The first official week of prep football practice is underway and the season kicks off Aug. 21. Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron have begun visiting schools for their Tour of the North series previewing the region’s squads and they’ve got some thoughts to share already.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Will and James discuss how they think the teams from Santa Fe will fare this season. Will St. Michael’s go undefeated yet again? If they drop a game, who would it be to? Will Santa Fe High and Capital make the playoffs? The guys go over these questions and more.

And what about who will officiate the games? The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a crisis point for officials as numbers dropped significantly. Will goes over some numbers that show a positive uptick, but James says there’s still a great need for referees in Northern New Mexico.

Will and James also chat about a recent ruling involving the NCAA’s new five-for-five eligibility rule and speculate on how it could impact the college sports landscape.

The first official week of prep football practice is underway and the season kicks off Aug. 21. Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron have begun visiting schools for their Tour of the North series previewing the region&rsquo;s squads and they&rsquo;ve got some thoughts to share already.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, Will and James discuss how they think the teams from Santa Fe will fare this season. Will St. Michael&rsquo;s go undefeated yet again? If they drop a game, who would it be to? Will Santa Fe High and Capital make the playoffs? The guys go over these questions and more.
And what about who will officiate the games? The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a crisis point for officials as numbers dropped significantly. Will goes over some numbers that show a positive uptick, but James says there&rsquo;s still a great need for referees in Northern New Mexico.
Will and James also chat about a recent ruling involving the NCAA&rsquo;s new five-for-five eligibility rule and speculate on how it could impact the college sports landscape.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.   
The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp; The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican.

The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.  

The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican.

How will Santa Fe's prep football teams fare this year?

Hudson Mayes transferred to the University of New Mexico after a freshman season at UC San Diego where he averaged 11.1 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game and was named honorable mention All-Big West Conference. The physical 6-foot-5 guard is expected to be an impact player for the retooled Lobos as they look to compete for a Mountain West title in head coach Eric Olen’s second season at the helm.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Mayes joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the path that led him to Albuquerque, his family’s athletic background, his expectations for the Lobos and what UNM fans can expect from him on the court.

Mayes is the son of Derrick Mayes, who was an All-American receiver at Notre Dame in the 1990s who won Super Bowl XXXI with the Green Bay Packers, and Gayle Brown-Mayes, an actress and model. Roger Brown, his grandfather, played in the ABA and was named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Mayes talks about how being part of a sports family influenced his upbringing and about the decision he had to pursue basketball versus football.

Discussing his game on the court, Mayes says it took him a while to learn how to take advantage of his physicality and now he says attacking the basket is a major part of his offensive arsenal. In discussing his expectations for the team, he says the guard-laden squad will need to focus on rebounding but that the Lobos have all the talent to compete with anybody.

In the second segment, the guys share their thoughts on the UNM football team’s dominant win over in-state rival New Mexico State before getting into their prep football picks.

Hudson Mayes transferred to the University of New Mexico after a freshman season at UC San Diego where he averaged 11.1 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game and was named honorable mention All-Big West Conference. The physical 6-foot-5 guard is expected to be an impact player for the retooled Lobos as they look to compete for a Mountain West title in head coach Eric Olen&rsquo;s second season at the helm.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, Mayes joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the path that led him to Albuquerque, his family&rsquo;s athletic background, his expectations for the Lobos and what UNM fans can expect from him on the court.
Mayes is the son of Derrick Mayes, who was an All-American receiver at Notre Dame in the 1990s who won Super Bowl XXXI with the Green Bay Packers, and Gayle Brown-Mayes, an actress and model. Roger Brown, his grandfather, played in the ABA and was named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Mayes talks about how being part of a sports family influenced his upbringing and about the decision he had to pursue basketball versus football.
Discussing his game on the court, Mayes says it took him a while to learn how to take advantage of his physicality and now he says attacking the basket is a major part of his offensive arsenal. In discussing his expectations for the team, he says the guard-laden squad will need to focus on rebounding but that the Lobos have all the talent to compete with anybody.
In the second segment, the guys share their thoughts on the UNM football team&rsquo;s dominant win over in-state rival New Mexico State before getting into their prep football picks.

UNM guard Hudson Mayes discusses Lobos' expectations, his family's athletic background

The Oklahoma Sooners’ faithful may have come out of Saturday’s game against the University of New Mexico football team more frustrated with their team than impressed with the opposition, but Lobos fans certainly had something to be proud after watching their squad hang tough in a tight 14-6 loss in Norman.

