June 20, 2012

Kyle Henderson
NMPreps.com Publisher

2012 Statewide Tour #2 Cleveland Storm

VIDEO PREVIEW

The Skinny: 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). They return two on offense, just three on defense, and new Head Football Coach Heath Ridenour takes over for Legendary Head Coach Kirk Potter. Time to prove they were no one hit wonder. Chapter two begins today.

Romell Jordan - RB	Desmond Branch - DL	Steven Steele - DB

Offensive Outlook:

Taking over at quarterback for Cole Gautsche will be 6-3, 185 pound Quarterback Kian Homme. Though Homme differs from Guatsche in the fact that he is a pocket style quarterback rather than a dual threat quarterback, he throws a very tight ball and reads coverages very well.

A relief in pressure comes from having one of the State's top running backs in Romell Jordan returning for his senior season. As a junior Jordan accounted for over 1,500 total yards and scored over 20 touchdowns. What makes Jordan so explosive is his speed which also helped him earn the fastest man title when he won the 2012 Class 5A open 100M Dash back in May.

The Storm's offense also loses two 1,000-yard receivers in Reece White and Jerome Gabryszewski. Stepping up at receiver will be Sean Worthington at 170 pounds and 6-4 Tight End/Receiver Sterling Napier who looks like a sleeper D-1 prospect from the Class of 2014.

Up front the Storm will have many new faces in the offensive trenches. James Smith at 6-0, 210 pounds saw playing time a junior, Jason Alvarado is a transfer who started every game as a junior last year at Silver, Sophomore Isaiah Pacheco who is a sophomore could see time on varsity at 6-2, 260 pounds, and newcomer Clayton Panky is a transfer from Bernalillo that was a State Champ wrestler at 220 pounds this past season. While they'll be a ton of new faces come the first Friday Night against La Cueva, the talent level will still be high on the offensive side no question about it.

Kian Homme - QB	Damien Speaker - DB	Jason Alvarado - OL/DL

Defensive Outlook: Just three starters return from the 2012 season which are Steven Steele and All-State Defensive Back, Desmond Branch who's three older brothers each earned a D-1 Scholarship, and Mackey Dunlap who saw time at linebacker as a junior.

DATE	OPPONENT
Aug. 31st	@ La Cueva
Sept. 7th	Chapin (El Paso)
Sept. 14th	@ Onate
Sept. 20th	Clovis
Oct. 5th	Highland
Oct. 12th	@ Sandia
Oct. 19th	@ Hobbs
Oct. 25th	Cibola
Nov. 2nd	Volcano Vista
Nov. 9th	Rio Rancho
Strength Of Schedule	B+

Steele will be their big play threat and while he projects at the next level as a defensive back, don't be surprised to see him playing two-ways, returning kicks, punts, even playing a little quarterback. As for Branch he is 6-2, 235 pounds and somewhat of a late bloomer who is really starting to fill out.

He has good feet, has became increasingly strong year over year and one to watch in the Metro Area as a top football recruit. Mackey Dunlap will be their play-maker at linebacker and one who will emerge as the summer season progresses. Other defensive prospects to watch include Jon Bastian at 6-0 and 175 pounds.

Bastian saw time in the secondary as a junior and looks fantastic headed into his senior year. Good hips, strong kid, and likely a top safety in the area. Andre Li Rosi is just 5-5 and 145 pounds however his football bloodline runs deep with several family members that were impact players at the prep level. Li Rosi will play defensive back and is a very tough 2012 prospect with good leadership abilities.

Sterling Napeir could see time at defensive end, Jason Alvarado will likely be a two-way linemen, and Clayton Panky was looking impressive in the weight room, potent defensive tackle that Cleveland just landed. Last but not least watch for Junior Prospect Damian Speaker. At 5-11 and 190 pounds he'll bring the wood to running backs and receivers alike.

Only age 31, Ridenour originally form Lovington, New Mexico was the Storm's Offensive Coordinator during the Storm's 2011 13-0 perfection season. The Storm racked up 641-points per game and produced Cleveland's first ever NMPreps.com's Mr. Football Winner in Quarterback/New Mexico Commit Cole Gautsche. "We wanted to waste no time in naming Mr. Ridenour as our Head Football Coach at Cleveland High School. He has an excellent football background as a player at Lovington High School and at Eastern New Mexico University. He is 31 years of age and one of the youngest coaches in the State of New Mexico. He has worked two great coaches in Eric Roanhaus of Clovis High School and Kirk Potter at Cleveland High School," Commented the Cleveland Athletic Department back in early April. Ridenour has added Eddie Kilmore as his defensive coordinator, a very smart move early on.

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