PORTALES — The 2009 Football signing day appears to be a good one for Eastern New Mexico University head football coach Mark Ribaudo. Ribaudo and has staff have delved into local and regional programs to increase the athleticism and depth of the Greyhound football roster, attempting to climb the rungs of the highly competitive Lone Star Conference South Division. The staff has signed a number of players from states of New Mexico and Texas to National Letters of Intent. The incoming class should help the Hounds to continue their improvement as they enter the second year of running their spread offense.

 OFFENSE:

Wesley Gordon Wood (QB, 6-2, 165, Muleshoe, Texas/Muleshoe HS), a highly decorated player from nearby Muleshoe, Texas, where he guided the Mules to a perfect 15-0 record and the Class 2A Division I state championship. He was selected First Team Associated Press All-State quarterback, First Team Texas Sportswriters Association All-State QB. He also was named Texas Class 2A Offensive Most Valuable Player by the AP and TSWA. Wood was chosen for the Dave Campbell 2A Player of the Year and MVP of the All-West Texas Team. The Amarillo Globe chose him as their Super Team Player of the Year.

Eric Flores (QB, 5-10, 175, Las Cruces, N.M./Oñate HS) was the top passer in New Mexico 5A football as a junior and a senior. In 2007, he threw for 2,700 yards and 14 touchdowns; adding 10 rushing touchdowns. In his final campaign, he tossed for 2,900 yards, 21 passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns. Flores garnered back-to-back second team all-district laurels and was invited to the 2008 North-South All-Star game. Berry Stinnett (QB/LB, 6-2, 175, Fort Sumner, N.M./Fort Sumner HS) was a highly decorated player on both sides of the football at FSHS. He garnered first team all-state and all-district honors at both quarterback and linebacker. For his efforts, he was chosen to participate in the North/South All-Star game after leading the Foxes to the 1A New Mexico state championship. Cody Blocker (QB, 6-2, 197, Albuquerque, N.M./Del Norte HS) was chosen as the District 5AAA Player of the Year, also garnering First Team All-District 5AAA at quarterback and All-Metro Honorable Mention. Blocker also was chosen as his teams Most Valuable Offensive Skill Player, Most Valuable Player and was chosen as the starting QB in the North/South All-Star Game. As a junior, he was selected First Team All-District and All-Metro Honorable Mention.

Mike Hathcock (RB, 5-9, 190, Aztec, N.M./Aztec HS) should be able to improve an already strong group of running backs at Eastern. While at AHS, he earned back-to-back first team all-state and first team all-district honors. As a senior, he was selected as the District Running Back of the Year, was a Mr. Football Nominee and played in the North/South All-Star Game. Kendall Orion Roberson (RB, 5-8, 180, Lubbock, Texas/Lubbock Coronado HS) earned all-district, all-city and All-South Plains honors while playing for the Mustangs. As a senior, he gained 885 yards on 140 carries (6.3 yard avg.) and caught 50 passes for 482 yards, accumulating 21 total touchdowns. Roberson’s played for former Greyhound, Butch Henderson and his older brother currently is a defensive lineman at ENMU. Cody Mac Bullard (WR, 6-3, 200, Early, Texas/Early HS) completed a prolific career at EHS, finishing with 108 catches, 2,000 receiving yards (18.5 yards /catch) and 20 touchdowns over 25 games. For his efforts, he garnered first team all-state, First Team All-Big Country Super Team (twice), First Team All-West Texas, First Team All-District 8-2A (twice) and Honorable Mention All-State Academic Team.  Ryan Rumbaugh (WR, 5-10, 165, Odessa, Texas/Odessa Permian HS) caught 44 passes as a junior at OPHS for 710 yards (16.1 yards /catch) and four touchdowns. For his efforts he earned second team all-district and honorable mention all-state honors. As a senior, he again received second team all-district and honorable mention all-state laurels and was selected as his team’s best receiver after hauling in 71 receptions for 1,188 yards (16.7 yards/catch) and 14 touchdowns. Melvis Tanaundre Hawkins (RB, 6-0, 195, Hale Center, Texas/Hale Center HS) led the Owls in rushing in each of the last two seasons, compiling over 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior and 950 yards with 14 scores as a junior. For his efforts, he was a first team all-district selection at running back and defensive end in 2007 and 2008. Hawkins also was a regional finalist in the shot put for the track team and state runner up in the 100-meter dash. Stephen Mills (RB/DB, 5-11, 180, Clovis, N.M./Clovis HS) paced CHS with 1,72 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns. For his efforts, he was selected all district.

Marco Aaron Acuna (OT, 6-3, 300, Corpus Christi, Texas/Calallen HS) turned in a stellar senior season at CHS, garnering first team all-district, All-Metro, All-South Texas and Academic All-State laurels. He also was selected all district as a junior at Calallen. Trace Schouerman (OG, 6-1, 250, Houston, Texas/Clear Lake HS) was selected as a “Player to Watch” by Texasfootball.com after garnering second team all-district honors as a junior. He earned three varsity letters for CLHS. 

