About: Over the next few weeks, NMPreps.com will be releasing their spring football previews for the 2012 season. Previews are based off returning starters, key losses to graduation, and other key factors.

Kyle Henderson is the Owner of NMPreps.com. Email him your questions, comments or story ideas to NMPreps@yahoo.com and follow him on Facebook Here.

Articles are written and complied by Kyle Henderson the Publisher of NMPreps.com. Henderson worked at the national level before publishling NMPreps.com in the start of 2006, he has made frequent appearances on KRQE, KOB, and

NewsNM.com as a prep football analyst, and also owns and operates the annual Elite 100 Combine. He has logged in nearly 150,000 miles on his truck covering each region of the state. For corrections or player additions, please contact Kyle via e-mail to nmpreps@yahoo.com.

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	Academy Chargers: Last year's group overachieved as usual as the Chargers went 7-4 under Kevin Carroll who is one of the top overall coaches in the State of New Mexico. Remember they not only beat the two-time defending State Champ Santa Rosa, they shutout the Lion's winning 24-0 in last year's opener. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Albuquerque Bulldogs: Their 2011 season under first year Head Coach Michael Zufall was another long season for Bulldog Fans. The Bulldogs went 0-10 and were outscored 91-476 during the 2011 season. They were also shutout four times on the year, so looking at the 2012 season there is really no where to go but up. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Alamogordo Tigers: Last year the Alamogordo Tigers made the 5A play-offs with a 5-5 record. Against Rio Rancho they scored in impressive 34 points using their power rushing attack headlined by Michael Luna who just graduated in 2012. Their defense allowed 339 points per game last year which translates to a 30 point per game average. Wins over Valley, Hobbs, and Onate were their only bright spots looking back on last season. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Artesia Bulldogs: You tend to forget that Artesia was just 6-6 after the 2011 prep football season. Yes the all mighty New Mexico High School Football Power took their lumps during the 2011 season, but still managed to reach the semifinals of the play-offs only to lose to district rival Goddard 28-10 one game shy of the finals. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Atrisco Heritage Jaguars: The end of the 2011 season could not of gone any worse for the Atrisco Heritage Football Program. We all remember how they took the NMAA to court over the official botched time keeping in their final game of the season against St. Pius X which kept them from making the 2011 play-offs even though the Jaguars finished in a three way tie for the district title. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Aztec Tigers: The key storyline heading into the 2012 season is the defending class 4A champs will have a new head coach for the first time in nine seasons after Brad Hirsch walked away from the head post after going 13-0 in 2011. The state title was Aztec's first since the 50's and beating Goddard in the tittle game 28-27 in a dramatic ending was the perfect cap on Hirsch's tremendous coaching career with Aztec. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Belen Eagles: First the first time since John Lerma's mid-2000 take over the Belen Eagles failed to make the play-offs in 2011. Belen who had some incredible runs from 2007 to 2010 went 5-4 and 1-4 in district play. After a 4-0 start the Eagles were then beat by Los Lunas 21-13 by Valencia County Rival Los Lunas then a few weeks later would lose to Valencia High 50-20. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Carlsbad Cavemen: The Carlsbad Cavemen went 8-3 in the 2011 season just missing back to back district titles under long time Head Coach Ron Arrington. Last year the Cavemen started out 7-2 beating Mayfield and Artesia for the first time in what seemed like forever, but a rocky ending left the Cavemen losing their last two out of three games including a 17-7 home loss against La Cueva in the quarterfinals of the play-offs. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Cibola Cougars: Cibola went 3-7 last year beating Highland, Sandia, and Volcano Vista on the year. They did miss the 2011 play-offs, which should provide plenty of motivation heading into this coming season. They lose Brett Saxon at quarterback and Drew Chavez their top defensive down linemen to graduation. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Cleveland Storm: In just their third season in Varsity Football Season, Cleveland went 13-0 under now retired and Legendary Head Football Coach Kirk Potter. The Storm scored 641 points scoring over 40 points in 12 out of their 13 games last year. Their offense was powered by NMPreps.com Mr. Football Winner Cole Gautsche who is already fighting for a starting spot at New Mexico (Graduated last December). Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Clovis Wildcats: No matter if Clovis is 5-5 or 4-6 after any season you know they are going to bring it come play-off time. It's been a long time since they've gone to the big show (2007 Triple OT Loss To Mayfield In The 5A Title Game) and while Clovis Football is not what it once was it's still an Elite Football Program that produces blue collar young men that will knock that lights out of a City Kid. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Deming Wildcats: Last year no one really talked about the Deming Wildcats and then just like that they were 7-3, district champs, and headed to the 4A play-offs. A huge part of their overall success was the offensive play of Anthony Ramirez who had over 2,000-yards last year as a senior. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Eldorado Eagles: Last year the Eldorado Eagles went 8-4 on the season losing to Mayfield 56-34 in the quarterfinal round of the play-offs. The team that always looks like they average 6-foot-5 will graduate some big boys like Quarterback Sam Gentry at 6-foot-5 and Ryan Fleming at 6-foot-4 and lose running back John Russo and power back Graham Pinney. Looking over their 2011 season they had wins against Rio Rancho, Cibola, Volcano Vista, Sandia, and Highland. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Eunice Cardinals: During the 2011 season, the Eunice Cardinals under New Head Coach Daniel Hutchins were pretty much untouchable through the first 10 games on the season. Scoring 49.2 points per game leading up into the play-offs the play of Tyler Almager at Quarterback Junior Carraza on both sides of the football had the Cardinals as the clear cut team to win the 2A title. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Goddard Rockets: Last year's Goddard team went an outstanding 12-0 before losing to Aztec in the 4A Title Game 28-27. In the 15 plus years of Head Coach Sam Jernigan, the Rocket's have yet to go undefeated in a season, however Big Blue has posted some of the most talented hard nosed teams in the State of New Mexico over the Jernigan Era. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Hatch Valley Bears: Head Football Coach Jack Cisco and the Hatch Valley Bears went 2-8 last year, ok that is the bad news. The good news is that in 2012 the Bears will make the jump down from Class 3A to Class 2A which should be a great opportunity for the Bears to restore their once dominate football program that thrived in the early 2000's under now Head Football Coach at Hobbs Charles Gleghorn. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Highland Hornets: Last year the Highland Hornets went 6-5 on the season under First Year Head Coach Derek Maestas. Their roller coaster season started with a last second 15-14 loss to Cibola then a 54-6 win over Santa Fe, followed by a 13-8 loss to Sandia. In district they went 4-0 to earn a play-off spot only to lose to Eldorado in the play-offs by two touchdowns. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Hobbs Eagles: The Eagles suffered a dismal season in 2011 positing just two wins and ending the year on a 50-0 loss to Carlsbad. Out is former Head Coach Bruce Dollar and in is New Head Coach Charles Gleghorn who has four State Title Rings. As mentioned several times this year if Gleghorn has trouble winning at Hobbs, the Eagles might not ever restore their 1970's prep football greatness. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Hope Christian Huskies: Hope Christian had their prep football program established less than four season's ago and they are straight rolling already. Last year they went 11-2 with their two season losses coming against the St. Michael's Horsemen. What was the most impressive feat on the season was their dominate defense that allowed just 97 points through 13 games (7.5 points allowed average) with six shutouts on the year. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Laguna Acoma Hawks: The Laguna Acoma Hawks under first year Head Coach Roger Cordova were one of the surprise teams of the year in 2011. They went 8-3 and were the District 3-2A runner-ups beating Lordsburg, Estancia, and losing to Tularosa in a hard-fought 39-29 shootout. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	La Cueva Bears: Last year under new Head Football Coach Ed Lucero the Bears started the season 5-0 before falling to Mayfield 19-14 in week six. Great start for the Head Coach that many felt would not continue the success of the Bear's program. Their win against Carlsbad in the first round of the play-offs proved that this program is still in the elite group and with the amount of talent they have returning in 2012, there is no reason to expect the Bear's to fall off. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Las Cruces Bulldawgs: This group has to be extremely hungry to hit the field in 2012 for two reasons. Number one is their last loss came on their home turf against Rio Rancho losing 48-41 in overtime. Reason number two is they are flat out loaded on both offense and defense. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Los Lunas Tigers: For a team that loses very little from the 2011 season, Los Lunas fans in Valencia County should have high hopes for the Tigers in 2012. The Tigers posted a 9-3 season record under second year Head Coach Jeremy Newton losing to Artesia 35-13 in the quarterfinal round of the play-offs. