F A R M I N G T O N P I E D R A V I S T A A Z T E C K I R T L A N D C E N T R A L B L O O M F I E L D N A V A J O P R E P S H I P R O C K Aug. 29 Los Lunas 7 p.m. Home Sept. 5 Kirtland Central 7 p.m. Home Sept. 12 Belen 7 p.m. Away Sept. 19 Durango 7 p.m. Away Sept. 26 Los Alamos* 7 p.m. Home Oct. 3 Grants 7 p.m. Away Oct. 10 Piedra Vista 7 p.m. Home Oct. 17 Aztec 7 p.m. Home Oct. 31 Miyamura 7 p.m. Away Nov. 7 Gallup 7 p.m. Away Home games played at Hutchison Stadium *Denotes Homecoming game Aug. 29 San Juan 7 p.m. Away Sept. 5 Goddard 7 p.m. Away Sept. 12 Durango 7 p.m. Home Sept. 19 Moriarty 6 p.m. Home Sept. 26 Kirtland Central 7 p.m. Away Oct. 3 Roswell* 7 p.m. Home Oct. 10 Farmington 7 p.m. Away Oct. 17 Miyamura 7 p.m. Away Oct. 24 Aztec 7 p.m. Home Oct. 31 Gallup 7 p.m. Home Home games played at Hutchison Stadium *Denotes Homecoming game Aug. 29 Bloomfield 7 p.m. Away Sept. 5 Durango 7 p.m. Home Sept. 12 Kirtland Central 7 p.m. Away Sept. 19 Del Norte 7 p.m. Home Oct. 3 Valley 7 p.m. Away Oct. 10 Gallup* 7 p.m. Home Oct. 17 Farmington 7 p.m. Away Oct. 24 Piedra Vista 7 p.m. Away Nov. 7 Miyamura 7 p.m. Home Home games played at Fred Cook Memorial Stadium *Denotes Homecoming game Aug. 29 Bayfield 7 p.m. Away Sept. 5 Farmington 7 p.m. Away Sept. 12 Aztec 7 p.m. Home Sept. 19 Los Alamos 7 p.m. Away Sept. 26 Piedra Vista 7 p.m. Home Oct. 10 Zuni 7 p.m. Away Oct. 17 Thoreau* 7 p.m. Home Oct. 24 Wingate 7 p.m. Home Oct. 31 Shiprock 7 p.m. Away Nov. 7 Bloomfield 7 p.m. Home Home games played at Bronco Stadium *Denotes Homecoming game Aug. 29 Aztec 7 p.m. Home Sept. 5 Pojoaque Valley 7 p.m. Home Sept. 12 Socorro 7 p.m. Away Sept. 19 Taos 7 p.m. Home Sept. 27 Hope Christian TBD Away Oct. 10 Wingate 7 p.m. Away Oct. 17 Shiprock 7 p.m. Away Oct. 24 Thoreau* 7 p.m. Home Oct. 31 Zuni 7 p.m. Home Nov. 7 Kirtland Central 7 p.m. Away Home games played at Bobcat Stadium *Denotes Homecoming game Aug. 30 Silver 2 p.m. Away Sept. 5 Bayfield 7 p.m. Home Sept. 12 Monument Valley 7 p.m. Home Sept. 19 Newcomb 7 p.m. Away Sept. 26 Navajo Prep 7 p.m. Home Oct. 10 Thoreau 7 p.m. Away Oct. 17 Bloomfield 7 p.m. Home Oct. 24 Zuni 7 p.m. Away Oct. 31 Kirtland Central 7 p.m. Home Nov. 8 Wingate 12 p.m. Home Home games played at Chieftain Stadium Aug. 29 Laguna Acoma 7 p.m. Home Sept. 5 Estancia 7 p.m. Home Sept. 12 Escalante 7 p.m. Away Sept. 19 Zuni 7 p.m. Home Sept. 26 Shiprock 7 p.m. Away Oct. 4 Clayton 1 p.m. Away(SFIS) Oct. 18 Dexter 1 p.m. Away Oct. 24 Tohatchi* 7 p.m. Home Oct. 31 Newcomb 7 p.m. Home Nov. 7 Crownpoint 7 p.m. Away Home games played at Navajo Prep *Denotes Homecoming game Als Trailer Sales Als Trailer Sales Serving Farmington, NM & Surrounding Areas Since 1961 STOP BY TODAY! We buy, consign or trade used travel trailers & 5th wheels. Travel Trailers 5th Wheel Trailers Complete Hitch Shop RV Body Shop Go PV Panthers girls soccer! Good luck Jenna Brown! The Jennings Family thanks you for 53 years of business! Four Corners Oldest & Largest Parts & Service Center 301 S. Miller Farmington, NM (505) 325-2806 www.alstrailer.com Monday Friday 8am - 5pm Saturday - 9am - 1pm ON THE COVER: Deangelo Phillips, left, Champ Mendoza, Chayton Salcido, Avery Rasher and Austin Moore pose for a photo on Aug. 27 after football practice at Hutchison Stadium in Farmington. Alexa Rogals/The Daily Times
