A good time to hand out some awards
For my last full prep football column of the regular season, I am going to introduce something that I’ve never tried before — handing out some metro-centric individual and team regular-season awards.
MVP: This will probably come as outside-the-box thinking to some of you, but I’m taking Manzano’s Andrew Erickson, the Swiss army knife on that Monarchs’ roster.
Offensive player of the year: Despite the rough outing Friday, I’m going with Eldorado quarterback Gabe Smith, whose dual-threat capabilities have sparked the Eagles consistently all season.
Defensive player of the year: Has to be Rio Rancho defensive end Keshawn Banks, whose motor is always running on high. A tremendously disruptive presence.
Top running back: In a year with some terrific talents — Belen’s Diego Casillas, Cleveland’s Isaac Torres and Manzano’s Xavier Ivey-Saud among them — I must go with Atrisco Heritage’s Angel Ramirez, who as I noted recently has to do more for his team than any of those others have to do for theirs.
Top wide receiver: La Cueva’s Reece Wilkinson has over 50 catches this year, and already has 15 touchdown receptions.
Most criminally underappreciated player: There are any number of worthy candidates, including Los Lunas QB Nick Gaerlan. But wide receiver Colin Barz of Eldorado is where I’m leaning.
Most promising newcomer: This one was easy — St. Pius QB Diego Pavia. Already, as a sophomore, one of the state’s best.
Most surprising team: This will sound borderline ridiculous, but for me, it’s Los Lunas. The Tigers have bought into new coach Jeremy Maupin’s revamped system and jumped in with both feet, with mostly glorious results.
Most disappointing team: No other choice but Volcano Vista. The Hawks missing the playoffs is a shock, given the immensely deep talent pool at that school.
Coach of the year: Manzano’s Chad Adcox and Belen’s Greg Henington would be the two obvious finalists, and both have done fantastic jobs, but my pick is decidedly out of left field. My choice is West Mesa’s Ron McMath, who after several years of disappointing second halves has his Mustangs poised for a playoff berth.
Game of the year: I enthusiastically endorse Artesia’s 30-27 win at Los Lunas on Sept. 29. Had a little bit of everything. Including defense, which is why Artesia-Cleveland was the runner-up.
SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE: While the MayfieldLas Cruces game rightly gets center stage at Aggie Memorial Stadium, the Trojans and Bulldawgs won’t be the only prep game in that facility next week.
Centennial and Oñate fought for the right to play there, and they will — but on Thursday. One idea that had been floated, and properly rejected, was doing both games Friday.
Centennial-Oñate is being called the Organ Mountain Rivalry.
MAKING THE ROUNDS: Foothill won the big 8-Man battle with Menaul on Friday night, whipping the Panthers 38-12. … Manzano linebacker Alejandro Vallejos (ankle), a crucial component of that Monarchs defense, hasn’t played in a couple of weeks, and he may also sit out the season finale Thursday against Sandia. The rest may prove beneficial, since Manzano won’t have a playoff game until Nov. 17 or 18. … Santa Fe’s first season as an independent ended with the Demons going 0-9. Their overall losing streak stands at 33 games, second to Rio Grande’s current 36-game skid. … Farmington’s win over Miyamura and Fort Sumner/House’s victory over Escalante, both Friday, reduced the number of unbeatens in New Mexico to six: Manzano, Belen, Fort Sumner, Eunice, Melrose and Animas. … Rio Rancho senior tackle Evan Tafoya-Vallo earlier this week announced via Twitter that he had de-committed from UTEP. Tafoya-Vallo was taking an unofficial visit to New Mexico State for the Aggies’ game Saturday night against Arkansas State. UNM, Air Force and UNLV are on his radar, too, he said. … St. Pius’ scoreless effort against Belen on Friday marked the first time the Sartans had been shut out since Nov. 8, 2013, by Moriarty.
Seed planting
It is important to note, my first Class 6A projection is how I would seed the top 12, not necessarily how I think the New Mexico Activities Association will seed them. My second and final list will appear next Saturday, and there remain some key games in Week 11 that could have an impact on everyone’s projections. The playoff brackets will be announced very, very late Saturday night.
The top six are actually relatively easy to slot. Manzano is the clear No. 1, with La Cueva, Cleveland and Las Cruces also in line for first-round byes. Then it’s Rio Rancho at No. 5 and Hobbs at No. 6.
On my list, I’ve got Eldorado at No. 7, Clovis at No. 8 and Atrisco Heritage at No. 9. But the NMAA will probably have Atrisco at 8 and Clovis at 9. Me, I can’t bring myself to put the Jaguars in the top eight. Just can’t go there.
My list features Centennial at No. 10, followed by West Mesa at 11 (Mustangs might go to 10) and Piedra Vista in the final slot.
NOTE: Centennial is down to its third-string QB as it prepares to face Oñate, which also may have lost its starting QB, Aaron Sanchez, on Friday night against Las Cruces. Keep this in mind, if Oñate beats Centennial on Thursday the Knights could jump into third place in District 3-6A and knock the Hawks out of the playoff picture.
Why does that matter? Because that is precisely the scenario Sandia requires if it hopes to back-door its way into the field. The Matadors have their own QB issue at the moment, with starter Junior Silva (thumb) missing Friday’s 40-0 loss at Clovis.
For the moment, here are my first-round matchups: Piedra Vista at Rio Rancho, West Mesa at Hobbs, Centennial at Eldorado and Atrisco Heritage at Clovis.