Four previous 6A programs, led by state contender Los Lunas, join District 1-5A ranks

The newly configured District 1-5A will be a hybrid of teams that know each other well, and teams that don’t. Four holdovers — Los Alamos, Highland, Capital and Miyamura — are joined by four previous Class 6A programs in Los Lunas, Piedra Vista, Cibola and Santa Fe who all dropped a class under the state’s latest realignment and classification. “It’s a much tougher district now,” Los Alamos coach Garett Williams said. This new district’s headliner is undoubtedly Los Lunas, which played in the 6A quarterfinals last November. New coach Stephen Johnston has a stacked roster that most every coach expects will allow the Tigers to challenge the likes of Artesia and Roswell for a blue trophy come Thanksgiving weekend. “Last game of the year,” Johnston said when asked what this team’s ceiling could be. The Tigers have a terrific (and proven) quarterback in senior Luke Cieremans, whose older brother Paul QB’d Los Lunas to a state championship in 2021. Receiver Tayxon Gaxiola (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) provides blazing speed on the perimeter and was the team’s second-leading ball catcher last season. Los Lunas also returns solid running back Jagger Casillas (775 yards, 11 touchdowns). Up front on defense, players to watch include junior defensive end Esteban Kaneshiro and senior nose tackle Anthony Castillo. The Tigers also bring back an excellent linebacker in junior Brad Mallory. The Tigers open at Mayfield on Friday, and also face Rio Rancho and Goddard in the nondistrict. Piedra Vista was very nearly a 6A quarterfinalist last year, dropping a 28-24 game to Los Lunas in the first round to cap what was an injury-plagued campaign. The Panthers were a junior-dominant roster, and coach Jared Howell is optimistic about his team’s chances as they segue into 5A. “We have a real good core coming back,” Howell said. Reuben Marquez, a senior, returns at quarterback as does tailback Amasi Griego who rushed for 600 yards and six touchdowns last fall. Piedra Vista returns its top three runners (by yards) this season. On the defensive side, senior Kael Farley, who broke his back last season, returns to play both fullback and outside linebacker. Inside linebacker, however, remains need for the Panthers, Howell said. Cibola was a 6A playoff team a year ago, losing a close 14-10 first-round decision to Volcano Vista. Can the Cougars find equal success in 5A? One of the questions is how their defense matures after nine starters from last season graduated. Some juniors and others who didn’t see much varsity time a year ago will be asked to step in and produce. The offense has a bit more experience with junior quarterback Terry Maes. He split time at the position with Hayes Baum last year. Baum was an All-State linebacker who is now with the Lobos. Carlsbad transfer Elijah Banks, who is a 6-5 junior, can play both QB and receiver. Howell said he’ll provide an immediate boost to the offense which also returns several linemen who were young last season and should provide some stability up front. Los Alamos had an undefeated regular season in 2025 before being dismissed in the state quarterfinals by Gadsden. The Hilltoppers return last season’s overall leading rusher in New Mexico: senior tailback Jordan Herrera, who gained a whopping 2,224 yards with 34 touchdowns. The line he’s running behind this year, coach Garett Williams said, is a rebuild aside from returning All-Stater Evan Beveridge. “We’ll base things around (Jordan and) give him the ball as much as we can,” Williams said. The offense also features returning All-State senior receiver Ben Brousseau, who also is a top defensive back. Carlo Baca was a first-team All-State defensive back last season for the Hilltoppers. The linebacking position will have some new faces. Highland — beaten in the quarterfinals last November by Artesia — could be an under-the-radar team to watch this season, with a huge number of returners coming back. As always, the Hornets’ overall numbers will require them to stay as healthy as possible. The offensive line, coach Phillip Lovato said, will be an asset, with junior guard Malachi Bouvia and senior guard Anthony Fisher. And Highland’s got two veteran running backs coming off solid seasons in junior William Anchondo and junior Andres Acosta. Those two combined for about 1,450 yards and 17 scores last season in the Hive’s run-dominant approach. “You know, it’s one of those things — people have doubt in us, and that’s fine,” Lovato said. “At the end of the day, I like my guys.” Santa Fe coach Adrian Gonzales believes the move down to 5A will benefit the Demons. “We can play with these teams,” he said. “We just have to believe. Coming to 5A, (we) see it as a little more parity. It’s not like it got easier, but for us, the mindset is changed.” This an experienced and an athletic team, Gonzales said, with a majority of the Demons’ impact starters returning. One of the athletes to watch is senior Jesus Navarette, who plays slot, running back and is also a cover corner. Senior Alex Bobolsky, at receiver and safety, also is expected to contribute important minutes. So is senior Marquez Pena at receiver and cornerback. Marquez’s twin, Manuel, is one of the players battling to be Santa Fe’s starting QB. Capital got into the playoffs last season on the strength of narrow victories over Del Norte and Highland, plus a forfeit victory over Miyamura. The Jaguars lost in the first round to Gadsden. Senior running back Josh Baker returns for Capital, and he was productive out of the backfield last season. The largest challenge for both the Jaguars and Miyamura will be this bulked up district and trying to find a way to carve out multiple wins within the league to put them in the hunt for the postseason. The Patriots are going to be rebuilding. They graduated their quarterback, their top five leading ball carriers and their No. 1 receiver. 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 * Can anyone stop Artesia or Roswell in 5A this season? 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