Pugs, ponies and preps: 2009

Monday, December 28, 2009

Prep Basketball Scores, Dec. 28

Boys Basketball
Espanola Valley 56, Sandia Prep 50
St. Michael’s 56, Rio Grande 46
Clovis Tournament
Clovis 82, Los Lunas 51
Hobbs Tournament
McGuinness, Okla. 49, Albuquerque Academy 44
St. Michael, Ariz. Tournament
Gallup Catholic 68, Pinon, Ariz. 59
Many Farms, Ariz. 94, Pine Hill 35
St. Michael, Ariz. 70, Shiprock Northwest 44
VFW (Alamagordo) Tournament
Mesilla Valley Christian 67, Houston Memorial, Texas 59
Girls Basketball
Highland 56, Moriarty 42
Santa Rosa 65, Valencia 44
Goddard Tournament
Dexter 64, Loving 57
Robertson 53, Goddard 38
Roswell 42, Los Alamos 27
Ruidoso 45, Carlsbad 43
Las Cruces Tournament
Hobbs 49, Eldorado 47
Nike Tournament of Champions

Gallup 74, Green Valley, Nev. 59

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Big race at Sunland, Dec. 26

For you horse racing fans, there is a big race on Saturday, Dec. 26 at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. The $350,000, Grade 1 Championship at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino will take place. It will be the 9th running of the Grade 1 event. There is a field of 8, including 2008 All American Futurity winner Stolis Winner and the very good New Mexico bred First Moonflash.

Stolis Winner has won 11 of 15 and is one of just three quarter horses to have won more than $2 million. He has to be the favorite in my mind with G R Carter aboard. If he gets a good break, he'll be tough to catch.

First Moonflash is a great horse and has won 13 of 24. He'll be right there with the very Alejandro Medellin aboard and I like him for second.

For third, I like the dependable Noconi, which has won 7 of 20 for veteran trainer Paul Jones.

Saturday's feature is slated to start at 1:37 p.m. and is race No. 4 on the 11-race card.

- Felix

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Prep Hoops Scores, Dec. 21

Boys Basketball
Elida 68, Clovis Christian 34
Friona, Texas 41, Portales 36
Gallup 63, Farmington 41
Grants 57, Mesa Vista 51
Hobbs 87, Brownfield, Texas 49
Pojoaque 76, Penasco 58
Santa Rosa 50, Valencia 45

Girls Basketball
Elida 61, Clovis Christian 28
Kirtland Central 54, Los Alamos 39

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Short book review

Just finished reading a book that might interest high school football fans. The book is titled "Our Boys, A Perfect Season On The Plains With The Smith Center Redmen."
The book was written by New York writer Joe Drape.

A very good book about a very good high school team, the Smith Center Redmen in a small town in Kansas. The program is one of the tops in the state and carried a winning streak that drew national attention.

It's a book about a program with great tradition, a program which turns out good people and good players. Drape goes inside a season with a team that had some doubts as it entered its season, but by the end of the year, remained on top of its game.

The book reminded me of how important high school sports are and what kind of impact sports can have on people and a community. It also reminds me that high school sports can help build up people and give them confidence.

Every state has a few programs which are above others and enjoy great success. The Smith Center program is one of those and it's a program in which players current, past and future are involved in on a daily basis.

Smith Center could be like a Mayfield or Cruces High in many respects and thus I believe people reading this blog, players, coaches and parents alike, would enjoy it. THere are many great stories about the people involved in the program, so if you get a chance to read it, do so.

- Felix

District 3-5A football selections

All-District 3-5A honors
Offensive player of the Year
Aaron Sandoval Oñate Senior All-purpose
Defensive player of the Year
Zach Daugherty Oñate Senior Linebacker
Newcomer of the year
Jeremy Buurma Las Cruces Junior Quarterback
Offense
Center
Name School Grade Selection
Jacob Avalos Las Cruces 12 1stTeam
Ricky Avelar Mayfield 12 2nd Team
Angelo Pacheco Oñate 11 HMention
Tyler Rodgers Alamogordo 12 HMention
Jesus Diaz Gadsden 11 HMention
Guards
Name School Grade Selection
Kyle Pannell Las Cruces 12 1st Team
Garrett Bennett Mayfield 12 1st Team
Dylan Ramirez Gadsden 12 2nd Team
Christian Trevino Oñate 12 2nd Team
Andrew Zapien Mayfield 11 HMention
Dakata Devine Alamogordo 12 HMention
Offensive Tackles
Name School Grade Selection
Andrew Anthony Mayfield 12 1st Team
John Cachora Oñate 12 1st Team
Zach Tingin Mayfield 12 2nd Team
Antonio Ortega Gadsden 10 2nd Team
Chris Todd Las Cruces 12 Honorable Mention
Tight Ends
Name School Grade Selection
Jeremiah Willis Mayfield 12 1st Team
Bobby Rodgers Las Cruces 12 1st Team
Zach Daugherty Oñate 12 2nd Team
Omar Selinas Gadsden 12 2nd Teram
Christian Harris Alamogordo 12 HMention
Wide Receivers
Name School Grade Selection
Michael Hallock Mayfield 12 1st Team
Taylor Weary Alamogordo 12 1st Team
Jason Sandoval Oñate 12 1st Team
Jose Garcia Las Cruces 12 1st Team
Gearen Hale Alamogordo 12 2nd Team
James Enriquez Mayfield 12 2nd Team
Josh Watson Las Cruces 11 2nd Team
Justin Black Mayfield 12 HMention
Quarterbacks
Name School Grade Selection
Austin Hooker Mayfield 12 1st Team
Brandon Roybal Oñate 12 2nd Team
Steve Minton Gadsden 12 HMention
Keellen Hester Alamogordo 11 HMention
Running Backs
Name School Grade Selection
Brandon Betancourt Mayfield 11 1st Team
Dwaundle Baker Alamogordo 12 1st Team
Xavier Hall Las Cruces 10 2nd Team
Matt Minton Gadsden 11 2nd Team
Robert Alvidrez Mayfield 12 HMention
Fullbacks
Name School Grade Selection
Zach Hernandez Oñate 12 1st Team
Chris Carrasco Mayfield 12 2nd Team
Jacob Guerrero Gadsden 11 HMention
George Norwood Alamogordo 12 HMention
Defense
Defensive Tackles
Name School Grade Selection
Andrew Anthony Mayfield 12 1st Team
Matt Ramondo Mayfield 11 1st Team
John Cachora Oñate 12 1st Team
Kyle Pannell Las Cruces 12 1st Team
Zach Tingin Mayfield 12 2nd Team
Mannie Sanchez Mayfield 12 2nd Team
Robbie Trigo Las Cruces 11 2nd Team
Larry Hinajosa Mayfield 12 HMention
Jose Hernandez Oñate 11 HMention
Defensive Ends
Name School Grade Selection
Jeremiah Willis Mayfield 12 1st Team
Michael Ellis Mayfield 12 1st Team
Tony Covarubia Oñate 12 1st Team
Christian Harris Alamogordo 12 2nd Team
Tyler Gillihan Oñate 11 2nd Team
Bobby Rodgers Las Cruces 12 2nd Team
Gary Newell Alamogordo 12 HMention
Julio Sanchez Gadsden 11 HMention
Geoffrey Segovial Las Cruces 12 HMention
Linebackers
Name School Grade Selection
Wyatt Tharp Mayfield 12 1st Team
Zach Hernandez Oñate 12 1st Team
Jose Garcia Las Cruces 12 1st Team
Brock Baca Mayfield 11 2nd Team
Dante Ogaz Las Cruces 12 2nd Team
Travis Canello Alamogordo 12 HMention
Cornerbacks
Name School Grade Selection
Michael Hallock Mayfield 12 1st Team
Jason Sandoval Oñate 12 1st Team
Kiefer Payne Mayfield 11 2nd Team
Gearon Hale Alamogordo 12 2nd Team
Robert Alvidrez Mayfield 12 2nd Team
Xavier Armitage Las Cruces 12 HMention
Daniel Martinez Las Cruces 11 HMention
Safeties
Name School Grade Selection
James Enriquez Mayfield 12 1st Team
Jacob Nevarez Las Cruces 12 1st Team
Taylor Weary Alamogordo 12 2nd Team
David Vargas Oñate 12 2nd Team
Chris Carrasco Mayfield 12 HMention
Justin Black Mayfield 12 HMention
Tanner ShoemakerLas Cruces 11 HMention

NM High School Basketball Rankings, Dec. 19

Prep Rankings
Boys
Class 1A
1. Cliff
2. Tatum
3. Springer
4. Des Moines
5. Fort Sumner
6. Quemado
7. Floyd
8. Reserve
9. Logan
10. Magdalena
Class 2A
1. Mesilla Valley Christian
2. Texico
3. Bosque
4. Santa Rosa
5. Tularosa
6. Penasco
7. Coronado
8. Mesa Vista
9. Rehoboth
10. Clayton
Class 3A
1. Hope Christian
2. Sandia Prep
3. St. Michael’s
4. Pojoaque
5. Robertson
6. Santa Fe Indian
6. Lovington
8. Wingate
9. W. Las Vegas
10. Bloomfield
Class 4A
1. Roswell
2. Espanola Valley
3. Academy
4. Los Alamos
5. Belen
6. Artesia
7. Grants
8. Volcano Vista
9. Santa Teresa
9. Capital High
Class 5A
1. La Cueva
2. Highland
3. Eldorado
4. Manzano
5. Clovis
6. Hobbs
7. Mayfield
8. Rio Grande
9. Rio Rancho
10. Valley
Girls
Class 1A
1. Cilff
2. Des Moines
3. Magdalena
4. Dora
5. Animas
6. Fort Sumner
7. Tatum
8. Floyd
9. Elida
10. Cimarron
Class 2A
1. Texico
2. Santa Rosa
3. Clayton
4. Mora
4. Navajo Prep
6. Tularosa
7. Rehoboth
8. Navajo Pine
9. Lordsburg
10. Ramah
Class 3A
1. Lovington
2. W. Las Vegas
3. Santa Fe Indian
4. Portales
5. Pojoaque
6. St. Mike’s
7. Robertson
8. Hope Christian
9. Socorro
10. Bloomfield
Class 4A
1. Kirtland Central
2. Roswell
3. Shiprock
4. Del Norte
4. Espanola Valley
6. Piedra Vista
7. Los Alamos
8. St. Pius
9. Volcano Vista
10. Capital
Class 5A
1. Eldorado
2. Sandia
3. Las Cruces High
4. Clovis
5. Gallup
6. Cibola
7. Valley
8. Cleveland
9. Manzano
10. La Cueva

New Mexico Prep Basketball Scores, Dec. 18

Boys Basketball
Albuquerque High 61, Del Norte 39
Clayton 59, Roy 33
Cliff 67, Lordsburg 36@Agate:Floyd 44, Tucumcari 41
Hagerman 60, Dexter 37
Hobbs 72, Mayfield 60
La Cueva 78, West Mesa 54
Manzano 61, Cleveland 53
Mesilla Valley Christian 54, Chaparral 25
Pojoaque 51, Kirtland Central 47
Portales 40, Muleshoe, Texas 35
Quemado 67, Ramah 58
Roswell 72, Lovington 46
Ruidoso 69, Artesia 58
Sandia 67, Los Lunas 49
St. Michael’s 69, Socorro 46
Taos 73, Raton 37
Tularosa 81, Estancia 51

Girls Basketball
Albuquerque High 52, Volcano Vista 40
Cleveland 56, Moriarty 13
Del Norte 45, Bernalillo 31
Deming 47, Alamogordo 46
Estancia 37, Escalante 32
Floyd 54, Tucumcari 30
Hagerman 53, Dexter 42
La Cueva 69, West Mesa 35
Los Alamos 41, Piedra Vista 39
Manzano 48, Rio Rancho 36
Mesilla Valley Christian 40, Cobre 33
Ruidoso 50, Goddard 35
Sandia 59, Gallup 58
Santa Rosa 67, Zuni 58
Shiprock 62, Espanola Valley 44
Socorro 61, Pojoaque 48
Valley 69, Rio Grande 57

Sunday, December 13, 2009

NMSU apparently shows some interest in EP player

Looks like the New Mexico State could be interested in El Paso Montwood cornerback Josh Coward. He was a two-year starter at DB for the Rams and had seven interceptions as a junior and three as a senior. He also had 36 receptions as a senior.

