot); Crusito Gonzalez-Lopez, sr. (5-11, 190, DL); Anthone Stevens, jr. (5-8, 150, CB); Savion Andrews, jr. (5-9, 150, RB/CB); Jalen Smith, jr. (5-8, 153, S); Alexander Ortiz, soph. (5-7, 148, S); Von Huppertz, sr. (6-2, 165, WR) Outlook: As the Bulldogs look to interrupt Atrisco Heritage’s dominance in District 4-6A, it is worth noting that an improving defense returns most everyone (although they’ll be somewhat inexperienced at linebacker), and that a longtime college coach, William McCain, is AHS’ new defensive coordinator. It’s the progress of the Bulldogs’ new skillposition athletes on offense that looms as the biggest question mark this season. “I like our chances this year,” said Johnson. AHS once more will not field a junior varsity, so there will be an abundance of sophomores on the varsity roster. Last year’s 10th-graders have a year of seasoning, which is certainly a plus for the Bulldogs, whose primary focus is to establish a stronger ground attack. On that front, the good news is that all three of those returning starters on offense are linemen, led by three-year veteran tackle Oscar Corona. QB Mesgale started the final two games last season when the starter was felled by injury. Andrews and Andres Castillo will be in the mix to be the top running back. Defensively should “be our forefront this year,” Johnson said. The secondary returns intact, but AHS is largely new at linebacker, aside from Pavia. 2017 SCHEDULE (x-District 4-6A game) Aug. 26, at Centennial (FOD), 1 p.m. Sept. 1, at Valencia, 7 p.m. Sept. 8, OPEN Sept. 15, at Eldorado (W), 7 p.m. Sept. 21, Del Norte (M), 7 p.m. Sept. 29, La Cueva (M), 7 p.m. x-Oct. 5, at Rio Grande (M), 7 p.m. x-Oct. 13, Valley (M), 7 p.m. x-Oct. 21, at West Mesa (C), 1 p.m. x-Oct. 28, Highland (M), 1 p.m. x-Nov. 3, at Atrisco Heritage (C), 7 p.m. Circle the date: After a crushing loss to the Vikings last season, the Bulldogs have to be frothing at the collective mouth to face Valley again. And this year, the meeting falls on a Friday the 13th.