PREP FOOTBALL: LOS LUNAS AT A GLANCE
(Another in a continuing series of previews heading to Opening Day.) Coach: Jeremy Maupin (1st year) Last season: 9-4; lost to Artesia in Class 5A semifinals Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense
Key players: Nick Gaerlan, jr. (5-10, 170, QB); Kawika Padilla (5-6, 215, DL); Noah Gum (5-7, 150, CB); Michael Montoya (5-11, 170, S); Jacob Luna (5-9, 174, HB); Diego Sanchez (6-1, 220, LB); Cody Vocu (6-3, 160, WR); Hunter Williamson (5-8, 160, WR); Troy Skinner (6-2, 245, C).
Outlook: The winds of change blew across the Los Lunas campus hard in the offseason as recordsetting running back O’maury Samuels and a talented set of seniors graduated, and three-year coach Terrell Trantham departed as well. But if summer workouts are any indication, Los Lunas could continue to climb despite the losses. Maupin, coming on board after being a top assistant at Artesia, has installed both the Bulldogs’ spread offense and the ability to play two-platoon football as the Tigers have over 90 players available for the new season. “We’re strong in every class, but last year we had a lot of sophomores who picked up varsity experience,” Maupin said. “They might not have started, but they got a lot of experience playing varsity football. We’re excited about what we saw this summer.” Two-year starter Gaerlan is poised for a breakout season after throwing for 1,261 yards with 21 touchdowns last season as a sophomore, and he missed a few games due to a concussion.
2017 SCHEDULE (x-District 5-5A games) Aug. 25, Aztec, 7 p.m. Sept. 1, Alamogordo, 7 p.m. Sept. 8, at Del Norte (M), 7 p.m. Sept. 15, at Roswell, 7 p.m. Sept. 22, Rio Grande, 7 p.m. Sept. 29, Artesia, 7 p.m. x-Oct. 6, Grants, 7 p.m. x-Oct. 12, at St. Pius (W), 7 p.m. Oct. 20, OPEN x-Oct. 27, at Valencia, 7 p.m. x-Nov. 4, Belen, 1 p.m. (M: Milne Stadium; W: Wilson Stadium)
Circle the date: The Tigers face archrival Belen to close the season, but the rematch of last year’s 5A semifinal against Artesia, this time in Los Lunas, could be the biggest indicator of Los Lunas’ postseason potential.