- Felix

Saturday's Prep Hoops Scores, Dec. 12

Boys Basketball
Bosque School 64, Coronado 36
Hobbs 68, Abilene Cooper, Texas 45
Hope Christian 81, Los Alamos 54
Monte del Sol 56, Desert Academy 51
Moriarty 62, Valencia 60
Post, Texas 46, Tatum 42
Volcano Vista 65, Socorro 44
Artesia Tournament
EP Burges, Texas 69, Deming 60
Third Place
Carlsbad 71, Goddard 41
Fifth Place
Roswell 74, Artesia 41
Cloudcroft Mountain Top Tournament
Championship
Cliff 75, Quemado 40
Grants Tournament
Grants 60, Pojoaque 50
Lake Arthur Tournament
Artesia JV-B 51, Corona 28
Carlsbad JV 61, Artesia JV-A 59
Hondo 59, Lake Arthur 49, OT
Jesus Chapel 51, Vaughn 37
Moriarty Tournament
Rio Grande 68, Farmington 54
Girls Basketball
Capital 60, Belen 44
Estancia 43, Crownpoint 38
Floyd 35, Elida 33
Hope Christian 33, Los Alamos 32
Logan 54, San Jon 21
Logan 69, Clovis JV 41
Lovington 58, Los Lunas 27
Magdalena 62, Tularosa 36
Miyamura 60, Sandia Prep 18
Roswell 41, Albuquerque High 27
Santa Fe Prep 37, St. Michael’s JV 27
Vail Cienega, Ariz. 55, Hobbs 47
West Las Vegas 57, Thoreau 42
Artesia Tournament
Ruidoso 64, Denver Lincoln, Colo. 43
Silver 55, Dexter 41
Third Place
Carlsbad 57, Artesia 51
Grants Tournament
Espanola Valley 35, Pojoaque 34
Piedra Vista 46, Wingate 35
Lake Arthur Tournament
Corona 40, Jesus Chapel 23
Hondo 45, Mesilla Valley Christian 35
Lake Arthur 33, Vaughn 18
Ruidoso 60, Artesia JV-A 24

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Tuesday's Prep Basketball Scores, Dec. 8

Boys Basketball
Artesia 65, Dexter 31
Cleveland 83, Los Lunas 65
Clovis 69, Dumas, Texas 36
Gadsden 72, Deming 43
Hope Christian 64, Bernalillo 16
Mayfield 61, EP Chapin, Texas 59
NMMI 55, Hagerman 48
Roswell 64, Portales 26
Girls Basketball
Alamogordo 42, Goddard 37
Cibola 60, Highland 25
Dora 60, Clovis Christian 12
La Cueva 50, Volcano Vista 35
Las Cruces 53, EP Chapin, Texas 42

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Danny "Little" Red Lopez and boxing Hall of Fame

Former world featherweight boxing champ Danny "Little Red" Lopez was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame on Tuesday. What a great honor for a great champion and fierce competitor.

He won 42 of his 48 fights and engaged in several great fights, including a win over Mike Ayala in 1979 and a win over David Kotey in Kotey's home country of Ghana.

Lopez is also well-known for his two hard-fought losses to Salvador Sanchez. Lopez was a hard puncher and loved to compete against the very best. Lopez had a great will to win. He was in a great deal of demanding fights and obviously won more than his share of his fights despite facing plenty of trouble in several of the fights he was in.

Many young people don't remember Lopez, but believe me he was worth watching. He was all action, all the time.

- Felix

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Saturday's Prep Football Scores, Dec. 5

Saturday’s Scores
Class 5A
Championship
La Cueva 31, Mayfield 14
Class 4A
Championship
Goddard 28, Belen 21
Class 3A
Championship
Lovington 28, Socorro 21

Column on Sunland Park Racetrack

By Felix Chavez
El Paso Times — It wasn’t long ago that Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino was merely an afterthought on the national radar.
Sure it had its local traditions, familiar names to the area and some decent racing.
But the track had little appeal to it on a national basis. But a commitment to the sport by the state, the racetrack and the owners and trainers has made the racetrack the premiere spot in the state to watch a race and it is now a player on the national level.
On Thursday, the Sunland Derby, which is the featured race during the meet, was granted a Grade 3 status. For the average fan, what does that mean?
It means the $800,000 race, which ranks as one of the nation’s richest Kentucky Derby prep races, will attract a very good field and will likely send its winner to the 2010 Run for the Roses.
Over the seven previous Sunland Derbies (formerly the WinStar Derby), the race has drawn some big-name jockeys (Garrett Gomez, Pat Day, Victor Espinoza), high-profile trainers (Bob Baffert, Doug O’Neill) and credible horses (Mine That Bird, Kelly Leak, Thor’s Echo).
But until Mine That Bird’s run to the winner’s circle at this past spring’s Kentucky Derby, the Sunland Derby had not found enough support to earn a graded race.
With the addition of the graded standing, owners and trainers can now point to the Sunland Derby as an important step to the Derby and not just a race to come in and run for the monetary value of the race.
We’ve seen the likes of O’Neill and Baffert enter horses in the Sunland Derby. Now, it won’t be out of the question to see the likes of Todd Pletcher, Bill Mott or Richard Mandella send one or more horses to Sunland Park.
Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino officials have worked hard to make the Sunland Derby mean something to the racing world and with Thursday’s announcement that it had earned graded earnings, the hard work finally paid off.
There might be some who believe that a graded status doesn’t mean much for the local contingent at the racetrack, I’d have to disagree on that point.
Because the Sunland Derby has finally earned that next step in becoming a national player, the consistent and longtime performers at the Sunland track can take some pride in helping the New Mexico track become a major player in the world of horse racing.
The past several racing seasons have produced some extraordinary moments at the Southern New Mexico track, many of which will never be forgotten.
But now the track has a chance to make even greater memories and with a graded race, it has a chance to become not only a consistent player on the national scene, but a force to be reckoned with.

Felix Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6374

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Tuesday's Prep hoops scores, Dec. 1

Boys Basketball
Deming 68, Hot Springs 53
Hope Christian 73, Eldorado 63
Mesilla Valley Christian 65, Hatch Valley 30
Volcano Vista 58, Albuquerque High 56
Girls Basketball
Carlsbad 62, Goddard 17
Gallup 80, Los Lunas 17
Piedra Vista 73, Bayfield, Colo. 42

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Damien Ocampo coaching state title game

Of note, former New Mexico State and Western New Mexico quarterback Damien Ocampo will be coaching in a state championship football game this weekend. Ocampo is the head coach at Class 3A school, Socorro, which will will meet Lovington for the title.

Ocampo also served as a head coach at Gadsden High School a few years back. He comes from a strong family of coaching. His brothers Simon and Aaron are coaching and his father is also a veteran coach.

Ocampo has always had confidence in what he can do and he's apparently done some very good things at Socorro to get that school in line for a title.

- Felix

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Prep Hoops Scores, Nov. 28

Boys Basketball
Hobbs 71, EP Burges, Texas 35
Los Alamos 78, Santa Fe 58
Pojoaque 57, Mesa Vista 41
Taos 72, Questa 51
Valencia 67, Thoreau 57
Girls Basketball
Escalante 52, Santa Fe Prep 37
Magdalena 49, Hot Springs 34
Mora 62, Cimarron 37
Pecos 40, Springer 35
Pojoaque 41, Los Alamos 36

Saturday's Prep Football Scores, Nov. 28

PREP FOOTBALL
Class 5A
Semifinal
Mayfield 38, Clovis 0
Class 3A
Semifinal
Lovington 31, Albuquerque Academy 0
Socorro 21, Raton 17
Class 2A
Championship
Tularosa 35, Lordsburg 0

Friday's Prep Football Scores, Nov. 27

Class 5A
Semifinal
La Cueva 25, Manzano 24
Class 4A
Semifinal
Belen 58, Aztec 19
Goddard 55, Volcano Vista 14

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Prep Basketball scores, Nov. 24

Boys Basketball
Alamogordo 44, Santa Teresa 38
Bosque School 75, Mora 51
Eldorado 65, Albuquerque High 47
Grants 56, Fort Defiance Window Rock, Ariz. 45
Highland 52, Albuquerque Academy 49
Hope Christian 84, Santa Fe Indian 59
Los Lunas 59, Valencia 45
Manzano 71, La Cueva 68
Mayfield 74, Carlsbad 51
Mesilla Valley Christian 65, Hatch Valley 25
Rio Grande 62, West Mesa 56
Rio Rancho 68, Sandia 65
St. Pius 62, Sandia Prep 58
Girls Basketball
Albuquerque Academy 50, Highland 47
Albuquerque High 60, West Mesa 30
Cibola 72, Rio Grande 63
Eldorado 66, Valley 45
EP Chapin, Texas 47, Mayfield 22
Floyd 59, Clovis Christian 21
Gallup 93, Santa Fe 27
Lovington 47, Texico 45
Manzano 59, Volcano Vista 55
Ruidoso 62, Goddard 38

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Prep Hoops Scores, Nov. 21

BOYS BASKETBALL
Bosque School 64, Navajo Pine 36
Cliff 76, Cobre 9
Espanola Valley 72, Gallup 60
Gadsden 45, El Paso, Texas 29
Laguna-Acoma 70, Crownpoint 36
Mora 73, Dulce 51
Sandia Prep 83, Zuni 41
Tohajilee 61, Desert Academy 45
Tohatchi 65, Navajo Prep 55
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gallup 62, Shiprock 61
Hobbs 71, Alamogordo 37
Las Cruces 62, Carlsbad 26
Mesa Vista 58, Escalante 44
Mescalero Apache 63, Alamo-Navajo 24
Mora 66, Dulce 35
Portales 29, Friona, Texas 28
Springer 46, Tucumcari 36
Tohajilee 66, Desert Academy 48

Saturday's Prep Football scores, Nov. 21

PREP FOOTBALL
Class 5A
Quarterfinal
Manzano 52, Sandia 7
Mayfield 36, Eldorado 29, OT
Class 4A
Quarterfinal
Aztec 38, Artesia 35
Goddard 50, Farmington 14
Class 3A
Quarterfinal
Lovington 49, Hatch Valley 0
Raton 35, St. Michael’s 28
Socorro 7, Robertson 3
Class 2A
Semifinal
Lordsburg 18, Santa Rosa 7

NM Prep Football Scores, Nov. 21

Class 5A
Quarterfinal
Clovis 21, Onate 13
La Cueva 52, Hobbs 7
Class 4A<
Quarterfinal
Belen 58, Deming 6
Volcano Vista 42, Silver 20
Class 3A
Quarterfinal
Albuquerque Academy 42, Bloomfield 6
Class 2A
Semifinal
Tularosa 7, Texico 6
Class 1A
Championship
Hagerman 13, Clayton 12
Eight Man
Championship
Melrose 64, Tatum 14

Friday's NM Prep Scores in Hoops 11/21

BOYS BASKETBALL
Bosque School 60, Escalante 25
EP Hanks, Texas 56, Mayfield 49
Roswell 73, Ruidoso 22
Santa Teresa 38, Las Cruces 36
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Amarillo, Texas 53, Hobbs 40
Carlsbad 51, Mayfield 44, OT
Dexter 44, Mesilla Valley Christian 25
East Mountain 26, McCurdy 25
Farwell, Texas 59, Grady 19
Piedra Vista 50, Navajo Prep 35
Shiprock 55, Santa Fe 50

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Prep Hoops Scores, Nov. 17

Boys Basketball
East Mountain 49, Desert Academy 42
El Dorado (El Paso) 73, Chaparral 45
Monte del Sol 50, Bosque School 45
Rio Rancho 76, Gadsden 74
Santa Teresa 62, EP Faith Christian, Texas 27

Girls Basketball
Bosque School 37, Monte del Sol 19
Chaparral 56, Lydia Patterson Institute, Texas 15
Desert Academy 37, East Mountain 33
Hobbs 37, Odessa, Texas 27
Hope Christian 81, Crownpoint 31
Las Cruces 58, EP Franklin, Texas 15
Miyamura 69, Laguna-Acoma 25

Monday, November 16, 2009

Austin Trout update

It's possible Las Cruces junior middleweight prospect Austin Trout could land a major fight in January. Stay tuned. He is ranked No.2 by the World Boxing Association. The fight in January could be for a major title.