UNM got $1.6 million to play the game and gained a level of respect after pushing a Top 25 team to the brink. The Lobos now face New Mexico State in the Rio Grande Rivalry looking to build more momentum before they begin their quest to win the Mountain West.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron share their thoughts on UNM’s solid performance at Oklahoma, look ahead to the Lobos-Aggies rivalry game and offer their prep football picks for the week.

Will went to the game at OU and describes the environment from the 80,000-seat stadium, which held a lot of boo birds. The guys offer their take on the Lobos’ quarterback situation and praise the team’s stingy defense that has held its first three opponents to an average of 9.3 points per game.

In the second segment, Will and James discuss some make-or-break games for local prep football teams, including a big showdown for Las Vegas Robertson and Pojoaque Valley.

The Oklahoma Sooners&rsquo; faithful may have come out of Saturday&rsquo;s game against the University of New Mexico football team more frustrated with their team than impressed with the opposition, but Lobos fans certainly had something to be proud after watching their squad hang tough in a tight 14-6 loss in Norman.
UNM got $1.6 million to play the game and gained a level of respect after pushing a Top 25 team to the brink. The Lobos now face New Mexico State in the Rio Grande Rivalry looking to build more momentum before they begin their quest to win the Mountain West.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast,&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron share their thoughts on UNM&rsquo;s solid performance at Oklahoma, look ahead to the Lobos-Aggies rivalry game and offer their prep football picks for the week.
Will went to the game at OU and describes the environment from the 80,000-seat stadium, which held a lot of boo birds. The guys offer their take on the Lobos&rsquo; quarterback situation and praise the team&rsquo;s stingy defense that has held its first three opponents to an average of 9.3 points per game.
In the second segment, Will and James discuss some make-or-break games for local prep football teams, including a big showdown for Las Vegas Robertson and Pojoaque Valley.

Lobos set for Rio Grande Rivalry vs. Aggies after close loss at Oklahoma; plus prep football picks

Even during an 0-2 start to the season, the Santa Fe High football team showed it was going to be a formidable squad that plays at a fast pace. Since a 3-0 overtime loss to perennial Class 3A power St. Michael’s in Week 2, the Demons has racked up two blowout victories and seem to have found their stride.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron speak with Santa Fe High head coach Adrian Gonzales about his team’s strong play and aspirations for the season.

Since their 41-33 loss at Alamogordo in their season opener, the Demons have locked in on defense and upped their physicality, Gonzales said. The tight loss to St. Mike’s was followed by a 35-0 throttling of Clovis, a team that had had Santa Fe High’s number for years. Last week, the Demons had an offensive explosion in a 55-24 win against Highland.

For a program that rarely sees the playoffs, Gonzales said “everybody’s bought in to our goals” this season and the Demons are aiming to host a first-round playoff game this year.

In the second segment, Will and James chat about the University of New Mexico football team’s big game Saturday in Norman against No. 24 Oklahoma. The Sooners will be motivated after a stumble against Michigan last week. The Lobos will be motivated by the chance to notch a landmark win against a ranked team.

The guys then share their Week 5 prep football picks, including what could be a competitive clash between Santa Fe High and Los Lunas.

Even during an 0-2 start to the season, the Santa Fe High football team showed it was going to be a formidable squad that plays at a fast pace. Since a 3-0 overtime loss to perennial Class 3A power St. Michael&rsquo;s in Week 2, the Demons has racked up two blowout victories and seem to have found their stride.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron speak with Santa Fe High head coach Adrian Gonzales about his team&rsquo;s strong play and aspirations for the season.
Since their 41-33 loss at Alamogordo in their season opener, the Demons have locked in on defense and upped their physicality, Gonzales said. The tight loss to St. Mike&rsquo;s was followed by a 35-0 throttling of Clovis, a team that had had Santa Fe High&rsquo;s number for years. Last week, the Demons had an offensive explosion in a 55-24 win against Highland.
For a program that rarely sees the playoffs, Gonzales said &ldquo;everybody&rsquo;s bought in to our goals&rdquo; this season and the Demons are aiming to host a first-round playoff game this year.
In the second segment, Will and James chat about the University of New Mexico football team&rsquo;s big game Saturday in Norman against No. 24 Oklahoma. The Sooners will be motivated after a stumble against Michigan last week. The Lobos will be motivated by the chance to notch a landmark win against a ranked team.
The guys then share their Week 5 prep football picks, including what could be a competitive clash between Santa Fe High and Los Lunas.

How will Santa Fe's prep football teams fare this year?

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