MaxPreps 2015 New Mexico preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Gabe Ortega's highlights vs. Cibola High School
See the Cleveland High quarterback in action last season.


1. Cleveland (Rio Rancho)
Coach: Heath Ridenour
2014 finish: 7-4
Team preview

The Storm have plenty of experience with nine offensive and seven defensive starters coming back. Highly sought senior tackle Henry Hattis (6-foot-7, 270 pounds) anchors the offensive line. Senior quarterback Gabe Ortega (6-2, 195) runs 40 yards in a swift 4.5 seconds and threw just four interceptions last year while passing for 1,870 yards and 16 touchdowns and running for 758 yards and another eight scores. Senior wide receiver Marcus Williams (6-4, 220) caught 43 passes for 753 yards and 11 touchdowns, while senior Landry Hayes (6-1, 195), who made 104 tackles last year, will be a dynamite running back this time around.

See the Top 12 teams with the most all-time New Mexico state titles

2. Alamogordo
Coach: Dale Hooper
2014 finish: 5-5
Team preview

It's a big step here, but the Tigers return 10 offensive and six defensive starters and have a corral of "freaky" athletes. Start with junior Kyle Hooper (6-3, 165), who threw for 2,500 yards and 31 touchdowns last year and was invited to an elite camp in Eugene, Ore. He carries a 3.5 GPA and could graduate in 2015. Wide receiver Julian Segura (6-2, 190), a former quarterback, has a 36-inch vertical leap. Senior Hunter Graham (6-0, 195) "will be the No. 1 running back in New Mexico," coach Dale Hooper predicts. "He's a tank and will run over you."

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3. Las Cruces
Coach: Jim Miller
2014 finish: 6-6
Team preview

The Bulldawgs have seven veterans on offense and five on defense. Quarterback Kameron Miller (6-2, 185) is back following an injury-shortened junior season and will start for the third year. In eight games he passed for 1,954 yards and 20 touchdowns while running for 724 yards and five touchdowns. Senior Cory Noel (5-11, 190), who ran for 500 yards and eight touchdowns, also is counted on at linebacker. Sophomore Brandon Baeza (5-7, 160), a corner and slotback, has plenty of speed and had a great summer during 7-on-7 tournaments. Junior Tristan Olson (6-2, 265) anchors the offensive line at center.

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4. Rio Rancho
Coach: Dave Howes
2014 finish: 13-0, Class 6A state champion
Team preview

Don't count out the Rams, even though they return just six starters - three on each side of the ball. Tackle Grant Hermanns (6-6, 255) may be not only the best lineman but also the best player in the state. He blocked at nearly 90 percent last year and carries a perfect 4.0 GPA. Junior running back Josh Foley (5-11, 180) is the fastest player on the team with a 4.55 clocking for 40 yards, but senior wide receivers Brian Drake (5-10, 180) and Santiago Salazar (5-9, 165) are right behind at 4.6. Senior quarterback Steve Bailey (6-1, 165) is chomping at the bit after backing up the amazing Easton Bruere for two years.

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5. Volcano Vista (Albuquerque)
Coach: Chad Wallin
2014 finish: 3-7
Team preview

The Hawks are another team with speed and skill, but they must improve greatly this year with seven defensive and six offensive returnees. Third-year quarterback Joshua Williams (6-1, 200) passed for 1,097 yards and 11 touchdowns with just two interceptions as a junior. Junior wide receiver David Cormier (6-3, 195) runs a 4.8 40 and had 13 catches in just five games. Pacing the defense are senior tackle Nick Mourning (6-0, 240), who made 45 stops last year, and corner Christian Sanchez (6-3, 180), who had 31 tackles and a pair of interceptions.