Future NMSU football schedule

New Mexico State could have a home and home series with Big 12 member Baylor beginning this year. If Baylor doesn't work out, then Division I-AA Texas Southern could be in the mix.

The Aggies will also begin a home and home series with Ohio in 2010. Also in the mix for future games are Georgia and Kansas.

- Felix

Prep Hoops scores. Dec. 30

Boys Basketball
Albuquerque Academy 45, La Cueva 44, OT
Artesia 73, Shiprock 47
Eldorado 91, EP Ysleta, Texas 74
Highland 56, Las Cruces 51
Hobbs 59, Gadsden 31
Moriarty 72, Evangel Christian 27
St. Michael’s 52, Los Lunas 50, OT

Alamogordo Tournament
EP Burges, Texas 65, Alamogordo 81
Carlsbad 55, Chaparral 48
Santa Teresa 69, Cloudcroft 28
West Mesa 46, EP Jefferson, Texas 33

Las Vegas Tournament
Rio Grande 76, West Las Vegas 65

Girls Basketball
Magdalena 48, Estancia 31
Moriarty 31, Del Norte 23
Robertson 50, Capital 49
Roswell 44, Carlsbad 27
Santa Rosa 68, Cobre 45

Clovis Tournament
Alamogordo 48, Portales 44, OT

Goddard Tournament
Goddard 50, Tohatchi 38
Los Alamos 45, Santa Teresa 35

Littlefield, Texas Tournament
Lockney, Texas 57, Artesia 44

Slaton Tournament
Hobbs 50, Lubbock, Texas 43

Of note on NMSU football

Former New Mexico State receiver Fred Montgomery could be interested in an assistant coach job at his old school. He is currently an assistant coach on the high school level in Georgia. Montgomery played for NMSU during the 1991 and 1992 seasons.

- Felix

NM Prep Hoops Scores, Dec. 29

Monday’s Scores
Boys Basketball
Artesia 77, St. Pius 62
Clovis 86, Santa Fe 39
Fort Sumner 77, McCurdy 61
Rio Grande 82, Bernalillo 67
Silver 56, Lordsburg 54

Alamogordo Tournament
Alamogordo 88, Chaparral 63
EP Burges, Texas 75, Carlsbad 69
EP Jefferson, Texas 55, Cloudcroft 37
West Mesa 37, Santa Teresa 34

Hobbs Tournament
Hobbs 82, Phoenix Camelback, Ariz. 45
Lawton, Okla. 67, Albuquerque Academy 47
Phoenix South Mountain, Ariz. 55, La Cueva 53
Gadsden 39, San Antonio Lanier 34

Las Vegas Tournament
Rio Grande 82, Bernalillo 67

Girls Basketball
Del Norte 56, Santa Rosa 39
Goddard Tournament
Carlsbad 49, Robertson 42
Goddard 62, Santa Teresa 49
Roswell 64, Capital 24
Tohatchi 53, Los Alamos 45

Littlefield, Texas Tournament
Artesia 60, Tulia, Texas 43

Walker is the guy, what next?

Well, it appears that UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker has been offered and accepted the head coaching job. All that's left are details.

So what next for the longtime defensive coach?

The Aggie coaching staff, I'm assuming Earnest Wilson and Joe Lee Dunn for the most part have been doing recruiting, and there are offers out there.

But Walker, who is known for his recruiting ties, must get a huge jump start in the coming weeks. The Aggies need added depth on the offensive line, at defensive back and on the defensive line.

Plus with quarterback Chase Holbrook gone and rumors swirling that backup J.J. McDermott is leaving, a quarterback signing is a must.

In addition, a new staff is obviously a priority. I still think Wilson and Dunn should be retained, but that is up to Walker.

Should Dunn and Wilson be retained?

- Felix

DeWayne Walker and NMSU

Barring any crazy circumstances, DeWayne Walker will likely be the new coach at NMSU, replacing Hal Mumme.

A source told me Monday night that Walker called Louisiana State University and told the staff there he was no longer interested in the defensive coordinator spot.

A decision or announcement on Walker is expected Tuesday.

- Felix

All-Star Football Teams

Class 4A/5A All-Star Football Teams
North
Offense
Center
Mikey Long, Manzano

Guards
Cody Williams, Sandia
Travis Gentry, Eldorado
Marcos Ramirez, Rio Rancho

Tackles
Shane Smith, St. Pius
Rio Mares, Cibola

Tight End
Orin Sears, Eldorado

Wide Receivers
Ross Williams, Eldorado
Adam Keith, Cibola
Nick Linden, Manzano

Quarterback
Cody Blocker, Del Norte
Tanner Ireland, Sandia

Running Back
Troy Harris, Rio Rancho
Clovis Rivera, Belen
Raul Rodriguez, Los Alamos

Defense
Defensive Line
Tyler East, Belen
Eric Nott, La Cueva
Daniel Murphy, Rio Grande
Jordan Madrid, Del Norte

Defensive Ends
Malcolm Butters, Rio Rancho
Chance Roberts, Los Lunas

Linebacker
Carlo Lirogi, Rio Rancho
Gus Bowe, La Cueva
Brad Elliot, Eldorado
Pat Corr, Moriarty

Defensive Backs
Trevor Hammargren, Aztec
Zach Mang, Los Alamos
Jami Abdullah, Eldorado
Corey Clark, Los Alamos

South
Offense
Center
Lance Lukkar, Clovis

Guard
Zane Bischof, Las Cruces High
Michael Nakamoto, Mayfield

Tackle
Joel Rice, Carlsbad
Kevin Cordova, Deming
Luis Olivas, Las Cruces High

Tight End
Patrick Jaquess, Las Cruces High
Matt Flores, Mayfield

Wide Receiver
Hoby McClain, Goddard
Jacob Lilley, Las Cruces High
Moses Bibbs, Clovis

Quarterback
Eric Flores, Onate
Dante Caro, Las Cruces High

Running Back
Jacob Ceniceros, Mayfield
Will Bruce, Las Cruces High
Stefan Mills, Clovis

Defense
Defensive Line
Shane Willis, Goddard
J.D. Ordunez, Mayfield
Terrance Willis, Silver High

Ends
Morris Sharp, Clovis
Mike Bernal, Las Cruces High
Issac McConkey, Mayfield

Linebackers
Dallas Bollema, Artesia
Lane Ward, Clovis
Brandon Solomon, Hobbs

Defensive Backs
Zach Seawolf, Silver
Chase Kyser, Goddard
Andrew Aho, Roswell High
James Hall, Las Cruces High
Josh Bryan, Clovis

All-State Volleyball

Class 5A Coaches All-State Volleyball team
First Team
Outside Hitters
Jene Coppedge, Las Cruces High
Darian Mullen, Rio Rancho
Carolyn Weed, La Cueva

Setters
Jocelyn Hamilton, Rio Rancho
Joanna Morales, Gadsden
Kristen Romney, Mayfield

Middle Hitters
Jessica Groen, Mayfield
Vanessa Leal, Rio Rancho

Libero
Jacklyn Rodriguez, Rio Rancho

Second Team
Outside Hitters
Lainey Flatow, Clovis
Jenna Franzoy, Mayfield
Kylee Terhune, La Cueva

Setters
Samantha Grant, Eldorado
Savannah Stockton, Alamogordo

Middle Hitters
Katie Diaz, Mayfield
Antiesha Brown, Clovis

Libero
Cori Perrault, Las Cruces High

Honorable Mention
Outside Hitters
Kristy Baker, Alamogordo
Whitney Fay, Eldorado
Devon Mulheron, Las Cruces High
Jayla Trombley, Rio Rancho

Setter
Angelique Keefner, Cibola

Middle Hitter
Camille Boal, Sandia
Whitney Polosky, Eldorado
Madison Rhoades, Rio Rancho

Libero
Mellissa Rohr, Cibola
Vanessa Villalobos, Gadsden

NMSU coaching news

Apparently former Washington State QB and NFL QB Timm Rosenbach could be on the New Mexico State football staff if UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker is hired as the school's head coach.

Rosenbach has coaching experience at WSU and Eastern Wash. and is apparently in Las Cruces with Walker visiting campus and meeting with NMSU officials.

Felix

Aggies on all-freshman team

Three New Mexico State freshman were named to the Rivals.com All-WAC freshman team. Offensive lineman Mike Grady, safety Michael Zant and place-kicker Kyle Hughes were named to the team.

Grady played tackle and center and helped lead the team to some solid numbers throughout the season.

Hughes made all 33 extra point attempts and was 7 for 11 in the field goal department.

Zant, who returned last summer from a Mormon Mission, had 28 tackles and two tackles for a loss.

- Felix

Note on coaching search for NMSU

A source told me Sunday night that UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker has emerged as the front runner for the NMSU head football job after a weekend of interviews.

But apparently NMSU has scheduled two more interviews for Tuesday with two unknown candidates according to the source, who did not know the names of the two coaches, only that they are from two schools preparing for bowl games.

Stay tuned.

Felix

Prep Basketball Scores, Dec. 20

Boys Basketball
Artesia 78, Lovington 65
Carlsbad 64, Portales 61, 2OT
Clovis 91, Goddard 68
Floyd 50, Clovis Christian 40
Grants 58, Pojoaque 46
Hagerman 48, Tatum 44
Hobbs 60, Onate 48
Temple Baptist 61, Desert Academy 20
Valley 69, Gallup 65

Girls Basketball
Aztec 41, Los Alamos 40
Gallup 65, Piedra Vista 24
Magdalena 79, Mountainair 16
Mora 68, Escalante 28

All-State Football, 2008, Class 5A

5A Football All-State

First Team
Offense
Quarterback Dante Caro Las Cruces

Running Back James Hall Las Cruces
Troy Harris Rio Rancho
Gary Maestas Eldorado

Tight End Orrin Sears Eldorado
Patrick Jaquess Las Cruces


Wide Receiver Ross Williams Eldorado
Jami Abdullah Eldorado

Lineman Shane Smith Eldorado
Zane Bischof Las Cruces
Rio Mares Cibola
Jacob Avalos Las Cruces
Luis Olivas Las Cruces

Punter Darren Cedillo Mayfield

Special Teams James Hall Las Cruces

Defense
Linebacker Will Bruce Las Cruces
Christian Maes Mayfield
Orrin Sears Eldorado
Brad Elliott Eldorado

DE/OLB Michael Bernal Las Cruces
Shane Smith Eldorado
Lineman J.D. Ordunez Mayfield
Zane Bischoff Las Cruces
Willie Pounds Eldorado

Secondary Jami Abdullah Eldorado
Tanner Ireland Sandia
James Hall Las Cruces
Ryan Yduarte Mayfield

Kicker Zach Diaz Las Cruces

Second Team
Quarterback Armin Day Eldorado
Running back Stephan Mills Clovis
Jacob Ceniceros Mayfield
Ronnie Daniels La Cueva

Tight End (Top two tied in points. Both made 1st team)

Wide Receiver Jacob Lilly Las Cruces
Nick Linden Manzano

Lineman Lance Lukkar Clovis
Jon Padilla Mayfield
Mikey Long Manzano
Michael Nakamoto Mayfield
Cody Williams Sandia

Punter Robert Valencia Albuquerque High

Special Teams Scott McMath Clovis

Defense
Linebacker Lane Ward Clovis
Carlos Lirosi Rio Rancho
Zach Drapeau Rio Rancho
Jose Garcia Las Cruces

DE/OLB Isaac McConkey Mayfield
Morris Sharp Clovis

Lineman David Testa Las Cruces
Malcolm Butters Rio Rancho
Mark Rode Eldorado

Secondary Scott McMath Clovis
Jacob Lilly Las Cruces
Justin Sedillo Eldorado
Broc Galbreth La Cueva
KickerMelchor Quezada Rio Grande

Honorable Mention
Offense
Quarterback Tanner Ireland Sandia

Running back Jordan Llamas Manzano
Marcus Washington Sandia
Gus Bowe La Cueva

Tight End Matt Flores Mayfield

Wide Receiver Isaiah Fuller La Cueva
Jason Sandoval Onate

Lineman David Alba Las Cruces
Travis Gentry Eldorado
Caleb Einspahr Eldorado
Kyle Pannell Las Cruces
Andrew Anthony La Cueva
Punter Ronnie Daniels La Cueva

Special Teams Ronnie Daniels La Cueva
Defense

Linebacker Gus Bowe La Cueva
Matt Boland Eldorado
Emery Sierra Clovis
Jonathon Sanchez Onate

DE/OLB Cody Williams Sandia
Brian Richards La Cueva

Lineman Eric Nott La Cueva
Marcus Ricketson Clovis
John Cachora Onate

Secondary Josh Bryan Clovis
Denzel Pleasant Clovis
Zach Diaz Las Cruces
Rolando Trammel Highland

Kicker Andrew North Clovis

Saturday's Prep Hoops Scores, Dec. 19

Boys Basketball
Alamogordo 71, Deming 61
Artesia 84, Ruidoso 41
Bloomfield 76, Navajo Prep 45
Capital 64, Bernalillo 32
Chaparral 50, Mesilla Valley Christian 40
Cibola 38, Volcano Vista High School 36
Clayton 59, Roy 21
Cliff 58, Lordsburg 51
Cuba 73, Kirtland Central 67
Del Norte 51, Albuquerque High 50
East Mountain 51, Menaul 38
Espanola Valley 80, Santa Fe 48
Farwell, Texas 65, Melrose 38
Floyd 41, Tucumcari 32
Hagerman 65, Dexter 62
Hobbs 48, Mayfield 46
La Cueva 79, Los Lunas 56
Manzano 81, Rio Rancho 65
Piedra Vista 50, Valencia 40
Portales 66, Muleshoe, Texas 40
Quemado 49, Zuni 38
Reserve 63, Jemez Valley 48
Roswell 68, Lovington 28
Santa Teresa 62, Clint, Texas 48
St. Michael’s 68, Taos 26
Texico 54, Friona, Texas 40
Tularosa 66, Estancia 43
Ben Lujan Tournament
Los Alamos 71, Pojoaque 61

Girls Basketball
Alamogordo 84, Deming 79, OT
Bloomfield 49, Dulce 36
Carlsbad 39, Gadsden 36
Cibola 44, Highland 37
Clovis 52, Moriarty 47
Eldorado 78, Santa Fe 11
Farwell, Texas 65, Melrose 28
Floyd 48, Tucumcari 26
Hagerman 58, Dexter 27
Jemez Valley 61, Reserve 39
Kirtland Central 40, Fruita, Colo. 29
La Cueva 51, West Mesa 33
Los Alamos 37, Piedra Vista 28
Menaul 56, East Mountain 54, OT
Onate 52, Los Lunas 49
Pojoaque 72, Cimarron 59
Portales 49, Muleshoe, Texas 35
Rio Rancho 39, Manzano 27
Texico 54, Friona, Texas 13

Interesting prep football note

Former Hatch Valley football coach Charles Gleghorn, former Alamogordo football coach Bruce Dollar and forrmer Lovington coach Spedy Faith are all reportedly finalists for the Hobbs High School football job. Gleghorn coached HV to three 2A titles, while Dollar led AHS to the 2006 5A title game.

