Cowboys looking to take another step forward in 2018

LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands football team under the direction of second-year head coach Marty Fine is looking to take another step forward in the Cowboys' rebuild as they open the season 6 p.m. Friday against Fort Lewis at Durango High School.
 
With a myriad of explosive offensive players returning along with a mix of talented newcomers and veterans on the defense, the Cowboys are looking to improve upon last season's 2-9 mark (1-9 in the RMAC) – a two-game improvement from the season before.
 
NMHU returns starting quarterback Danny Cameron after the senior threw for 2,008 yards to go along with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season.
 

We're less than 50 hours away from Cowboy football! As we near the season opener in Durango, check out this GREAT play as Danny Cameron finds D.J. McFadden for a touchdown against CSU-Pueblo.

Also, be on the lookout for the Cowboys football season preview Thursday! #LetsRide pic.twitter.com/6dLy4w0Ixg

— NMHU Athletics (@NMHU_Athletics) August 29, 2018

 
The Cowboys have talented receivers for Cameron to throw to as D.J. McFadden returns after the 6-foot-3 receiver caught 25 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns last season. Zach Drew-Toles returns as well after catching 13 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Also figuring to see action is 6-foot-1 freshman Emmanuel Lumanze, 6-foot-2 redshirt freshman Dillon Gassoway as well as sophomore Diego Elebario among others. At tight end, Darrell McIntyre (6-0, 281) and Damon Golden (6-3, 258) both figure to get time.
 
In the backfield, NMHU returns senior Dione Alston after he was second on the team with 592 yards rushing and six touchdowns to go along with 20 receptions for another 128 yards. Sophomores Kamari Mosby and Jairan Manning also figure to see time in the backfield. At fullback the Cowboys will have seniors Jason Aguirre and David McGee.
 
On the offensive line, junior Isaiah Lowery will be at left tackle, junior Brett Basler will be at left guard, sophomore Daurice Lee will start at center, senior Tarini Tosi will be at right guard and freshman Ron Beasley will be at right tackle. Also seeing time on the line will be freshmen Brandon Coats, Cam Neal, Luke Verbalaitis, Unique Andrade and Corbin Anguiano.
 
Defensively, the Cowboys bring the most experience back on the defensive line with junior transfer Trey Haynes, junior Xzavion Patterson and senior Nick Locken (who had 28 tackles last season). In the mix on the defensive line as well will be sophomore Adam Gay and freshmen Joseph Gutierrez and Jacobe Mills.
 
At linebacker, sophomore Eli Schoettmer returns after racking up 55 tackles a year ago as does senior Davon Muldrow. The other starting spot will go to freshman Craig McRae with senior Anthony Miller, sophomore transfer Thomas Lanktree and freshman Dondi Fuller in the mix.
 
In the secondary, the Cowboys return a pair of talented sophomores in T.J. Jackson (38 tackles, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, 12 pass break ups and one sack last season) and Willie Morris (26 tackles, one interception and 14 pass break ups). Joining those two in the secondary to start will be sophomores Caleb Glennon and C.J. Waite and freshman Cameron Forziati. Also in the mix in the secondary will be junior Jovanni Valle, sophomores Malik Brown and Darren Williams and freshmen Adrien Vasquez and Jordan Gallegos.
 

It's GAME WEEK! Your Cowboy football team opens the season 6 p.m. Friday in Durango, Colo., and as a teaser, lets give the NMHU defense a little love and share this highlight of Willie Morris' interception against Black Hills State last season. #LetsRide pic.twitter.com/wDrbRvX28n

— NMHU Athletics (@NMHU_Athletics) August 27, 2018

On special teams, junior transfer Israel Farfan will do the kicking while Gassoway will punt – with senior Darren Diffee again doing the long snapping for the Cowboys. Returning kickoffs will be Jackson while Elebario will return punts.
 
Following Friday night's opener in Durango, Colorado, the Cowboys return for their home opener against Adams State on Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. NMHU will have its homecoming game Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. against South Dakota School of Mines.