- Felix

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Prep Football Polls, Nov. 13

Class 5A
First Round
Eldorado 28, Cibola 0
Hobbs 56, Rio Rancho 43
Onate 24, Carlsbad 3
Class 4A
First Round
Artesia 54, St. Pius 12
Deming 27, Bernalillo 18
Farmington 35, Del Norte 17
Silver 44, Valencia 20
Class 3A
First Round
Hatch Valley 40, Portales 6
Class 2A
Quarterfinal
Dexter 48, Santa Rosa 17
Texico 21, Estancia 7
Tularosa 42, Eunice 0
Class 1A
Semifinal
Hagerman 30, Fort Sumner 14
Eight Man
Semifinal
Melrose 62, Mountainair 0

Sunday, November 8, 2009

3A, 4A, 5A state football pairings, 1st round

Class 3A
First Round
No. 9 Portales at No. 8 Hatch Valley
No. 12 Pojoaque at No. 5 Academy
No. 11 Cobre at Robertson
No. 10 Hot Springs at No. 7 St. Mike's

Class 4A
First Round
No. 9 Deming at No. 8 Bernalillo
No. 12 St. Pius at No. 5 Artesia
No. 11 Valencia at No. 6 Silver City
No. 10 Del Norte at No. 7 Farmington

Class 5A
First Round
No. 9 Eldorado at No. 8 Cibola
No. 12 Carlsbad at No. 5 Onate
No. 11 Hobbs at No. 6 Rio Rancho
No. 10 Sandia at No. 7 Las Cruces High

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Friday's Prep Football Scores, Nov. 7

Albuquerque Academy 63, Portales 35
Aztec 62, Piedra Vista 21
Belen 54, St. Pius 8
Bernalillo 55, Espanola Valley 14
Bloomfield 58, Thoreau 0
Clovis 30, Hobbs 0
Del Norte 24, Moriarty 20
Dexter 48, Tucumcari 17
Estancia 28, NMMI 20
Farmington 17, Kirtland Central 7
Goddard 47, Artesia 35
Hatch Valley 20, Hot Springs 13
Highland 34, Los Lunas 19
Hondo 55, San Jon 8
Las Cruces 32, Mayfield 31
Los Alamos 35, Capital 18
Los Alamos 35, Capital 18
Lovington 65, Ruidoso 0
Melrose 94, Gateway Christian 12
Mountainair 46, Reserve 20
Onate 41, Gadsden 7
Rio Rancho 43, Cibola 39, OT
Sandia 63, Santa Fe 6
Silver 30, Deming 14
Socorro 28, Cobre 14
Tatum 70, Springer 24
Volcano Vista 48, Grants 7

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Breeders' Cup Picks

Friday and Saturdya
Marathon
1 3/4 Miles, Dirt, 3 and up
Mastery
Man of Iron
Sir Dave

Juvenile Fillies Turf
1 mile 2 year old fillies
House of Grace
Tapitsfly
La Nez

Juvenile Fillies
1 1/16 miles (Dirt) 2 year old fillies
She May Be Wild
Negligee
Blind Luck

Filly and Mare Turf
1 1/4 miles 3 and up fillies and mares
Forever Together
Magical Fantasy
Midday

Filly and Mare Sprint
7 furlongs (Dirt) 3 and up
Seventh Street
Game Face
Sara Louise

Ladies Classic
1 1/8 miles (Dirt) 3 and up fillies and mares
Music Note
Carless Jewel
Cocoa Beach

Juvenile Turf
1 mile year old colts and geldings
Bridgetown
Buzzword
Codoy

Turf Sprint
6 1/2 furlongs 3 and up
Cannoball
California Flag
Squre Eddie

Sprint
6 furlongs Dirt 3 and up
Zensational
Fatal Bullet
Dancing In Silks

Juvenile
1 1/16 miles Dirt 2 year old colts and geldings
Lookin at Lucky
Vale of York
Radiohead

Mile
1 mile (turf) 3 and up
Goldikova
Gladiatorus
Court Vision

Dirt Mile
1 mile (Dirt) 3 and up
Pyro
Choclate Candy
Mastercraftsman

Turf
1 1/2 miles 3 and up
Spanish Moon
Dar Re Mi
Conduit

Class
1 1/4 miles 3 and up
Summer Bird
Rip Van Winkle
Mine That Bird

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Trout weighs in

At the scales Austin Trout weighed in at 153.9 and Taronze Washington at 153.7 for Thursday's fight in Dallas. Trout is ranked No.2 at 154 by the WBA.

-Felix

Prep Football Polls, Nov. 4

New Mexico High School Coaches Association
Rankings
Top 10
Class 5A
1. Mayfield
2. Manzano
3. La Cueva
4. Clovis
5. Onate
6. Cibola
7. Las Cruces High
8. Rio Rancho
9. Eldoroado
10. Hobbs
Class 4A
1. Belen
2. Goddard
3. Artesia
4. Volcano Vista
5. Aztec
6. Silver
7. Deming
8. Farmington
9. St. Pius
10. Del Norte
Class 3A
1. Lovington
2. Raton
3. Robertson
4. Bloomfield
5. Academy
6. St. Mike’s
7. Socorro
8. Portales
9. Hatch Valley
10. Cobre
Class 2A
1. Lordsburg
2. Santa Rosa
3. Estancia
4. Texico
5. Tularosa
6. Eunic
7. Tucumcari
8. Capitan
9. Dexter
10. NMMI
Class A
1. Clayton
2. Hagerman
3. Fort Sumner
4. Escalante
5. Jal
6. McCurdy
7. Carrizozo
8. Mesilla Valley Christian
9. Mescalero
10. Questa

Prep Football Polls, Nov. 4

New Mexico H

Saturday, October 31, 2009

New Mexico Prep Football Scores, Oct. 30

Friday
Albuquerque Academy 56, Ruidoso 10
Artesia 48, Roswell 7
Aztec 20, Farmington 13
Belen 63, Grants 7
Bernalillo 41, Taos 8
Bloomfield 62, Crownpoint 0
Capitan 40, Cloudcroft 34
Clovis Christian 26, Logan 22
Dexter 55, Loving 19
Elida 65, Dora 18
Fort Sumner 54, Mescalero Apache 14
Gateway Christian 56, Valley Christian 26
Hot Springs 33, Cobre 27
Las Cruces 38, Alamogordo 13
Los Alamos 49, Espanola Valley 6
Mayfield 24, Onate 0
Newcomb 40, Cuba 7
Roy 68, NMSD 20
San Jon 42, Vaughn 12
Socorro 26, Hatch Valley 21
Springer 72, Foothill 22
Tularosa 27, Lordsburg 23

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Mayfield/Onate Football

No. 1 Mayfield gets a big test on Friday night against No. 4 Onate at the Field of Dreams at 7 p.m.

Mayfield has been consistent all season and has been very good on the ground with Brandon Betancourt and on defense as well.

Onate has gotten better as the season has gone along and is playing really confident right now on both sides of the ball.

OHS will need to control the clock with its running game and if it can do that, has a chance.
Mayfield needs to throw the ball effectively to win.

Mayfield has the experience in big games and that will play out. The Trojans win 24-16.

- Felix

Sammy Di Pace off card

Sadly, Las Cruces bantamweight prospect Sammy Di Pace is off the Friday night card at the Don Haskins Center. Reportedly the Texas Boxing Commissions received the medicals of DiPace's opponent, LeShaun Blair, too late on Wednesday and said the fight was off.

Here are the official weights for Friday's fights
Main Event
Yory Boy Campas (152) vs. Hector Camacho Jr. (159 1/2)
Antonio Escalante (128) vs. Carlos Fulgenico (126 1/2)
David Medina (167) vs. Miguel Hernandez (174 1/2)
Abel Perry (149) vs. Bobby Joe Valdez (151)
Cesar Valenzuela (140 1/2) vs. Cruz Garcia (143 1/2)

First bout 7 p.m.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

New Mexico Prep Football Sked, Oct. 29-31

Thursday’s Schedule
St. Pius at Volcano Vista, 7 p.m. (Milne)
Kirtland Central at Piedra Vista, 7 p.m.
Sandia at La Cueva, 7 p.m. (Wilson)
Friday’s Schedule
San Jon at Vaughn, 2 p.m.
Roy at NMSD, 3 p.m.
Manzano at Eldorado, 7 p.m. (Wilson)
Artesia at Roswell, 7 p.m.
Mountainair at Menaul, 7 p.m.
Rio Grande at Highland, 7 p.m. (Milne)
Cleveland at Rio Rancho, 7 p.m.
Albq. Academy at Ruidoso, 7 p.m.
West Mesa at Gallup, 7 p.m.
Moriarty at Valencia, 7 p.m.
Belen at Grants, 7 p.m.
Lovington at Portales, 7 p.m.
Carlsbad at Clovis, 7 p.m.
Las Cruces at Alamogordo, 7 p.m.
Aztec at Farmington, 7 p.m.
Mayfield at Oñate, 7 p.m. (Dreams)
Crownpoint at Bloomfield, 7 p.m.
Silver at Chaparral, 7 p.m.
Capitan at Cloudcroft, 7 p.m.
Hot Springs at Cobre, 7 p.m.
Gateway Christian at Valley Christian, 7 p.m.
Loving at Deming, 7 p.m.
Navajo Prep at Dulce, 7 p.m.
Dora at Elida, 3 p.m.
Los Alamos at Espanola Valley, 7 p.m.
Texico at Estancia, 7 p.m.
N.M. Military at Eunice, 7 p.m.
Mescalero at Ft. Sumner, 7 p.m.
Socorro at Hatch Valley, 7 p.m.
Lake Arthur at Hondo, 7 p.m.
Carrizozo at Jal, 7 p.m.
Navajo Pine at Laguna-Acoma, 7 p.m.
Tularosa at Lordsburg, 7 p.m.
Animas at Magdalena, 7 p.m.
Cuba at Newcomb, 7 p.m.
Raton at West Las Vegas, 7 p.m. (NMHU)
Clayton at Questa, 7 p.m.
Deming at Santa Teresa, 7 p.m.
Bataan Military at Tatum, 7 p.m.
Santa Rosa at Tucumcari, 7 p.m.
Tohatchi at Zuni, 7 p.m.
Bernalillio at Taos, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s Schedule
Melrose at Floyd, 1 p.m.
Santa Fe at Valley, 1:30 p.m. (Milne)
Robertson at St. Michael's, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Sammy Di Pace

For you Las Cruces boxing fans, Las Cruces boxer Sammy Di Pace, who is 6-0 and fights generally at 118, returns to the ring Friday night in El Paso at the Don Haskins Center.

The 19-year-old Di Pace, who was one of the nation's top amateurs, has fought just once this year. He has battled a right shoulder injury but I talked to him Monday night and he said he feels great. He feels he's made some adjustments and been able to work on some things while sitting out. He is expected to fight a four-rounder on Friday night.

The main event features Hector Camacho Jr. vs. Yory Boy Campas in a junior middleweight bout. Tickets range from $25-$100 and can be purchsed at the UTEP Ticket Center or through Ticketmaster.

- Felix

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Saturday's Prep Football scores, Oct. 24

Albuquerque High 28, Santa Fe 25
Eldorado 49, Los Lunas 0
Foothill 52, Menaul 16
Navajo Prep 20, Laguna-Acoma 16
Santa Rosa 33, Estancia 22

Siju Shabazz falls in final

Las Cruces amateur fighter Siju Shabazz lost 11-10 in the finals of the National PAL Championships in San Antonio. He fights at 178 pounds.

- Felix

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Siju Shabazz wins semifinal bout

Las Cruces amateur fighter Siju Shabazz (178 pounds) won his semifinal bout on Friday night at the National PAL Championships in San Antonio, Texas. He defeated Gildardo Garcia of Denver, Colo., when the fight was stopped in the second round.

NM Prep Football Scores, Oct. 23

Animas 26, Reserve 24
Artesia 50, Moriarty 7
Aztec 43, Kirtland Central 20
Belen 35, Volcano Vista 14
Bernalillo 14, Los Alamos 0
Bloomfield 58, Wingate 22
Clayton 64, McCurdy 13
Cleveland 19, Gallup 6
Clovis Christian 54, Floyd 8
Deming 35, Chaparral 20
Dexter 17, NMMI 13
Hagerman 56, Fort Sumner 0
Hatch Valley 21, Cobre 12
Hobbs 49, Carlsbad 28
Hondo 68, Elida 20
Lake Arthur 64, House/Grady 14
Lordsburg 41, Capitan 6
Lovington 28, Albuquerque Academy 24
Melrose 62, Logan 6
Newcomb 54, Dulce 0
Onate 38, Alamogordo 0
Raton 36, St. Michael’s 35, OT
Roy 46, Vaughn 0
San Jon 52, Walatowa Charter 6
Socorro 28, Hot Springs 14
Tularosa 54, Cloudcroft 7

Friday, October 23, 2009

Rodriguez, Trout crack rankings

Rodriguez ranked No. 13
The World Boxing Association ranks El Paso heavyweight boxer David Rodriguez No. 13 in the world in the latest rankings. He is 32-0. El Paso junior featherweight Antonio Escalante (21-2) is ranked No. 1 by the WBA at 122 and Las Cruces junior middleweight Austin Trout (20-0) is ranked No. 2 at 154 pounds by the same organization.

Shabazz continues to win

Las Cruces amatuer boxer Siju Shabazz continues to fare well at the National PAL Boxing Tournament. He is 3-0 and fights tonight (Friday).