Felix

New Mexico Prep Hoops Scores, Dec. 16

Boys Basketball
Clovis 77, Portales 55
Deming 50, Onate 41
Hagerman 72, Valley Christian 46
Hobbs 90, Goddard 59
Santa Teresa 59, Hot Springs 44
Tornillo 64, Chaparral 59
Tularosa 78, Dexter 59

Girls Basketball
Reserve 49, Ramah 41
Hagerman 47, Valley Christian 22
Hobbs 37, Roswell 34
Las Cruces High 74, Deming 43
Mesilla Valley Christian 47, Cobre 24
Tularosa 54, Hot Springs 52, OT

NMSU football recruiting

The Aggies have offered scholarships to two El Paso high school football players, according to their respective coaches.
Montwood offensive guard Jake Swenson and Hanks receiver Ryan Pettis are the two players who have received attention from the Aggies.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Pettis caught 20 touchdown passes in the past two years and Hanks coach Jeff Cleveland said Pettis has great potential for the future. He said Pettis’ offer from NMSU was the first he has received from a university. Other schools looking at Pettis include Texas-El Paso and Houston.
“Ryan has great potential,” Cleveland said. “He has good hands and good speed. He runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. He also has good hands and has play-making ability.”
Meanwhile, Swenson had a solid season on the offensive and defensive lines according to Montwood head coach Chuck Veliz.
“He’s a tough guy up front and he has great potential for the next level,” Veliz said. “He had a good performance in the playoffs this year against good teams and his future is on the offensive line at the next level.”
Veliz said NMSU’s offer was the first for the 6-foot-6, 300-pound Swenson.

Some thoughts on Oscar De La Hoya

After watching the destruction of Oscar De La Hoya by Manny Pacquiao on Dec. 6, it's now time for the former Olympic champion and the great professional that he's been to give it up and retire.

De La Hoya looked slow and less than his best in being stopped by the smaller Pacquiao.

De La Hoya was supposed to be the bigger man, but weighed just 147 on the night of the fight. He may have overtrained for the fight and he certainly wasn't as sharp as he has been in previous fights.

Pacquiao was tremendous on the night of Dec. 6. He threw good combinations, was very good defensively and had great motivation.

De La Hoya is still good enough to beat B-level fighters, but against A-level fighters he won't do well.

De La Hoya has had a great career, beating the likes of Pernell Whitaker, J.C. Chavez, Miguel Angel Gonzalez and giving a brave effort against Bernard Hopkins.

But it's time for Oscar to go and not tarnish his legacy in the ring.

- Felix

New Mexico Prep hoops scores, Dec. 13

Boys Basketball
Albuquerque Academy 48, Cibola 44
Bovina, Texas 72, Melrose 67
Clovis 95, Los Alamos 60
Las Cruces 59, Mesa Mountain View, Ariz. 38
Portales 88, Moriarty 52
Artesia Tournament
Seventh Place
Goddard 68, Aztec 44
Fifth Place
Denver Lincoln, Colo. 53, Lovington 35
Third Place
Deming 43, EP Jefferson, Texas 28
Championship
Artesia 59, Carlsbad 37
Capital Tournament
Seventh Place
Capital 64, Valencia 29
Fifth Place
St. Michael’s 56, Del Norte 52, OT
Third Place
Espanola Valley 59, Los Lunas 50
Championship
Pueblo South, Colo. 52, Santa Fe 42
Cloudcroft Mountain Top Tournament
Championship
Cliff 67, Hagerman 63
Farmington Tournament
Third Place
Alamogordo 57, Farmington 55
Grants Tournament
Third Place
Pojoaque 64, Santa Fe Indian 61
Hot Springs Tournament
Hot Springs 71, Quemado 66
Plains, Texas Tournament
Third Place
Tatum 56, Post, Texas 52
Sandia Prep Invite
Seventh Place
McCurdy 76, Navajo Prep 65
Fifth Place
Ruidoso 67, Tohatchi 48
Third Place
Pecos 63, Questa 58
Championship
Sandia Prep 58, Australian Travel Team 47
Tucumcari Tournament
Seventh Place
Clovis - C Team 79, Monte del Sol 21
Fifth Place
Elida 58, San Jon 27
Third Place
Floyd 41, Logan 36
Championship
Fort Sumner 53, Tucumcari 45
Tularosa Basin Classic
Seventh Place
Dexter 79, Mescalero Apache 23
Fifth Place
Dora 68, Lordsburg 66
Third Place
Mesilla Valley Christian 53, Tularosa 32
Championship
Santa Rosa 67, Mesa Vista 61

Girls Basketball
Belen 64, Onate 40
Cibola 49, Albuquerque Academy 37
Deming 66, Hatch Valley 36
EP Montwood, Texas 46, Tularosa 35
Gallup JV 43, Gallup Catholic 29
Magdalena 65, Mescalero Apache 32
Tohatchi 61, Silver 52
Alamogordo Tournament
Championship
Roswell 35, Sandia 32, OT
Alice King Tournament
Seventh Place
Valencia 46, Goddard 38
Fifth Place
Farmington 61, Highland 59
Third Place
Volcano Vista High School 53, Santa Rosa 51
Championship
Las Cruces 39, Moriarty 38
Artesia Tournament
Seventh Place
Jal 64, Denver Lincoln 36
Fifth Place
Shiprock 49, Artesia 43
Third Place
Lovington 54, Dexter 27
Championship
Carlsbad 38, Ruidoso 33
Grants Tournament
Seventh Place
Piedra Vista 41, Bloomfield 24
Championship
Pojoaque 65, Grants 37
Rio Rancho Tournament
Seventh Place
Portales 61, Albuquerque High 21
Fifth Place
Aztec 51, Los Lunas 38
Third Place
Mayfield 65, Clovis 57
Championship
Rio Rancho 61, La Cueva 52

NMSU coaching search

A couple of names that have come up from various sources today for the New Mexico State head football job are Nevada offensive coordinator Chris Klenakis and Richmond University head coach Mike London.

Felix

Prep Scores, Dec. 12

Boys Basketball
Bosque School 54, Santa Fe Prep 36
Clayton 67, Roy 33
El Paso Americas 53, Mayfield 49
Las Cruces High 53, El Paso Horizon 31
El Paso Chapin 84, Las Cruces High 79
Melrose 60, Amherst, Texas 20
Rio Rancho 69, Los Alamos 57
Santa Fe 76, Los Lunas 69
Santa Teresa 50, Faith Christian 32
Sudan, Texas 43, Tatum 34
Artesia Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Denver Lincoln 62, Goddard 52
Lovington 49, Aztec 33
Semifinal
Carlsbad 51, Deming 45, OT
Capital Tournament
Del Norte 71, Valencia 39
Pueblo South, Colo. 58, Espanola Valley 45
St. Michael’s 50, Capital 49
Cloudcroft
Mountain Top Tournament
Cliff 60, Hot Springs 27
Farmington Tournament
EP Montwood, Texas 60, Farmington 36
Grants Tournament
Shiprock 60, Pojoaque 52
Sandia Prep Invite
Australian Team, Va. 58, Pecos 53
Consolation Semifinal
Ruidoso 71, McCurdy 51
Tohatchi 55, Navajo Prep 48
Semifinal
Sandia Prep 59, Questa 44
Tucumcari Tournament
Consolation
Semifinal
Elida 64, Clovis - C Team 47
San Jon 71, Monte del Sol 58
Semifinal
Fort Sumner 46, Floyd 37
Tularosa Basin Classic
Dora 67, Dexter 63
Lordsburg 69, Mescalero Apache 29
Mesa Vista 77, Mesilla Valley Christian 69

Girls Basketball
Clovis Christian 60, Clovis JV 54
Eldorado 45, Cibola 40
Highland 69, Goddard 35
Las Cruces 71, Volcano Vista High School 47
Los Alamos 51, Albuquerque Academy 44
Manzano 42, Santa Fe 28
Moriarty 38, Santa Rosa 25
St. Pius 63, Hope Christian 48
Alamogordo Tournament
Hobbs 23, Roswell 25
West Mesa 70, Tularosa 47
Alice King Tournament
Farmington 50, Valencia 43
Artesia Tournament
Consolation Semifinal
Artesia 54, Denver Lincoln 31
Shiprock 59, Jal 22
Semifinal
Carlsbad 48, Lovington 41
Grants Tournament
Pojoaque 45, St. Michael’s 31
Northern Rio Grande Tournament
Semifinal
Mora 48, Coronado 38
Rio Rancho Tournament
Aztec 33, Portales 28
La Cueva 43, Mayfield 42
Los Lunas 50, Albuquerque High 44
Rio Rancho 61, Clovis 55
Tucumcari Tournament
Elida 75, Fort Sumner 39
Logan 36, Tucumcari 35
Consolation Semifinal
Floyd 69, Clovis - C Team 20
Portales JV 39, San Jon 34, OT

Prep Hoops Scores, Dec. 11

Thursday’s Scores
Boys Basketball
Clovis 77, Cibola 62
Hope Christian 55, St. Pius 44
La Cueva 58, Eldorado 54
Los Alamos 55, Albuquerque Academy 52
Rio Grande 61, Albuquerque High 54
Rio Rancho 82, Sandia 71
Socorro 63, Thoreau 29
Tatum 55, Hale Center, Texas 45
Valley 60, West Mesa 39
Artesia Tournament
Artesia 65, Aztec 15
Carlsbad 50, Denver Lincoln 47
Deming 64, Goddard 51
EP Jefferson, Texas 48, Lovington 40
Cowbell Tournament
Des Moines 73, Raton 65
Springer 80, Maxwell 26
Farmington Tournament
Alamogordo 52, Durango, Colo. 48
EP Montwood, Texas 50, Piedra Vista 28
Farmington 55, Kearns, Utah 47
Gallup 64, J.K. Mullen, Colo. 56, OT
Grants Tournament
Grants 81, Cuba 47
Pojoaque 85, Kirtland Central 67
Shiprock 69, Dulce 24
Sandia Prep Invite
Australian Team, Va. 71, McCurdy 39
Pecos 57, Ruidoso 43
Questa 83, Tohatchi 52
Sandia Prep 67, Navajo Prep 29
SF Capital Tournament
Espanola Valley 62, Capital 52
Los Lunas 69, Del Norte 48
Pueblo South, Colo. 63, St. Michael’s 41
Santa Fe 79, Valencia 52
Tucumcari Tournament
Cliff 63, Gateway Christian 47
Floyd 62, Elida 45
Hagerman 53, Cloudcroft 45
Logan 63, Monte del Sol 51
Quemado 60, Animas 55
Tularosa Basin Classic
Mesa Vista 68, Lordsburg 49
Mesilla Valley Christian 93, Mescalero Apache 34
Santa Rosa 73, Dexter 41
Tularosa 73, Dora 46

Girls Basketball
Albuquerque Academy 55, Manzano 35
Cibola 63, Hope Christian 38
Clovis 69, Albuquerque High 38
Eldorado 44, St. Pius 35
La Cueva 49, Portales 25
Las Cruces 81, Highland 52
Los Alamos 54, Santa Fe 43
Mayfield 57, Aztec 46
Menaul 47, Bosque School 39
Mesilla Valley Christian 58, Hondo 26
Moriarty 67, Valencia 15
Rio Rancho 65, Los Lunas 22
Volcano Vista High School 53, Goddard 36
Alamogordo Tournament
Alamogordo 66, West Mesa 35
Hobbs 53, EP Montwood, Texas 46
Roswell 38, EP Burges, Texas 31
Sandia 46, Tularosa 26
Alice King Tournament
Santa Rosa 64, Farmington 44
Artesia Tournament
Carlsbad 62, Jal 44
Dexter 44, Denver Lincoln 39
Lovington 50, Shiprock 43
Ruidoso 59, Artesia 49
Cloudcroft Mountain Top Tournament
Hagerman 49, Cloudcroft 26
Cowbell Tournament
Cimarron 60, Mosquero 23
Des Moines 50, Raton 37
Grants Tournament
Pojoaque 53, Navajo Pine 31
St. Michael’s 31, Piedra Vista 14
Tucumcari Tournament
Elida 41, Floyd 29

Updates, Caro, James Hall Jr.

