PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: (METRO) NO. 4 LOS LUNAS TIGERS
Coach: Jeremy Maupin (2nd year; 8-4) Last season: 8-4; lost to Farmington in 5A quarterfinals Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense Key players: Nick Gaerlan, sr. (5-10, 170, QB); Noah Gum, sr. (5-8, 150, slot); Hunter Williamson, sr. (5-8, 165, slot); Cody Vocu, sr. (6-4, 170, WR); Andrew Garcia, jr. (5-9, 150, slot); Walter Baca, jr. (5-10, 210, C); Diego Sanchez, sr. (6-2, 215, ILB); Michael Martinez, sr. (6-2, 180, ILB); Zion Martinez, sr. (5-10, 215, DL); Mikey Montoya, sr. (5-10, 190, S).
Outlook: The Tigers come in at No. 4 in the Journal’s top-five metro countdown, and for excellent reason. The dual-threat Gaerlan is on the list of the state’s top QBs after throwing for 28 touchdowns, rushing for 23 more and combining for nearly 3,500 yards passing and rushing. Moreover, his top four targets from 2017 — led by Vocu — return in their second year of Maupin’s scheme. Baca, being moved from guard, is the Tigers’ top offensive lineman. And although the O-Line has no seniors, three members of that group started as sophomores. This offense should have no trouble scoring in bunches, so the Tigers have a legitimate shot to advance deep into the playoffs if the defense is even halfway decent. And Maupin has no great worries on that side, what with Sanchez (the team’s leading tackler) and Michael Martinez anchoring the middle at linebacker, and with a talented D-Line that goes six deep. The secondary has been revamped, especially on the corners, and that is probably the only real area where Los Lunas might have a tinge of unease. “Going against the No. 1 quarterback in the state (in practice), it makes us better,” said Sanchez. This team rightfully has state championship aspirations. “We could be better than last year,” Gaerlan said.
2018 schedule (x-denotes District 5-5A game)
Aug. 24, Piedra Vista, 6 p.m. Aug. 31, at Alamogordo, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7, Sandia, 7 p.m. Sept. 14, Roswell, 7 p.m. Sept. 22, at Cibola (C), 1 p.m.
Sept. 28, at Goddard, 7 p.m. Oct. 5/12, IDLE x-Oct. 19, Valencia, 7 p.m. x-Oct. 26, at Valley (M), 7 p.m. x-Nov. 2, at Belen, 7 p.m.
Circle the date: This opener with Piedra Vista has playoff preview written all over it, and both these teams could very well be playing on Thanksgiving weekend or beyond. (By the way, you are reading the schedule correctly: There are only nine games. A scheduling snafu cost the Tigers a 10th contest and they will have a mammoth 21-day break before district.)