New Mexico
Duncan opens the 2024 season in New Mexico on Friday – The Gila Herald
Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Senior Isaac Harris (86) turns to hand off the ball to junior Ky Coats (68) during a scrimmage with Fort Thomas on Aug. 16. The Duncan duo was named all-region honorable mention in 2023. Duncan opens the 2024 season in “the Land of Enchantment” against Lordsburg on Friday, Aug. 23.
By Raymundo Frasquillo
DUNCAN – The Dan Coats-coached Duncan Wildkats open their 2024 football season in the “Land of Enchantment” on Friday, Aug. 23. It is against the Dale Hooper-coached Lordsburg Mavericks.
Lordsburg is 8-1 with an average score per game of 21-12 (192-107) or a 9-point margin over Duncan for those nine games. The scores favored the Mavericks 38-14 in 2022 and 64-36 in 2023 for an average of 51-25 (102-50) or a 26-point margin in the two 8-man games.
The schools met for the season opener during the final seven seasons (1996-2002) before Duncan switched to the 8-man format in 2003.
Lordsburg Mavericks
The 2022 season was the Mavericks’ initial one in the 8-man format. Lordsburg finished 10-1 overall and 3-0 in the district, averaging a score of 52-17 (570-183) per game or a 35-point margin. Fort Sumner/House handed the Mavericks a 34-44 state championship game loss, the only one of the season for a state runners-up finish.
Last season, the Mavericks went 3-5 overall and 2-1 in District 2, averaging a score of 35-43 (276-340) per game or an 8-point deficit.
Lordsburg visits Cloudcroft (Aug. 30), hosts Navajo Pine (Sept. 6), visits Roswell Gateway Christian (Sept. 13), hosts Tatum (Sept. 20), visits Mescalero Apache (Oct. 4) and Melrose (Oct. 18), and hosts Las Cruces Mesilla Valley Christian (Oct. 25).
Hooper (30-28 overall, 13-5 district, 2-5 state) is in his eighth season as the Mavericks’ head coach, the third in the 8-man format.
Duncan Wildkats
Duncan went 5-3 overall, 4-2 for 3rd of seven in the 1A South Region, and averaged a 37-28 (298-226) score per game or a 9-point margin in 2022.
Last season, the first under Coats, the Wildkats finished 1-7 overall, 1-5 for 6th of seven in the region, and averaged an 18-41 (142-331) score per game or a 23-point deficit.
The Wildkats visit Fort Thomas (Aug. 30), host San Manuel (Sept. 6) and Saint David (Sept. 13), visit Sells Baboquivari (Sept. 27), host Kearny Ray (Oct. 4) and Elfrida Valley Union (Oct. 11), and visit Chandler Lincoln Prep (Oct. 18).
A total of 20 Wildkats are privileged to be wearing the Scarlet and Gray colors as football players, with an equal number of returning lettermen as newcomers.
The returning lettermen include senior Isaac Harris; juniors Ky Coats, Josh Free, Evalynn Roberts, Pablo Ruiz, and Isaiah Sumner; and sophomores Conner Free, Billy Johnson, Joe Nandino, and Lloyd Weinreich.
Coats and Harris were listed as 1A South Region Honorable Mention in 2023. Harris also earned all-region honors in 2022, as a first-team kick returner and second-team running back.
Newcomers include juniors Joseph Contreras and Lucas Soohy; sophomores Jarren Butler, Parker Griffin, Dayton Penry, and Aaron Zamora; and freshmen Mark Bejarano, Karren Lacey, Lariet Pate, and Gus Pope.
Duncan is competing in the seven-team 1A South Region with Baboquivari, Fort Thomas, Ray, Saint David, San Manuel, and Valley Union.
Joey Bejarano and Joseph Garcia are joining Dan Coats as assistant coaches. Coats (1-7 overall) follows 5-year (2018-22) Eric Bejarano (22-17), 9-year (2009-17) Eldon Merrell (36-43), 2-year (2007-08) Joseph Sesate (8-8), and 4-year Feliciano ‘Chano’ Talavera (19-14).
The Wildkats are 86-89 overall, 14-13 section, 43-35 region, 1-10 in state playoffs, 45-42 on Packer Field, and 16-5 for homecoming during 21 seasons (2003-23) of playing in the 8-man format.
Josh’s Saturday Night Forecast
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Calmer weather has moved back into the state this afternoon. Temperatures are slightly warmer across northwestern New Mexico, while southeastern areas are cooler thanks to the backdoor cold fronts that moved in on Friday. Breezier winds will return Sunday and will help kick off a warming trend across the state, along with an elevated fire threat in eastern New Mexico.
Warmer weather will continue building in across the state throughout the upcoming week. A few isolated rain chances will return Monday in parts of New Mexico, but some of that rain may evaporate before reaching the ground.
Good morning!
Heading out the door this morning? Bundle up! Cold air has settled into the Land of Enchantment after two cold fronts passed through New Mexico within the last 24 hours. Temperatures have fallen to the teens, 20s and 30s throughout northern New Mexico. The metro area is just as cold with Moriarty falling to the teens and several other cities bottoming out near the freezing point. The National Weather Service (NWS) has Freeze Warnings in place until 9 a.m. for several locations in northern and central New Mexico. However, one of the aforementioned cold fronts is still moving through eastern New Mexico this morning. That back door cold front has brought 30-45 mph wind gusts, or more, in southeastern New Mexico. The front will push west further west this morning bringing breezy winds to far south and southwestern New Mexico this afternoon. Otherwise, much calmer weather will be on tap for the state compared to the majority of this week.
The colder air this morning will bring cooler and seasonable weather to the Land of Enchantment later on Saturday. Afternoon highs will range from the high 50s, in sections of the northern mountains, to the 70s in southern New Mexico. Throughout the weekend into early next week a warming trend is expected as a ridge of high pressure builds on Sunday, which is forecasted to last through at least Tuesday. By next Tuesday, high temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees above normal, and even warmer for some locations by next Wednesday with breezy conditions returning to the state.
Moisture does stream back into the state early next week across New Mexico. Tomorrow’s forecast is expected to have cloud coverage increase with warmer weather. On Monday sufficient moisture in the mid to upper levels of the atmosphere will bring the chance for showers; however, moisture levels toward the surface will be lower. That will also bring the chance for dry showers and thunderstorms throughout the state. Have a great weekend and stay warm this morning!
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A New Mexico man has taken a plea deal for his role in the death of a three-year-old girl more than two years ago. Police said that Kerri Santos brought her toddler to University of New Mexico Hospital, claiming that she fell and hurt herself. Medical staff determined the child was already dead when she arrived, and noticed signs of abuse, including evidence that she had been tied up. Police said that Santos and three others were staying at James Welch’s home when the abuse took place.
On Friday, Welch pleaded no contest to three counts of child abuse and tampering with evidence. He faces up to five years behind bars.
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