It appears that Las Cruces High quarterback Dante Caro and LCHS running James Hall Jr. could be getting some attention from Wyoming.

The Cowboys just hired former NMSU defensive line coach Mike Fanoga as its outside linebackers coach.

Caro received an offer from NMSU, while Hall has offers from NMSU, Air Force and Army.

Las Cruces Cruces High was ranked in a tie at No. 61 on the national level according to calpreps.com.

The Bulldawgs won the Class 5A title last week with a 26-21 at Eldorado.

- Felix

Prep Hoops Scores, Dec. 9

Boys Basketball
Bloomfield 66, Navajo Prep 47
Bosque School JV 61, Evangel Christian 49
Canutillo, Texas 44, Onate 41
Canyon, Texas 62, Clovis 53
Highland 72, Albuquerque High 27
Hope Christian 64, Bernalillo 50
Jemez Valley 72, Walatowa Charter 30
Kirtland Central 56, Durango, Colo. 55
La Cueva 70, Capital 63
Las Cruces High 57, El Paso Jefferson 45
Los Alamos 67, Belen 62
Mesilla Valley Christian 57, Hot Springs 45
Onate 44, Canutillo 41
Rio Grande 85, Valencia 35
Roswell 72, Portales 55
Santa Teresa 66, Hatch Valley 39
Valley 79, Manzano 74
Dexter Invitational Tournament
NMMI 60, Hagerman 48
POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
Gateway Christian vs. Cloudcroft, ppd.
Mescalero Apache vs. Tularosa, ppd.
Adrian, Texas vs. Grady, ppd.
Girls Basketball
Clovis Christian 53, Melrose 29
Cuba 55, Bosque School 33
Deming 41, Gadsden 26
Hobbs 38, Portales 37, OT
Las Cruces 53, EP Chapin, Texas 37
Los Lunas 43, Belen 39
Navajo Pine 63, Zuni 51
NMSD 32, Monte del Sol 17
Rehoboth 54, Miyamura 51
St. Michael’s 63, Hope Christian 50
Valley 53, Gallup 50
POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
Tularosa vs. Mescalero Apache, ppd.
Mayfield vs. Silver, ppd.
Cloudcroft vs. Gateway Christian, ppd.

One more applicant for NMSU job and Fanoga

Veteran assistant coach Mike Fanoga has accepted a job coaching outoside linebacker at Wyoming. He'll join the staff of Dave Christensen, who was hired to replaced Joe Glenn.

Fanoga spent four years on Hal Mumme's staff at NMSU. Mumme was dismissed last week.

Also, former Florida International assistant coach Bruce Hardy has applied for the NMSU coaching job according to a source.

He played collegiately at Arizona State and with the Miami Dolphins from 1978-1990.

He coached at FIU from 1999-2006. He's also coached in the Arena Football League with the Arizona Rattlers.

- Felix

Some new info on NMSU coaching search

Some interesting tidbits to report on the NMSU coaching search. These come from solid sources.

Former NMSU assistant and current Nebraska assistant Barney Cotton has not been contacted for job.

Former Oklahoma St. coach Bob Simmons, who took Oklahoma St. to the Alamo Bowl has expressed interest.

West Texas A&M coach Don Carthel has sent in his stuff to be looked at.

Apparently reprensentives of former Auburn coach Terry Bowden have been pushing him, although no contact has been made with the former coach himself.


- Felix

An interesting name came up tonight

I haven't gotten any confirmation but a name that popped up late Monday night for the New Mexico State head coaching job is South Carolina St. head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough. He has been at SC State since 2002, but prior to that was on Lou Holtz' staff at South Carolina when the team was pretty solid.

- Felix

NMSU interested in LCHS' Mike Bernal?

Word on the street is that New Mexico State is showing interest in Las Cruces High football player Mike Bernal, at least in terms of a walk-on spot.

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Bernal had a very good game on defense as a defensive end in the Class 5A state title game against Eldorado, which LCHS won 26-21.

Bernal had double-digit sacks this year and also played a significant role on offense at receiver.

- Felix

Rodriguez possible fight

Unbeaten El Paso heavyweight David Rodriguez, who trains part-time in Las Cruces under trainer Louie Burke could have an interesting fight in the works.

Word on the street is that negotiations are could soon start on a fight with Argentina's Gonzalo Omar Basile, who is 36-4 with 16 knockouts. Rodriguez is 30-0 with 28 knockouts. Omar Basile is ranked No. 14 by the World Boxing Organization.

The fight could happen within the first few weeks of 2009.

- Felix

Las Cruces High follow up

Las Cruces High's win against Eldorado on Saturday afternoon in the Class 5A state football title game was impressive in many ways.

The Bulldawgs got a big effort from in all three phases of the game, they had to go on the road to beat a good team and it was a total team effort.

Las Cruces High finished 13-0 and that says a lot about this year's version of the Bulldawgs. They had to beat crosstown rival Mayfield twice this year. The Trojans had won three straight 5A titles entering the season. Las Cruces High also survived a scare from Manzano in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs.

Running back James Hall scored 28 touchdowns this year, one of the top five marks of all-time in the state and quarterback Dante Caro was one of the team's leaders when it mattered most.

This year's Bulldawgs might not have had the depth that maybe the 1999, 2000 and 2002 teams did, but this was certainly a fun team to watch over the course of this year and last year. The team went 23-2 in that time and could have easily won the two games they lost, which came in 2007 against Mayfield and Clovis.

This year's Bulldawgs football team had good chemistry, worked hard and was resillient.

-Felix

Prep Hoops Scores, Dec. 6

Boys Basketball
Alamogordo 68, Austin High, Texas 56
Belen 63, Mayfield 56
El Paso Burges 78, Onate 62
Los Alamos 70, Farmington 46
Los Lunas 50, Las Cruces 49
Mesilla Valley Christian 64, Socorro 60
Moriarty 56, Piedra Vista 49
Pojoaque 76, Bernalillo 71, OT
Seagraves, Texas 71, Jal 52
Tularosa 77, NMMI 47
Cliff Tournament
Cliff 61, Reserve 42
Lordsburg 57, Quemado 51
Taos Tournament
Roswell 96, West Las Vegas 40
Girls Basketball
Alamogordo 60, Goddard 34
Clovis 47, Santa Fe Indian 45
Grady 46, Tucumcari 22
Los Lunas 51, Silver 49
Mora 35, Fort Sumner 27
Seagraves, Texas 51, Jal 48
Gallup Tournament
Winslow, Ariz. 48, Gallup 45
Magdalena Tournament
Magdalena 46, Tularosa 32

NMSU football news

According a dependable source, New Mexico State freshman receiver LaVorick Williams is looking into a possible transfer.
Nothing is definite yet and Williams could still stay, depending on who the new coach for the Aggies will be.

Wililams was signed by former NMSU head coach Hal Mumme, who was fired after four years on the job.

Also, sources tell the Sun-News that Eldorado High School wide receiver Ross Williams could be offered a walk-on spot with the team for the 2009 season.

Williams is a 6-foot-3, 175-pound receiver and caught two touchdown passes against Las Cruces High in Saturday's 5A state title game, which was won by LCHS by a score of 26-21.

- Felix

Friday's Prep Basketball Scores, Dec. 5

Boys Basketball
Bernalillo 50, Piedra Vista 47
Cibola 73, Sandia 43
Del Norte 45, Volcano Vista High School 36
El Paso Coronado 64, Chaparral 48
Espanola Valley 56, Roswell 45
Floyd 49, Santa Fe Prep 48
Gateway Christian 65, NMMI 58
Hagerman 68, Valley Christian 32
Hope Christian 72, Eldorado 63
La Cueva 76, Rio Grande 68
Laguna-Acoma 56, Zuni 39
Los Lunas 37, Mayfield 35
Lubbock Estacado, Texas 62, Hobbs 50
Mesilla Valley Christian 61, Cobre 36
Moriarty 63, Farmington 58
Questa 82, Taos 76
Santa Teresa 44, El Paso, Texas 35
St. Pius 66, Sandia Prep 52
Tatum 67, Wink, Texas 47
Tularosa 75, Pecos 70
Valley 51, Albuquerque Academy 42

Girls Basketball
Cimarron 56, Mora 39
Eldorado 54, La Cueva 43
Espanola Valley 47, Taos 28
Fort Defiance Window Rock, Ariz. 64, Los Lunas 23
Gallup 49, Santa Fe Indian 48
Gateway Christian 43, NMMI 32
Hagerman 55, Valley Christian 20
Hobbs 55, Midland Lee, Texas 27
Kirtland Central 43, Silver 23
Las Cruces High 82, El Paso High 53
Mayfield 59, El Paso Montwood 31
Miyamura 48, Red Mesa, Ariz. 43
Pecos 56, Penasco 51
Rio Grande 61, Del Norte 56
Santa Rosa 66, Fort Sumner 33
Thoreau 44, McCurdy 29
Valley 53, Sandia 51, OT
Volcano Vista High School 51, Sandia Prep 28
Winslow, Ariz. 59, Clovis 45
APS Tournament
West Mesa 56, Hope Christian 49
Magdalena Tournament
Magdalena 56, Menaul 37

Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya

Saturday night's Manny Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 knockouts) vs. De La Hoya (39-5, 30 knockouts) promises to be intriguing if nothing else.

The 12-round fight at welterweight is a battle between the smaller man, Pacquiao (142) vs. De La Hoya (145).

Pacquiao started his career at 106, De La Hoya at 130. But De La Hoya hasn't fought at 147 in years. He's been at 154 or 160 for the most part.

I like Pacquiao for many reasons. He's faster, I believe he's hungrier and he is such a tough fighter when he steps in that ring.

De La Hoya hasn't been been awful in recent bouts, but he hasn't been superb either. Both men have put in a great deal of time for this fight.

But I just have a hunch that Pacquiao will outwork and outhustle De La Hoya. I'm not sure he can knock De La Hoya out, but he can do good things to frustrate De La Hoya. But he can't get lazy or take a round off against De La Hoya, who packs a good punch.

De La Hoya might get frustrated early and might deviate from his game plan. Pacquiao does have weaknesses and he can get hit. De La Hoya must use his jab and keep Pacquiao on the outside.

A loss for De La Hoya has to mean his career is over. He couldn't get over a loss to Pacquiao.

Pacquiao by decision over De La Hoya, 8 rounds to 4.

-Felix

Las Cruces High vs. Eldorado

Saturday's Class 5A high school football state campionship game between Las Cruces High and Eldorado is shaping up to be a very good game.

Both team have offenses that can do good things via the ground and through the air.

Both defenses also have the ability to come up with big plays as well.

Cruces High's duo of running back James Hall Jr. and quarterback Dante Caro will be the difference, however. These two are very explosive and if the Bulldawgs get the running game going, the passing gave could very well thrive.

Expect Eldorado to come out and play well early. If EHS can control the tempo of the game and make it more of a low-scoring game, it could be to their benefit.

My prediction is LCHS 31, Eldorado 17.

- Felix

Jay Norvell

Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell's name has emerged as a possible candidate for the New Mexico State head coaching job. He's coached at OU, Nebraska and in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders.

- Felix

New Mexico Prep Hoops Scores, Dec. 4

Boys Basketball
Clayton 64, Roy 40
Espanola Valley 53, Santa Fe Indian 45
Evangel Christian 55, Vaughn 43
Hondo 58, Lake Arthur 37
Jemez Valley 78, Coronado 36
Los Alamos 62, St. Michael’s 52
Manzano 59, La Cueva 51
Socorro 54, Robertson 34
Springer 72, Santa Fe Prep 68
Valley Christian 72, House 58
Canutillo Tournament
Santa Teresa 57, Lydia Patterson Institute, Texas 47
Cliff Tournament
Animas 62, Reserve 47
Cliff 73, Academia Juarez, Mexico 26
Orange & Black Classic
Des Moines 48, Floyd 41
Taos Tournament
Roswell 64, Penasco 45
Girls Basketball
Cibola 54, Eldorado 51
Cimarron 62, Thoreau 46
Deming 81, Santa Fe 55
Fort Sumner 40, Penasco 34
Gallup 61, Silver 45
Gallup Catholic 64, Newcomb 27
Hondo 52, Lake Arthur 33
Magdalena 68, Mountainair 23
Robertson 84, Shiprock Northwest 17
Ruidoso 64, Raton 24
Santa Fe Indian 50, Kirtland Central 48
Santa Rosa 64, Pecos 43
St. Pius 57, La Cueva 45
Valley Christian 42, House 20
West Las Vegas 65, Socorro 37
Lady Lion Classic
Mora 45, McCurdy 31
Magdalena Tournament
Magdalena 68, Mountainair 23
Orange & Black Classic
Floyd 54, Des Moines JV 44

Earnest Wilson applies

New Mexico State running backs coach Earnest Wilson said Friday morning he has officially applied for the New Mexico State head football job.