3 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW THE DAILY TIMES By Joshua Perry jperry@daily-times.com @jperrysuu on Twitter FARMINGTON Navajo Prep had a historic 2013 season and is looking to pick up right where it left off. The Eagles reached the 2Aquarterfinals thanks to the arm of quarterback Tyler Sorensen and a plethora of speedy wide receivers. Sorensen is back for his senior year, but he will have to work with a differ- ent receiving corps after Mika Mauga, Alex Danzuka and Isaiah Yazzie all graduated in the spring. The Prep quarterback said it took some work over the summer, but his new targets are getting accustomed to the offense and will be ready to go for Week 1. The whole summer, theyve been working in the system, and now theyre getting it, said Sorensen, who threw for just more than 4,000 yards and 51 touchdowns in 2013. Everything is com- ing along. This is my last year of high school foot- ball, so Im really excited. While the receivers may all be new, Sorensen can take comfort in the fact that hell have most of the offensive line back to protect him as he orches- trates the Eagles aerial attack. Not only is the line back, but theyve been working really hard in the weight room during the offseason, Sorensen said. While the offense was solid throughout the year for Prep in 2013, the defense struggled against some of its strong oppo- nents. In the Eagles two loss- es, they allowed 102 points to their opponents. They just need to get more mean, Sorensen said of the defense. I dont see what we had last year, but Im confident theyll get it done. Like most teams in San Juan County, Navajo Prep finds itself in a new dis- trict, playing in 1-3A this season. Newcomb is the only remaining opponent from last years District 5- 2A, and the Eagles will now face off with Tohatchi and Crownpoint, instead of Cuba, Dulce and Navajo Pine. The Eagles are expect- ed to roll through the dis- trict similarly to last year, when they went 4-0 while outscoring their oppo- nents 229-0. To make up for the weaker district slate, head coach Rod Denetso loaded up with the strongest non- district schedule the Eagles have played in his tenure. Preps schedule fea- tures 2A champion Clayton, along with Dexter, Estancia and Laguna Acoma. All four schools are ranked in the top six in 3Aby MaxPreps preseason rankings. Denetso said the sched- ule will play a role in get- ting the team ready for the postseason as it tries to improve on its 2013 finish. I think its good for us. Having a schedule like we did last year hurt us, Denetso said. Those teams used to beat up on us. But with the develop- ment of the program, we want to see where were at. It will just prepare us for the playoffs. Weve got to face guys like that. Those teams called us and wanted to play, so that means a lot to our pro- gram. Prep will also take on Shiprock, which the Eagles defeated a year ago, and Escalante, the team that handed Prep its only regular season loss in 2013. I think well matchup well this season, Denetso said. Our front seven is big and has a lot of experi- ence. Theyll be a strength for us. Joshua Perry is the sports editor for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505- 564-4577. NAVAJO PREP EAGLES NPS looks to build on its 2013 performance Alexa Rogals/The Daily Times Navajo Prep starting quarterback Tyler Sorenson passes the ball on Aug. 21 during football practice at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington.
