Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press
There has been plenty of adversity to overcome during a year plagued by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Through it all, the New Mexico Military Institute Bronco football team has grinded along during this unorthodox spring season.
NMMI (4-3) entered the NJCAA poll at No. 10 this week, marking the first time the program has cracked the top 10 since 2016.
After playing a tough Southwestern Junior College Football Conference slate, which featured four teams that were ranked in the top 10 at one point, the Broncos are finally returning home to the Wool Bowl in Roswell to take on nonconference opponent Rezolution Prep Academy at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 15.
It'll be the first time NMMI has played at the Wool Bowl since Oct. 26, 2019. NMMI's previous three home games this season were played at Wigwam Stadium in Seminole, Texas.
"First of all, it's nice to play at home," said NMMI head coach Joe Forchtner. "It's going to be nice to not take a bus trip, even though Seminole's really been good to us.
"It's hard to leave a place that you haven't lost a game at."
RPA is based out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Wildcats played a nine-game schedule this spring, featuring contests against four-year schools like NCAA Division III Hardin-Simmons University and NCAA Division II Texas A&M-Kingsville.
The Wildcats suffered a 54-0 loss to Dodge City Community College back on March 27 before facing SWJCFC opponents with Tyler and Trinity Valley Community College.
RPA dropped to Tyler, 61-6, on April 8 and lost a 62-0 contest to TVCC on April 10.
Every week the Wildcats play with a different roster. With lots of unpredictable variables in play, the Broncos are going to keep it basic and work on execution.
"I just want to concentrate on playing a clean, focused game," Forchtner said. "I don't know what to expect. We have a game plan and a scouting report but they're so much different from game to game. It's hard to tell exactly what they do."
>>EMPTYING THE NOTEBOOK: After shutting out Northeastern Oklahoma A&M last week 34-0, NMMI will be seeking to have back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1978 ... That year the Broncos went 7-3-1 under former head coach Richard "Lefty" Stecklein … NMMI's shutouts came over Eastern Arizona and Glendale Community College by the scores of 44-0 and 27-0, respectively … The Broncos last recorded two shutouts in a season in 1997 under Stecklein … NMMI defeated Air Force Prep and Arizona Western 49-0 and 7-0, respectively.
>>BRONCOS EARN NATIONAL RECOGNITION: NMMI has had three players earn NJCAA national player of the week honors this season … The last Bronco to earn the national honor was former quarterback Cody Frampton in 2018 … Prior to that, standout quarterback Jordan Ta'amu was named an NJCAA Offensive Player of the Week in 2016.
>> Sophomore running back Anthony Grant received the first honor of Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 263 yards with four touchdowns during a 56-38 upset of Navarro on April 3 … Grant tallied 390 all-purpose yards and had 127 kick return yards.
>> Freshman wide receiver and Clovis native Malik Phillips was named Special Teams Player of the Week after scoring on a 94-yard kickoff return during a 66-21 win over Tyler Junior College on May 1 … Phillips had two kick returns for 174 yards, which included an 80-yard return.
>> Freshman quarterback and former Volcano Vista product Diego Pavia picked up Offensive Player of the Week recently … Pavia rushed for 142 yards with a touchdown on 17 carries while completing 7 of 10 passes for 111 yards during a 34-0 win over NEO on May 8.
>>KEEP IT LOCAL: There are 22 players from New Mexico on NMMI's roster that are making big impacts in one way or another.
Aside from Phillips and Pavia, Jimmy Harrison (Hobbs), Josh Beaird (Lovington), Chris Valdez (Manzano/Albuquerque), Christian Carreathers (Albuquerque High), James Gallegos (Volcano Vista/Albuquerque) and Cade Manzanares (Roswell High) have all seen action in games throughout the season.
"We're not bringing those guys to fill roster spots," Forchtner added. "They're key guys. It's important for us. Getting the best New Mexico kids is what we always strive for."
>>POSTSEASON HOPES: Finishing the season with a winning record is an NJCAA requirement towards becoming bowl eligible … Due to the pandemic, only six teams have a chance to attend three bowl games … With its tough schedule and current national ranking, NMMI hopes to be in the bowl conversation.