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Sandia High football team looks to build (not rebuild) on past success

By Jeremy Fowler
Saturday, August 11, 2007

With 129 players expected to report to the start of fall practices Monday, Sandia High School is capitalizing on last year's breakout performance.

It's a smaller number, however, that could sting Sandia the most.

That number is 10, as in returning seniors from the group that propelled Sandia to an 11-2 finish and a 21-14 loss to Las Cruces Mayfield in the state Class 5A semifinal.

Across town, Cibola coach Ralph "Judge" Chavez's big numbers and last year's big talent are intact, anchored by 6-foot-5 quarterback Jonathan Mader.

So the Matadors move on without players like Derris Jackson, a former Tribune Player of the Year, and Michael Scarlett, now a University of New Mexico wide receiver.

There's a search for new, less recognizable Sandia players to light the state-championship path. That's why coach Kevin Barker might challenge his large crowd of hopefuls before the season officially starts Aug. 30.

"We have to develop that sense of leadership," Barker said. "We're not counting on individual guys, so it's more of a team effort. We don't want to take a step backward, so it will be a matter of our work efforts."

It's not that the Matadors lack talent. Returning starters Cody Williams and Wilton Rogers on the offensive/defensive line, wide receiver Tanner Ireland and running back A.J. Pacheco could have major impacts in District 2-5A.

But it's telling that Barker, known as confident, isn't plugging his Matadors in the mix of the state's top-five teams. That honor, Barker says, goes go Mayfield, Clovis, Cibola, Las Cruces and La Cueva.

Last year's team had the luxury of resting on the touchdown-parading ways of Jackson, who combined for more than 2,300 yards of total offense as a quarterback-running back hybrid. Scarlett was one of the state's best at the position.

Also gone are cornerback Jeff Hugaboom, tight end Josh Carson and defensive end Alex Kouri.

The 2007 Matadors will likely start five or six sophomores, less than the 10 sophomores Barker started when his 2004 team went 3-7.

A better result than 2004 will help the Matadors avoid the dreaded "rebuilding" tag.

"We already know what our identity is going to be, so we're not rebuilding in the sense that we'll continue to progress what we've been building over the years," Barker said. "We'll still work extremely hard, and we believe we're going to win. We're hoping to gain experience and get back in the state playoffs."

Since last year's team was built around two star players, there's enough star potential in this year's locker room to satisfy Sandia fans.

Sophomore Marcus Washington should be Sandia's go-to running back in years to come, Barker said.

"It's always exciting to have energetic, talented players always coming through your program," Barker said. "I believe we have that now with the numbers that are showing up."