2022 Team Preview: Carlsbad Cavemen
Carlsbad 2022 Preview Head Coach: Oliver Soukup Mascot: Cavemen Twitter: @OnwardCavemen; @osoukup; @danenaylor13 Colors: Royal Blue and White 2021 Record: 3-7 (Class 6A Playoffs First Round) Overview: Former New Mexico State assistant Oliver Soukup takes over…
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Continue ReadingCarlsbad 2022 Preview
Head Coach: Oliver Soukup
Mascot: Cavemen
Twitter: @OnwardCavemen; @osoukup; @danenaylor13
Colors: Royal Blue and White
2021 Record: 3-7 (Class 6A Playoffs First Round)
Overview: Former New Mexico State assistant Oliver Soukup takes over the Carlsbad program from Gary Bradley following a seven-year stint as the linebackers coach and assistant head coach with the Aggies. His task is straightforward: Revitalize a program that has experienced too few winning seasons over the past two decades, just one since 2013. Six-foot-2 senior quarterback Dane Naylor likely begins the season as Carlsbad’s starting signal caller and he looks to ignite a Cavemen offense that averaged just 8 points per game in their 7 losses in 2021. Sophomore Brock Beaty Brock Beaty 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Hobbs | 2025 State NM is the heir apparent. Soukup expects some competition when preseason camp begins Aug. 1 but Naylor’s varsity experience and leadership skills should win him the job. Soukup, in fact, is designing the Cavemen’s offense around the athletic Naylor’s skill set, which means a mixture of runs and throws.
In order to run his scheme properly, Soukup wants several running backs ready to go and fortunately the Cavemen have good depth at that position led by senior Uriel Mendoza and his younger brother Ulysses Mendoza. Speedy receiver Eli Asay (one of state’s fastest players in the 40 and 100 meters), 6-foot-3, 235-pound D.J. Moore, Saul Ruiz and Austin Blair could all get carries as well. In short, a running back-by committee approach. Asay, who plays the slot, highlights the WR corps, which also includes seniors Rene Ramos, Matthew Martinez and Jose Vasquez. Because of his speed (4.4 seconds in the 40), Asay is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Don’t be surprised if Ramos, who also shines at cornerback, develops into an outstanding two-way player.
Soukup must find a way to replacing Amherst College signee Ramon Loya on the offensive line. Two-way stud Tylen Gonzalez (6-7, 260 pounds) is a good place to start. With his impressive size and mobility, Gonzalez will fill one of the tackle spots. He committed to Arizona in June, picking the Wildcats over numerous other offers. Junior Paxton Huber and Wesley McKibben are two more talented blockers. Joziah Saiz will likely be the center. Gonzalez, Huber, McKibben and Moore anchor the defensive line. Moore is strong, has great hands and possesses a quick first step. Joseph Gregory and Greg Brown are the nose tackles. At linebacker, Blair will play a hybrid LB/DE role. Ruiz will man the MIKE spot in the middle. The Mendoza brothers will have roles as well. In the secondary, Ramos, Vasquez and Martinez will be a three-man rotation at cornerback. Naylor will see action at free safety with Bryce Owens at strong safety.
Schedule: As always, Carlsbad opens the 2022 season with the Eddy County War against local rival Artesia before making the first of two trips to Roswell to face Goddard at the Wool Bowl. Fascinating home matchups against Volcano Vista and Clovis follow. District play opens Sept. 30 at home against 6A newcomer Alamogordo. The Cavemen’s final three games are against Centennial, La Cruces and Hobbs. Few schools in the state have a tougher homestretch.
Aug. 19 at Artesia
Aug. 26 at Goddard
Sept. 2 VOLCANO VISTA
Sept. 9 CLOVIS
Sept. 16 at Roswell
Sept. 23 Bye
Sept. 30 ALAMOGORDO*
Oct. 6 at Organ Mountain (Thur.)*
Oct. 15 at Centennial (Sat.)*
Oct. 21 LAS CRUCES*
Oct. 28 HOBBS*
* District Game
Top Storyline: Will Carlsbad find sustained success under a new head coach?
Final Thoughts: The Carlsbad athletic program enjoyed a fabulous spring with both the baseball and softball teams capturing state championships. Now the football team needs to bottle some of that magic. However, the scheduled is filled with tricky games, starting right away with the Eddy County War. So, the Cavemen will be tested. But they should be competitive in every game. Right now, Soukup is building the foundation. It might take a year or two, but the Cavemen look to be in the early stages of a steady ascent under Soukup.
Coach’s Comments: “So far, everything has gone well. The players have been really open to what we’ve done without any pushback to what we’ve installed or put in or our way of doing things. The guys have bought in to what we do, how we train and how we practice. It’s been very rewarding. We need a quarterback that is able to run and throw. We’re not just going to be handing the ball off or running the wishbone anymore. We’ll do some spread option out of the shotgun, which fits Dane very well. Our whole mentality is we’re going to control the game on offense. We’ll be a run heavy offense but we’ll throw the ball a little more. We’re going to get it out to our receivers because those guys are explosive.” – Carlsbad coach Oliver Soukup.