DEFENSE:

Ian Ogando (DT, 6-0, 315, Laporte, Texas/Laporte HS) earned second team all district and should be a strong presence on the defensive line for Eastern. As a senior at LHS, he made 80 tackles, two sacks and forced three fumbles. Cyle Jones (DE/TE, 6-2, 230, Smithville, Texas/Smithville HS) was an athletic player at SHS, showing the versatility to play defensive end, tight end, baseball and basketball. He earned all district status at defensive end, making 118 tackles as a senior, including 23 stops for a loss and 14 sacks. Bracy McCoy (DE/TE, 6-3, 250, Freeport, Texas/Brazosport HS) was a star athlete for the Exporters, earning two honorable mention all-state selections at both defensive end and tight end. He also garnered two first team all-district selections at both positions. Alex Montano (DE, 6-2, 206, Roswell, N.M./Goddard HS) was one of the top defenders for GHS last season, leading the Rockets to a state title. He was one of the top tacklers on the team and registered double-digit sacks. As a senior, he earned All-Region and All-District status, after being selected honorable mention all state as a junior. Morris Sharp (DE/TE, 5-10, 180, Clovis, N.M./Clovis HS), finished his career by setting the sack record at CHS, recording seven quarterback takedowns. For his efforts, he achieved all-district status.

Alex Adewunmi (ILB, 6-1, 219, Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville HS) captained the DHS football team and was a unanimous 8-5A First Team All-District selection in addition to being on the school’s Leadership Council. In his final two seasons, he accumulated 230 tackles, including 12 for a loss in the 2007 season.  Saufeni Fuahala (OLB/S, 5-11, 195, Irving, Texas/Irving MacArthur HS) was selected as the IMHS team’s Co-Defensive Player of the year and earning an all-district selection after making 76 tackles with four sacks. He also was voted to the Unity Council. Peyton Whitlock (OLB/S/KR, 5-11, 170, Denton, Texas/Denton Ryan HS) was a versatile player for the Raiders, making 148 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, three sacks and six forced fumbles. He returned two kick offs for touchdowns. Whitlock was selected all district as a linebacker and to the TSWA 5A All-State Team as a defensive back. Lane Wood (LB, 5-11, 190, Muleshoe, Texas/Muleshoe HS) was an extremely active linebacker for the 15-0, state champion Muleshoe Mules. After finishing with 153 tackles with 95 solo stops, 14 tackles for a loss, 11 QB hurries, a forced fumble, and interception and eight passes defended; he earned his second consecutive selection as an AP All-State linebacker. Wood was also chosen as All-State Co-Most Valuable Player by the TSWA and All State running back as a senior. He was selected All South Plains LB twice, All-Globe News thrice and Golden Spread Super Team, Player of the Year 3A-1A West Texas Pigskin and District a-AA Defensive MVP as a senior. After rushing for 1,501 yards on 137 attempts and scoring 14 touchdowns, he also made all district at running back twice and all state as a senior.

 Joey Mendez (LB, 6-0, 190, Odessa, Texas/Odessa Permian HS) made 120 tackles with 16 solo stops as a senior, earning honorable mention all-state and first team all-district honors. At the team banquet, he was selected as OPHS’s best linebacker.

Chase Kyser (DB/WR, Roswell, N.M./Goddard HS) a captain at GHS in 2007 and 2008, playing both defensive back and wide receiver. As a junior, he earned second team all-district honors at defensive back, all-district academic and was selected as the squad’s best DB. In his final season, Kyser made first team all-state and all-district as a running back and defensive back, and received the team’s Character Counts, Team Leader and Best Defensive Back awards. In 2008, he rushed for over 1,500 yards, 23 touchdowns and grabbed four interceptions. Kyser was selected to play in the All-Star game as a defensive back. Steven Kurfehs (S/WR, 6-3, 210, Helotes, Texas/O’Connor HS) is another versatile player, seeing time at defensive back and receiver. AT OCHS, he made 79 tackles including 47 solo stops, two tackles for a loss, four interceptions, three passes broken up two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Offensively, he hauled in eight passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns, including a 62-yard scoring catch. Chris Redmond (S, 5-10, 175, Houston, Texas/Houston Westside HS) was a first team all-district selection at safety after leading the Westside Wolves to the district title. He led the team in tackles, finishing with 91, including 51 solo stops. Redmond also helped the HWHS defense produce a number of turnovers, snatching three interceptions, recovering two fumbles and forcing three more. He also competed on the track and field team, running in the 200meter and 400 meter sprints, the 4x200 relay, the 4x400 relay and the long jump. He was a regional qualifier as a senior. Keith Davis (CB, 5-10, 175, Houston, Texas/Houston Westside HS) also played in the secondary for the district champions Wolves, earning an all-district selection at corner and as Special Teams Player of the Year. He also played in the Space City Classic All-Star game. AS a senior, Davis made 81 tackles, forced two fumbles, had two fumble recoveries, made two interceptions and deflected eight passes. He also participated in power lifting at HWHS.