Video: Jaylen Mckinley's highlights vs. Clovis High School
See the Rio Rancho rising junior running back in action from the Rams' championship season.
MaxPreps 2017 New Mexico Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Rio Rancho2016 record: 13-0
Head coach: David Howes
The defending 6A champion Rams must replace a few skill positions, including quarterback and running back.
Rising senior
Logan Bruere looks to replace quarterback Nic Little (1,767 yards and 23 TDs), while
Zion Lopez and a trio of junior backs look to fill the void of Josh Foley's 1,872 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns. Along with Lopez, who also fills the middle linebacker spot,
Dominic Martinez,
Dmetrius Rhoten and
Jaylen Morgan all should see time at running back.
Derrick Reyes is a big target (6-4, 225) at tight end.
On the defensive line,
Keshawn Banks should control things while
Evan Tafoya-Vallo is a 6-3, 270 beast on the offensive line.
Rio Rancho looks to be among New Mexico's best again in 2017.
File photo by Jesse Bartlett
See the MaxPreps New Mexico Football Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard2. Las Cruces2016 record: 11-2
Head coach: Mark Lopez
The Bulldawgs look to get back to the championship game after falling in 2016 to Rio Rancho.
Senior quarterback
Payton Ball returns to lead Las Cruces, which must replace its offensive line. That task could start with senior center
Domonic Jimenez and
Rolando Martinez.
The Bulldawgs return plenty of skills guys, including senior receiver
Brandon Baeza and junior
Ivan Molina.
See the MaxPreps New Mexico football stat leaders3. Cleveland (Rio Rancho)2016 record: 10-2
Head coach: Heath Ridenour
The Storm return their quarterback and secondary, but must find a running back as well as offensive and defensive lines.
Quarterback
Angelo Trujillo is back for his senior season after throwing for 1,677 yards and 18 TDs last season. Trujillo also is the leading returning rusher with 460 yards as Niko Papadopoulos (1,230 yards and 22 TDs) graduated.
Justin Ainsworth returns at receiver with 27 catches for 374 yards and four scores.
Michael Taylor will lead both lines at 6-2, 280 pounds.
See the MaxPreps New Mexico football playoff brackets4. St. Pius X (Albuquerque)2016 record: 12-1
Head coach: Dave Montoya
The defending 5A champions Sartans enter 2017 with new coach Dave Montoya, who takes over with the retirement of San Juan Mendonza. Montoya coached and played at St. Pius and replaces a coach who won 160 games and two titles.
Montoya must replace graduated quarterback Drew Ortiz (2,000 yards and 25 TDs) and one possibility is rising senior
Matt Lobato.
Ryan McGaha returns at wideout, and
Nic Santistevan and
Carson Stock return on the offensive line.
See the MaxPreps New Mexico football photo galleries5. Centennial (Las Cruces)2016 record: 8-3
Head coach: Aaron Ocampo
Rising senior running back
Joaquin Gutierrez returns for the Hawks, who were bounced in last season's quarterfinals.
Centennial will be young on the line, but expect senior
Jonathan Soto to step into a leadership role.
The linebacking corps should be stout led by
James Blowers and
Josiah Leon.