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Lovington Wildcats: Two reasons that Lovington have won three straight Class 3A titles. Strength of schedule and the Coaching of Jamie Quiniones. The Wildcats trailed the St. Michael's Horsemen 10-0 in the 2011 State Title Game only to rally back 14-10 to claim their 17th Blue Trophy. What we like about Lovington each year is the fact that they play Artesia and Goddard. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Manzano Monarchs: The Manzano Monarchs currently ranked number nine in our way too early Spring Football Top 100 Rankings have been among the Albuquerque Metro Elite for the last six years, but more recently they've emerged as a top five program in the state. This year their program will be tested as the Monarchs lose Quavshaun Branch (Eastern New Mexico Commit) and 1,500-yard Running Back Anthony Johnson.Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Mayfield Trojans: The Mayfield Trojans actually led in the 5A Title Game against Cleveland by two scores before eventually giving up the two touchdown lead to fall 48-28 to the Cleveland Storm in an epic 5A battle that ended the year of 2011. The Trojans broke more than three program records all-time from their offensive success. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Onate Knights: First year Head Coach Caleb Hull and the Onate Knights went a dismal 1-9 last year with their only win coming against 0-10 Gadsden in the final game of district play. The Knights were outscored 184-458 on the season and were beaten by cross town rivals Las Cruces and Mayfield by a combined 84-6. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Piedra Vista Panthers: Last year the Piedra Vista Panthers missed the 2011 play-offs with a 3-7 season record. Few bright spots highlighted last year's schedule after their 66-26 win in the opening week against Santa Fe. The Panthers went on a six game losing streak losing to Grants, Moriarty, and Bernalillo. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Rio Rancho Rams: Last year the new power in New Mexico Cleveland High School a team that went 13-0 in 2011 was nearly beaten not once, but twice by their cross town rival the Rio Rancho Rams. Head Coach Dave Howes and the Rams had a very salty group as well posting an impressive 9-4 record with wins over Clovis, Sandia, Volcano Vista, Cibola, and beating Las Cruces in overtime at the Field of Dreams. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Ruidoso Warriors: The Ruidoso Warriors are always a team with a good amount of talent and this year looks to be no different. Last year the Warriors went 6-5 on the year losing to Academy 33-19 in the play-offs. Losing key linemen like Tanner Chavez and Warren McCracken. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Sandia Matadors: Hard not to like Sandia each year because of their excellent coaching staff and their abundance of year in and year out talent. Last year's disappointing season at 4-7 with an early exit from the play-offs has to provide some extra momentum for their roster heading into the 2012 season. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Santa Fe Demons: Hard not to like Sandia each year because of their excellent coaching staff and their abundance of year in and year out talent. Last year's disappointing season at 4-7 with an early exit from the play-offs has to provide some extra momentum for their roster heading into the 2012 season. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Santa Rosa Lions: Hard not to like Sandia each year because of their excellent coaching staff and their abundance of year in and year out talent. Last year's disappointing season at 4-7 with an early exit from the play-offs has to provide some extra momentum for their roster heading into the 2012 season. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Santa Teresa Desert Warriors: Santa Teresa went 4-6 in 2011 missing the 2011 play-offs, but did end the season on a high note beating regional rival Chaparral 28-19 in the season finale. Early losses against Silver, El Paso High, and Socorro should all be learning experience for this year's crop which looks to be a talented team.. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	Silver Fighting Colts: Silver currently ranked #37 overall in our Spring Top 100 and #4 in our Class 3A Spring Football Rankings does lose a good amount of talent from their 2011 season and it's going to be tough to duplicate their 10-2 season when they outscored teams 428-186 on the season. Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here
	St. Michael's: A near perfect season in 2011 was foiled once again by the Lovington Wildcats in a 14-10 loss in the 3A State Title Game. Their 12-1 season was bitter sweet for obvious reasons and a perfect motto for this year's crop would be "Unfinished Business in 2012". Complete Preview Here | Players To Watch Here

Coming Soon!

About: During the months of June, July, and August NMPreps.com's Publisher Kyle Henderson will travel the state to preview over 40 high school football programs on their home campus. Exclusive Team Previews will be posted all-summer long so now is a great time to sign up for your free 7-Day Trail Membership! | Sample Team Preview Here