Wilson is also the team's recruiting coordinator and is helping the program right now in the transition between the firing of Hal Mumme and the new head coach.

Mumme was fired on Tuesday after four years on the job.

- Felix

New coach at Utah State

Andersen takes Utah State coaching job
The Associated Press
LOGAN, Utah — Defensive coordinator Gary Andersen is leaving Utah to become the football coach at Utah State.
Utah State introduced Andersen on Thursday, bringing in the longtime Utah assistant to take over a program that hasn’t had winning record since 1996.
Andersen told his players at Utah on Wednesday night that he was accepting Utah State’s offer.
Andersen planned to meet with Utah coach on Kyle Whittingham on Friday to decide whether he’ll still have a role with the seventh-ranked Utes in their bowl game. Utah went 12-0 during the regular season and is awaiting a Bowl Championship Series bid Sunday.

Title game scores

New Mexico big school championship games
New Mexico went to five classes in 2000
4A title games were played form 1969-99
2A title games were played 1953-68
2007 Mayfield 49, Clovis 48
2006 Mayfield 31, Alamogordo 7
2005 Mayfield 17, Clovis 7
2004 La Cueva 40, Clovis 0
2003 La Cueva 24, Mayfield 21
2002 Las Cruces 17, Mayfield 14
2001 Clovis 17, Mayfield 10
2000 Las Cruces High 45, Carlsbad 21
1999 Las Cruces High 24, Goddard 12
1998 Mayfield 13, Goddard 7
1997 Goddard 3, Clovis 0
1996 Mayfield 14, Manzano 0
1995 Mayfield 13, Clovis 12
1994 Clovis 14, Goddard 10
1993 Goddard 24, Clovis 21
1992 La Cueva 35, Roswell 0
1991 Clovis 13, Eldorado 10
1990 Clovis 28, Eldorado 0
1989 Highland 6, Clovis 0
1988 Roswell 14, Clovis 3
1987 Roswell 29, Mayfield 7
1986 Highland 14, Roswell 7
1985 Clovis 36, Alamogordo 12
1984 Clovis 17, Roswell 0
1983 Clovis 50, Roswell 18
1982 Clovis 20, Alamogordo 7
1981 Clovis 27, Hobbs 7
1980 Eldroado 14, Clovis 11
1979 Santa Fe 19, Eldorado 15
1978 Clovis 7, Eldorado 3
1977 Clovis 3, Sandia 0
1976 Sandia 23, Mayfield l6
1975 Las Cruces 29, Eldorado 15
1974 Del Norte 14, Hobbs 6
1973 Clovis 16, Hobbs 0
1972 Hobbs 31, Mayfield 15
1971 Mayfield 24, West Mesa 20
1970 Hobbs 20, Highland 0
1969 Artesia 21, Hobbs 8
1968 Artesia 40, Sandia 0
1967 Artesia 40, Albuquerque High 14
1966 Artesia 40, Highland 14
1965 Highland 13, Hobbs 10
1964 Artesia 20, Highland 6
1963 Highland 20, Las Cruces High 0
1962 Carlsbad 34, Farmington 0
1961 Carlsbad 27, AHS 0
1960 Clovis 20, Farmington 14
1959 Las Cruces 31, Artesia 7
1958 Carlsbad 20, Las Cruces 14
1957 Artesia 27, Highland 7
1956 Carlsbad 26, Highland 7
1955 Roswell 19, Las Cruces 14
1954 Highland 20, Artesia 0
1953 Roswell 21, AHS 19

NMSU football

A key source has informed me that UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker and USC linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. have been interviewed for the head football job at New Mexico State.

New Mexico State is looking for a new football coach after Hal Mumme was fired on Tuesday after four years and one year remaining on his contract, which expires on Jan. 31, 2010.

The source added that Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson is still a possibility in the coaching search and that Nebraska receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Ted Gilmore is also in the mix.

Stay tuned

- Felix

James Hall Jr. update

Las Cruces High running back James Hall Jr. hasn't set up an official visits yet to universities, but he said Wednesday that he plans on visiting Air Force and NMSU.

The 12-0 Bulldawgs are at Eldorado on Saturday at 1 p.m. for the 5A state football title.

- Felix

Another name to throw out there

Another name to throw out there for the NMSU head football job: Rob Ianello, the recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach at Notre Dame.

-Felix

Kent Baer and NMSU football job

A key source has told me that San Jose State assistant Kent Baer is someone to keep an eye for in the head coaching job.

Baer has plenty of experience at the collegiate level. He's currently at San Jose State as the linebackers coach. But he's been defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, Stanford, Califorina and Arizona St.

Baer was up for the NMSU job in 2004 when Hal Mumme got the job. Mumme was fired on Tuesday after going 11-38 in four years.

- Felix

Basketball Coaches Poll, Dec. 3

New Mexico High School Coaches Association
Boys & Girls Basketball Top 10 Poll
Dec. 3, 2008
5A Boys
1. Highland(9) 124
2. Clovis(1) 97
3. Manzano(1) 89
4. Hobbs(2) 85
5. La Cueva 84
6. Eldorado 72
7. Las Cruces 47
8. Gallup 40
9. Valley 21
10. Cibola 17
Others: Rio Grande 15, Rio Rancho 13, Alamogordo 6, Sandia 4, Onate 3, West Mesa 1, Mayfield 1, Los Lunas 1.
4A Boys
1. Academy(5) 105
2. Espanola(2) 101
3. Artesia(2) 88
4. St. Pius(1) 75
5. Roswell(2) 70
6. Capital(1) 68
7. Los Alamos 67
8. Belen 59
9. Deming(1) 44
10. Goddard 27
Others: Del Norte 18, Bernalillo 9, Chaparral 9, Farmington 6, Grants 5, Santa Teresa 5, Kirtland Central 4, Aztec 1, Silver 1.
3A Boys
1. Pojoaque(2) 56
Hope Christian(3) 56
3. Sandia Prep(1) 54
4. Portales 50
5. St. Michaels(1) 43
6. Socorro 30
7. Santa Fe Indian 25
8. W. Las Vegas 19
9. Wingate 16
10. Lovington 12
Ruidoso 12
Others: Cuba 8, Bloomfield 3, Crownpoint 1.
2A Boys
1. Mesilla Valley(6) 87
2. Mesa Vista(2) 63
3. Bosque School 47
4. Santa Rosa 45
5. Texico(1) 42
6. Questa 37
7. Navajo Pine 31
8. Penasco 28
9. Mora 17
10. Santa Fe Prep 17
Others: Tularosa 13, Estancia 12, Dulce 7, Lordsburg 6, Jemez Valley 6, Pecos 5, Coronado 4, Ramah 3, Clayton 3, Escalante 2, McCurdy 2, Cloudcroft 2, Rehoboth 1.

Girls Basketball
5A Girls
1. Eldorado(4) 111
2. Cibola(3) 109
3. Sandia(1) 96
4. La Cueva(3) 78
5. Las Cruces(3) 73
6. Rio Rancho 61
7. Mayfield 48
8. Hobbs 47
9. Gallup 29
10. Clovis 21
Others: Alamogordo 13, Valley 10, Rio Grande 8, Santa Fe 1
4A Girls
1. Moriarty(2) 56
2. St. Pius(3) 51
3. Kirtland Central 36
Goddard(1) 36
5. Roswell 34
6. Del Norte 27
7. Aztec 24
8. Belen(1) 22
9. Artesia 15
10. Academy 14
Others: Shiprock 13, Los Alamos 13, Deming 13, Silver 9, Piedra Vista 6 Capital 4, Chaparral 4, Grants 4, Farmington 2, Espanola 2, Volcano Vista 2.
3A Girls Basketball
3A did not have enough Coaches votes

2A Girls Basketball
1. Navajo Prep(3) 84
2. Texico(5) 77
3. Santa Rosa 38
4. Rehoboth 32
5. McCurdy 29
6. Clayton 27
7. Tularosa 19
Estancia 19
9. Mesa Vista(1) 18
10. Coronado 15
Mora 15
Others: Navajo Pine 14, Eunice 11, Lordsburg 9, Mesilla Valley 9, Jal 9, Jemez Valley 8, Tse Yi Gai 5, Capitan 5, Santa Fe Prep 4, Bosque 4, Penasco 3, Questa 2.

Prep Basketball Scores, Dec. 2

Boys Basketball
Albuquerque High 49, Volcano Vista High School 44
Bosque School 69, Coronado 23
Capital 55, Pojoaque 42
Chaparral 59, Fabens, Texas 55
Gallup 76, Los Lunas 59
Grants 74, Cuba 48
Highland 53, Cibola 38
Los Alamos 75, Moriarty 52
Loving 66, Lake Arthur 25
Manzano 65, Hope Christian 44
Mayfield 52, Silver 45
Mesilla Valley Christian 69, Hatch Valley 38
Midland Lee, Texas 85, Hobbs 68
Monte del Sol 55, East Mountain 40
Piedra Vista 66, Bayfield, Colo. 41
Rio Grande 59, Eldorado 55
Roswell 77, Lovington 39
Santa Fe Prep 67, Jemez Valley 35
Socorro 56, NMMI 35
Valley 61, Del Norte 51
Vega, Texas 54, Texico 41
APS Tournament
Albuquerque Academy 55, St. Pius 45

Girls Basketball
Bayfield, Colo. 54, Piedra Vista 38
Capital 63, Valencia 49
Carlsbad 65, Goddard 48
Cibola 57, Valley 52
Crownpoint 66, Navajo Prep 48
Deming 65, Hot Springs 43
El Paso, Texas 66, Las Cruces 62, OT
Eldorado 63, West Mesa 26
Gallup Catholic 70, Miyamura 58
Highland 43, Sandia Prep 39
Kirtland Central 42, Los Alamos 31
Los Lunas 44, Gallup 31
Rio Grande 56, Manzano 40
St. Pius 62, Sandia 51 APS Tournament
Albuquerque Academy 57, Volcano Vista High School 34
Del Norte 65, Albuquerque High 58
La Cueva 73, Hope Christian 39

Kirby Wilson is a candidate for Aggie football job

Pittsburgh’s Wilson could be possible candidate
By Felix Chavez
Sun-News reporter
LAS CRUCES — Pittsburgh Steelers running back coach Kirby Wilson’s name has emerged as a possible candidate for the New Mexico State head football job.
The 46-year-old Wilson was a finalist for the head coaching job in 2004 when the job when to Hal Mumme, who was fired on Tuesday after four years on the job.
New Mexico State Athletics Director McKinley Boston said Wilson was a strong finalist in 2004 and hinted at a possible meeting with the Steelers running backs coach.
Boston said he plans on hitting the road on Friday to work on hiring the new coach.
Wilson has an extensive coaching background. He’s coached for 19 years at the collegiate and professional levels.
Wilson helped coach Willie Parker into leading the NFL in rushing through the first 16 weeks in 2007. His run ended when Parker broke his leg, ending his season, on the first play from scrimmage in the second-to-last game of the season. Parker also earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection under Wilson’s direction.
He also coached for the Arizona Cardinals from 2004-06 after spending two seasons as running backs coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-03).
After one season (2001) as wide receiver coach at Southern California, Wilson joined head coach Jon Gruden’s staff in Tampa Bay in 2002. That season, the trio of running backs Michael Pittman and Aaron Stecker and Pro Bowl fullback Mike Alstott collectively gained over 1,400 rushing yards and helped the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl XXXVII victory over Oakland. His 2003 backfield duo of Pittman (751 yards rushing/597 receiving) and Thomas Jones (627 yards rushing/180 receiving) accounted for nearly 40 percent (2,155) of the Bucs’ 5,453 total net yards. Pittman’s 75 pass receptions led all NFC running backs and were a single-season career-high.
Prior to his stint with the Buccaneers, Wilson spent four years as running backs coach with the New England Patriots (1997-99) and Washington Redskins (2000), tutoring a trio of running backs, including Patriots backs Curtis Martin (1997) and Robert Edwards (1998), and later Redskins running back Stephen Davis (2000). In addition, Wilson honed the skills of Washington fullback Larry Centers, who led his team with 80 pass receptions in 2000. Centers (827 pass receptions) and Keith Byars (610 receptions), whom Wilson coached in New England in 1997, rank one and three in career receptions by a running back in NFL history (Marshall Faulk is no. 2 at 723).
•••
Meanwhile, Nebraska assistant coach Marvin Sanders said Tuesday night he has not been contacted by NMSU officials for the head coaching job nor has he applied for the job. Sanders is the secondary coach at Nebraska and was an assistant coach for the Aggies in 2000 under head coach Tony Samuel.
Sanders called Las Cruces an unique area and a place he enjoyed being around.
•••
New Mexico State running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Earnest Wilson said Tuesday night he hasn’t decided whether he will apply for the head coaching job.
Earnest Wilson spent a big part of the day handling the day-to-day operations of the football program.
He said returning players are concerned and have questions about the future of the program, but he added that this is a time to be calm and just be patient to see how things work out as the NMSU administration works on hiring a new coach.
Earnest Wilson said Tuesday was a hectic day and it was a learning experience for him.