4 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW THE DAILY TIMES By Joshua Perry jperry@daily-times.com @jperrysuu on Twitter AZTEC The Aztec foot- ball team is out for redemp- tion in 2014. The Tigers are coming off their worst season in more than a decade after finishing 4-6 last year and missing the postseason for the first time since 2002. But with 18 return- ing starters, the team is look- ing forward to a turnaround this year. Its a night and day change. We had a small senior class a year ago. We have a large senior class this year, Aztec head coach Matt Steinfeldt said. The leader- ship in this class is second to none. Were nothing but pleased with the results were seeing. The general attitude toward our football program has had a revitalization. A return to the playoffs is something the Tigers have highlighted coming into the season. Its something thats unac- ceptable here, Steinfeldt said of missing the playoffs. The expectations around here are high. The expectations werent necessarily low last year, but we werent capable of reaching the goals we set for ourselves. Missing the playoffs is something we dont plan on doing again. Were ready to compete. Offensively, Aztec has quarterback Marcus Crawford returning for his second season in the offense. Crawford said having a year of experience under his belt has helped him progress in Steinfeldts system. Its definitely easier hav- ing that year experience, Crawford said. Having a full year of experience will help me a lot this year. Also returning for the Tigers is Crawfords primary target, All-State receiver Josh Harris. Harris finished with 12 touch- downs in 2013, but a broken elbow forced him to miss all three games of the district schedule. The senior is back healthy for the start of the year and said missing the district season has him hungry for the start of the year. Those were the three main games I wanted to play last year, Harris said. Now I just want to get out there and play. Aztec will have to make one change on offense at run- ning back with the graduation of Ryneal Lewis-Adams. Josh Harris twin brother, Jake, will step into that role for the Tigers. He looks phenomenal at that position, Steinfeldt said of Jake Harris. The Aztec defense was a weak point for the Tigers in 2013, but Steinfeldt said the team is bigger and stronger up front and that will go a long way in helping his squad improve on that side of the ball. We were averaging some- where around 185 or 190 pounds on defensive line last year. At any level, thats going to be tough to compete with, Steinfeldt said. Weve cer- tainly bulked up there with some big physical guys. The Tigers will open their season with local rival Bloomfield and take on Kirtland Central and Durango, Colo., prior to their district schedule. Aztec also has a marquee matchup against Valley, the 2013 No. 1 seed in 5A, on Oct. 3. Steinfeldt said those non- district showdowns will have his team ready to finish out the season on a high note. This is the first year Ive had any input on our sched- ule, and I like the schedule weve put together, he said. The local games are impor- tant because it draws a lot of interest and creates a great atmosphere. Keeping Kirtland, adding Bloomfield and Durango all three of those are great local games. I believe all five of the teams we see in non-district play will be playoff teams. Joshua Perry is the sports edi- tor for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4577. AZTEC TIGERS Alexa Rogals/The Daily Times Aztec kicker Jarrett Hathcock practices his kick with Logan Campbell on Aug. 27 during football practice at Fred Cook Memorial Stadium in Aztec. AHS strive for turnaround season Alexa Rogals/The Daily Times Aztecs Derek Baca, left, and Zane Bradshaw practice drills on Aug. 27 during football practice at Fred Cook Memorial Stadium in Aztec.
