PREP FOOTBALL: MORIARTY AT A GLANCE
(This is another in a continuing series of previews of metro teams leading up to the Aug. 22 season opener.) Coach: Gabe Romero (1st year) Last season: 3-8; lost to Bloomfield in 4A first round Returning starters: 3 offense, 4 defense
Key players: Pedro “Pete” Sandoval, jr. (5-9, 175, FB/OLB); Justin Carmona, jr. (6-1, 180, RB/DB); Tyler Ortiz, sr. (6-5, 175, TE/CB); Julian Encinias, sr. (6-2, 185, ILB); Nick Sanders, jr. (5-11, 220, OL/DL); Asaiah Kamplain, soph. (5-8, 205, OL/LB); Cayden Dunn, soph. (5-10, 160, HB/OLB); Milo Trujillo, jr. (5-10, 215, OL/DL).
Outlook: Romero begins his 17th season with his alma mater, but first as the head coach as he takes over from Joe Anaya, who was promoted to athletic director. Romero was the special teams coordinator and offensive/defensive line coach before the promotion. He will keep much the same run-based philosophy on offense, with Dunn, Carmona and Sandoval figuring heavily into the attack. Dunn and Carmona in particular have some explosive potential if they can find some space. Encinias is expected to anchor the defense. Depth is a real concern, with the Pintos having just several dozen athletes in the entire program, meaning many starters will be asked to go both ways. On the plus side, Moriarty has some very promising freshmen and sophomores, which bodes well for the next couple of years. Moriarty was the lowest seed in the 4A playoffs last year (a 12), and the Pintos will be working hard to get back into the postseason again.
2019 schedule
(x-denotes District 3/4-4A game) Aug. 23, at West Las Vegas, 7 p.m. Aug. 30, at Santa Fe, 7 p.m. Sept. 6, Hope Christian, 7 p.m. Sept. 13, Valencia, 7 p.m. Sept. 20, at Capital, 7 p.m. Sept. 27, Hot Springs, 7 p.m. Oct. 11, at Kirtland Central, 6 p.m. x-Oct. 18, Lovington, 7 p.m. x-Oct. 25, Portales, 7 p.m. x-Nov. 1, at Ruidoso, 7 p.m.
Circle the date: Moriarty has won just one district game the last three seasons, so certainly the visit from Lovington in the league opener will be a strong target for the Pintos.