October 31, 2012

Kyle Henderson
NMPreps.com Publisher

Today we begin to look at the NMPreps.com Coach of the Year Candidates. The following is a feature by NMPreps.com's Kyle Henderson. Follow him on twitter @nmpreps

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In no order...

David Howes - Rio Rancho - The Rams are No. 1 overall in Class 5A with a 7-1 record. If they finish out district unbeaten they'll be 9-1 and grab the No. 1 overall spot in the play-offs for the first time in school history.

Ray Gerela - Gadsden - Took over Gadsden who was 0-10 last year. This year they are 5-4 and a play-off bubble team.

Ed Lucero - La Cueva - The coach parents wanted to run off before he even coached a game is now 7-1 in his second year at La Cueva.

Kevin Barker - Sandia - Sandia is 6-2 this year and having thier best overall season since the 2006 season when they went 11-2 overall.

Michael Bradley - Mayfield - Wait what? Why? Well, Mayfield returned zero offensive starters into the 2012 season and while they are just 5-3 this year, they are still 5-1 against New Mexico teams.

Patrick Johnson - Atrisco Heritage - First year Head Coach that has taken Atrisco to 6-2. Final games are against Highland and West Mesa, if they win out they'll be 8-2 and will make the play-off for the first time in school history

Jared Howell - Piedra Vista - Panthers would have to go 9-1 for Howell to win the award. Best start for the Panthers in years.

San Jernigan - Goddard - Lost a ton of talent from a state runner team and has simply kept the Rockets back on top. Coaching = Program = Wins

Cooper Henderson - Artesia - At 7-1, Artesia is scoring over 56 points per game. Beating Goddard would help Henderson's campaign

Jeremy Newton - Los Lunas - While we knew that Los Lunas would be good, did not know they would be this good. While their offense usually headlines their game stories, the defense is outstanding.

Joey Fernandez - St. Michael's - Fernandez did return 18 from a 12-1 team in 2011, but plain and simple St. Michael's has continued to take care of business this week. Sometimes holding together a loaded team is the hardest thing to do. Their win over Silver was impressive being down by two scores early on.

Butch Branson - Silver - One of the more underrated coaches in New Mexico has a very talented team and coaches them up to be one of the more physical teams I've seen this year.

Kief Johnson - Ruidoso - Ruidoso will need to beat Lovington in order for this to happen.

Mario Trujillo - Santa Rosa - The program that keeps getting stronger...

Brian Autrey - Texico - Texico is unbeaten. Don't know how much talent they have, but being 7-0 at this point is impressive

Wayne Ferguson - Tucumcari - At 7-2, the Rattlers are playing some great football. When was the last time Tucumcari was in the mix?

Dusty Giles - Escalante - I really hope Dusty gets a big school shot one day and I think he will. Right now at Escalante the Lobos are 8-0.

Eric Vigil - McCurdy - Love the type of passion Coach Vigil brings to each Friday Night. He's worked hard to build McCurdy up and deserves some pub.

Casey Crandall - Hagerman - The Bobcats are 7-1 this year and playing lights out

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