5 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW THE DAILY TIMES By Karl Schneider kschneider@daily-times.com @karltschneider on Twitter BLOOMFIELD The Bloomfield Bobcats have lofty goals in mind for the 2014 4A football season. Bloomfield has its sights set on not only matching the suc- cess of the 2013 season which saw the Bobcats earn a No. 4 seed and a first-round bye into the quarterfinals of the 3Astate tournament but making a run in the 4Aplayoffs. This year, were really hun- gry, and we have a lot more people buying into the sys- tem, said Bobcat senior run- ning back and safety Adrian Vigil. We want it bad. I think that will motivate us to get past the first round of the playoffs, like every year, and get as far as we can. But replicating the success of past seasons could be challenge for the Bobcats, who are imple- menting a new offense under new head coach Bob Allcorn. Bloomfield will operate out of the Delaware Wing-T, a run- heavy scheme that plays to the strength of the Bobcats. We have a lot of good run- ning backs here, and we can attack from anywhere on the field. Its a very diverse misdi- rection offense and something Ive been running for a lot of years, and it has always been very effective, Allcorn said. Allcorn knows it will take time for the players to get com- fortable with the new system and add to the complexity of the playbook. But he said theyve added all the pieces to make the team successful dur- ing the first part of the season. Its a slow process putting in a new offense, Allcorn said. The kids are picking it up pret- ty well, but were a long way from being a polished team right now. Were also not trying to overload them too much. Theyre getting better and bet- ter each day, and weve had some really good practices this past week. Senior quarterback Josh Stowell said the team has picked up the new offense pret- ty well in the first weeks of practice. Now, he said, the Bobcats need to focus on get- ting the details right. Junior running back and line- backer JD Robinson said the teams efforts will not only work out the kinks of the new play- book but bring the Bobcats to the top level of play in the state. It doesnt matter who we play, Robinson said. We could play any team in this basin, any team in the state, as long as we come into practice every week and do what we need to do, Friday nights will handle themselves. And Robinson is ready for that first Friday night when Bloomfield will host 5AAztec. Im very, very excited, Robinson said. Very excited. Im trying not to overthink it. Just go to practice and give it everything I have during the week, and Friday night, come out and show what I and the team have been working really hard for. As coach always says, You got be the harder hitter. Be the aggressor. Go make the plays. Rather than focusing on early season success with a lim- ited playbook, Allcorn said hes more interested in seeing how aggressive his players are in the first few weeks during practice, in the weight room and throughout games. Thats how Ill gauge things, by the personality of our team, Allcorn said. I know we have those abilities, and Im looking to enhance that. As the kids get better at execution, I expect well be a much better team down the road. I want to see that we are steadily improving and playing our best football at the end of the season, going through dis- tricts and into the postseason, hopefully. Karl Schneider covers sports for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4648. BLOOMFIELD BOBCATS BHS look to improve on 2013 season Jon Austria/The Daily Times Bloomfields Joshua Stowell practices with his team- mates on Aug. 25 at Bobcat Stadium in Bloomfield. Jon Austria/The Daily Times Bloomfields Adrian Vigil leads his team on Aug. 25 in a warm-up drill before football practice at Bobcat Stadium in Bloomfield.