Felix Chavez can be reached at fchavez@lcsun-news.com; (575) 541-5444

New Mexico Prep Hoops Scores, Dec. 1

Monday’s Scores
Boys Basketball
Floyd 48, Tatum 45
Rio Grande 69, Albuquerque Academy 60
Albuquerque Metro Tournament
Cibola 69, Albuquerque High 51
Eldorado 54, St. Pius 51
Highland 61, Volcano Vista High School 24
Hope Christian 68, Valley 58
La Cueva 60, Sandia Prep 58
Manzano 66, Del Norte 43
Girls Basketball
Cibola 49, Sandia Prep 10
Hope Christian 31, Albuquerque Academy 28
Pojoaque 68, Santa Fe 40
Socorro 60, Ruidoso 50
Albuquerque Metro Tournament
Eldorado 83, Albuquerque High 27
La Cueva 57, Volcano Vista High School 45
Sandia 59, Rio Grande 38
St. Pius 65, Manzano 33
Valley 61, Highland 35
West Mesa 48, Del Norte 34

NMSU Football Search Committee

New Mexico State has established a search committee for its new head football coach. Here's the list.

Chair – Danny Villanueva
Jim Peach
Kevin McGrath
Lou Sisbarro
Larry Lujan
John Cordova
Walt Hines
Dale Archuleta
Ray Locklin
Bob Gallagher

Early internal NMSU candidates

Athletics director McKinley Boston said Tuesday morning that he expects NMSU defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn and running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Earnest Wilson to apply for the head coaching job.

Hal Mumme was fired on Tuesday after four years and just 11 wins as the program's head coach.

- Felix

NMSU football of note

Depending on what the new New Mexico State head football coaches does in terms of retention of assistant coaches, the future of New Mexico High School football players will be interesting.

Word from a couple of sources makes me believe that if part of Hal Mumme's staff is kept, offers to Las Cruces High Dante Caro and Mayfield's Matt Flores could be forthcoming.

Caro plays quarterback at LCHS, but is considered a defensive back or wide receiver prospect. Flores played tight end and on the defensive line for MHS and has good size at 6-4, 240.

- Felix

All-District 3-5A football team

Offense
Tackles
First Team
Luis Olivas, LCHS
David Alba, LCHS
Jon Padilla, Mayfield
Second Team
Eric Castaneda, Gadsden
Ricky Gallardo, Mayfield
Caleb Choate, Alamgordo
Honorable Mention
Mario Vasquez, Gadsden
Brian Johnston, Alamogordo
Lorenzo Najera, Onate

Centers
First Team
Jacob Avalos, LCHS
Andrew Anthony, Mayfield
Second team
Jesus Diaz, Gadsden

Guards
First Team
Zane Bischof, LCHS
Michael Nakamoto, Mayfield
Second Team
Kyle Pannell, LCHS
Daniel Coffeen, Mayfield
Honorable Mention
Dylan Ramiez, Gadsden
James Sieler, Alamogordo

Tight Ends
First Team
Patrick Jaquess, LCHS
Matt Flores, Mayfield
Second Team
Marcus Oakley, Alamogordo
David Testa, LCHS
Angel Granados, Gadsden
Honoreable Mention
Steven Minton, Gadsden

Wide Receivers
First Team
Jacob Lilley, LCHS
Ryan Yduarte, Mayfield
Second Team
Ryan Farley, LCHS
Taylor Weary, Alamogordo
Ryan Lopez, Onate
Honorable Mention
Mike Bernal, LCHS
Justin Ramirez, Gadsden
Joe Koerper, Onate

Slot Receivers
First Team
Aaron Sandoval, Onate
Jason Sandoval, Onate
Michael Hallock, Mayfield
Second Team
Fabian Vigil, Mayfield
Omar Salinas, Gadsden

Running Backs
First Team
James Hall, LCHS
Jacob Ceniceros, Mayfield
Dwanudle Baker, Alamogordo
Second Team
Zach Hernandez, Onate
Honoroable Mention
Brycen Salopek, Mayfield
Bobby Wride, Alamogordo

Fullback
First Team
J.D. Ordunez, Mayfield
Will Bruces, LCHS

Quarterback
First Team
Austin Hooker, Mayfield
Dante Caro, LCHS
Second Team
Eric Flores, Onate
Honorable Mention
Isaac Talavera, Gadsden

Defense
Nose Guard
First Team
Zane Bischof, LCHS
J.D. Ordunez, Mayfield

Defensive Tackles
First Team
David Testa, LCHS
John Cachora, Onate
Darren Cedillo, Mayfield
Second Team
Matt Flores, Mayfield
John Padilla, Mayfield
Honorable Mention
Chris Skipper, LCHS
Oscar Escajeda, Gadsden

Defensive Ends
First Team
Mike Bernal, LCHS
Isaac McConkey, Mayfield
Sean Powe, Alamogordo
Second Team
Jeremiah Willis, Mayfield
Matt Vega, Alamogordo
Honorable Mention
Carson Koch, LCHS
Patrick Jaquess, LCHS
Zach Hernandez, Onate

Linebacker
First Team
Will Bruces, LCHS
Zach Daugherty, Onate
Christian Maes, Mayfield
Wyatt Tharp, Mayfield
Second Team
Jose Garcia, LCHS
Jonathan Sanchez, Onate
Richard Lerma, Gadsden
Alex Garnade, Alamogordo
Honorable Mention
Estevan Flores, Gadsden
Kameron Acosta, Gadsden

Safeties
First Team
Ryan Farley, LCHS
Zac Diaz, LCHS
Jeff Molina, Mayfield
Ryan Yduarte, Mayfield
Second Team
Rudy Lopez, Onate
Damien Blanco, Gadsden
Torey Pinson, Alamogordo
Honorable Mention
Dominic Blanco, Gadsden

Cornerbacks
First Team
Jacob Lilley, LCHS
James Hall, LCHS
Second Team
Devante Minor, Mayfield
Alex Avila, Mayfield
Honorable Mention
Derrick Mesa, Gadsden
Gearen Hale, Alamogordo

Placekicker
First Team
Zac Diaz, LCHS
Brock Baca, Mayfield

Punter
First Team
Darren Cedillo, Mayfield
Steven Minters, Gadsden

Another name to keep an eye on

Another coach whose name could pop up for the New Mexico State head football job is former assistant coach Gerry Gdowski, a former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at NMSU under Tony Samuel. He's at Ohio.

- Felix

Whose in place to replace Mumme

Obviously there will be a lot of names in place for the likely vacant job as New Mexico State head football coach. Two names to keep an eye out for are Nebraska assistants Barney Cotton and Marvin Sanders. Both have ties to Tony Samuel's staff when he was the head coach prior to the hiring of Hal Mumme.

- Felix

Mumme is out

A well-placed source at New Mexico State University confirmed that NMSU football coach Hal Mumme is out as the team's head coach after four years.

Charley Johnson will be named interim coach until a coach is named.

The source said NMSU hopes to have a coach in place by mid-December.

- Felix

Announcement on Mumme

An annoucement on Hal Mumme's future will be held tomorrow, Dec. 2 at 10:30. Speculation is that Mumme will be let go with one year left on his contract.

The Aggies lost to Utah State on Saturday, the team's seventh straight loss. NMSU finished 3-9 on the year. Mumme won just 11 games in his four years.

- Felix

NMSU's bad effort at Utah State

Well, the New Mexico State Aggies football team ended with a whimper on Saturday afternoon with a 47-2 loss at Utah State. New Mexico State ends its season 3-9 and lost its last seven straight.

NMSU has been competitive despite its losing streak, but to score just two points against a preetty bad Utah State defense is sad. There aren't any excuses for a lack of effort and while I wasn't present in Logan, Utah, it appears some of the Aggies might have mailed it in.

It's a sad way for the seniors, i.e. Chris Willams, Derrick Richardson and Chase Holbrook to go out.

Athletics Director McKinley Boston has been taking a long look at the program and the program needs a lot of work.

Head coach Hal Mumme put a lot of stock in his senior class and while it has some entertaining moments, the bottom line is that the Aggies only won 11 games in four years.

- Felix

Sammy Di Pace performance

I was at the Top Rank and Juan Romero promoted boxing show on Friday night in Rio Rancho at the Santa Ana Star Center.

Las Cruces bantamweight Sammy Di Pace improved to 5-0 in his young and bright career. The 18-year-decisionied Alvaro Muro, winning all four rounds deciseively.

Di Pace has improved tremendoulsy on defense in his past two fights and that is a key. He has a good offensive game plan, but defense had been one area that needed work and he's put the time in.

If he can continue to be a good defensive fighter, the expectation that he can be a world champion could develop.

There was no immediate word after the fight when he will fight again, but look for a bout sometime in the first couple of months of 2009.

- Felix

Intriguing note

In a story in the Orange County Register, UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said he has spoken with New Mexico State and Utah State regarding head coaching jobs.

Utah State's Brent Guy is out at Utah State, while no formal word has come from New Mexico State about head coach Hal Mumme. NMSU is 3-8 this year and has won 11 games in Mumme's total time as the Aggies coach.

Mumme still has one year left on his five-year deal. Stay tuned.

NMSU vs. Utah St. stats matchup

Offense
NMSU
Scoring 24.0
Rushing 60.5
Passing 313.9
Total 374.4
Third Down Conversion 38 percent

Utah St.
Scoring 21.9
Rushing 128.4
Passing 199.0
Total 327.4
Third Down Conversion 29 percent

Defense
NMSU
Points Allowed 32.9
Rushing 218.3
Passing 158.5
Total 376.8
Opponent 3rd down conversion 38 percent

Utah St.
Points Allowed 37.6
Rushing 176.9
Passing 259.1
Total 436.0
Opponent 3rd down conversion 48 percent

New Mexico Prep Hoops Scores, Nov. 25

Tuesday’s Scores
Boys Basketball
Bosque School 79, McCurdy 49
Capital 82, Moriarty 36
Chaparral 78, Clint, Texas 61
Cliff 72, Gallup Catholic 54
Del Norte 59, Belen 49
Eldorado 73, Albuquerque High 49
EP Irvin, Texas 46, Gadsden 43
EP Socorro, Texas 52, Onate 50
Fort Defiance Window Rock, Ariz. 68, Grants 56
Hope Christian 63, Santa Fe Indian 50
Las Cruces 59, Canutillo, Texas 49
Los Alamos 70, Kirtland Central 35
Los Lunas 84, Valencia 48
Lovington 78, Jal 51
Mesilla Valley Christian 86, Hatch Valley 44
Midland, Texas 90, Carlsbad 52
Rio Grande 79, West Mesa 39
Sandia Prep 54, St. Pius 49
Santa Teresa 66, Lydia Patterson Institute, Texas 28
Taos 51, Penasco 49
Albuquerque Academy 55, Volcano Vista High School 27
Highland 63, Albuquerque Academy 38

Girls Basketball
Belen 51, Manzano 50
Cibola 65, Albuquerque High 49
Clovis 40, Portales 32
Dora 60, Grady 37
EP Chapin, Texas 45, Mayfield 42
Floyd 63, Clovis JV 32
Hatch Valley 41, Mesilla Valley Christian 31
Hobbs 66, Onate 38
Hope Christian 84, Bernalillo 53
Jal 65, Pecos 61
Las Cruces 61, EP Austin, Texas 52
Lovington 40, Texico 33
Moriarty 52, Capital 22
Rio Rancho 65, La Cueva 55
Ruidoso 48, Goddard 42
Sandia 63, Rio Grande 59
St. Pius 61, Sandia Prep 11 POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
Wingate vs. Piedra Vista, ppd. to Jan 16.

James Hall Jr. recruiting

Here's a quick update on the recruitment of Las Cruces High running back James Hall Jr., who has already received offers from Army, NMSU and Air Force. Apparently Navy is showing interest and UCLA and Stanford are showing more interest.

- Felix

Mayfield's Christian Maes

Mayfield High linebacker/fullback Christian Maes recently took a visit to New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M. Maes has 49 unassisted tackles and 63 assisted tackles on the season.

- Felix

Prep Hoops scores, Nov. 24

BOYS BASKETBALL
Cibola 58, Albuquerque High 54
La Cueva 82, Rio Grande 65
Highland 63, Albuquerque Academy 38
Valley 63, Volcano Vista High School 39
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Albuquerque Academy 52, Highland 20
Amarillo Palo Duro, Texas 48, Hobbs 38
Aztec 64, Whitehorse, Utah 45
Del Norte 50, West Mesa 42
Rio Rancho 75, Albuquerque High 44
Sandia 51, Cibola 49, OT
Santa Fe Indian 62, Espanola Valley 52
Santa Teresa 50, San Elizario 19

Mayfield/Las Cruces High rematch

On Saturday at Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces High and Mayfield High meet in the Class 5A high school football semifinals at Aggie Memorial Stadium.

