Bo Coleman, Aaron Molina leading Valley football to new heights

Led by a no-frills coach who doesn't believe in spewing out standard coaching clichés, the Valley (Albuquerque) football team has its eyes set on one thing: Becoming the first team in school history to advance to a state championship game.

"We feel like this team will be measured on what we do in the playoffs," said Valley second-year coach Enrico Marcelli, whose team is 7-0 and ranked second in the state by MaxPreps. "That's the nature of our sport, so if we run the table (in the regular season) and lose in the first round of the playoffs, then we didn't have a good season."

You could count on one hand the number of coaches who would state something like that on the record. Instead of the typical coach-speak, Marcelli literally says what he's feeling — refreshing in an era when players and coaches alike are generally cautious when speaking to the media.

"I'll say what's on my mind, and I know some people don't like it," Marcelli said. "Some call it cocky, but whatever it is, the kids on the team know I'm as straight a shooter as it gets."

Unlike many schools throughout the state — and especially in the Albuquerque metro area — Valley doesn't have a storied football history. When Marcelli took over the program, he had an immediate message to his players.

We're going to win.

And that's exactly what the Vikings have done. They finished 7-3 last year, dropping a heartbreaking 28-27 decision to Volcano Vista (Albuquerque) in the opening round of the 5A state playoffs.

The loss provided further fuel for the Vikings entering the 2013 season, as they felt they should've been the ones advancing in the postseason.

"We totally dominated Volcano Vista, and that was a game we kind of handed to them," Marcelli said. "I'm hoping the team learned from that loss."

Judging by this year's results, Valley is clearly on a mission. The Vikings own impressive wins over probable state-bound playoff participants and Albuquerque schools Cibola (33-31), Eldorado (28-21), Manzano (31-14) and Atrisco Heritage Academy (49-27).

"The season we're having is about what we expected," Marcelli said. "We returned 18 starters and had some good talent returning. … We played lights-out against Manzano and Atrisco."

Did they ever.

Quarterback Bo Coleman and wide receiver Aaron Molina — the two have been playing together since they were in middle school — hooked up for a record-breaking night against Manzano, which has one of the best defenses in the state.

Molina finished with 13 receptions for a single-game state record 351 yards, including touchdown receptions of 75, 76 and 93 yards. Unbelievably, all of those long TDs began on short passes, as Molina turned in one of the great performances in New Mexico history.

Weaving in and out of traffic like a deft race car driver, in an incredible display of athleticism and vision, the 6-foot-3, 165-pound Molina dodged would-be tacklers by the dozens. Molina, who is averaging a video-game like 26.5 yards per reception this season, has an offer from the University of New Mexico, with more offers likely to come.

"The most amazing part about Aaron's performance was it came against one of the two best defenses in the state," Marcelli said. "I mean he just went nuts. And you look at Bo, and he doesn't have the fastest 40 (yard dash) times or any other measurable, but he's the best playmaker I've seen in quite some time."

Indeed, Coleman is the biggest reason why Valley has one of the most potent offenses in the state. The senior signal-caller is a devastating passer and runner — he's thrown for 1,612 yards and 21 touchdowns while running for 578 yards on 61 carries for a hefty 9.48 yards per carry average — while playing mostly error-free ball.

Coleman ranks second on the team in rushing to tailback Rob Armijo, who has gone for 722 yards on 112 carries. Center Seth Mello leads an offensive line that has opened up big holes for the run game while giving Coleman plenty of protection in the pocket.

Led by defensive end Dominic Brown and linebacker Wes Bradshaw, the opportunistic Valley defense has been a perfect complement to the offense.

After this Friday's 7 p.m. game at West Mesa (Albuquerque), the Vikings have two more contests before the start of the state playoffs.

"Right now everyone knows Las Cruces is the team to beat," Marcelli said. "We're all trying to catch them. We're not as good as them right now, but we don't have to be. Hopefully we'll be as good or better than everyone else three weeks from now."