- Felix

Prep Polls, NM Football, 10/23

New Mexico High
School Association Polls
Class A
1. Clayton
2. Hagerman
3. Fort Sumner
4. Escalante
5. Jal
6. McCurdy
7. Carrizozo
8. Mesilla Valley Christian
9. Mescalero
10. Questa
Class 2A
1. Lordsburg
2. Santa Rosa
3. Estancia
4. Texico
5. Tularosa
6. Eunice
7. Capitan
8. Tucumcari
9. Dexter
10. Laguna Acoma
Class 3A
1. Lovington
2. Raton
3. St. Michael’s
4. Bloomfield
5. Socorro
6. Portales
7. Academy
8. Cobre
9. Robertson
10. Hatch Valley
Class 4A
1. Belen
2. Goddard
3. Volcano Vista
4. Artesia
5. Aztec
6. Silver
7. Deming
8. St. Pius
9. Farmington
10. Valencia
Class 5A
1. Mayfield
2. La Cueva
3. Manzano
4. Onate
5. Clovis
6. Cibola
7. Las Cruces High
8. Rio Rancho
9. Eldorado
10. Alamogordo

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Siju Shabazz wins first bout

Las Cruces amateur boxer Siju Shabazz (178 pounds) won his first fight at the National PAL Championships in San Antonio. Also winning was El Paso 165-pounder Tim Meek.

- Felix

Monday, October 19, 2009

Vitali Klitschko update

For you fans of heavyweight champ Vitali Klitschko will defend his World Boxing Council heavyweight belt on Dec. 12 against American Kevin Johnson. Klitschko is 38-2 and is coming off a nice win against American Chris Arreola last month in Los Angeles.

Klitschko is a very good tactician in the ring and a pleasure to watch. Sadly, there are no heavyweights out there, other than his brother Wladimir to test him. What are your thoughts of Vitali and his legacy?

Felix

Saturday, October 17, 2009

NM Prep Football Scores, Oct. 15 and 16

Oct. 15
Eldorado 48, Highland 25

Oct. 16
Alamogordo 45, Gadsden 18
Bernalillo 40, Capital 20
Bloomfield 41, Albuquerque Academy 20
Carlsbad 52, Cleveland 0
Clovis 48, Artesia 10
Cobre 25, Miyamura 8
Deming 48, EP Cathedral, Texas 29
Dexter 22, Eunice 18
Estancia 43, Tucumcari 13
Farmington 35, Los Alamos 0
Fort Sumner 10, Carrizozo 0
Gateway Christian 72, Bataan Military Academy 12
Goddard 35, Hobbs 7
Hagerman 47, Jal 12
Hatch Valley 35, Santa Teresa 28
Kirtland Central 42, Shiprock 2
Lake Arthur 70, Elida 25
Lordsburg 51, Cloudcroft 6
Manzano 55, Los Lunas 8
Melrose 76, Clovis Christian 36
Moriarty 30, Piedra Vista 21
NMMI 28, Loving 19
Onate 30, Las Cruces 3
Portales 79, Roswell 36
Reserve 52, Magdalena 6
Rio Rancho 54, West Mesa 20
Ruidoso 41, Chaparral 40
Sandia 59, Albuquerque High 12
Springer 60, Menaul 28
Tatum 60, Valley Christian 20
Tularosa 52, Capitan 14

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Prep Football Poll, Oct. 14

Prep Football

New Mexico High School Coaches Poll
Top 10
Class 5A
1. Mayfield
2. La Cueva
3. Las Cruces
4. Manzano
5. Clovis
6. Cibola
7. Onate
8. Rio Rancho
9. Eldorado
10. Alamogordo
Class 4A
1. Belen
2. Artesia
3. Goddard
4. Volcano Vista
5. Aztec
6. Silver
7. St. Pius
8. Valencia High School
9. Deming
10. Farmington
Class 3A
1. Lovington
2. Raton
3. St. Michael’s
4. Albuquerque Academy
5. Socorro
6. Bloomfield
7. Cobre
8. Portales
9. Hatch Valley
9. Robertson
Class 2A
1. Texico
2. Lordsburg
3. Estancia
4. Santa Rosa
4. Tularosa
6. Eunice
7. Tucumcari
8. Capitan
9. Cloudcroft
10. NMMI
Class 1A
1. Hagerman
2. Clayton
3. Fort Sumner
4. Escalante
5. Jal
6. McCurdy
7. Carrizozo
8. Mesila Valley Christian
9. Mescalero
10. Questa

New Mexico Prep Football Sked, week 8

WEEK 8
Thursday, Oct. 15
NMSD at Vaughn, 4 p.m.
Del Norte at Volcano Vista, 7 p.m. (Milne)
Eldorado at Highland, 7 p.m. (Wilson)

Friday, Oct. 16
Clovis at Artesia, 7 p.m.
Cleveland at Carlsbad, 7 p.m.
Onate at Las Cruces, 7 p.m. (Dreams)
Rio Rancho at West Mesa, 7 p.m. (Milne)
Albq. Academy at Bloomfield, 7 p.m.
Cibola at Gallup, 7 p.m.
Manzano at Los Lunas, 7 p.m.
Albq. High at Sandia, 7 p.m. (Wilson)
Hobbs at Goddard, 7 p.m.
Bataan Military at Gateway Christian, 7 p.m.
Valencia at Grants, 7 p.m.
Bernalillo at Capital, 7 p.m.
Gadsden at Alamogordo, 7 p.m.
Bayfield (Colo.) at Aztec, 7 p.m.
Tularosa at Capitan, 7 p.m.
Ft. Sumner at Carrizozo, 7 p.m.
Ruidoso at Chaparral, 7 p.m.
Tohatchi at Crownpoint, 7 p.m.
E.P. Cathedral at Deming, 7 p.m.
Eunice at Dexter, 7 p.m.
Tucumcari at Estancia, 7 p.m.
Los Alamos at Farmington, 7 p.m.
Dora at House/Grady, 4 p.m.
Hagerman at Jal, 7 p.m.
Shiprock at Kirtland Central, 7 p.m.
Elida at Lake Arthur, 7 p.m.
Cloudcroft at Lordsburg, 7 p.m.
Dexter at N.M. Military, 7 p.m.
Clovis Christian at Melrose, 7 p.m.
Cobre at Miyamura, 7 p.m.
Piedra Vista at Moriarty, 7 p.m.
Foothill at Mountainair, 7 p.m.
Dulce at Navajo Pine, 7 p.m.
Roswell at Portales, 7 p.m.
McCurdy at Questa, 7 p.m.
Laguna-Acoma at Ramah, 7 p.m.
Magdalena at Reserve, 2 p.m.
Hatch Valley at Santa Teresa, 7 p.m.
Robertson at Socorro, 7 p.m.
Menaul at Springer, 7 p.m.
Espanola Valley at Taos, 7:30 p.m.
Valley Christian at Tatum, 7 p.m.
Santa Rosa at Texico, 7 p.m.
S.F. Indian at Thoreau, 7 p.m.
Crownpoint at Tohatchi, 7 p.m.
Wingate at Zuni, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 17
Clayton at Escalante, 1 p.m.
Mescalero at Newcomb, 1 p.m.
West Las Vegas at St. Michael's, 1:30 p.m.
Valley at La Cueva, 1:30 p.m. (Wilson)
Raton at Pojoaque Valley, 1:30 p.m.
Logan at Floyd, 2 p.m.
Evangel Christian at San Jon, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Hector Camacho Jr.

Last week I interviewed Hector Camacho Jr. for a story in the El Paso Times. Camacho Jr. is the son of former champion Hector Camacho and has done well for himself with 49 wins as a pro. He takes on Yory Boy Campas on Oct. 30 in the Don Haskins Center.

The elder Camacho was was of the greatest fighters to come out of Puerto Rico. Here's my five favorite Puerto Rican fightes.

1. Miguel Cotto
2. Felix Trinidad
3. Edwin Rosario
4. Wilfredo Benitez
5. Hector Camacho

Any thoughts from you boxing fans?

Felix

I need your help

I'm beginning the process of researching the top high school coaches and athletes of all time in New Mexico and would like imput from you the readers. Any ideas you have, just drop them here on my blog or email me at fchavez@elpasotimes.com

Felix

Las Cruces High vs. Onate

On Friday night at the Field of Dreams, Las Cruces High and Onate meet in a critical District 3-5A football game. LCHS is 5-2 and 1-0 in district, while OHS is 5-1 and the game on Friday will be its first district affair.

OHS played arguably its best game vs. Valley two weeks ago, but I'm sold on the Knights against LCHS. The Bulldawgs have improved a great deal in the last few weeks and I like their varied attack on offense. The Bulldawgs have a go-to running back in Xavier Hall, but they also have a few others who can do some damage. In addition, LCHS has a decent enough passing attack.

I see OHS staying fairly close throughout, but LCHS pulls away for a 35-21 win.

Any thoughts?

- Felix

Sunday, October 11, 2009

New Mexico Prep Football Scores, Oct. 10

Prep Football
Saturday’s Scores
Albuquerque Academy 56, Grants 35
Cuba 35, Navajo Pine 14
McCurdy 43, Navajo Prep 0
St. Michael’s 41, Portales 20

Saturday, October 10, 2009

New Mexico Prep Football Scores, Oct. 8

Sandia 21, Del Norte 14
Valley 41, Albuquerque High 13

New Mexico Prep Football Scores, Oct. 9

Belen 42, Moriarty 0
Bernalillo 41, Shiprock 7
Bloomfield 68, Tohatchi 7
Cibola 31, Cleveland 14
Clovis 26, Eldorado 14
Cobre 26, Ruidoso 6
Deming 55, Roswell 28
EP Cathedral, Texas 28, Santa Teresa 21
Estancia 40, NMMI 6
Farmington 26, Silver 14
Fort Sumner 19, Jal 8
Gateway Christian 44, Menaul 30
Goddard 41, Carlsbad 17
Hagerman 53, Mescalero Apache 6
Hatch Valley 28, Chaparral 14
Hondo 36, Dora 0
La Cueva 76, Santa Fe 0
Las Cruces 50, Gadsden 14
Logan 90, Valley Christian 14
Lordsburg 32, Hot Springs 6
Los Alamos 38, Taos 0
Los Lunas 22, Rio Grande 7
Lovington 49, Hobbs 48
Manzano 56, Highland 6
Mayfield 40, Alamogordo 21
Melrose 64, Mountainair 8
Reserve 56, Academia Juarez, Mexico 30
Rio Rancho 62, Gallup 28
Santa Rosa 47, Cloudcroft 0
Springer 12, Floyd 8
Tucumcari 21, Dexter 20
Tularosa 35, Eunice 0
Valencia 37, St. Pius 34

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Prep Football Rankings

New Mexico High School
Coaches Poll
Football
Class 1A
1. Clayton 39
2. Hagerman 37
3. Fort Sumner 31
4. Escalante 26
5. Jal 22
5. McCurdy 22
7. Mesilla Valley Christian 17
8. Carrizozo 14
9. Mescalero 7
10. Questa 4
Class 2A
1. Texico 89
2. Lordsburg 79
3. Estancia 68
4. Santa Rosa 58
5. Eunice 55
6. Tularosa 45
7. Capitan 36
8. Tucumcari 31
9. Cloudcroft 14
10. NMMI 11
Class 3A
1. Lovington 98
2. Raton 85
3. St. Mike’s 73
4. Academy 60
5. Socorro 55
6. Portales 46
7. Cobre 39
8. Bloomfield 37
9. Robertson 24
10. Hatch Valley 19
Class 4A
1. Belen 120
2. Goddard 96
3. Artesia 89
4. Volcano Vista 79
5. Silver 70
6. Aztec 64
7. St. Pius 54
8. Moriarty 15
9. Deming 14
10. Del Norte 13
Class 5A
1. Mayfield 120
2. La Cueva 103
3. Las Cruces High 92
4. Manzano 89
5. Cibola 58
6. Clovis 54
7. Onate 48
8. Eldorado 47
9. Rio Rancho 30
10. Carlsbad 7

Prep Football Sked in NM

WEEK 7 Schedule
Thursday
Walatowa at NMSD, 4 p.m.
Albq. High at Valley, 7 p.m. (Milne)
Sandia at Del Norte, 7 p.m. (Wilson)

Friday
Academia Juarez at Reserve, 3 p.m. (Cobre)
Hondo at Dora, 4 p.m.
Foothill at Animas, 5 p.m.
La Cueva at Santa Fe, 7 p.m.
Cibola at Cleveland, 7 p.m.
Eldorado at Clovis, 7 p.m.
Highland at Manzano, 7 p.m. (Wilson)
Los Lunas at Rio Grande, 7 p.m. (Milne)
Gallup at Rio Rancho, 7 p.m.
Moriarty at Belen, 7 p.m.
Escalante at Hope Christian, 7 p.m. (Bernalillo)
Goddard at Carlsbad, 7 p.m.
Alamogordo at Mayfield, 7 p.m. (Dreams)
Bataan Military at Magdalena, 7 p.m.
Gateway Christian at Menaul, 7 p.m.
Las Cruces at Gadsden, 7 p.m.
Lovington at Hobbs, 7 p.m.
Santa Rosa at Cloudcroft, 7 p.m.
Wingate at Crownpoint, 7 p.m.
Logan at Valley Christian, 7 p.m.
Ramah at Dulce, 7 p.m.
Capital at Espanola Valley, 7 p.m.
Silver at Farmington, 7 p.m.
Newcomb at Laguna-Acoma, 7 p.m.
Valley Christian at Logan, 7 p.m.
Hot Springs at Lordsburg, 7 p.m.
Taos at Los Alamos, 7 p.m.
Carrizozo at Loving, 7 p.m.
Hagerman at Mescalero, 7 p.m.
S.F. Indian at Miyamura, 7 p.m.
Melrose at Mountainair, 7 p.m.
Pojoaque Valley at West Las Vegas, 7 p.m.
Estancia at N.M. Military, 7 p.m.
Robertson at Raton, 7 p.m.
Cobre at Ruidoso, 7 p.m.
Bernalillo at Shiprock, 7 p.m.
Floyd at Springer, 7 p.m.
Bloomfield at Tohatchi, 7 p.m.
Jal at Ft. Sumner, 7 p.m.
Dexter at Tucumcari, 7 p.m.
Eunice at Tularosa, 7 p.m.
Deming at Roswell, 7 p.m.
Thoreau at Zuni, 7 p.m.