6 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW THE DAILY TIMES SHIPROCK CHIEFTAINS By Karl Schneider kschneider@daily-times.com @karltschneider on Twitter SHIPROCK The Shiprock Chieftains wont be the biggest or strongest foot- ball team in District 1-4A, and first-year head coach James Snyder is fine with that because his team may be the quickest. Were young and gifted, Snyder said. Weve got a lot of quick guys. We dont have a lot of big guys, which is OK. The early assessment is we have a very bright future here, but its going to be a process. Part of the process will be getting stronger. But while adding strength and bulk will take time in the offseason, Snyder plans on taking advantage of the tools the team currently possesses quickness. Our goal is to take what we have and squeeze every drop out of it. And what we have is a lot of really quick kids, and thats the style that well play to, Snyder said. Its about positioning and getting to the right spots, and thats playing to the kids strengths. Were not going to be the biggest or strongest up front, but with the proper footwork, well be able to fit where were supposed to fit. After the Chieftains first scrimmage, the players are starting to find their spots in the new offense. Junior wide receiver Irwin Holiday, who Snyder plans on lining up at multiple positions to take advantage of his speed and athleticism, said the offense is starting to work as a single unit. The quarterbacks are getting the ball out quicker, receivers route running is sharper and the offensive line is improving on blocking schemes. While mistakes are still being made, Snyder sees them as learning opportunities for the team. Its almost like we need to make some mistakes in order for it all to come together, Snyder said. Im seeing more and more where the kids are realizing what it is were look- ing for them to do, but we had to make those mistakes and kind of mess up to help every- one realize that. But I think its all going to come together. Im waiting for that week in practice where it all makes sense. Holiday shared Snyders assessment of the team, say- ing the team is young and needs a few weeks to accli- mate. But based on the improvements hes seen in practice, Holiday said he has no doubts that by midseason, when the Chieftains enter dis- trict play, theyll be ready. The team wants to win this season, but Snyder and his players realize the bigger pic- ture is building a program that is competitive year after year. You can hear people talk- ing about wanting to win the district and make it to the playoffs, said junior line- backer and center Zander Dale, who transferred from Window Rock, Ariz., to Shiprock, where he is origi- nally from, this season. But for me, its just about taking steps to help establish a lega- cy and be recognized as a football team. And establishing that lega- cy starts with Shiprocks first game, when the Chieftains will travel to Silver City to face the Fighting Colts, a team that was in a position similar to the Chieftains a few years ago. Im really excited for the first game, especially being against Silver, Holiday said. A lot of people told me how a few years ago Silver was like us, a young team, trying to build a good team for the future, and now thats us, thats our challenge. I know that were going to be a good team. Were not going to go out and play like garbage. Were going to be good, and I have no doubts. Im ready, I know the other guys are ready and the coaches are get- ting us ready. Im excited for it. Karl Schneider covers sports for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4648. Jon Austria/The Daily Times Shiprock head coach James Snyder works with his team on Aug. 18 during foot- ball practice at Chieftain Stadium in Shiprock. SHS take steps to better programs future Jon Austria/The Daily Times Shiprocks quarterback Arjay Miller takes the snap during football practice on Aug. 18 at Chieftain Stadium in Shiprock. 7 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW THE DAILY TIMES Jon Austria/The Daily Times Shiprocks Logan Charley practices with his team on Aug. 18 at Chieftain Stadium in Shiprock. 8 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW THE DAILY TIMES By Joshua Perry jperry@daily-times.com @jperrysuu on Twitter FARMINGTON Although the Piedra Vista foot- ball team reached the playoffs a year ago, it will have to rely on some young players if it is to make a return trip in 2014. Beau Clafton, who was named to four 2013 All-State roster slots, and three-year start- ing quarterback Isaiah Valdez graduated, putting the bulk of the offense into the hands of a group of underclassmen. PV head coach Jared Howell is expecting the young guys to step up and fill the big shoes of his former standouts. Well just take our better athletes and put them there, Howell said. Junior Ryan Montoya and sophomore Alex Shay have bat- tled it out in camp to see who will be the starting quarterback in place of Valdez, and its likely both will see snaps at the posi- tion throughout the early part of the season. We knew Isaiah was going to be gone, so weve tried to pre- pare for that, Howell said. Weve had a good little quar- terback battle going on with Ryan Montoya and Alex Shay, and weve had a new kid come in as a third string guy in Trent Thomas who might work his way in there. Weve got a nice battle, and Im not sure weve been able to settle on a true No. 1 yet. After Clafton received the bulk of the offensive touches a year ago, the Panthers will have a more balanced attack heading into this season. We wont have the speed of a Beau Clafton out there, but weve got some good sopho- more kids that run well and are athletic, the PV coach said. They can put yards on people if we block and do the funda- mentals. While PV may be inexperi- enced at the skill positions, it has some solid players returning on the offensive and defensive lines. Senior tackle and defensive end Tanner