ATRISCO HERITAGE AT A GLANCE
(Another in a continuing series of previews heading to Opening Day.) Coach: Patrick Johnson (6th year; 31-23) Last season: 4-6; lost to Manzano in Class 6A first round Returning starters: 10 offense, 7 defense
Key players: Diego Archuleta, sr. (6-1, 260, G/DT); Angel Ramirez, sr. (6-0, 185, RB/CB); Mikey Alvidrez, sr. (5-10, 175, QB); Neil Smith, sr. (5-9, 160, WR/FS); Richard Tucker, sr. (5-9, 165, CB); Rashawn Moore, sr. (5-6, 185, SS); Angel Fernandez, jr. (5-10, 230, DT); Joe Gutierrez, sr. (5-10, 170, DE); Ethan Harden, sr. (5-11, 210, ILB); Jose Ramirez, jr. (5-9, 210, ILB), Jesus Sanchez, sr. (6-0, 240, G); J.P. Reyes, sr. (5-11, 220 OT).
Outlook: The Jaguars are the three-time defending champions in District 4-6A, and with 17 starters returning (four or five will go both ways, which is new for this program), they’ll be heavily favored to make it four in a row. But Atrisco keeps getting roasted in the first round of the playoffs and the Jags are frankly tired of going out that way. “Our expectation is to make a run in the playoffs,” Johnson said. There are 22 seniors who have been in this program for four years, and that’s a good sign that it might be possible to at least get past the first round. And Johnson put his team through a rigorous offseason program — “raising the bar,” is how he put it — to achieve that goal. “We took it as a challenge, and ran with it to become better,” said Archuleta. Alvidrez is back running the offense, and in addition to his skill in running the option (where both he and Ramirez should chew up yardage), the Jaguars might even air it out more than we’re accustomed to seeing. Archuleta and Smith are two of those critical veterans who will play both sides of the ball. Jose Ramirez is a three-year starter who led the defense in tackles as a freshman and as a sophomore.
2017 SCHEDULE (x-District 4-6A games) Aug. 23, at Manzano (C), 7 p.m. Sept. 1, at Oñate (FOD), 7 p.m. Sept. 8, OPEN Sept. 15, Sandia (C), 7 p.m. Sept. 21, at Volcano Vista (C), 7 p.m. Sept. 28, Cleveland (C), 7 p.m. x-Oct. 7, at Valley (M), 1 p.m. x-Oct. 13, West Mesa (C), 7 p.m. x-Oct. 19, Highland (C), 7 p.m. x-Oct. 26, at Rio Grande (M), 7 p.m. x-Nov. 3, Albuquerque High (C), 7 p.m.
Circle the date: The Jaguars didn’t win outside of their district last year, so we’ll go with the Volcano Vista matchup as a game Atrisco would want to have. Could be helpful with seeding down the road.