Saturday
Grants at Albq. Academy, 1 p.m.
Mesilla Valley at Clayton, 1 p.m.
Navajo Pine at Cuba, 1 p.m.
Navajo Prep at McCurdy, 1 p.m.
Portales at St. Michael's, 1:30 p.m.
Roy at San Jon, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Upcoming fights for local fighters

Looks like Las Cruces junior middleweight prospect Austin Trout will fight Nov. 6 in Dallas, El Paso junior middleweight Abie Han will fight in South Korea on Nov. 6 and Las Cruces junior featherweight Ricky Vasquez could fight Oct. 30 in El Paso.

- Felix

Sunday, October 4, 2009

NM Prep Football Scores, Oct. 3

Saturday’s Scores
Carlsbad 35, Highland 31
Foothill 48, Floyd 8
Gateway Christian 22, Magdalena 14
Lake Arthur 100, Dora 52
Navajo Prep 65, Ramah 6
St. Pius 28, St. Michael’s 14
Volcano Vista 49, Rio Grande 0

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Friday's NM Football Scores, Oct. 2

Albuquerque Academy 37, Los Alamos 6
Aztec 55, Gallup 16
Belen 42, Valencia 7
Bernalillo 13, Kirtland Central 10
Bloomfield 60, Zuni 0
Capitan 77, Mesilla Valley Christian 14
Cleveland 24, Raton 21
Clovis 35, Goddard 14
Del Norte 14, Los Lunas 13
Deming 19, Cobre 0
EP Cathedral, Texas 36, Chaparral 20
Estancia 23, Cloudcroft 9
Eunice 48, Tucumcari 27
Farwell, Texas 27, Clayton 7
Fort Sumner 29, Loving 17
Hagerman 44, Carrizozo 0
Hatch Valley 28, Tularosa 21
Hobbs 35, Alamogordo 21
Hondo 66, House/Grady 33
Las Cruces 42, Artesia 7
Logan 36, Menaul 0
Lordsburg 47, Hope Christian 6
McCurdy 42, Dulce 0
Melrose 64, Animas 22
Moriarty 36, West Mesa 14
Mountainair 20, Clovis Christian 6
Piedra Vista 44, Albuquerque High 8
Santa Rosa 55, Dexter 6
Silver 52, Gadsden 19
Socorro 17, Santa Teresa 14
Springer 44, Sierra Grande, Colo. 38
Vaughn 58, Walatowa Charter 13

Friday, October 2, 2009

Thursday's NM Prep Football Scores

Thursday, Oct. 1
La Cueva 31, Cibola 13
Manzano 54, Rio Rancho 21

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Floyd Mayweather

Now that Floyd Mayweather has dismantled another great champion in Juan Manuel Marquez, what is next for the unbeaten welteweight? Should he take on the winner of the Manny Pacquiao/Miguel Cotto fight? Should he tackle Shane Mosley?

My guess is the winner of the Pacquiao/Cotto fight. I think Mayweather vs. Pacquiao or Cotto would be a fabulous matchup. Pacquiao is just such a good fighter right now and Cotto is all action and both would force Mayweather into a fight. I still think Mayweather would outpoint either one.
That's what people will want to see and then maybe Mosley after that.

Any thoughts?

Felix

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Prep Football/Volleyball Polls

New Mexico Coaches Polls
Football
Class 1A
1. Clayton 39
2. Hagerman 37
3. Fort Sumner 32
4. McCurdy 24
5. Escalante 21
6. Mesilla Valley Christian 19
6. Jal 19
8. Carrizozo 16
9. Mescalero 9
10. Questa 9
Class 2A
1. Texico 89
2. Lordsburg 82
3. Estancia 69
4. Tularosa 57
5. Santa Rosa 53
6. Eunice 47
7. Tucumcari 37
8. Capitan 34
9. NMMI 9
10. Cloudcroft 8
Class 3A
1. Lovington 98
2. Raton 87
3. St. Mike’s 79
4. Socorro 55
4. Academy 55
6. Bloomfield 46
7. Cobre 39
8. Portales 37
9. Ruidoso 20
9. Hatch Valley 20
Class 4A
1. Belen 140
2. Goddard 119
3. Artesia 115
4. Volcano Vista 85
5. Aztec 83
6. Silver 78
7. St. Pius 57
8. Kirtland Central 27
9. Valencia High 17
10. Del Norte 14
Class 5A
1. Mayfield 120
2. La Cueva 107
3. Las Cruces 91
4. Manzano 85
5. Cibola 65
6. Rio Rancho 52
7. Onate 40
8. Clovis 38
9. Eldorado
10. Alamogordo

Volleyball
Class 5A
1. Rio Rancho 125
2. La Cueva 111
3. Mayfield 107
4. Las Cruces High 82
5. Cibola 71
6. Gadsden 58
7. Sandia 52
8. Eldorado 43
9. Clovis 35
10. Santa Fe 8
10. Manzano 8

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Sammy Di Pace

Las Cruces bantamweight prospect Sammy Di Pace will fight on the Oct. 30 fight card in El Paso at the Don Haskins Center.
Di Pace is 6-0 in his career and last fought on March 26. He will fight a four-rounder against an opponent to be named later.
The card will be headlined by a junior middleweight clash between Hector Camacho Jr. and Yory Boy Campas. Also on the card is El Paso junior featherweight contender Antonio Escalante.

- Felix

Mine That Bird update

ARCADIA, Calif. — Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird has completed his first workout at Santa Anita, galloping five furlongs in preparation for the $350,000 Goodwood Stakes on Oct. 10.
Jockey Joe Talamo was aboard Mine That Bird on Tuesday morning in place of regular rider Calvin Borel. The 3-year-old gelding was timed in 1:01.80 for the distance over the synthetic surface.
“It went just right,” trainer Chip Woolley said. “I really like the way he’s striding out on this racetrack. It really seems really kind and he’s getting a good hold of it.”
Woolley said Mine That Bird’s next scheduled workout would be on Oct. 6.
The winner of the Goodwood Stakes earns an automatic berth in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7.

- Associated Press

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Big wins by LCHS, OHS in football action

Las Cruces High proved Friday night it will be a huge factor in Class 5A football once again on Friday night, winning at Manzano.
The Monarchs had already beaten La Cueva, a team which beat Las Cruces High.

The Bulldawgs needed the win at Manzano to build confidence. Earlier this season, LCHS blew a lead against La Cueva and lost at home. And the Bulldawgs lost to El Paso El Dorado in the season opener by a decisive score, but head coach Jim Miller said after that game that his team would be back and it is. The team has done a good job of getting back to work and correcting some problems. Kudos has to be given to running back Xavier Hall, the younger brother of NMSU football player James Hall Jr. Xavier has given the team a spark and was a huge reason for the team's win on Friday.

Meanwhile, Onate won't get pretty points for its win against Sandia on Saturday. But the win could go a long way in securing a playoff spot in Class 5A. The Knights should be 5-1 headed into district play and at worst case should be 7-3 at the end of the regular season. Last year, the Knights lost several games they needed to win, not so much this year.

OHS must continue to find consistency on offense as the season wears on.

Any thoughts?

Felix

Saturday, September 26, 2009

NM Prep Football Scores, Sept. 25

Alamogordo 61, Roswell 20
Artesia 43, Carlsbad 31
Belen 54, Los Alamos 8
Bernalillo 23, Gallup 21
Capitan 41, Laguna-Acoma 10
Clovis Christian 60, Foothill 0
Cobre 46, West Las Vegas 6
Elida 54, Vaughn 7
Estancia 48, Tularosa 35
Farmington 42, Capital 6
Goddard 45, Portales 7
Lake Arthur 7, San Jon 0
Las Cruces 31, Manzano 24
Lordsburg 40, Tornillo, Texas 0
Loving 39, Tucumcari 7
Lovington 56, Dexter 0
Mayfield 49, Rio Grande 0
Melrose 76, Springer 6
Mountainair 36, Gateway Christian 28
NMMI 22, Cloudcroft 19
Reserve 48, Bataan Military Academy 0
Rio Rancho 31, Clovis 27
Roy 72, Hondo 64
Silver 34, Kirtland Central 28
Socorro 48, Bloomfield 28
St. Michael’s 45, Santa Fe 7
Tatum 20, Logan 12
Texico 21, Hagerman 7
Valley Christian 45, Menaul 14
Volcano Vista 41, West Mesa 14
Wink, Texas 50, Eunice 47
Wolfforth Frenship, Texas 56, Hobbs 28

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

NM Prep Football polls

Coaches Association Top 10 Polls
Football
Class A
1. Clayton 59
2. Hagerman 53
3. Fort Sumner 48
4. Mesilla Valley Christian 37
5. McCurdy 33
6. Carrizozo 29
7. Jal 26
8. Escalante 24
9. Mescalero 13
10. Questa 8
Class 2A
1. Texico 88
2. Lordsburg 80
3. Tularosa 75
4. Estancia 53
5. Santa Rosa 48
6. Eunice 43
7. Tucumcari 39
8. Capitan 34
9. Cloudcroft 16
10. Dexter 7
Class 3A
1. Lovington 96
2. Raton 87
3. St. Michael’s 82
4. Bloomfield 57
5. Socorro 55
6. Portales 42
6. Academy 42
8. Cobre 39
9. Ruidoso 27
10. Robertson 17
Class 4A
1. Belen 119
2. Goddard 103
3. Artesia 95
4. Volcano Vista 69
5. Aztec 68
6. Silver 57
7. St. Pius 46
8. Valencia 24
9. Del Norte 20
10. Deming 16
10. Kirtland Central 16
Class 5A
1. Mayfield 160
2. Manzano 143
3. La Cueva 129
4. Las Cruces High 90
5. Cibola 85
6. Clovis 74
7. Rio Rancho 57
8. Onate 54
9. Eldorado 46
10. Alamogordo 19

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Heavyweight fight on Sept. 26

For you fans of heavyweight boxing, Saturday night's WBC heavyweight title match between Vitali Klitschko (37-2-2) and Chris Arreola (27-0) should be an interesting one. The fight will be televised by HBO.

Arreola is aiming to become the first fighter of Mexican descent to win the heavyweight title. He's an exciting fighter with a good heart and heavy punch. He will have to be in the best shape of his life to win on Saturday night. He'll have to be aggressive, hit the body and try to get the fight over quick.

Klitschko is a proven champ, he's a good technical fighter and has been in several big fights, so he knows how to hand the pressure of the moment. Klitschko is bigger and has all the tools to win. Arreola will have to have the night of his life, but if he can sustain the pressure and not get gobbled up by the moment, don't be shocked at an upset.

But my guess is he Klitschko will be via unanimous decision.