Hunt said hes expecting the Panther upper- classmen in the trenches to set the tone early in the season. Were definitely well- rounded and have a lot of depth, Hunt said of the lines strengths. Overall, I feel like we are a really solid unit. Given the choice, Howell said hed rather have the experi- ence on the lines heading into the year. If they dont go, then nobody does, he said of his lineman. Were looking for them to have that experience shine through. Among a handful of PV players providing experience in the skill areas will be senior Grayson Tracy, who is expected to start in the secondary and see time at wide receiver. Tracy said the key will be for players both young and older to learn from each other and improve during the season. Were feeling good. It takes a lot of hard work, he said. Our role as seniors is to lead them, but also to learn from them, because we have a lot of talented guys who know how to play football. The Panthers will have to come out of the gates strong as they face a brutal non-district slate of opponents. After opening on the road against San Juan High in Blanding, Utah, PV will travel to 4A runner-up Goddard before hosting Durango, Colo., and Moriarty. The Panthers close out the non-district portion of the schedule with Kirtland Central and Roswell, then open District 1-5Aplay with rival Farmington on Oct. 10. PV faced six of their 10 2014 opponents last year, going 3-3 with victories against Miyamura, Aztec and Kirtland Central, while losing to Farmington, Durango and Moriarty. Joshua Perry is the sports edi- tor for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4577. PIEDRA VISTA PANTHERS Alexa Rogals The Daily Times Second-string right tackle Dillon Weaver practices on Aug. 21 at the Piedra Vista High School in Farmington. Alexa Rogals The Daily Times The Piedra Vista High School football team practices on Aug. 21 at Piedra Vista High School in Farmington. Core of experienced players will set the tone
9 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW THE DAILY TIMES By Karl Schneider kschneider@daily-times.com @karltschneider on Twitter KIRTLAND Changes have rippled through the states high school athletic landscape, and locally, Kirtland Central may be the most affected. The New Mexico Activities Association reclassified for the 2014-2015 school year. Rather than following long- time district rivals Aztec, Farmington and Piedra Vista to 5A, the Broncos were held at the 4A level, joining an unfamiliar district. But even though the Broncos and their former dis- trict rivals are now in different classes, football fans will still witness the gridiron rivalries theyve followed for years when Kirtland Central plays all three of the now 5Aschools plus Los Alamos before meeting its new district mem- bers in the second half of the season. Its sad that were not all in the same district, but the fact that we still have them on the schedule to keep that rivalry alive is really good, said Broncos defensive tackle Isaac Decker. We dont get the same bragging rights that we used to, but its a good challenge for us. The Broncos are also look- ing at potential wins against Aztec, Farmington and PV to boost the teams seeding in the playoffs. Well have to prove our- selves in the first half of the season. We need to treat those games like we have in the past years, treat them like theyre district games, said junior running back Keishaun Aspaas, who recorded more than 1,000 all-purpose yards last season. We have five non-district games, so hope- fully we come out with a min- imum of three wins. If we can beat a few 5A teams and we end up making it to state, hav- ing those wins against 5A teams should give us a higher seed. While the Broncos hope the first half of the schedule sets the tone for the season, head coach Kevin Graham is excited to get into the district schedule and see new competition. Were excited about being in the new district because there are new teams to play. Its a new challenge, and its going to be a challenge for sure, said Graham, who is entering his third season at KCHS. Weve got a tough road ahead of us, but were looking forward to it. Kirtland Central will rely on its defense which returns its top two tacklers from last season in Decker and linebacker Jacob Belin, both of whom were named captains for the season and a number of two-way starters to dictate the game while the Broncos run-based offense eats up the clock. We really emphasize that if theyre going to get some rest, its going to be on offense, because theyre going to be on the field on defense pretty much all night, Graham said. The Broncos backfield will feature a timeshare between Aspaas, Belin and Bryceson Arthur, all starters on the defensive side of the ball. The players welcome the idea of splitting time. Thats the good thing about having depth, Aspaas said. Well all three share time and help each other out. I dont think any of us are worried about individual stats. We just want to do what it takes to be successful and win games. In their quest for non-dis- trict wins and a playoff appearance, some of the play- ers arent looking far to pick up lessons on reaching those goals. We need to come togeth- er, Decker said. Farmington did a good job last year. They didnt get complacent. You could see that they knew in the back of their mind that they had to win the next one and the next one. You could see them improve every week, and thats what we need to do this year. Karl Schneider covers sports for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4648. Alexa Rogals/The Daily Times Kirtland Central High School Coach John Zecca calls out plays on Aug. 27 during football practice at Bronco Stadium in Kirtland. KIRTLAND BRONCOS Kirtland Central welcomes new, old rivals Alexa Rogals/The Daily Times Starting quarterback Jacob Flack warms up with defensive end Eduardo Arreola on Aug. 27 during football practice at Bronco Stadium in Kirtland.
