2025 Team Preview: Deming Wildcats

OVERVIEW   Deming has quietly been one of the top Class 5A programs over the past three years, compiling a total record of 25-12 and earning two trips to the semifinals in 2022 and 2023. Last season the Wildcats earned a top four seed but lost to Mayfield at home in the quarterfinals.   “We have a lot of good kids, we just don't have a lot of them,” Deming head coach Richard Perales told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We usually travel with about 30 or 35 kids. We're going to be young and scrappy. I'm really excited about this year.   “We lost a lot of quality players but we've been working hard since January. These kids are ready. I'm proud of them. Our goal is to outwork everybody. I'm expecting another good year. We have a tough schedule with some big schools coming to our place.”        OFFENSE   3 Players To Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1604953' first='Max' last='Allison'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='851887' first='Isaac' last='Martinez'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1250000' first='Jesus' last='Olvera'] (OL).    Deming must replace dynamic dual threat quarterback Ryan Alfaro, who rushed for close to 3,300 yards, threw for 2,368 yards and accounted for 76 TD in his four years with the varsity. Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1604953' first='Max' last='Allison'] is next man up after serving as Alfaro's backup in 2024. He's more of a pro-style pocket passer than Alfaro, but he has shown the ability to run when called upon to do so.  Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='851887' first='Isaac' last='Martinez'], the No. 2 running back last season, could get a look in certain situations. Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1826051' first='Richard' last='Holguin'] is a promising newcomer.”     “Max is about 6-foot-1 and he can really throw the ball,” Perales said. “He's thrown some very good balls in 7-on-7 so far. I'm very happy where he is right now. He's coming along and he's a great leader. We have him for two more years. Richard reminds me of Ryan Alfaro.”   [player_tooltip player_id='851887' first='Isaac' last='Martinez'] will start the season as the No. 1 RB after rushing for 640 yards and 5 TD in 2024. He was Deming's second leading rusher behind Alfaro last season. He possesses good size at 6-foot-0, 215 pounds. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1751221' first='Anthony' last='Munoz'] will get some carries after averaging better than 10 yards er carry in 2024.          “We're going to spread teams out and keep them honest with Isaac up the middle,” Perales said.   Rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1751254' first='Joan' last='Ramirez'] and 6-foot-2 [player_tooltip player_id='1751283' first='Bryan' last='Lobato'] headline a talented WR corps for the Wildcats. Both have been outstanding during 7-on-7 season. Lobato is coming off an excellent track season. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1751305' first='Sebastian' last='Alvarez'] is a nice option at No. 3 WR. [player_tooltip player_id='1751221' first='Anthony' last='Munoz'] will have a role when the Wildcats utilize four receivers. Anthony Franco is one of two promising freshmen who could make an impact.      “This is probably going to be the best receiving group I've been around in 25 years,” Perales said. “Joan will probably be our go-to guy. He's the fastest guy on our team. Our best athletes on the team are at slot and outside receiver. As a result, we're going to have a different offense this year. We've run a lot of power the past couple of years. We're going to get rid of the football quick and throw it more.”   The Deming offensive line returns one starter in rising senior right guard [player_tooltip player_id='1250000' first='Jesus' last='Olvera'], so it will be largely inexperienced. Olvera won the title in the 220-pound class at April's state powerlifting championships, lifting a total of 1,305 pounds, more weight than anybody in the super heavyweight class. So, Olvera is incredibly strong.   Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1787537' first='Maximus' last='Quintero'] will play right tackle alongside Olvera. Six-foot-3 rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1826062' first='Daxton' last='Schulke'] is expected to be the left tackle. The center should be [player_tooltip player_id='1788793' first='Xavier' last='Acuna'], younger brother of former Deming standout Sebastian Acuna. The left guard spot is up for grabs.   DEFENSE   3 Players To Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='851886' first='Isaac' last='Ledezma'] (DL), [player_tooltip player_id='1751361' first='Fabian' last='Gutierrez'] (DL), [player_tooltip player_id='1751380' first='Vincente' last='Chacon'] (LB).     Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='851886' first='Isaac' last='Ledezma'] headlines what should be a very good Wildcats defensive line. Ledezma was limited by injuries last season but his talent ius undeniable. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1751361' first='Fabian' last='Gutierrez'] will be one of the defensive ends.  Kean Wilderman joins the varsity after playing mostly JV in 2024. Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1788808' first='Chris' last='Lucero'] should be a major contributor.         “Our defensive line is going to be the heart of our team,” Perales said. “We have everybody back. It's going to be hard for teams to run against us. Our D-Line is very good.”   The linebacker spot returns one starter in rising senior MLB [player_tooltip player_id='1751380' first='Vincente' last='Chacon'], the Wildcats' top returning tackler. Outside linebacker is wide open. In the secondary, rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1788848' first='Andrew' last='Lerma'] should be one of the cornerbacks. The other three spots? All up for grabs.   “We're going to be young in the secondary,” Perales said. “Once we get into district play, we might have to bring in some of the older guys on offense and give them some reps. We could have a couple of eighth-graders at safety.”       2025 Deming Football Schedule:   Aug. 22 ALAMOGORDO (7 p.m.)        Aug. 30 at Organ Mountain (Sat., 10 a.m.)          Sept. 5 SILVER (7 p.m.)             Sept. 12 ARTESIA (7 p.m.)*            Sept. 19 at Roswell (7 p.m.)*           Sept. 26 MAYFIELD (7 p.m.)*            Oct. 3 at Goddard (7 p.m.)*           Oct. 10 Bye             Oct. 16  at Santa Teresa (7 p.m.)*             Oct. 24 LOVINGTON (7 p.m.)*             Oct. 31 at Gadsden (7 p.m.)*          * District 5A-1 Game   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our new lights are up at War Memorial stadium!!! Can't wait for the fall! <a href="https://t.co/Ef5fqXdWGO">pic.twitter.com/Ef5fqXdWGO</a>— Deming Wildcat Football (@DemingWildcat) <a href="https://twitter.com/DemingWildcat/status/1917203882419388641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2025</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Wildcat Football schedule 2025!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GATA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GATA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GRIT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GRIT</a> <a href="https://t.co/oWbvHeMXvh">pic.twitter.com/oWbvHeMXvh</a>— Deming Wildcat Football (@DemingWildcat) <a href="https://twitter.com/DemingWildcat/status/1915424894625419600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2025</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">[player_tooltip player_id='1250000' first='Jesus' last='Olvera'] class of 2026 monster! 455 deadlift 3 sport athlete! Football, Power lifting, Wrestling. ALL State DE football player, State champ Power lifter! <a href="https://twitter.com/UNMLoboFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNMLoboFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NMStateFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMStateFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CSUPueblo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSUPueblo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ENMUFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmmibroncos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmmibroncos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JesusOlvera58?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JesusOlvera58</a> <a href="https://t.co/sTSTsSC6Qo">pic.twitter.com/sTSTsSC6Qo</a>— Deming Wildcat Football (@DemingWildcat) <a href="https://twitter.com/DemingWildcat/status/1882822177252315279?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote>

OVERVIEW