Felix

Saturday, September 19, 2009

NM Prep Football Scores, Sept. 18

Albuquerque Academy 52, Bernalillo 18
Artesia 46, Deming 7
Belen 61, Roswell 0
Bloomfield 61, Miyamura 6
Capitan 42, Tucumcari 34
Carlsbad 17, Alamogordo 14
Clayton 28, Elkhart, Kan. 6
Cobre 47, Hope Christian 7
Cuba 32, Ramah 8
Durango, Colo. 23, Aztec 15
Estancia 38, Hatch Valley 7
Fort Sumner 21, McCurdy 7
Gadsden 38, Chaparral 23
Gallup 22, Santa Fe 14
Goddard 35, Rio Rancho 28
Hagerman 47, NMMI 13
House/Grady 48, Vaughn 12
Jal 21, Loving 12
Kirtland Central 45, Capital 14
La Cueva 49, Clovis 0
Lake Arthur 60, Roy 54
Lordsburg 27, Anthony, Texas 0
Lovington 49, Midland Christian, Texas 42
Mayfield 30, Cibola 6
Melrose 72, Gateway Christian 0
Newcomb 35, Navajo Prep 16
Onate 40, Hobbs 14
Raton 40, Portales 33
Santa Rosa 40, Hot Springs 0
Shiprock 56, Thoreau 0
Tularosa 47, Dexter 6
Valley 28, Moriarty 26
Volcano Vista 28, Farmington 21
West Las Vegas 49, Crownpoint 6

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Prep Football Polls

New Mexico High School Coaches Poll
Class 5A
Ranking, points
1. Mayfield 148
2. Manzano 132
3. Clovis 116
4. La Cueva 107
5. Cibola 74
6. Rio Rancho 71
7. Las Cruces High 54
8. Alamogordo 50
9. Eldorado 40
10. Onate 14
Class 4A
1. Belen 158
2. Goddard 132
3. Artesia 126
4. Aztec 115
5. Volcano Vista 89
6. Silver High 73
7. St. Pius 64
8. Del Norte 37
9. Valencia High 37
10. Moriarty 14
Class 3A
1. Lovington 117
2. Raton 96
3. St. Mike’s 95
4. Socorro 77
5. Bloomfield 64
6. Portales 50
7. Academy 36
8. Ruidoso 36
9. Cobre 31
10. Robertson 18
Class 2A
1. Texico 79
2. Lordsburg 73
3. Tularosa 64
4. Estancia 45
5. Eunice 44
6. Tucumcari 42
7. Santa Rosa 37
8. Cloudcroft 21
9. Dexter 15
9. Capitan 15
Class 1A
1. Clayton 39
2. Hagerman 34
3. Fort Sumner 33
4. Mesilla Valley Christian 26
5. McCurdy 24
6. Jal 20
7. Escalante 16
7. Carrizozo 16
9. Mescalero 8
10. Questa 4

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez

Finally, the time has arrived for Saturday's much-anticipated Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight on Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nev. Mayweather has been off for more than a year, but is still considered a viable welterweight contender and he's never lost.

Marquez owns two wins at lightweight after moving up in weight, but is taking another step up in weight this time, moving up to a supposed catch weight of 143 for this fight.

Many believe Mayweather will win the fight and I'm one of those. But I don't believe it will be easy. I think Marquez will come out strong and make a fight of it for much of the night. I just don't know if he can handle Mayweather's speed for the entire 12 rounds. Look for Mayweather to escape with a close, but difficult decison, 115-113.

Of note, on the undecard, Chris John faces Rocky Juarez in a featherweight bout. It's a rematch of their Feb. fight in which the pair fought to a draw for John's WBA featherweight title. But I thought John was the better fighter that night and don't be shocked if he's the better fighter again on Saturday. Look for him to win via decision, 116-112.

Felix

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Thursday's NM Prep Football Scores

PREP FOOTBALL
Cibola 27, Eldorado 13
Jal 21, Hobbs JV 19
Volcano Vista 28, Cleveland 19

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Column on Austin Trout

Last Saturday in Panama City, Panama, Las Cruces junior middleweight prospect Austin Trout won his biggest fight of his career, scoring a majority decision win against Nilson Tapia.
The 23-year-old needed the win if he was going to make waves as a professional fighter.
It’s been tough at times for Trout as professional. He’s missed out on some big opportunities and he had to go to Panama to earn a chance to crack into the Top 10 of the World Boxing Association rankings.
If nothing else, Trout has shown a great deal of patience in his pro career and it appears it’s paying off. He’s stayed relatively busy, enough to claim a 20-0 record. He’s also fought in Mexico and Canada and hopefully along the way, he’s learned something about being a professional.
It wasn’t easy for Trout against Tapia (not many thought it would be), but Trout showed why many thought he could make waves as a professional. Trout is a slick fighter on offense and can be hard to hit at times with his defensive movement.
Much was made of Trout’s debut as a pro in 2005, just a year after he was crowned a U.S. National Champion. New Mexico has a history of turning out good pro fighters, i.e. Johnny Tapia, Danny Romero, Louie Burke, Bobby Foster, etc. and the hope for many is that Trout is the next in line to achieve that type of status.
Trout is in a division with plenty of talent. There is Kermit Cintron, Alfred Angulo and Sergio Martinez among others.
At some point in his career, Trout is going to have to take a step up and fight those calibers of fighters. Boxers get respect by fighting the best in their weight class and that’s the next step for Trout.
He’s proven he can handle adversity, now he has to prove he can handle top-flight contenders and champions.
Trout is talented enough to be moved upward in his career, now comes the question can his people, meaning his managerial team, get it done for him.
Other young fighters in Trout’s weight class with lesser or equal merit have earned fights on television and gotten more publicity, but I’m not sold there are many better fighters than Trout at least on paper.
Hopefully for Trout, his next fight won’t be in Panama, Mexico or Canada, but rather here in the states on a televised-card against a good fighter, a spot where Trout can find out whether he has the real goods as a fighter or not.
As an amateur, Trout fought and beat the best and he’s taken on every challenger and beat them as a pro.
But now is the time for him to take a serious risk and find out if he can become New Mexico’s next world champion.

Monday, September 7, 2009

All American winner

On Monday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino, Runnning Brook Gal won the 440-yard All American Futurity.

The talented 2-year-old filly, who was bred in Utah, won in a time of :21.144 and got a clean ride throughout under the ride of Ramon Sanchez. Paul Jones was the winning trainer.
She returned $9.20 to win, $5.20 to place and $3.60 to show.

She has now won 4 of 6 lifetime and earned $1 million for her efforts. Shesa First Ratify was second and First Corona Call was third.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

All American Futurity pick

If you go to Monday's All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino, here is my pick for the race if it helps.

The 440-race has 10 solid horses. But I have to go with the 3-1 morning-line favorite, Love Samba, who will start out of the No. 4 post.

Love Samba ran solid in the trials on Aug. 20 and should be fresh. She's only run four times in her career, winning two. She is trained by Blane Wood and will be ridden by Ricky Ramirez.

Here is a list of the other horses.
No. 1 Gols Victory Pop, 5-1, trainer is Blane Wood, jockey is G R Carter
No. 2 Shesa First Ratify, 15-1, trainer is Jose Luis Dominguez, jockey is Bonifacio Perez
No. 3 Favorite Cartel, 6-1, trainer is Paul Jones, jockey is Cody Jensen
No. 5 Running Brook Gal, 4-1, trainer is Paul Jones, jockey is Ramon Sanchez
No. 6 Brooks Midnight, 8-1, trainer is Paul Jones, jockey is Larry D. Payne
No. 7 Swingin Daddyo, 15-1, trainer is Bradley Bolen, jockey is Cody Wainscott
No. 8 First Corona Call, 10-1, trainer is Blane Wood, jockey is Freddie Martinez
No. 9 Winners Cartel, 5-1, trainer is Tony Sedillo, jockey is Mark Villa
No. 10 Jess So Sixy, 12-1, trainer is Wes Giles, jockey is Jorge Martin Bourdieu

Post time for the AA Futurity is 4:45 p.m. Wagering will also take place at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino via simulcast.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

NM Prep Football Scores, Sept. 4

New Mexico Prep Scores
Friday
PREP FOOTBALL
Alamogordo 34, Goddard 32
Animas 26, Mountainair 6
Artesia 40, Hobbs 7
Belen 63, Aztec 34
Carlsbad 37, EP Andress, Texas 23
Carrizozo 16, Capitan 13
Clayton 26, Fort Sumner 6
Cloudcroft 13, Dexter 12
Clovis 14, Cibola 7
Clovis Christian 72, Springer 12
Cuba 14, Espanola Valley 12
Deming 55, Hot Springs 19
EP Burges, Texas 16, Santa Teresa 0
EP Hanks, Texas 56, Gadsden 0
Hagerman 62, Loving 7
Hope Christian 53, Ramah 0
Lake Arthur 46, Vaughn 0
Las Cruces 55, EP Eastwood, Texas 6
Lordsburg 44, Laguna-Acoma 6
Lovington 44, Robertson 0
Manzano 31, La Cueva 27
Mayfield 42, EP Montwood, Texas 10
Melrose 62, Menaul 8
Montrose, Colo. 31, Piedra Vista 6
Muleshoe, Texas 55, Portales 14
Reserve 38, Valley Christian 6
Roy 58, Dora 32
San Elizario, Texas 41, Chaparral 0
Socorro 47, Ruidoso 20
St. Michael’s 27, Los Alamos 0
Texico 20, Springlake-Earth, Texas 14
Tucson Salpointe, Ariz. 34, Rio Rancho 24
Tucumcari 41, NMMI 14
Valencia 12, Bernalillo 0
Volcano Vista 40, Albuquerque High 7

Friday, September 4, 2009

Trout weighs in

Unbeaten Las Cruces junior middleweight Austin Trout weighed in at 154 pounds for his fight Saturday night in Panama against Nelson Tapia.

- Felix

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Prep Polls

New Mexico High School Coaches Association
Football Top 10
5A
1. Mayfield
2. La Cueva
3. Clovis
4. Rio Rancho
5. Manzano
6. Cibola
7. Eldorado
8. Las Cruces High
9. Onate
10. Sandia

4A
1. Aztec
2. Artesia
3. Goddard
4. Belen
5. St. Pius
6. Volcano Vista
7. Silver
8. Del Norte
9. Moriarty
10. Piedra Vista

3A
1. Lovington
2. St. Mike's
3 (tie). Portales
Raton
5. Bloomfield
6. Socorro
7. Ruidoso
8. Cobre
9. Hatch Valley
10. Robertson

2A
1. Texico
2. Lordsburgh
3. Santa Rosa
4. Tularosa
5 (tie). Estancia
Dexter
7. Tucumcari
8. Eunice
9. Capitan
10. Cloudcroft

1A
1. Fort Sumner
2. Clayton
3. McCurdy
4. Hagerman
5. Mesilla Valley Christian
6. Jal
7. Carrizozo
8. Escalante
9 (tie) Questa
Mescalero

Volleyball Top 10
Class 5A
1. Rio Rancho
2. Mayfield
3. La Cueva
4. Las Cruces High
5. Gadsden
6. Cibola
7. Eldorado
8. Sandia
9. Clovis
10 Manzano

4A
1. St. Pius
2. Goddard
3. Del Norte
4. Moariaty
5. Roswell
6. Piedra Vista
7 (tie). Los Alamos, Academy
9. Volcano Vista
10. Belen

3A
1. Robertson
2. Pojoaque
3. Portales
4. St. Mike's
5. Bloomfield
6 (tie). Lovington, Santa Fe Indian
8. Hot Springs
9. Ruidoso
10 (tie). Raton, W. Las Vegas, Hope Christian

2A
1. Texico
2. Tularosa
3. Navajo Prep
4. Estancia
5. Santa Rosa, Rehoboth
7. Mesilla Valley Christian
8. Jal
9. Bosque
10. Clayton

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Tavoris Cloud

For you boxing fans, if you are looking for a future exciting fighter to keep an eye on down the road, it's light heavyweight Tavoris Cloud. Cloud earned a 12-round decision over Clinton Woods last week and has also beat Julio Gonzalez via stoppage.

Cloud is improving, he's got good power and he fights like a solid pro. It'll be interesting to see how he develops as his gains steam in the sport. But he's certainly one to keep an eye out as a potential star.

