2025 Team Preview: La Cueva Bears

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 LA CUEVA PREVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How do you replace the irreplaceable? You don't. Nobody understands that better than La Cueva head coach Brandon Back, who realizes that holding the successors to superstars like QB [player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'], LB [player_tooltip player_id='611083' first='Mason' last='Posa'] and OL [player_tooltip player_id='1118241' first='Mark' last='Handy'] – all of whom signed with Power 4 programs – to the same sky high standard of performance established by that trio and others over the past three years would be asking for the impossible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Everybody has asked me, ‘How do you replace Cam Dyer, how do you replace [player_tooltip player_id='611083' first='Mason' last='Posa']?,” Back said. “Well, you don't. There is not another Cam Dyer or [player_tooltip player_id='611083' first='Mason' last='Posa'] or those type of players. We're going to give the new players an opportunity to develop their own way.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After losing to Cleveland in last November's Class 6A state championship game – the Bears second loss to the Storm in three years on Thanksgiving weekend – La Cueva has adopted the team motto, ‘Our Turn' for 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're going to be overlooked because of the players we graduated,” Back said. “And we have a lot of incoming, unknown players. Those players have an opportunity to make a name for themselves. Right now, we're just trying to get guys into the right spots and put the jigsaw puzzle together. The standard, though, hasn't changed.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Players To Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1183085' first='Monty' last='Melendez'] </strong>(QB)<strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='853013' first='Tanner' last='Montano'] </strong>(WR)<strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='851889' first='Skyler' last='Sargent'] </strong>(OL)<strong>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who replaces [player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'] at QB? The early favorite is rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1183085' first='Monty' last='Melendez']</strong>, last season's backup. Melendez was the JV QB in 2024 and showed off his chops at the College Football Prospect ID camp in Albuquerque in late February. However, he'll face plenty of competition from some younger QBs rising through the La Cueva system, including rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613367' first='Cash' last='Brewer']</strong>, rising junior <strong>Kobe Cooper</strong> and a pair of freshmen. A name to remember for 2026 – strong armed rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272734' first='Josiah' last='Chavez']</strong> has transferred to La Cueva but won't be eligible for varsity action until next year. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>La Cueva's two weeks of practice in pads in June could go a long way towards determining the starter. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Monty is a very good athlete and has a lot of moxie,” Back said. “He's not 6-foot-3 like Cam was, but Monty has a lot of passion for the position. He listens very well and is very attentive towards what we have to get done. He has the most knowledge. Our quarterback room is healthy. We haven't picked the guy yet. We have a lot of guys who can play the position. They are all great athletes.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>La Cueva's other offensive skill positions are defined by one word: speed. Wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853013' first='Tanner' last='Montano']</strong>, finally healthy, has enjoyed a spectacular spring track season, blazing 100 meters in a personal best 10.63 seconds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Tanner is healthy,” Back said. “He's running very fast right now. He has put on some weight and he's very strong. He's going to be a force for us.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slot receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853556' first='Jayen' last='Barros']</strong>, WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853566' first='Isaiah' last='Goree']</strong> and TE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613367' first='Cash' last='Brewer']</strong> (if he's not playing QB) bring plenty of speed to the field as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672514' first='Xavier' last='Valdez']</strong> is the favorite to succeed Cheeto Lumbrera at running back. Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1629861' first='Vaughn' last='Saunders']</strong> will compete for the starting job after excelling on the JV team in 2024. Rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1684485' first='J' last='Dylan Hathaway']</strong> is a baseball standout with exceptional speed and could be a factor in the competition as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Xavier played some running back for us towards the end of last season,” Back said. “He's a shifty guy that's built a lot like Cheeto. He's really fast, like Cheeto. Vaughn is a bigger and stockier guy. I'm very excited about our running back room. We have a lot of dudes we can throw at teams.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With [player_tooltip player_id='1118241' first='Mark' last='Handy'] now going through spring practice at the University of Minnesota, rising senior center <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851889' first='Skyler' last='Sargent']</strong> takes over as the leader of what should be another strong &nbsp;Bears offensive line. La Cueva returns three of five OL starters: Sargent and rising senior guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853017' first='Kai' last='Morales']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672518' first='Maurice' last='Williams']</strong>. The Bears lose both tackles (Handy played LT) but Back believes capable replacements with good size, strength and footwork are ready to go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“That's really going to help our running game,” Back said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Players To Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1594119' first='Brody' last='Clark'] </strong>(LB)<strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1672525' first='Mickey' last='Widner'] </strong>(LB)<strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1594142' first='Jhett' last='Kinghorn'] </strong>(DB)<strong>. &nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who replaces [player_tooltip player_id='611083' first='Mason' last='Posa'] at Edge/Outside LB? It will likely take more than one guy. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594119' first='Brody' last='Clark']</strong> played OLB last season opposite Posa but will move to ILB to replace the extremely underrated [player_tooltip player_id='611069' first='Nick' last='Mertz']. Clark is incredibly strong, finishing fifth in the 220-pound class&nbsp; with a total weight of 1,225 pounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Brody has been itching to get his turn to be the guy in the middle and he's going to get that shot,” Back said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672525' first='Mickey' last='Widner']</strong>, who just committed to the Air Force Academy as a long snapper, played strong safety last season but will move to OLB. Widner has good speed. Rising senior <strong>Manase Soakai</strong> lined up along the defensive line in 2024 but will shift to LB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“That guy doesn't exist,” Back said when asked who will replace Posa. “I've been coaching for 25 years and I've seen one of him. That's likely all I'll get to see in my coaching career. But replacing [player_tooltip player_id='611069' first='Nick' last='Mertz'] is going to very challenging, too.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along the defensive line, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1748628' first='Levi' last='Segura']</strong> is back after being part of the DL rotation in 2024. <strong>Dawson Rettinger</strong> was slowed by injuries in 2024 but he's healthy now, while rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679931' first='Dock' last='Love']</strong> shows promise. