PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: CIBOLA COUGARS
Coach: Rod Williams (6th year; 24-29) Last season: 2-8 Returning starters: 4 offense, 3 defense
Key players: Steven Bitzer, sr. (6-2, 200, DE); Elijah Davis, sr. (5-8, 185, LB); Mikey Garcia, jr. (5-10, 155, FS); Matthew Sanchez, sr. (5-10, 195, LB); Ryan Cordray, jr. (5-10, 185, LB/ RB); Jerome Baca, sr. (6-0, 250, C); Marcus Martinez, sr. (6-0, 185, RB); Nathaniel Manzanares, sr. (5-10, 170, WR); Evan Franklin, sr. (6-0, 180, WR); Marcus Steele, sr. (6-1, 195, QB). Outlook: Quite a few metro-area 6A coaches are bullish on the Cougars, who enjoyed a fruitful offseason. And, Williams said, this team is determined to make some hay this fall. “Last year’s failure became this year’s motivation,” he said. “The guys have a desire to change it.” How will that play out once the games begin? “That’s the magic question,” Williams said with a smile. On a senior-dominated — and selfdriven — roster, this offense could be as good as it’s been at Cibola in several years, led by Steele and Manzanares, the latter being one of 6A’s best receivers with 49 catches a year ago. Franklin could blossom into a major threat, as well. Plus, there is versatility and speed in the backfield with Martinez and Cordray. Defensively, top playmakers include Sanchez, the heart of that unit, plus Garcia and Bitzer. The Cougars expect to be far more physical on both sides of the ball, a characteristic several of Williams’ peers noticed this summer.
2018 schedule (x-denotes District 1-6A game)
Aug. 23, at Sandia (W), 7 p.m. Sept. 1, at Oñate (FOD), 1 p.m. Sept. 7, Highland (C), 7 p.m. Sept. 13, at La Cueva (W), 7 p.m. Sept. 22, Los Lunas (C), 1 p.m. Sept. 28, IDLE x-Oct. 6, Rio Rancho (C), 1 p.m. x-Oct. 12, at Cleveland, 7 p.m. x-Oct. 18, West Mesa (C), 7 p.m. x-Oct. 26, Atrisco Heritage (C), 7 p.m. x-Nov. 2, at Volcano Vista (C), 7 p.m.
Circle the date: The matchup with Los Lunas could be quite intriguing, with the explosive Tigers coming in to play what should be a vastly improved, and sneaky dangerous Cibola group.