- Felix

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Horse Racing Story of note

Jones excited about a pair of talented two-year-olds
By Felix Chavez
El Paso Times
RUIDOSO DOWNS – Paul Jones is one of the top quarter horse trainers in the country.
On Labor Day at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino, Jones hopes two of his horses in particular fare well in the Grade 1, All American Futurity. Runnning Brook Gal, the second-fastest qualifier for the All American and Brooks Midnight, the 10th fastest qualifier, have a history together. The two were raised together on the same pasture in Roosevelt, Utah. They are close to identical in how they look and have many of the same connections. The talented Brookstone Bay sired both and both have similar ownership connections.
Runnning Brook Gal, who ran a :21.213 in the All American Trials on Aug. 20, is owned and was bred by Albert Richard and his son Chad Richard. Chad Richard is the owner and breeder of Brooks Midnight.
“Runnning Brook Gal is a very nice horse,” Jones said. “She is competitive and is getting better all the time. She has been consistent in her career and I wouldn’t be surprised with anything she does. I was fortunate enough to have trained Brookstone Bay and now I have both of these promising fillies. It’ll be interesting to see how everything does work out, but for now I’m really happy with their progress. Hopefully, they both can continue to progress.”
To prove Runnning Brook Gal’s consistency, here is something to think about. She is the only horse to qualify for the Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American Futurities. She finished sixth in the Ruidoso Futurity and second in the Rainbow. She’s won all three of her trials in the quarter horse triple crown. Jockey Ramon Sanchez rode her in the All American trials to fairly easy win over Ragazzo, who won the Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity earlier this year. Overall, Runnning Brook Gal has won 3 of 5 lifetime.
“I expect the best from her all the time,” said Jones of Runnning Brook Gal. “It would not surprise me if she won the All American.”
Meanwhile, Brooks Midnight ran in the Rainbow Futurity and finished sixth. She won her All American trial in :21.418.
“A very good horse,” said jockey Cody Jensen, who was aboard Brooks Midnight in the All American trials. “She has shown improvement and she ran a great race in the trials. She runs straight and you don’t have to do much with her. I think she has a bright future ahead of her.”
Added Jones of Brooks Midnight: “She’s maturing and learning all the time. She had a good day in the trials and we’ll see if she can improve and take the next step in the All American.”

Felix Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; (915) 546-6374

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Onate was terrible on defense

Wow, what a disappointing start for Onate High School on the football field. The Knights lost 28-14 to Bel Air, giving up an incredible 464 yards on the ground. The Knights better wake up in a hurry or this year could get away quick. Bel Air is improved, but certainly not a top tier El Paso team. But give the Highlanders credit for what they were able to do.

Onate looked sluggish stopping the run and a critical fumble in the third quarter stopped a potential scoring drive and gave life to Bel Air.

The Knights have to find a way to get over the hump in 3-5A and after the first game showing, I don't know if the team has what it takes to get it done. Fortunately for OHS, Gadsden, Alamo and it appears Cruces High are all beatable. It looks like Mayfield's district to take.

Felix

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

First game predictions, Class 5A Cruces teams only

Mayfield in a tight one over an improved El Paso Chapin 23-17
Las Cruces High begins defense of its 5A title with a 28-14 win at El Paso El Dorado
Onate starts its season with a 21-7 win against El Paso Bel Air, likely w/o linebacker Zach Daugherty, who I have been told has an injured ankle.

- Felix

Friday, August 21, 2009

All American Futurity qualifiers

Here are the 10 qualifiers for the All American Futurity for 2-year-old quarter horses to be run on Labor Day at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino.

Love Samba 21.201
Runnnng Brook Gal 21.213
First Corona Call 21.252
Favorite Cartel 21.305
Shesa First Ratify 21.330
Winners Cartel 21.331
Swingin Daddyo 21.358
Gols Victory Pop 21.394
Jess So Sixy 21.402
Brooks Midnight 21.418

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Solid undercard bouts

Word came recently that there will be three solid undercard bouts on the Juan Manuel Marquez/Floyd Mayweather welterweight title bout on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas, Neva.

Chris John will defend his featherweight title in a rematch vs. Rocky Juarez. The two fought to a draw earlier this year.
Also, former welterweight king Zab Judah will beet Antonio Diaz and lightweights Michael Katsidis will meet former U.S. Olympian Vicente Escobedo.
Katsidis is a brawler and has been in some solid fights, while Escobedo is an up and comer.

This is the type of undercard boxing fans want and is a throwback to pay per view cards in the 1980s and 1990s when sometimes the undecard was better than the main event.

Felix

Mine That Bird update

Derby winner Mine That Bird has minor surgery

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird has returned to Saratoga Race Course to prepare for the $1 million Travers Stakes after having throat surgery to free an entrapped epiglottis.
Trainer Chip Woolley said the routine procedure, performed Tuesday morning by Dr. Patricia Hogan at the Ruffian Equine Medical Center across from Belmont Park, went perfectly. He said the 3-year-old gelding will resume training in a couple of days.
The condition, which can interfere with breathing, was discovered during a routine endoscopic examination following a workout Monday at Saratoga. The Travers is Aug. 29.

- Courtesy of the Associated Press

Monday, August 17, 2009

This weekend's fights

For you boxing fans, Saturday night will provide some interesting bouts on HBO. Juan Diaz takes on Paul Malignaggi in a junior welterweight bout. Both guys are trying to recover from losses, Diaz to Juan Manuel Marquez and Malignaggi to Ricky Hatton.

Diaz is the harder puncher and just better overall fighter. It's an intriguing fight for TV and should be decent. Diaz has proven more in his career in key fights and should have something left.

Also, on the card is a 12-round title fight between Robert Guerrero and Malcolm Klassen for the IBF super featherweight title.

What are your thoughts on the Diaz/Malignaggi battle?

Felix

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Boxing news

Las Cruces Junior middleweight Austin Trout is slated to fight next month in Panama, El Paso junior middleweight Abie Han could fight in Monterrey, Mexico, next month and heavyweight David Rodriguez of El Paso is slated to fight in Mexico.

Also, Las Cruces amateur Siju Shabazz could be headed to Milan, Italy, to fight in the AIBA World Championships.

- Felix

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Mike Tyson film

The documentary on Mike Tyson has hit the Las Cruces area at the Fountain Theatre. It started Aug. 7 and runs through Aug. 13. It runs nightly at 7:30 p.m. and there is a Sunday showing I believe at 2:30 p.m.

It's an intriguing film about Tyson, particularly if you don't know much about the man or the fighter. There are clips of him fighting early in his amateur career, as well as clips of what he has to say.

It's a film which looks into his life and gives people a chance to try and understand who he is and why he did some of the things he did.

Tyson is a troubled figure, he has been for many years. He was one of the sport's brightest stars and biggest money makers, who squandered much of it.

He could have been remembered as one of the sport's best, but will likely go down as one of the most villified figures in the sport.

- Felix

Friday, August 7, 2009

Boxing Documentary

HBO sports is showing a boxing documentary, title "Assault In The Ring", which is about the 1983 boxing match between then unbeaten Billy Collins Jr. and Luis Resto.
The fight took on national significance because not only did Resto upset Collins Jr., but it was the way he did it. After 10 hard fought rounds, it was discovered that the padding in Resto's gloves were taken out prior to the fight.

The documentary looks into the lives of both fighters and the aftermath of that awful night in the ring. It's a must see event and gives viewers a look into one of the most horrible events in boxing history.

- Felix

Monday, August 3, 2009

Filly Rachel Alexandra

Wow, what a great filly Rachel Alexandra has turned out to be. The talented 3-year beat the boys for the second time this year, with a solid showing in the Haskell Invitational on Sunday. She is 7-for-7 this year. She nearly beat the track record despite a muddy track.

She is making a case to be the most talented filly of all-time. The one thing I'd like to see is her in a battle down the stretch against any horse. It'd be interesting to see another horse look her in the eye to see what she does down the stretch. Any thoughts from you racing fans out there about this great filly?

- Felix

Friday, July 31, 2009

South wins again in football

In the history of the New Mexico High School Coaches Association All-Star football contest, the South normally dominates the North in the 4A/5A game.

On Friday night, it was no different. The South beat the North 35-17 at Wilson Stadium.

Former Las Cruces High quarterback Dante Caro threw two touchdowns and ran for one, former LCHS running back James Hall Jr. ran for two touchdowns, former LCHS receiver Jacob Lilley caught three balls and also made all five extra point attempts.

Former Mayfield standout Matt Flores caught a 15-yard touchdown pass, former MHS running back Jacob Ceniceros caught a pass for 39 yards and former MHS DL and FB J.D. Ordunez had a sack and a solid run late in the game.

- Felix

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Solid night for the South basketball teams

It was a very productive night for the South boys basketball teams in the annula New Mexico High School Coaches Association All-Star Games.
In the 1A/2A game, the South overcame a 23-point second half deficit to win 98-93. Former Mesilla Valley Christian standout Zach Adams had 13 points to aid in the win.

In the 4A/5A game, the South won 124-117 in overtime. Hobbs forward Juhreece Thompson scored 29 points, 10 of them in overtime to help in the win. Las Cruces High's Lucio Luttrell (eight points), Mayfield's Nate Abeyta (eight rebounds, huge 3-pointer late), Chaparral's Humberto Talamontes and Deming's Anthony Lopez all played key roles as did Alamogordo's Travis Geiger.

I was also impressed with Gallup's Alponso Hubbard, who scored 25 points for the North. Hubbard, as fans might remember, scored more than 40 points against Las Cruces High in a state tournament loss in March. He is headed to a junior college in Wyoming. He is a strong player with multiple skills.

Of note, the games were played at Eldorado High School in Albuqurque and it turned out great. The crowd was decent and the crowd got into both games, a nice site at the summer event. It felt like I was watching a good regular season night of hoops.

- Felix

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Abie Han, Escalante do just fine

Friday's fights at the Don Haskins Center turned out to be a winning success for area boxers Abie Han and Antonio Escalante.

The junior featherweight Escalante (21-2) faced a tough challenge against Lock, but pounded out a 10-rounded decision against the slick fighter. Escalante hurt Lock to the body several times and nearly ended the fight several times. Next up? Who knows. He hopes to land a title shot, perhaps Bernard Dunne?

Also, Han, a junior middleweight prospect looked solid against Brian Soto. Granted Soto hadn't been in the ring since 2002, but Han showed great power with his right hand and showed some versatility with his punches. He keeps improving and I think he might be the best prospect young or old in the area.

- Felix

Friday, July 24, 2009

Antonio Escalante wins boxing match in El Paso

El Paso junior featherweight Antonio Escalante won his 10-round fight against Cornelius Lock on Friday night at the Don Haskins Center.

Escalante, who was was cut on his left eye early in the fight, won by scores of 100-88 x2 and 98-90. Escalante is now 20-2 in his career. Escalante landed several hard body blows and was in control for much of the fight, flooring Lock twice in round three.

Lock had his moments, but was unable to keep Escalante off of him for much of the night.

- Felix

Antonio Escalante wins boxing match in El Paso

Trout opponent for July 31

Las Cruces' Austin Trout will fight Venezuelan Marcos Primera on the July 31 fight card in Las Cruces at the Pan American Center.

Trout is 18-0 and is coming off a eight-round decision win against Shawn Garnett last month in Toronto.

Meanwhile, Primera is 20-17-2, but hasn't fought since 2007. He is durable and has fought some decent fighters.

- Felix

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Weights for friday Night fights

ESPN's Friday Night Fights
Don Haskins Center
El Paso
Lightweights 4 rounds
Cesar Valenzuela (1-0) 135 1/4 vs. Miguel Buendia, pro debut, 137

Featherweights 10 rounds
Antonio Escalante (19-2) 12 vs. Cornelius Lock (17-4-1), 122 1/4

Junior Middleweights, 4/6 rounds
Abie Han (4-0) 157 vs. Brian Soto, 3-0, 154 3/4

Junior Lightweights
Carlos Velasquez (10-0) 128 1/4 vs. Juan Nazario (6-1-1) 128 1/4

Junior Featherweights, 8 rounds
Juan Velazquez (9-0) 122 3/4 vs. Jose Beranza (31-15-2) 121 1/4

Featherweights, 6 rounds
Saul Morales (6-1) 126 vs. Guadalupe DeLeon (7-7) 126 3/4

Welterweights, 4 rounds
Brian Luna (4-0) 142 1/4 vs. Tomondre King (4-15-5) 146

Tickets are still available at UTEP Box Office, 1st fight 7 p.m., doors open 6 p.m.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Di Pace out of fight

Las Cruces bantamweight Sammy Di Pace has suffered an apparent shoulder injury and is off the July 31 fight card at the Pan American Center. He is 6-0 in career.

