Volcano Vista’s team is ‘better than we’ve been’
Coach Wallin says his team is more prepared to handle tough schedule in 2012
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today continues a series of stories previewing the 2012 high school football season for schools in the West Side Journal and Rio Rancho Journal areas. Coming Thursday: Atrisco Heritage Academy.
At some point, Volcano Vista High School football coach Chad Wallin surmises, the growing pains must end.
“Making that transition to (Class) 5A was a burden,” Wallin said. “But I feel like our team is better than we’ve been the past couple of years.”
The Hawks labored to a 2-8 record last season, bogged down by — among other things — one of the most demanding schedules of any team in New Mexico.
Wallin believes Volcano Vista is trending in the right direction with the 2012 season fast approaching.
The schedule has been softened to a degree, the Hawks have a senior-dominated team, and a more potent offense should allow the Hawks to find more balance in their universe.
In particular, Wallin is excited that this group of 12th graders — who went undefeated as freshmen — are ready to break the program out of a funk.
“We’ve been waiting for these guys for four years,” Wallin said. “We feel like we’re ready to compete more than last year.”
The Hawks will open Aug. 30 against Manzano. They’ve got half a dozen starters returning on both sides of the ball, although Volcano Vista is without one of the state’s best athletes in running back Andre Vigil, who is skipping football season to concentrate on baseball.
“I feel like we are setting high expectations for this team,” senior center Bryan Piatt said. “There’s no division, there’s no separation, we’re all one team.”
The Hawks are armed, Wallin said, with what he said are best group of skillposition athletes Volcano Vista has had.
It starts with the receiving corps, led by Dorsett Valdez, 6-foot-5 Conner Anderson and the lightning-fast Joe Searcy-ortega. Plus, there is go-to tight end Derek Cravens, the player quarterback Reid Hendricks will most likely look to in a pinch.
“The cohesiveness will be there because we’ve been together so long,” Hendricks said.
And Wallin believes Ibra Dominguez, a 5-10 junior, can ably fill the void left in the backfield by Vigil.
“Nobody outworks him, and he’s had a fabulous offseason,” Wallin said of Dominguez.
But the Hawks’ offensive success will largely be predicated on the efficiency of Hendricks, a senior who went from being the back-up JV quarterback to starting on the varsity last year.
It’s a position that Volcano Vista needs more production from if it wants to challenge for a playoff berth. Hendricks has attended some national QB camps in the offseason to help enhance his value. He said he “held my own against them.”
“Last year (during the high school season), I didn’t do the greatest,” Hendricks added. “But my understanding of the game is a lot greater. I feel like I’m a lot more fine-tuned for the game of football.”
Wallin said Hendricks has upgraded his game.
“From last year to this year,” he said, “huge improvement. The biggest thing is, he’s gained some confidence.”
While center Piatt is back, the offensive line has undergone some changes, with three new starters.
“That’s the one area that has to come along the fastest,” said Wallin.
The defense is led by fierce linebacker Josh Lubold, the leader of the unit (and MVP at his position at the recent NMpreps.com combine), along with end Isaiah Perry — “he’s our toughest kid,” Wallin said — and SearcyOrtega at free safety. Kendall Johnson, a 6-4 junior, is new to football but brings tremendous athleticism to defensive end. And Brandon Garcia, a transfer from Rio Grande, should be a nice addition in the secondary.
Physical mismatches have been a problem at Volcano Vista since jumping to 5A. The Hawks have had to endure a very difficult schedule, including facing all of District 2-5A, plus Las Cruces — this, before they even get to Cleveland and Rio Rancho in league play.
“I feel like we can beat anybody in our district,” Piatt said.
The 2012 schedule is more forgiving, if only slightly. It does feature a pair of 4A teams in Moriarty and Del Norte, plus 5A’s struggling Oñate. Mayfield has replaced Las Cruces.
Two years ago, Volcano Vista struggled to keep pace with most teams. Last year, despite a two-win season, the Hawks were involved in some very close, very difficult losses.
“Last year,” Wallin said, “we were dipping our toes. This year, we’re diving in. Let’s see what happens.”