The winner advances to the 5A championship on Dec. 5 or 6. Mayfield is still in the hunt for its fourth straight title, while LCHS is aiming for its first title since 2002.

In the first meeting between the two teams on Nov. 7 at AMS, the Bulldaws squeaked by with a 22-21 win after falling behind 14-0.

The Trojans could have won that game had they not been called for 12 men on the field after stopping LCHS on its first two-point attempt to win the game. The penalty gave the Bulldawgs another chance to score two points and they did when running back James Hall Jr. scored.

So what are the keys to victory this weekend?

For MHS, the keys are to once again jump out to a lead and control the clock. In the first meeting, the Trojans did a good job of scoring and holding onto the ball in the first half. The Trojans need to pass the ball well once again. Junior Austin Hooker has gotten better and better as the season has gone along. He had a solid game against LCHS in the first game and followed that up with a good showing against La Cueva in the playoffs last weekend. On defense, the Trojans have to limit the big plays by LCHS, particularly in the passing game.

The Bulldawgs must be better on defense this weekend. They gave up 33 against Manzano last weekend and if they don't play better against the Trojans, the Trojans could have a field day on offense. LCHS has a great offense and if they it can make it more of an uptempo type of a game, that will be in its favor.
Las Cruces High is motivated to get back to the title game for the first time since 2002 and the team is motivated to avenge last year's 37-29 loss to Clovis in the semifinals. In that game, Clovis jumped on the Bulldawgs early and didn't allow the Bulldawgs to ever take the lead.

All factors point to another entertaining game this weekend with a trip to the state title game against No. 3 Clovis or No. 2 Eldorado on the line.

- Felix

Playoff tickets on sale

Tickets for Saturday’s Mayfield/Las Cruces High School Class 5A football semifinal game will go on sale today at both schools from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at each school on Tuesday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Wednesday at each school from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Mayfield will be the home team on Saturday at Aggie Memorial Stadium. The game is slated for a 1 p.m. start.

Friday's NM Prep Hoops Scores, 11/21

Boys Basketball
Bosque School 64, Escalante 50
Des Moines 83, Logan 72
Hobbs 83, Odessa, Texas 50
Mesilla Valley Christian 74, Santa Fe Prep 50
Sandia Prep 66, Zuni 23

Girls Basketball
Bosque School 62, Monte del Sol 15
Des Moines 63, Logan 39
Hobbs 51, Amarillo, Texas 40
Navajo Prep 33, Piedra Vista 32 P

Friday's NM Football Scores, Nov. 21

Friday’s Scores
Class 5A
Quarterfinal
Clovis 34, Sandia 7
Las Cruces 42, Manzano 33
Mayfield 45, La Cueva 7

Class 4A
Quarterfinal
Belen 26, Silver 7
Goddard 42, Piedra Vista 7

Class 2A
Semifinal
Texico 28, Santa Rosa 21, OT

NMSU/Louisiana Tech Stats matchup

NMSU/Louisiana Tech Stats Matchup

Offense
NMSU
Scoring Avg. 23.3
Rushing 62.8
Passing 296.7
Total 359.5
Third Down Conversion Percentage 38 percent
Fourth Down Conversion Percentage 46 percent

La. Tech
Scoring Avg. 23.7
Rushing 192.9
Passing 149.4
Total 342.3
Third Down Conversion Percentage 34 percent
Fourth Down Conversion Percentage 40 percent

Defense
NMSU
Scoring Avg. 32.7
Rushing 217.5
Passing 161.2
Total 378.7
Third Down Conversion Percentage 39 percent
Fourth Down Conversion Percentage 42 percent

La. Tech
Scoring Avg. 23.2
Rushing 106.4
Passing 247.6
Total 354.0
Third Down Conversion Percentage 35 percent
Fourth Down Conversion Percentage 54 percent

Trout earns win

Las Cruces junior middleweight Austin Trout improved to 16-0 in his career with a third-round technical knockout over veteran Brad Thompson (15-14).

Trout is expected to fight on Jan. 16 against 22-1 Pawel Wolak.

- Felix

Joaquin Zamora trains in Cruces

New Mexico junior middleweight prospect Joaquin Zamora has been in Las Cruces sparring with Siju Shabazz and Abie Han in preparation for his 10-round fight with Jose Luis Gonzales next Friday in Rio Rancho.

Zamora, who has ties to Las Cruces, resides in Pecos. He defeated Ray Sanchez Jr., by knoickout earlier this year up north.

Zamora is 16-2 with 11 knockouts and said training is going well for the fight. He sparred with Austin Trout prior to his win against Sanchez. Zamora's fight will be part of a Telefutura-televised card in which Las Cruces fighters Sammy DiPace and Ricky Vasquez will also fight.

Han, who hails from El Paso, gave Zamora fits on Wednesday during their seven round. Han is 2-0 as a pro. He landed good combinations.

Zamora is a southpaw with decent power and a good skill level. He'll need to be a bit sharper on defense against Gonzales, but he appears to be in good shape headed into the bout.

- Felix

Playoff History, Manzano, La Cueva, LCHS, MHS

La Cueva (17-14)
1987 Roswell 47, La Cueva 0 (QF)
1990 La Cueva 20, Sandia 7 (QF)
1990 Clovis 24, La Cueva 7 (SF)
1991 Eldorado 21, La Cueva 14 (QF)
1992 La Cueva 42, Cibola 13 (QF)
1992 La Cueva 28, Clovis 25 (SF)
1992 La Cueva 35, Roswell 0 (CH)
1994 La Cueva 27, Del Norte 14 (PP)
1994 Clovis 34, La Cueva 0 (QF)
1995 Clovis 20, La Cueva 10 (QF)
1997 Highland 16, La Cueva 13 (QF)
1998 Rio Grande 21, La Cueva 0 (PP)
1999 Roswell 28, La Cueva 21 (QF)
2000 Las Cruces High 34, La Cueva 20 (QF)
2001 La Cueva 25, Cibola 0 (QF)
2001 Mayfield 10, La Cueva 7 (SF)
2002 Clovis 10, La Cueva 0 (QF)
2003 La Cueva 63, Las Cruces High 0 (QF)
2003 La Cueva 27, Rio Grande 3 (SF)
2003 La Cueva 24, Mayfield 21 (CH)
2004 La Cueva 61, Eldorado 0 (QF)
2004 La Cueva 35, Las Cruces 0 (SF)
2004 La Cueva 40, Clovis 0 (CH)
2005 La Cueva 42, Los Lunas 7 (FR)
2005 La Cueva 28, Eldorado 21 (QF)
2005 Mayfield 21, La Cueva 7 (SF)
2006 La Cueva 21, Eldorado 17 (FR)
2006 Mayfield 31, La Cueva 0 (QF)
2007 La Cueva 34, Alamogordo 13 (FR)
2007 Clovis 21, La Cueva 17 (QF)
2008 La Cueva 38, Alamogordo 0 (FR)

Las Cruces High (20-15)
1955 Las Cruces High 39, Artesia 13 (SF)
1955 Roswell 19, Las Cruces High 14 (CH)
1956 Carlsbad 33, Las Cruces High 14 (SF)
1958 Carlsbad 20, Las Cruces High 14 (CH)
1959 Las Cruces High 31, Artesia 7 (CH)
1963 Highland 20, Las Cruces High 0 (CH)
1975 Las Cruces High 41, Los Alamos 10 (QF)
1975 Las Cruces High 27, Del Norte 0 (SF)
1975 Las Cruces 29, Eldorado 15 (CH)
1978 Las Cruces High 14, Santa Fe 12 (W)
1978 Eldorado 28, Las Cruces High 0 (SF)
1986 Roswell 40, Las Cruces High 15 (L)
1987 Las Cruces Highi 20, Del Norte 7 (SF)
1987 Roswell 21, Las Cruces High 15 (SF)
1988 Las Cruces High 22, Albuquerque High 13 (QF)
1988 Las Cruces High 24, Roswell 21 (SF)
1997 Clovis 18, Las Cruces High 13 (QF)
1998 Las Cruces High 44, Rio Grande 7 (QF)
1998 Goddard 28, Las Cruces High 14 (SF)
1999 Las Cruces High 28, Highland 19 (QF)
1999 Las Cruces High 36, Roswell 6 (SF)
1999 Las Cruces 24, Goddard 12 (CH)
2000 Las Cruces High 34, La Cueva 20 (QF)
2000 Las Cruces High 26, Valley 14 (SF)
2000 Las Cruces High 45, Carlsbad 21 (CH)
2001 Clovis 45, Las Cruces High 17 (QF)
2002 Las Cruces High 38, Valley 0 (QF)
2002 Las Cruces High 40, Clovis 17 (SF)
2002 Las Cruces HIgh 17, Mayfield 14 (CH) 
2003 La Cueva 63, Las Cruces High 0 (QF)
2004 Las Cruces HIgh 48, Carlsbad 20 (QF)
2004 La Cueva 35, Las Cruces High 0 (SF)
2005 Clovis 42, Las Cruces High 6 (FR)
2007 Las Cruces High 50, Manzano 45 (QF)
2007 Clovis 37, Las Cruces High 29 (SF)


Manzano (6-12)
1980 Santa Fe 22, Manzano 15 (QF)
1981 Clovis 28, Manzano 7 (QF)
1983 Roswell 42, Manzano 12 (QF)
1986 Manzano 21, Carlsbad 8
1986 Highland 34, Manzano 28 (SF)
1990 Clovis 34, Manzano 0 (QF)
1995 Mayfield 42, Manzano 3
1996 Manzano 19, Capital 8 (QF)
1996 Manzano 14, Clovis 13 (SF)
1996 Mayfield 14, Manzano 0 (CH)
1997 Goddard 40, Manzano 10 (QF)
1999 Roswell 14, Manzano 10 (PP)
2001 Mayfield 37, Manzano 7 (QF)
2005 Manzano 35, Sandia 16 (FR)
2005 Clovis 49, Manzano 14 (QF)
2007 Manzano 50, Onate 19 (FR)
2007 Las Cruces 50, Manzano 45 (QF)
2008 Manzano 31, Cibola 23 (FR)

Mayfield (36-17)
1971 Mayfield 19, Hobbs 15 (SF)
1971 Mayfield 24, West Mesa 20 (CH)
1972 Mayfield 7, Los Alamos 3 (SF)
1972 Hobbs 31, Mayfield 15 (CH)
1973 Mayfield 34, Del Norte 3 (QF)
1973 Clovis 25, Mayfield 13 (SF)
1974 Hobbs 58, Mayfield 28 (QF) 
1975 Farmington 10, Mayfield 8 (QF)
1976 Mayfield 21, Del Norte 6 (QF)
1976 Mayfield 38, Carlsbad 18 (SF)
1976 Sandia 23, Mayfield 6 (CH)
1984 Del Norte 28, Mayfield 6 (QF)
1987 Mayfield 9, Farmington 6 (QF)
1987 Mayfield 12, Clovis 6 (SF)
1987 Roswell 29, Mayfield 7 (CH)
1988 Highland 26, Mayfield 0 (QF)
1989 Mayfield 22, Alamogordo 14 (QF)
1989 Highland 6, Mayfield 0 (SF)
1994 Mayfield 25, Eldorado 0 (QF)
1994 Goddard 10, Mayfield 0 (SF)
1995 Mayfield 42, Manzano 3 (QF)
1995 Mayfield 23, Roswell 7 (SF)
1995 Mayfield 13, Clovis 12 (CH)
1996 Mayfield 27, Goddard 26 (QF)
1996 Mayfield 21, Highland 14 (SF)
1996 Mayfield 14, Manzano 0 (CH)
1997 Del Norte 16, Mayfield 13 (PP)
1998 Mayfield 42, Hobbs 30 (PP)
1998 Mayfield 48, Valley 30 (QF)
1998 Mayfield 41, Highland 7 (SF)
1998 Mayfield 13, Goddard 7 (CH)
1999 Valley 45, Mayfield 35 (QF)
2000 Highland 49, Mayfield 35 (QF)
2001 Mayfield 37, Manzano 7 (QF)
2001 Mayfield 10, La Cueva 8 (SF)
2001 Clovis 17, Mayfield 10 (CH)
2002 Mayfield 49, Cibola 0 (QF)
2002 Mayfield 22, Carlsbad 14 (SF)
2002 Las Cruces High 17, Mayfield 14 (CH)
2003 Mayfield 34, Highland 6 (QF)
2003 Mayfield 12, Carlsbad 0 (SF)
2003 La Cueva 24, Mayfield 21 (CH)
2004 Clovis 15, Mayfield 7 (QF)
2005 Mayfield 49, Hobbs 6 (FR)
2005 Mayfield 10, Rio Grande 3 (QF)
2005 Mayfield 21, La Cueva 7 (SF)
2005 Mayfield 17, Clovis 7 (CH)
2006 Mayfield 31, La Cueva 0 (QF)
2006 Mayfield 21, Sandia 14 (SF)
2006 Mayfield 31, Alamogordo 7 (CH)
2007 Mayfield 57, Rio Rancho 16 (QF)
2007 Mayfield 26, Cibola 14 (SF)
2007 Mayfield 49, Clovis 48 (CH)

Tuesday's NM Prep Hoops Scores, Nov. 18

Boys Basketball
Alamogordo 73, Santa Teresa 53
Chaparral 82, Faith Christian 56
East Mountain 54, Desert Academy 27
EP Montwood, Texas 42, Las Cruces 36
Hobbs 64, Midland Lee, Texas 56
Onate 45, EP Cathedral, Texas 43
Girls Basketball
Bosque School 47, Santa Fe Prep 32
Hobbs 72, Odessa, Texas 36
Hope Christian 65, Crownpoint 57
Las Cruces 74, EP Franklin, Texas 59
Mayfield 58, EP Andress, Texas 47

Sammy Di Pace opponent

Las Cruces' unbeaten bantamweight, Sammy Di Pace (4-0, 3 knockouts) will face Alejandro Garcia (5-5, 1 knockout) on Nov. 28 at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho in a six-round fight.