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the secondary, the speedy <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594142' first='Jhett' last='Kinghorn']</strong> (recently clocked 10.96 in the 100) will be one of the safeties. The cornerbacks will be new. Besides Clark and Kinghorn, the La Cueva defense will rely on players with limited varsity experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Defensively, we'll do things a little differently,” Back said. “It will be up to our defensive coordinators to call the game to fit the athletes we put on the field this year, and not what we did last year. We're counting on guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1594119' first='Brody' last='Clark'] to be our leaders. He knows what it takes to get to the state championship game and to be there.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 La Cueva Football Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 21 VOLCANO VISTA (Thur., 7 p.m.) &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29 PHOENIX (AZ) PINNACLE &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 5 Bye</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 12 SANDIA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 19 at Farmington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 26 WEST MESA*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 3 at Eldorado*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 10 at Los Lunas*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 17 at Atrisco Heritage*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 24 SANTA FE*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 3 at Albuquerque High* &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 6A-2 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2 new prs yesterday. 10.63 in the 100 and 49.34 in the 400. Much more to come.. <a href="https://t.co/D1I6PEYDAP">pic.twitter.com/D1I6PEYDAP</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='853013' first='Tanner' last='Montano'] (@tannermontano7) <a href="https://twitter.com/tannermontano7/status/1911080578981744997?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season highlights<a href="https://t.co/zikYJBv8yw">https://t.co/zikYJBv8yw</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='853013' first='Tanner' last='Montano'] (@tannermontano7) <a href="https://twitter.com/tannermontano7/status/1866293027683106943?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Year Reg. Season Highlights<a href="https://twitter.com/jernarogilford?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jernarogilford</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Kwam?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Kwam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlesMack19?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CharlesMack19</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_maximus347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_maximus347</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mjgaynor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mjgaynor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_BPerkins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_BPerkins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJ_Ortiz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJ_Ortiz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/goodwin_kevin14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@goodwin_kevin14</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_KJackson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_KJackson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DjTialavea_86?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DjTialavea_86</a> <a href="https://t.co/ecSWyeGNtU">https://t.co/ecSWyeGNtU</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1594142' first='Jhett' last='Kinghorn'] (@JhettKinghorn) <a href="https://twitter.com/JhettKinghorn/status/1856372250645279108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Best plays from my junior season at la Cueva school. Current gpa 3.7. 5'9” and 210 lbs. <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTaufaasau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTaufaasau</a><a href="https://twitter.com/TimRoschmann?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TimRoschmann</a><a href="https://twitter.com/LoboRecruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LoboRecruiting</a><a href="https://twitter.com/DCobb27?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DCobb27</a><a href="https://twitter.com/JGonzo_24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JGonzo_24</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Mac51?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Mac51</a><br>@TTUCoachBook<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDiedrick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDiedrick</a><a href="https://twitter.com/UTSAFTBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UTSAFTBL</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SocratesVergar1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SocratesVergar1</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Coachrhud?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coachrhud</a><a href="https://twitter.com/TimRoschmann?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TimRoschmann</a> <a href="https://t.co/GciXYNZz1k">pic.twitter.com/GciXYNZz1k</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1594119' first='Brody' last='Clark'] (@BrodyJClark11) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrodyJClark11/status/1890892372168294429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am blessed to announce my commitment to the United States Air Force Academy. ✈️⚡️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoltBrotherhood?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoltBrotherhood</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MoneyTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MoneyTeam</a><a href="https://twitter.com/coachskene3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachskene3</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachAlexMeans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachAlexMeans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachawrightAFA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachawrightAFA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTimHorton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTimHorton</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTCalhoun?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTCalhoun</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LaCuevaFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaCuevaFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HKA_Tanalski?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HKA_Tanalski</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChrisRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheChrisRubio</a> <a href="https://t.co/S9ABLrNBpa">pic.twitter.com/S9ABLrNBpa</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1672525' first='Mickey' last='Widner'] (@MickeyWidner) <a href="https://twitter.com/MickeyWidner/status/1912966232178835702?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Some clips from this morning at camp thank you for having me.<a href="https://twitter.com/_coachwomack?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_coachwomack</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ENMUFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WNMUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WNMUFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FLCFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLCFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachMcKee_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachMcKee_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmmibroncos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmmibroncos</a> <a href="https://t.co/w0W3Ok8Er1">pic.twitter.com/w0W3Ok8Er1</a></p>&mdash; MontyMelendez (@MontyMelen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MontyMelen/status/1893823627746750691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check some of my 2024 highlights (Junior) year - <a href="https://t.co/OSXnc34v1O">https://t.co/OSXnc34v1O</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='853556' first='Jayen' last='Barros'] 2026 (@jayenbarros) <a href="https://twitter.com/jayenbarros/status/1866677854739505232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season Highlights ⭐️ <br><br>2024 1st Team All Metro <br>2024 State Runner Up<br><br>25 Varsity Games Started in 2 Seasons <br><br>2024-3️⃣3️⃣Pancakes 6️⃣ Decleates 🥞 <br>2024- 0️⃣ Sack Allowed<br><br>315 Bench- 475 Deadlift - Squat 405 <br><br>Time to get ready for my Senior year! <a href="https://twitter.com/LaCuevaFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaCuevaFootball</a>… <a href="https://t.co/Iarzf56w5F">pic.twitter.com/Iarzf56w5F</a></p>&mdash; Skyler (Sarge) Sargent 7️⃣8️⃣ (@SSarge2026) <a href="https://twitter.com/SSarge2026/status/1867262081856417845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->