PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: HOPE CHRISTIAN
Coach: Gary Beck (4th full year; 15-22) Last season: 4-7; lost to Taos in 4A first round Returning starters: 8 offense, 9 defense
Key players: Vince Quezada, sr. (5-10, 145, PK/slot/FS); Nick Henry, sr. (6-1, 165, QB); Jake Cosper, sr. (6-0, 165, WR); Jared Knowles, jr. (5-10, 180, LB/RB); Blaine Miller, jr. (5-11, 170, RB/LB); Ryan Cosper, soph., (6-2, 170, WR); John Taylor, soph. (5-8, 260, C/NG); Josh Tarantino, sr., (5-7, 150, WR/S); Toby Poyer, sr., (6-0, 230, G/DE).
Outlook: The Huskies return largely intact — only five seniors graduated — after a playoff appearance last season. Quezada, a fifth-year varsity player, was one of 4A’s best all-around players last year, and probably should be more dominant now that Hope Christian is dropping down to Class 3A this season. He’ll be a weapon in many ways, including as a shifty receiver, and also as a place-kicker, with one of the state’s most potent legs. The offensive line has needed some rebuilding during the offseason, so this is an area Beck will be watching closely in the first half of the season. Henry, who came on as the starting QB midway through last season, is an excellent passer and should excel at directing the offense; Miller and Knowles lead the defense. Hope should be a 3A playoff team coming out of this new district. 2018 SCHEDULE (x-denotes District 5/6-3A game) (M-Milne) Aug. 24, at Portales, 7 p.m. Aug. 31, at Española Valley, 7 p.m. Sept. 8, Moriarty (M), 5 p.m. Sept. 15, West Las Vegas (M), 6 p.m. Sept. 22, Bloomfield (M), noon Sept. 28, at Los Alamos, 7 p.m. Oct. 6, N.M. Military (M), 6 p.m. Oct. 12, IDLE x-Oct. 20, Navajo Prep (M), 5 p.m. x-Oct. 26, at Cuba, 7 p.m. x-Nov. 3, Laguna-Acoma (C), noon
Circle the date: The opener against the Rams, a team the Huskies were paired with in a 4A district the last couple of years, ought to be an outstanding test for Hope Christian and its veteran lineup.