Di Pace last fought on Sept. 5 vs. Julio Valadez, winning a four-round decision.

- Felix

Tickets for prep football games

Tickets for Mayfield and Las Cruces High's playoff football games will be on sale at each school on Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.

Mayfield takes on La Cueva on Friday night at 7 at the Field of Dreams, while Las Cruces High meets Manzano at Aggie Memorial Stadium, also on Friday night.

Baseball camp

The Naa'taanii Baseball Academy will have USA Junior Olympic Baseball Tryouts this weekend at El Paso Community College in El Paso.

18 players will be selected to represent the team at the 2009 Pan American Games. The camp is for players 14-17. Cost is $15 per player. For more info, call Darrell Carrillo at 505-463-2122.

Mumme's future

Phillip Fulmer is gone at Tennessee, Tyrone Willingham is gone at Washington and Greg Robinson is out at Syracuse.

It's my guess that Hal Mumme will be gone at NMSU sometime in the coming days. The Aggies fell out of bowl contention with Saturday's loss to Fresno State and Mumme has won just 11 games in four years.

The Aggies have two games left against Louisiana Tech and Utah State and the best the team can do is go 5-7.

But NMSU hasn't made the progress on the field that was expected at least in terms of wins and there has been a great deal of speculation in recent weeks that Mumme's future at the school was in jepoardy.


Also, Utah State's Brent Guy future in Logan appears to be settled. He will likely not return in 2009.

Bulldawgs basketball player to sign with WNMU

Las Cruces High Bulldawgs boys basketball player Lucio Luttrell will sign a national letter of intent on Tuesday to play basketball at Western New Mexico.

Luttrell was one of the top scorers in the state last year and plays a guard position.

- Felix

Bulldawgs, MHS to play Friday

The Las Cruces Bulldawgs and Mayfield Trojans will both play on Friday night, Nov. 21 in their respective high school playoff football games.

No. 1 Las Cruces will play No. 8 Manzano at Aggie Memorial Stadium and No. 4 Mayfield will play No. 5 La Cueva at the Field of Dreams.

Both games will start at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $5 for students.

- Felix

Austin Trout update

Las Cruces junior middleweight Austin Trout fights on Nov. 20 in Houston vs. 15-13 Brad Thompson. Trout is 15-0.

But more importantly if Trout prevails in the fight, he will likely get a chance to fight on Showtime Network in January of 2009. The likely opponent? 22-1 Pawel Wolak, whose only loss was to 19-3 Ishe Smith.

- Felix

Prep Football Playoff Update

High School Football Playoffs
3A Quarterfiinals
Friday or Saturday
No. 8 Ruidoso at No. 1 Lovington
No. 5 St. Mike’s at No. 4 Socorro
No. 6 Cobre at No. 3 Portales
No. 7 Raton at No. 2 Bloomfield
4A Quarterfinals
Friday or Saturday
No. 9 Piedra Vista at No. 1 Goddard
No. 5 Kirtland Central at No. 4 Artesia
No. 6 Silver at No. 3 Belen
No. 7 Los Alamos at No. 2 Aztec
5A Quarterfinals
Friday or Saturday
No. 8 Manzano at No. 1 Las Cruces High
No. 5 La Cueva at No. 4 Mayfield
No. 6 Sandia at No. 3 Clovis
No. 7 Rio Rancho at No. 2 Eldorado

Joe Koerper and Randy Montoya

Onate High baseball players Joe Koerper and Randy Montoya will sign their national letters of intent with New Mexico State on Monday at 3 p.m. at Onate High School.

It's a big day for both of these young men, who have played an integral part in the success of the program on the Class 5A level. The Knights made it to the Class 5A semifinals in 2007, losing to Rio Rancho. In May of this year, the Knights made it to the finals where they lost a heartbreaker to La Cueva.

Koerper and Montoya are solid players and have bright futures ahead of themselves as long as they both continue to work hard and improve. Montoya is a good infielder and pitcher and Koerper has the potential to be a solid hitter at the next level with his bat.

I believe both have upside to their game, the question will be how do they adjust to the college game. Part of that is contingent on continued improvement and part of it will be how they adjust to NMSU's coaching style.

But both love the game, have played a lot of baseball in their career and Monday will be a big day for the two kids and it's great to see two good kids getting a chance to further their athletic career.

- Felix

Dante Caro

Last week we found out at the newspaper that Las Cruces High quarterback Dante Caro was selected as the top quarterback in the state by DeBartolo Sports University becoming one of 100 QB's eligible to win the Joe Montana Quarterback of the Year award.

Montana is involved in the selection process of Caro and 49 other quarterbacks across the country. Roughly 50 at-large selections were also chosen by the DeBarolo Sports University. The field will be narrowed to 16 at the end of this month and the winner will be announced in December before Christmas.

Caro has worked hard to be the best he can be in the past two seasons as the team's starting QB. He's been a threat on the ground the past two years as a runner, but this year, has improved as a passer as well, making him a double threat. His passing skills were evident when he hit Mike Bernal with a touchdown pass to help set up the Bulldawgs' 22-21 win against Mayfield on Nov. 7, which clinched the No. 1 seed for LCHS in this year's 5A playoffs.

At the end of the first half, he caught a touchdown pass to pull LCHS within 14-7 at the halftime break.

Caro has been a true leader for the Bulldawgs in their resurgence on the field the past two seasons, which included a semifinal showing last year. This year, the team is 10-0. Just three years ago, the Bulldawgs were down having suffered a losing season, followed by a .500 campaign. But Caro along with several other seniors and juniors have put LCHS back among the state's best.

He has a bright future ahead of him and he's got a great opportunity to play a couple of different spots at the next level.

Caro has rushed for 847 yards and 12 touchdowns while completing 81 of 121 passes for 1,431 yards and 13 scores.

Prep Football Scores 11/14

Class 5A
First Round

La Cueva 38, Alamogordo 0

Rio Rancho 43, Highland 20

Class 4A

First Round

Kirtland Central 54, Capital 24

Los Alamos 35, Moriarty 7

Piedra Vista 28, Del Norte 27

Class 2A

Quarterfinal

Dexter 69, Capitan 7

Santa Rosa 62, Tularosa 21

Class 1A

Semifinal

Clayton 47, Hagerman 12

Fort Sumner 60, McCurdy 0

Eight Man

Semifinal

Melrose 54, Floyd 14

New Mexico State vs. Fresno State matchup of stats

New Mexico State offense
Scoring 24.0
Rushing 70.8
Passing 308.3
Total Offense 379.1
Third Down Conversion 38 percent
Fourth Down Conversion 46 percent

New Mexico State Defense
Points Allowed 33.7
Rushing Allowed 220.7
Passing Allowed 162.9
Total Yards Allowed 383.6
Opponents Third Down Conversion 38 percent

Fresno State Offense
Scoring 32.4
Rushing 186.6
Passing 227.8
Total Offense 414.3
Third Down Conversion 42 percent
Fourth Down Conversion 75 percent

Fresno State Defense
Points Allowed 30.7
Rushing 237.3
Passing 189.9
Total 427.7
Opponents Third Down Conversion 35 percent

Prep Football Capsules

Sun-News reports
The Class 5A playoffs open this weekend with first-round matchups across the
state. Here is a capsule look at all 12 playoff teams:

No. 1 Las Cruces
Coach: Jim Miller
Record: 10-0
Top Players: QB Dante Caro 81-121 passing for 1,431 yards and 13 TDs; 74
rushing attempts for 847 yards and 12 TDs; RB James Hall Jr. 150-1,522, 22
TDs
Key Wins: 28-14 over La Cueva, 62-21 over Manzano, 22-21 over Mayfield

No. 2 Eldorado
Coach: Charlie Dotson
Record: 10-0
Top Players: QB Armin Day 107-164 1,704 yards, 26 TDs 4 interceptions; RB
Gary Maestas 163-1,097 3 TDs; WR Ross Williams 28-853 11 TDs
Key Wins: 22-21 over Clovis, 35-15 over Cibola, 40-7 over La Cueva, 26-20
over Mayfield, 49-28 over Manzano

No. 3 Clovis
Coach: Eric Roanhaus
Record: 9-1
Top Players: QB Josh Potocke 27-55 723 yards, 10 TDs, seven interceptions;
RB Stefon Mills 165-951 15 TDs
Key Wins: 8-7 over La Cueva, 21-18 over Rio Rancho, 21-14 over Cibola

No. 4 Mayfield
Coach: Michael Bradley
Record: 8-2
Top Players: QB Austin Hooker 65-469 5 TDs, ; RB Jacob Ceniceros 156-1,206
14 TDs
Key Wins: 35-13 over El Paso Montwood, 42-20 over Cibola
Bradley says: ³This is the time of year that you have to step up. We rely on
our seniors for leadership. It has been a long year but this is the fun part
of the year.²

No. 5 La Cueva
Coach: Fred Romero
Record: 7-3
Top Players: RB Ronnie Daniels 89-499, nine TDs; RB Gus Bowe 66-361, seven
TDs
Key Wins: 38-13 over Cibola, 24-21 over Sandia

No. 6 Sandia
Coach: Kevin Barker
Record: 8-2
Top Players: QB Tanner Ireland 77-154 passing yards for 1,013 yards and
seven TDs; 80-518 yards, 11 TDs.
Key Wins: 29-14 over Cibola, 30-20 over Alamogordo
Barker says: ³We lost Marcus Washington for the season, who is an all-metro
running back and all-state safety. Hobbs can really move the football well
so hopefully we don¹t get into a shootout with them, but the defense has
played well.²

No. 7 Rio Rancho
Coach: Mike Worley
Record: 7-3
Top Players: QB Tyler Baker; WR Aaron Holt
Key Wins: 43-17 over Cibola, 24-3 over Carlsbad

No. 8 Manzano
Coach: Aaron Ocampo
Record: 7-3
Top Players: QB Tyler Krueger 102-160, 1,537 yards; WR Nick Linden 32
catches, 616 yards
Key Wins: 49-42 over Highland; 38-24 over Artesia

No. 9 Cibola
Coach: Judge Chavez
Record: 4-6
Top Players: QB Hayden Schaap; OL Rio Mares
Key Wins: 14-10 over Manzano; 42-30 over Highland

No. 10 Highland
Coach: Gary Sanchez
Record: 4-6
Top Players: QB Dylan Chavez, 129-253, 1,736 yards, 18 TD; WR Rolando
Trammel 33 catches, 629 yards; RB Brennan Howell 121 rushes 602 yards
Key Wins: 60-28 over Rio Grande, 46-16 over Los Lunas
Sanchez says: ³Our record was 4-6 and we are very happy to be in the
playoffs after last years absence. We have good team speed and fairly
athletic on offense.²

No. 11 Hobbs
Coach: Phillip Roybal
Record: 4-6
Top Players: QB Kyle Niemeyer 97-207, 1,369 yards; WR Daniel Mendoza 26
catches, 342 yards
Key Wins: 35-21 over Carlsbad; 34-27 over Roswell

No. 12 Alamogordo
Coach: Tommy Standefer
Record: 3-7
Top Players: RB Dwaundle Baker 169 rushes, 1,021 yards; QB Tony Anderson
63-165, 1,017 yards; WR Taylor Weary 17 catches, 343 yards, 3 TDs
Key Win: 29-12 over Oñate
Standefer says: ³We are happy to be in the playoffs, but we are not
satisfied with just getting in the playoffs. We are a very young team that
has gotten better over the course of the year and we are hoping to continue
that trend.²

High School Volleyball update

Pool play took place on Wednesday at the high school state volleyball tournament and it turned out to be a solid day for area teams in District 3-5A

No. 2 Gadsden went 6-0 and advances to a Thursday night quarterfinal matchup against No. 9 Cibola or No. 6 Clovis.

No.7 Mayfield went 5-1 in pool play and has to play a first round match against No. 8 Sandia at 1:15 on Thursday afternoon.

No. 3 Las Cruces High got a first round bye and will play Thursdsay evening at 6:45 p.m. vs. No. 5 La Cueva or No. 12 Gallup.

No. 1 Rio Rancho and No. 10 Alamogordo also got first round byes. Thursday's quarterfinal matchups are at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho. Friday's semifinals and Saturday's finals are at Johnson Center in Albuquerque.

In Class 3A, No. 4 Hatch Valley plays Thursday at 5 p.m. vs. Portales or Cuba and in 2A, Mesilla Valley Christian takes on Rheoboth at 6:45 p.m. at Johnson Center on the University of New Mexico campus.