10 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW THE DAILY TIMES By Joshua Perry jperry@daily-times.com @jperrysuu on Twitter FARMINGTON The Farmington Scorpions won the schools first football state title in 61 years last season, but thats all in the past for Gary Bradleys bunch as his squad has its attention squarely focused on the challenges it will face during 2014. The Scorps enter the new year with new faces in the backfield after the graduation of quarterback Jacob Lucas and running back Brian Farley. Bradley will call upon junior Diego Elebario to replace Lucas under center, while sen- ior Chayton Salcido will get more carries at the running back spot. Weve all played the posi- tion for a long time, and weve all been playing together for a long time, so we have that con- nection just like last year, Salcido said. I have my line with me, and I think theyre even better than last year. While FHS has to replace six of their seven all-state players from last year, Bradley is confi- dent every player coming into a starting role will be able to fill in and pick up where their predecessor left off. Weve got plenty of experi- ence coming back. Its high school football, so we lose great guys every year, Bradley said. But those guys under them the juniors and some sopho- mores are ready to step in. Hopefully thats the sign of a great program and that were on that path. Every year is a lit- tle bit of a mystery. I guarantee we have some leadership. Its quiet leadership and more lead- ership by example, but theyre definitely ready to roll. Defense was the Scorps call- ing card during their title run as they held their opponents to less than a touchdown per game. FHS will rely heavily on their lone returning all-state player, Champ Mendoza, along with Deangelo Phillips to eat up blocks and allow the linebackers to make plays. I think we all have to work together and have the intensity and mindset to just shut a team out, Phillips said. FARMINGTON SCORPIONS Farmington High doesnt intend to rest on its laurels Alexa Rogals/The Daily Times Danny Simkins runs with the ball after receiving a punt return on Aug. 27 during football practice at Hutchison Stadium in Farmington. 11 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW THE DAILY TIMES Alexa Rogals/The Daily Times Donovan Gonzalez catches the ball on Aug. 27 during football practice at Hutchi- son Stadium in Farmington. Alexa Rogals/The Daily Times Kicker Chayton Salcido kicks the ball to the defense for a punt return on Aug. 27 during football practice at Hutchison Stadium in Farmington. FHS will face two of last years 4A semifinalists Los Lunas and Belen in the first three weeks of the season. The Scorps earned a 14-7 victory over Belen to advance to the 4Atitle game. Those early sea- son contests will give FHS a good idea of where they stand within the state. FHS will also take on Durango, Colo., the only team that beat them during the title run, on Sept. 19. The Scorps will enter the year as the 5Apreseason No. 1 in the NMPreps rankings and No. 2 in the MaxPreps rank- ings, but just like last year, the team says it isnt paying atten- tion to standings or rankings and will concern itself with the next opponent on the schedule. Were preparing for the season. Were looking for- ward to the first game, because its the first game. Its the most important game of the season, and it happens to be against Los Lunas, who has been one of the top teams in the state the last few years, Bradley said. Weve got our hands full, and its all about Los Lunas. Joshua Perry is the sports edi- tor for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4577. 12 2014 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW THE DAILY TIMES