PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY CHARGERS
Coach: Kevin Carroll (30th year; 159-138) Last season: 2-8 Returning starters: 4 offense, 4 defense Key players: Liam NguyenSpiers, sr. (5-10, 180, QB); Ady Sambandam, sr. (5-7, 140, WR); Emiliano Rivas, sr. (5-11, 175, S/ TE); Anastacio Ortiz, sr. (5-9, 205, C/DT); Josue Flores, jr. (5-8, 160, LB); Pete McIntosh, jr. (5-8, 200, G/T); Stevie David, jr. (5-8, 145, DB).
Outlook: One of the harsh truths at the Academy is that the school probably has twice as many boys soccer players as football players. In that numbers-themed vein, the Chargers are back to independent status for the next two years as they leave District 2-5A. And this team will look a bit different than most of Carroll’s teams — Academy plans to do a heck of a lot of throwing this season. NguyenSpiers has been transitioned from running back to quarterback for that purpose, and Academy is not deep at the running back position. “Open it up and do some unexpected things,” Carroll said with a laugh. Rivas is this team’s top defensive athlete. 2018 schedule (competing as an independent in 2018 and 2019) Aug. 25, Tohatchi, noon Aug. 31, at Tucumcari, 7 p.m. Sept. 8, Bernalillo, 11 a.m. Sept. 14, at Thoreau, 7 p.m. Sept. 21, at Escalante, 7 p.m. Sept. 28, at Raton, 7 p.m. Oct. 6, Hot Springs, noon Oct. 13, Socorro, noon Oct. 19, at Shiprock, 6 p.m. Oct. 27, Mission Achievement & Success, noon Nov. 2, IDLE Circle the date: Randomly, I will select the Socorro game. Why? Two reasons. First, without a district, there are no overly crucial games on this slate for the Chargers. Second … well, if you’ve ever watched a game at the Academy on a mid-October afternoon, you’d already know why.