- Felix

Good boxing book read

I recently read a book entitled Four Kings, written by former Boston sportswriter George Kimball.

It's an historical look into one of the great times boxing history from 1980-89.

The book revolves around four of the sport's best, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler.

Each of the four fighters battled each other, some more than once as in the case of Duran-Leonard and Hears-Leonard.

The book gives an intriguing look into the preparation of each fighter going into the big fights and gives an unique look into what the boxers often thought of their opponent.

The fact that each of these four men were willing to fight each other is a testament to their talents, more importantly to their competitive spirit. Duran, Leonard, Hagler and Hearns are four of the greatest fighters of all time.

Most of the fights were great. Hagler/Hears might have been the greatest eight minutes of boxing of all time. Lenoard/Duran I was a superb fight of talent and determination and Leonard/Hearns I was simply an all-out entertaining fight.

As a boxing fan, I was fortunate enough to see most of these fights and it was nice to see fighters fighting real fighters and not making excuses not to fight the other.

If you get a chance to read this book it's a great read, even if you don't really follow the sport. It's a book about great athletes and the spirit of competition and wanting to be the very best at what you do.

Plus, the historical significance of those four fighters and those fights is still being talked about today by many in the business.

- Felix

Neiman out, Bolin could return

New Mexico State wide receiver Wes Neiman is done for the season with a disc injury in his back. His career could also be done depending on the severity of it.

Also, senior center Richie Bolin practiced on Tuesday and could return against Fresno St. on Saturday. He has yet to take part in contact drills.

- Felix

5A Football Playoff 1st Round Predictions

No. 8 Manzano 44, No. 9 Cibola 20
No. 5 La Cueva 28, Alamogordo 9
No. 6 Sandia 35, No. 11 Hobbs 7
No. 7 Rio Rancho 30, No. 10 Highland 21

High School Football Pairings 3A, 4A, 5A

Class 3A Football Pairings
First Round
Saturday
No. 9 Hatch Valley at No. 8 Ruidoso, 4 p.m.
No. 12 Wingate at No. 5 St. Michael's, 1:30 p.m.
No. 11 Robertson at No. 6 Cobre, 1 p.m.
No. 10 Albuquerque Academy at No. 7 Raton, 1 p.m.

Quarterfinals
Nov. 21-22
No. 9 Hatch Valley or No. 8 Ruidoso at No. 1 Lovington
No. 12 Wingate or No. 5 St. Michael's at No. 4 Socorro
No. 11 Robertson or NO. 6 Cobre at No. 3 Portales
No. 10 Albuquerque Academy or No. 7 Raton at No. 2 Bloomfield

Semifinals
Nov. 28 or 29

Finals
Dec. 5 or 6

Class 4A Football Pairings
First Round
Friday
No. 9 Piedra Vista at No. 8 Del Norte, 7 p.m.
No. 12 Capital at No. 5 Kirtland Central, 7 p.m.
No. 10 Moriarty at No. 7 Los Alamos, 7 p.m.
Saturday
No. 11 St. Pius at No. 6 Silver, 1 p.m

Quarterfinals
Nov. 21-22
No. 9 Piedra Vista or No. 8 Del Norte at No. 1 Goddard
No. 12 Capital or No. 5 Kirtland Central at No. 4 Artesia
No. 11 St. Pius or No. 6 Silver at No. 3 Belen
No. 10 Moriarty or No. 7 Los Alamos at No. 2 Aztec

Semifinals
Nov. 28-29

Championship Game
Dec. 5 or 6

Class 5A Football Pairings
First Round
Friday
No. 10 Highland at No. 7 Rio Rancho, 7 p.m.
No. 12 Alamogordo at No. 5 La Cueva, 7 p.m.
Saturday
No. 11 Hobbs at No. 6 Sandia, 1:30 p.m.
No. 9 Cibola at No. 8 Manzano, 7 p.m.

Quarterfinals
Nov. 21-22
No. 9 Cibola or No 8 Manzano at No. 1 Las Cruces High
No. 12 Alamogordo or No. 5 La Cueva at No. 4 Mayfield
No. 11 Hobbs or No. 6 Sandia at No. 3 Clovis
No. 10 Highland or No. 7 Rio Rancho at No. 2 Eldorado

Semifinals
Nov. 28 or 29

Championship
Dec. 5 or 6

Aggies vs. Hawaii follow

It appears that the New Mexico State Aggies could add another year to their bowl-less streak.

New Mexico State had a better offensive game against Hawaii on Saturday, but fell 42-30 on Saturday afternoon against

New Mexico State got a huge day from receivers Chris Williams and Marcus Anderson, who combined for four scores, but the defense struggled in the first half and a key turnover in the second half ended a promising drive and put seven on the board for Hawaii, which returned an interception 91 yards for the score.

The Aggies played hard, but again just couldn't hold onto to a lead. Against Idaho on Oct. 18, the Aggies led 14-7, but lost 20-14. Against Hawaii, the Aggies led 14-7 but again gave up the lead.

The postgame news confernece was subdued. The players and coach Mumme were disappointed with the loss and seemed to take little comfort in the fact that they played Hawaii close.

Saturday's loss was the team's fourth straight in league play and dropped NMSU to 3-6 overall and 1-4 in Western Athletic Conference.

The Aggies have three more games and in theory could finish 6-6, but road games at Fresno State and Utah State are going to be uphill battles and the home game vs. Louisiana Tech is looking dicey right now. Louisiana Tech beat Fresno St. last week and won at San Jose State on Saturday night.

There has been much speculation about Hal Mumme's job security and it's sure to intensify this week. My hunch is if NMSU falls to Fresno State, he could be asked to resign or be fired.

Felix

Cruces High's win against Mayfield

Friday's Mayfield/Las Cruces High football game will go down in the books as one of the series' best finishes.

Las Cruces High was down 14-0 in the first half and 21-14 with less than five minutes left after a turnover and a Mayfield score.

But the Bulldawgs came up with some big plays when it needed to and took advantage of a huge Mayfield mistake to prevail 22-21.

The Trojans looked like they were going to win when they stopped running back James Hall Jr. on a two-point conversion run. But the Trojans were called for 12 men on the field, giving the Dawgs another chance and Hall scored for the final margin.

It was a huge victory for the Bulldawgs as they prepare for the state playoffs. They needed a tough game against a good team and they needed to show that they can perform for 48 minutes. It's been tough on LCHS all season because its had so many blowout wins. Friday's game proved it has what it takes to make a lengthy run in the 5A state playoffs.

Mayfield is a scary team in the playoffs because it runs the ball well, quarterback Austin Hooker is developing into a sound passer and the team still comes up with big plays.

- Felix

Friday's Prep Football Scores, Nov. 7

Friday’s Scores
PREP FOOTBALL
Aztec 38, Piedra Vista 21
Bloomfield 65, Thoreau 0
Clovis 58, Hobbs 0
Del Norte 37, Moriarty 19
Goddard 35, Artesia 7
Hatch Valley 35, Hot Springs 14
Las Cruces 22, Mayfield 21
Los Alamos 33, Capital 28
Santa Teresa 48, Chaparral 20
Socorro 12, Cobre 10
Class 2A
Capitan 42, Tucumcari 17
Cloudcroft 31, Laguna-Acoma 6
Estancia 26, NMMI 0
Tularosa 48, Cuba 16
Eight Man
Quarterfinal
Gateway Christian 38, Mountainair 22
Melrose 62, Springer 0
Six Man
Championship
Hondo 56, San Jon 26

Thursday's Prep Football Scores, Nov. 6

PREP FOOTBALL
Kirtland Central 32, Farmington 21
La Cueva 56, Albuquerque High 0
Onate 35, Gadsden 0
Rio Rancho 43, Cibola 17

Comments on this board

To all the readers of this blog, I just want to say thanks for coming to this board and reading the info. But I do have a friendly reminder to keep your comments within reason. If there is a reason to be critical of someone that's fine.

But to take personal shots at high school kids is something you should refrain from doing, particulary if you are not going to attach your name to it. This isn't a board for cheap shots or personal attacks, particularly on the youth.

Recently I posted a blog item about high school pitcher Steven Florez and his committment to play baseball at New Mexico. There has been a lot of chatter knocking him and his abilities. Plus there have been shots taken at other high school baseball teams and players.

I have deleted the item to limit more attacks. Please do not use this item to continue those attacks. Thanks.

- Felix Chavez

Richie Bolin getting ready to play

New Mexico State senior center Richie Bolin is doing some physical therapy on the sidelines as he tries to return to action. He's missed the past three games due to a right knee injury and is likely out this week. The hope by the team is that he returns by the Nov. 22 game against against Louisiana Tech.

- Felix

Hawaii/NMSU stats matchup

NMSU offense
Scoring 23.2
Rushing 78.9
Passing 297.6
Total 376.5
Third Down Conversion 38 percent
Fourth Down Conversion 43 Percent

NMSU Defense
Points Allowed 32.6
Rushing Allowed 230.2
Passing Allowed 145.4
Total Yards Allowed 375.6
Opp. Third Down Conversion 34 percent
Opp. Fourth Down Conversion 36 percent

Hawaii offense
Scoring 20.6
Rushing 107.7
Passing 223.7
Total 331.3
Third Down Conversion 31 percent
Fourth Down Conversion 40 Percent

Hawaii Defense
Points Allowed 29.9
Rushing Allowed 178.9
Passing Allowed 203.0
Total Yards Allowed 381.9
Opp. Third Down Conversion 34 percent
Opp. Fourth Down Conversion 63 percent

Siddeeq Shabazz earns honor

Former New Mexico State safety Siddeeq Shabazz was named the Canadian Football League Defensive Player of the Week. Shabazz plays for the Edmonton Eskimos and had a CFL high eight tackles and added two quarterback sacks, a forced fumble, a tackle for loss and a special teams tackle in the Eskimos 37-14 victory over the visiting Montreal Alouettes.
Shabazz has recorded 63 tackles, three quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery this season for the Eskimos.

- Felix

PREP Football Poll

KRQE NEWS 13/KASA FOX 2 H.S. FOOTBALL POLL

1ST PLACE VOTES POINTS

1. LAS CRUCES (8) 128
2. ELDORADO (3) 110
3. MAYFIELD 103
4. CLOVIS 101
5. GODDARD 93
6. LA CUEVA 66
7. MANZANO 59
8. AZTEC 51
9. ARTESIA 50
10. SANDIA 47
11. RIO RANCHO 24
12. BELEN 15
13. DEXTER 14

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: (POINTS) SILVER 11, TEXICO 10, ST.PIUS 6,
HAGERMAN 6, CIBOLA 5, MELROSE 5, LAKE ARTHUR 5, ONATE 5, ANIMAS 4,
GATEWAY CHRISTIAN 3, SAN JON 2, SOCORRO 2, LOS LUNAS 2, SOCORRO 2, HONDO
1, PORTALES 1, HOBBS 1.

Aggies lose another O-lineman

New Mexico State offensive tackle Patrick Blount is doubtful for Saturday's home game against Hawaii. He has a foot injury that has slowed him down. He may just miss one game. Senior guard Polo Gutierrez was getting reps at right tackle and David Norman was getting reps at left tackle.

Also, running back Marquell Colston and receiver Marcus Anderson practiced on Tuesday and looked solid.

- Felix

Hall Jr. gets some interest from UCLA

Las Cruces High running back James Hall Jr. has received some interest from UCLA in terms of the school requesting some tape and general info on the talented senior running back.

- Felix

Aggies could get Colston, Neiman back

New Mexico State head coach Hal Mumme said during the WAC coaches conference call that reciever Wes Neiman and running back Marquell Colston could return for Saturday's home game with Hawaii at Aggie Memorial Stadium. Both were injured against San Jose State and have missed the past two games.

- Felix

Aggie Football

After Saturday's 49-0 loss to Boise State, fans of New Mexico State football are showing their anger. Comments on my blog, on my story and through conversations with fans there is plenty of disappointment to go around.

The Aggies won a big game at Nevada to start league play and then gave San Jose State a respectable game the following week.

But a miserable performance at Idaho and a listless showing against Boise State has put the Aggies season on the brink of destruction if it isn't already there.

New Mexico State is 3-5 on the year and takes on 4-5 Hawaii this Saturday at Aggie Memorial Stadium. This game is NMSU's last stand in some ways. A win here and the Aggies at least have some hope the rest of the way.

A loss here and the team could very well see it's season spiral downward even worse than it seems right now.

The loss to Boise St. wasn't unexpected, but it seemed as if some of the team seemed to be in a fog for much of the game. There didn't seem to be much confidence or emotion.

That has to change this week, otherwise Hawaii could come into Las Cruces and get an easy win.

Plus, let's be honest, the future of head coach Hal Mumme is on the line. That's why the Hawaii game is big for him and the future of his tenure here.

There have been a lot of factors as to why the Aggies have struggled the past two weeks in particular, injuries, lack of execution, poor offensive line play, turnovers, etc. The bottom line is the Aggies are 3-5 and are facing a make or break game against Hawaii. A win and maybe the team gets to 5 or 6 wins, a loss and it's hard to imagine the team winning more than one more if one at all.

- Felix