Can anyone stop Artesia or Roswell in 5A this season?

It was no accident last year that all four of the state football semifinalists in Class 5A came from the same district. That league, 2-5A, looks much the same as it did in 2025, with a couple of alterations. Chaparral has moved up from 4A and Alamogordo has dropped from 6A. Those two replace Santa Teresa and Lovington, who both are now 4A members for at least the next two seasons. As always, the conversation begins (and frequently ends) with rivals Artesia and Roswell, who have met in each of the last three state title games. The Bulldogs came from behind to stun the Coyotes 25-24 in last November’s final, and this fall, Artesia is chasing its 34th blue trophy. “It’s up to the rest of us to dethrone those two,” Gadsden coach Dino Facio said. Artesia graduated 35 seniors, and 21 starters, so the Bulldogs, who open against rival Carlsbad, are reloading. But they’ve got another 35 seniors this season. “I’m optimistic with this group,” Artesia coach Jeremy Maupin said. “They’re very competitive and they’re good kids. Just a really solid, fun team to coach.” The reliable Bulldogs offense is pretty much brand new. They graduated at quarterback, running back and their top six receivers who combined for nearly 200 catches last season. Names and faces to watch include senior running back Cris Pando, who entered the state final after starter Bryce Parra was injured and scored a touchdown. The receiving corps will be replenished with the likes of Layton Whitmire, Destin Pacheco (slot) and Kai Greathouse. Then there will be Artesia’s new QB — senior Lucas Atkins. But these athletes have been playing together for years, so Maupin is not overly concerned about them stepping in to fill the void. “They know each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Maupin said. The defensive anchor is senior end Ivan Chavez. Tackle Brandon Baeza and linebacker Corbyn Dominguez (also the Bulldogs’ outstanding placekicker) will also be expected to contribute heavily. Roswell graduated 30 seniors, and this year’s senior crop is about half that. Coach Jeff Lynn, however, said the Coyotes’ program is loaded with talented juniors and sophomores. “We lost a lot of kids every year,” Lynn said. “One thing us and Artesia do well is developing kids.” Roswell, the coach said, is very talented at the offensive skill positions, led by junior quarterback Andrew Fuentez and running back Luis Rodriguez (940 yards and 5 TDs last year). “I haven’t seen the kids in Albuquerque, but you’d be hard pressed to find a better running back in the state,” Lynn said of Rodriguez. Junior receiver Izaic Gonzales will likely be the No. 1 target for Fuentez. If there is a question mark on offense, it’s a line that graduated four of its five starters. The defense only returns several starters. One of them is All-State senior linebacker Jonathan Ellis, who led the team in tackles in 2025. It’s easy to forget that Gadsden has been a 5A semifinalist in each of the last two seasons. But the Panthers have been one of the district’s best programs the last several years. While the offense returns some important players like receiver Anthony Palomares (7 TDs last season), and running backs Armando Ramirez (8 TDs) and Deion Torres (6 TDs), the defense is revamping after a slew of graduating players departed, particularly among the front seven. The most featured newcomer is sophomore QB Roselio Gomez. “They’re pretty hungry to take the next step,” coach Dino Facio said. “(But) 5A is a competitive field.” Alamogordo narrowly missed the 6A playoffs last season, but the Tigers and coach A.J. Cisco believe they’ll be an extremely competitive outfit at 5A. “The best thing that’s happened to us in a long time,” Cisco said. “It changed all our expectations.” Alamogordo features one of New Mexico’s best two-way players in senior running back/inside linebacker Bryson Bloom (5-foot-11, 195 pounds), who has committed to UNM. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards with eight scores as a junior. The Tigers, who feature 25 seniors, return seven defensive starters, and that side of the ball has depth. This was an issue last season, Cisco said. Another central figure on this roster is senior Nathaniel Cereceres. He’ll play running back and is also an All-State linebacker. Goddard was one of the nice rebound stories of the 2025 season. After a dismal 2024 season, the Rockets won seven games last season and were a 5 seed for the playoffs where they fell to Lovington in the quarterfinals. Goddard brings back a bulk of its roster and has a couple of notable weapons on offense, including junior quarterback Nate Vasquez. He threw for 17 touchdowns as a sophomore and he’s also quite efficient as a runner. Senior receiver Jose Porras is going to provide plenty of production. Both Deming and Mayfield have new coaches, as does Chaparral. Former Deming coach Richard Perles is now on Maupin’s staff in Artesia. The Wildcats qualified for the playoffs last year despite a 1-9 record and former assistant James Fetrow was promoted in the offseason to take over the program. Mayfield, meanwhile, hired former Chaparral coach Joseph Frias, who guided the Lobos to the 4A state semifinals (a first for that program) and an eight-win season before resigning last December. Mayfield, like Deming, struggled in the regular season, winning only two games, and yet still achieved a 9 seed at state because of the overall strength of the league in comparison to the northern 5A district. Chaparral now faces the challenge of starting with a new coach (former Mayfield assistant Anthony Martinez) and a district filled with elite and proven 5A programs. Senior running back Raul Lopez was a standout for the Lobos last season. He rushed for nearly 1,100 yards and 11 scores, and was also prominent in the Chaparral passing game. Leading receiver Tyvin Howard also returns. James Yodice covers prep sports for the Journal. You can reach him at jyodice@abqjournal.com or via X at @JamesDYodice. More prep football reading * Four previous 6A programs, led by state contender Los Lunas, join District 1-5A ranks Piedra Vista, Cibola and Santa Fe are the other three additions blending with four holdovers * New Mexico's toughest football district gets even harder The addition of Eldorado and Volcano Vista makes 2-6A a gauntlet for every team in the district this season. * Cleveland, La Cueva headline loaded new 6A district The two-time defending state champion Storm and the Bears lead an eight-team District 1-6A that also includes Rio Rancho, Sandia, and five other competitive programs. * New Los Lunas football coach embraces high expectations Stephen Johnston takes over a program with a championship pedigree as the Tigers return to Class 5A competition. * New rivalries, fresh matchups define metro football season Realignment shakes up the schedule as Cleveland and La Cueva become district partners for the first time. * 2026 Metro Prep Football Schedule * Matadors shaping up to be one of Class 6A's most interesting teams Sandia opens Aug. 20 versus Cibola; optimism reigns * Yodice: Changes abound as 2026 prep football season hits the ground running Official practices start this week with season openers coming Aug. 20-22 * NM's new transfer rule reshapes high school sports rosters A month into the NMAA's one free transfer rule, metro-area programs have seen the most movement * NMAA board approves 'one free transfer' rule; schools get final say Results will be known June 22; board also approves changes to postseason tournaments