Felix

More on Gatti, Arguello

Boxing suffers two sad losses

It's been a sad few weeks for the sport of boxing, not because of what has happened inside the ring, but rather what has happened outside of the ring.
Two deaths of former ring legends have forced many fans and ring historians to remember the lives of Arturo Gatti and Alexis Arguello much too soon.
Gatti was the younger man and was a champion in the late 90s and into the 2000s. He will always be remembered for his risky style in the ring, his unbelievable comeback wins and a willingness to take on anyone.
How could one forget his memorable win against Wilson Rodrgiuez in March of 1996. Behind on two scorecards and with one eye completely shut, he rebounded to stop Rodriguez to retain his super featherweight title. He also had three brutal fights with Micky Ward, a rough and tumble affair with Gabriel Ruelas and a pair of close fights with Ivan Robinson.
Gatti was one of the sport's great attractions. He wasn't perfect, he lost 9 of 49 fights, but his great heart in the ring allowed for a cult following of sorts among fans. He was very popular in the New Jersey/New York area and when he fought on television.
There is no doubt that Gatti was a throwback type of fighter, kind of like a Rocky Graziano or Bobby Chacon.
The only sad part of the Gatti's career was how it ended, a seventh-round stoppage to the non-descript Alfonso Gomez in 2007. But Gatti knew it was time to quit boxing and he did. Sadly, his life came to an abrupt and sad end and we never knew what kind of successful life he would have had after boxing.
Gatti wasn't perfect in the ring, but he gave boxing fans and heck even sports fans some of the greatest moments in sports. Boxing is often built around the savagery of what two gladiators do in the ring and he was the epitome of savagery and doing what it took to win.
Meanwhile, Nicaragua's Alexis Arguello was a true champion and one of the greatest fighters to ever grace the boxing canvas. A winner of 82 of his 90 fights, Arguello was an artist of sorts in dominating the junior lightweight and lightweight divisions. He had power, 65 knockouts, and he displayed great boxing skills as well in his career.
He too was involved in some of boxing's greatest moments. It's funny, but he might be more known for his two losses to Aaron Pryor than any other fights. In the two classics, fought with Pryor in the early 1980s, it was give and take both ways and with some luck and maybe if he was just a tad younger, he may have won both of those fights instead of winding up with losses. In addition, he had great fights with Chacon, Ray Mancini and Ruben Olivares among others.
Arguello was a man of great will and a gentleman as well. I was fortunate to meet him at a fight card in Albuquerque several years ago and he was gracious with his time and stories.
A champion in three weight classes, Arguello will always be one of the top fighters off all-time in my book. Arguello was a great tactician and was simply a marvel to watch and he was a great inspiration to Hispanic fighters.
•••
On July 31 in Las Cruces, George Foreman III, the son of former heavyweight champ George Foreman, fights his second career fight. Foreman III is 1-0 and obviously has a long way to go before even coming close to being compared to his father. But it should be interesting watching the younger Foreman fight if for nostalgic purposes only.
The older Foreman was a ferocious puncher and was one of the great heavyweights of all-time. I've never seen the younger Foreman fight, but it will be interesting to see if he carries any of the skill level and temperament that his father had.

Miguel Cotto vs. Manny Pacquiao

Mark Nov. 14 on your calender. That's when Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) will meet 34-1 Miguel Cotto in a 12-round fight at 145 pounds.

Pacquiao is the king of boxing right now having dispatched the likes of Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, David Diaz, Erik Morales (twice), Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez in recent years. He is fast, strong and has handled the move up in weight from 105 to 147 just fine. He has great reflexes and will be hard to beat at his best. He is a disciplined fighter now, much more than when he was younger.

Cotto's only loss was to Antonio Margarito, but he has regrouped to win two straight against Michael Jennings and the tough Joshua Clottey. Cotto has been in several big fights and done well. He will have to smother Pacquiao and try to wear him down with body shots. It should be an entertaining fight, but my early prediction is a Pacquiao win by knockout late, let's say the 9th round.

Felix

2009 Mesilla Valley Christian Football Schedule

Aug. 21 vs. Carrizozo (scimmage) 6 p.m.
Aug. 28 vs. Marfa, Texas, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 4 vs. Mescalero, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Animas, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Jal, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Capitan, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Clayton, 1 p.m .
Oct. 16 vs. Hope Christian, 7 p.m.
Oct. 31 vs Valencia JV, 1 p.m.

MVCS will play its home games at Onate High School and will be playing in its first season of high school football under new coach Charles Gleghorn.

- Felix

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Fight card almost set

The card for Friday's ESPN2 card at the Don Haskins Center is nearly set. Super bantamweight Antonio Escalante takes on Cornelius Lock in the 10-round main event.
Featherweight Juan Carlos Velasquez takes on Jose Angel Beranza in an eight-rounder, Carlos Ivan Velasquez takes on Juan Nazario in a six-round super bantamweight attraction, junior middleweight Abie Han meets Brian Soto in a four-rounder, lightweight Karl Dargan is looking for an opponent, welterweight Robert Luna Jr. takes on Manuel Bocanegra in a four-rounder and featherweight Saul Morales meets Guadalupe De Leon in a four-round.
Tickets are still available starting at $20.

- Felix

Monday, July 13, 2009

George Foreman III

There is a good chance that George Foreman III, the son of former heavyweight champ George Foreman could fight on a Las Cruces card at the Pan American Center on July 31. Stayed tuned. He is 1-0 as a pro.

Also, Las Cruces bantamweight Sammy Di Pace could be on the card.

- Felix

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Arturo Gatti passes

In another sad story of a boxer dying, former world champion and crowd pleaser Arturo "Thunder" Gatti was found dead on Saturday.

Gatti went 40-9 in his career and was one of the most popular fighters on TV and live in person.

Here are some of my favorite Gatti moments.

1. March 23, 1996 a 6th-round KO of Wilson Rodriguez. Behind on two scorecoards, Gatti rallies to stop Rodriguez despite being in serious trouble and within minutes of being stopped. He had a closed eye, but the desperate Gatti rallies for a win.

2. Dec. 15, 1995, a 12-round decision over Tracy Harris Patterson. Gatti beats Patterson to earn his first world title. It was a tough fight, but Gatti showed his toughess and boxing skill to earn the win.

3. Oct. 4, 1997, a 5th-round knockout of Gabriel Ruelas. This was a tremendous fight between two good fightes and again this was a crowd pleaser fro the opening bell. Ruelas appeared he was taking over the fight when Gatti stopped him.

4. May 18, 2002, Gatti loses a decision to Micky Ward in the first of three fights. The two battle toe-to-toe the entire night before Ward earns a close decision.

5. Nov. 23, 2002, Gatti earns revenge on Ward in another tougt fight, but this time Gatti is able to land the cleaner blows and fights a smarter fight.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Prep Soccer

The New Mexico Activities Association would like to announce that the 2009 NMAA State Soccer Championships will be held at the Albuquerque Public Schools new soccer complex, November 5-7.

The four-field complex is located just west of Voclano Vista High School on Albuquerque’s west-side. All four fields at the APS Soccer Complex have lights and are artificial turf. (See attached photos).

NMAA Executive Director Gary Tripp said, “The New Mexico Activities Association is excited to host the 2009 State Soccer Championships at the new APS Soccer Complex. Albuquerque Public Schools have done a wonderful job building a facility that will be utilized and enjoyed by the athletes of New Mexico.”

The 2009 State Soccer Championships first round will be held at home sites, prior to the quarterfinals, semifinals and championships being held at the APS Soccer Complex.

For additional information pertaining to this announcement, please contact Robert Zayas, NMAA Assistant Director and Director of Communications, at 505.977.5386 or rzayas@nmact.org.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Claud Gobble lands job

Former Mesilla Valley Christian and Hatch Valley head boys basketball coach Claud Gobble will be an assistant coach to William Benjamin at La Cruces High.

Benjamin replaced Mike Smith after the season after a long tenure as an assistant on the boys team.

Gobble is no stranger to LCHS. He was an assistant under Mike Carr when the team finished second to Alamogordo in the 1996 state tourney in 4A.

Gobble coached MVCS to two Final Four's in Class A and took the Bears to a handful of state tourney showings.

- Felix

Former Gadsden football coach lands job

Former Gadsden head football coach Carlos Lowenberg has landed a job at Anthony (Texas) High school as the teams head coach.

He was at Gadsden High from 1997-2003. He's also a longtime head coach in El Paso. The hire isn't a bad one for Anthony HS. Lowenberg is a career football guy and he's a solid coach who is a proven winner. And it sounds like he's motivated to get back into coaching and do a good job.

- Felix

Monday, July 6, 2009

Antonio Escalante and big July 24 fight

On July 24 at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, local boxing star Antonio Escalante faces a big challenge when he takes on Cornelius Lock at a catchweight of 126. Escalante usually fights a weight class lower at 122 and that's where he hopes he lands a title fight.

Escalante is ranked in the top five by the World Boxing Organization and the World Boxing Association. He has been improving of late and he's beaten some very good fighters on his way to a 19-2 mark. Lock, who owns 18 wins in his career, is getting better as well and he has a lot at stake with this fight.

Escalante has emerged as a threat in the 122 pound class and he gets a chance to improve his record against quality opponents when he mets the slick Lock.

The 10-round fight will be a test for Escalante in many facets. He'll have to continue to improve defensively and he'll have to have a strong showing in front of his home crowd if he wants to continue to improve his stock.

Tickets range from $20-$75 and the fight card is expected to feature several El Paso and Las Cruces fighters. Tickets can be purchased at the UTEP boxing office or all Ticketmaster outlets.

- Felix

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Zach Diaz and New Mexico State football

In an interesting development, former Las Cruces High kicker Zach Diaz was invited to walk-on at NMSU by the coaching staff. Diaz was a solid place-kicker for the Bulldawgs during his prep career and also dabbled in soccer during the offseason.

Diaz has a good leg and was fairly accurate. He'll have to get continue to improve and get stronger, but taking a chance on Diaz is a good thing for NMSU and on this one, I give DeWayne Walker and his staff at NMSU credit. Good Kickers are at a premium on the college level and if you can get one locally, that's a plus, especially one that has potential to do some decent things.

Because of Diaz' accuracy in high school, he gave the Bulldawgs an extra weapon and he was a key reason the team went to the semifinals during his junior season and won the 5A state title as a senior.

- Felix

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The great Alexis Arguello dies

In a tragic event, the great Alexis Arguello died on Wednesday in his home country of Nicaragua.

Arguello was one of the greatest fighters of any era. He won 82 of his 90 bouts, 65 of them via knockout. He was a great fighter at both junior lightweight and lightweight. He was involved in two great fights with Aaron Pryor in addition to his wars with Ruben Olivares, Bobby "Schoolboy" Chacon and Ray "Boom Boom Mancini".

He also won titles in three weight classes. Arguello was a great champion, he was a great tactician in the ring and he always fought the best of the best. To beat fighters like Chacon and Olivares was a true accomplishment because those two guys were great fighters. He also beat a game Cornelius Boza-Edwards in his career.

Arguello was a hero not only to his many fans in Nicaragua, but he was a hero hispanics and fight fans all over the world. He was a gentlemen and he respected people. I met him one time several years ago at a fight card and he was gracious as ever with people.

When Arguello fought, it was time to stop and enjoy watching a tremendous fighter, whose skill level was as good as anyone at the time.

- Felix

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Lobos do it again

Well, well, well, what a shocker, the University of New Mexico lands a commitment from an in-state football recruit. The most recent commit was Onate High's Zach Daugherty, who will be a senior in the fall at OHS. Daugherty plays middle linebacker for the Knights and he could very well play there in college. He's a good athlete, who plays the game with a great motor and with great passion. Daugherty joins several New Mexico players, including several Las Cruces kids, who have decided to make the trek up north.

Once again, New Mexico State fails to make the right connection with a local in-town kid for whatever reason. The school can give whatever reasons it wants to, but again the Lobos prove they have the better attraction, the better football program and what ever it does in terms of recruiting in-state kids continues to work.

Daugherty has a chance to make waves down the road as a player because of his abilty to be a play-maker. But first up is his senior season at OHS, where he has a chance to put the Knights on the map in Class 5A.

- Felix

Friday, June 26, 2009

Trout wins, now 18-0

TORONTO — Las Cruces junior middleweight prospect Austin Trout improved to 18-0 in his career with a win against Shawn Garnett on Friday night.
Garnett falls to 11-6-2 in his career.
Trout won the eight-round fight by scores of 80-72, 78-74 and 78-73 according to the Trout team.
“Austin started slower than usual,” trainer Louie Burke said. “But he picked things up as the fight went on and started landing solid combinations. He was fighting a tough fighter. It was a good win for Austin.”
Burke said he hopes to have Trout back in the ring by early September if not sooner.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Mine That Bird update

I talked to Mine That Bird trainer Chip Woolley today. Mine That Bird is slated to run in the West Virginia Derby, followed by the Travers before the end of the year Breeders' Cup.

- Felix

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Preseason High School Football Top 10 for NM

Just for the heck of it, here's a preseason Top 10 football poll for NM high school in Class 5A only.

1. La Cueva
2. Mayfield
3. Eldorado
4. Las Cruces
5. Clovis
6. Onate
7. Sandia
8. Cibola
9. Rio Rancho
10. Highland