2025 Team Preview: Lovington Wildcats
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<p><strong>2025 LOVINGTON PREVIEW</strong></p>
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<p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p>
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<p>Lovington started fast last season, winning its first five games of the season. At that point, they looked like a serious Class 5A championship contender. But a four-game losing streak disrupted those hopes, the final three setbacks by a combined total of 9 points. Eventually, the Wildcats earned the No. 7 seed and lost to Artesia in the Class 5A quarterfinals, finishing 7-5. Lovington head coach Josh Bailey points to a lack of depth for the Wildcats struggles in the second half of the season.</p>
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<p>“When we reflect on last season as a coaching staff, the biggest thing we keep looking at is our lack of depth,' Bailey told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We were as good as anybody if you just looked at starters across the board. But we had eight or nine guys playing both ways.</p>
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<p>“By the middle of the season, it felt like our guys were playing twice as many down as other teams. That's probably not something we're going to be able to fix immediately. We're still going to have a lot of two starters for this coming season. Our emphasis as a coaching staff is to build depth and get more one-way players.”</p>
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<p>Bailey believes going to a single platoon system is essential for Lovington to compete successfully long-term in Class 5A.</p>
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<p>“If we're going to compete for the 5A state championship, going to a single platoon system is necessary,: Bailey said. “I'm not sure we're going to get there by August, for sure. But we'll be OK. We competed at a high level this past season. We'll be ready to go again. In 4A, we could get away with (players going both ways), but 5A is different with teams like Artesia and Roswell. It's tough, especially late in the season when I felt it took a toll on us.” </p>
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<p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p>
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<p><strong>3 Players To Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1665332' first='Justin' last='Allen'] </strong>(QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137475' first='Jayden' last='Gutierrez']</strong> (WR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853015' first='Alex' last='Rivera']</strong> (OL).</p>
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<p>Mathew Prudencio was fantastic in his lone season as Lovington's starting quarterback, throwing for close to 2,800 yards and 33 TD. But Prudencio graduated, so Lovington will have its third different starting QB in three seasons. The early favorite is rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665332' first='Justin' last='Allen']</strong>, the JV starting QB in 2024.</p>
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<p>“Justin has a lot of speed,” Bailey said. “He was originally a receiver, but we've coached him up to play quarterback. He's soaking it up like sponge. I think he'll be ready to go. We're hoping Justin gets it going and gets it done.” </p>
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<p>Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137475' first='Jayden' last='Gutierrez']</strong> is one of those two-way players Bailey spoke of earlier. He began his journey through the Lovington system as a quarterback before switching to slot receiver and the secondary at the varsity level. But he has experience at the QB position, so he's an option. After Gutierrez, the third option is a rising freshman.</p>
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<p>Lovington doesn't return anybody at running back that rushed for more than 100 yards in 2024. As a result, Bailey expects plenty of intense competition throughout the summer and perhaps into preseason camp for the starting job. One of the possible contenders is rising senior speedster <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1750336' first='Zachary' last='Diaz']</strong>, who had limited carries in 2024 but averaged 8.8 yards per attempt. </p>
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<p>“That's a spot where we're going to watch guys compete all summer,” Bailey said. “We could move a slot receiver there if we have to. Ideally, that's not what I want to do. We have a couple of other guys that have potential. Zachary is a fast kid. He works hard. He has a chance to take that position if he continues to work hard. He came in for the second half of the Santa Teresa game and ran the ball well.”</p>
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<p>The rising senior trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137475' first='Jayden' last='Gutierrez']</strong> (when he's not at QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137867' first='Elijah' last='Rivero']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137465' first='Kyler' last='Reaves']</strong> will headline the WR corps. They combined for 119 receptions and 23 TD in 2024.</p>
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<p>“Those guys are quick and have a toon of speed,” Bailey said. “All three of those guys are primed to have great senior years.”</p>
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<p>Rising senior <strong>Chase Terrell</strong> could be the fourth option at WR. He also plays defense. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1693060' first='Joaquin' last='Vasquez']</strong> is another possibility.</p>
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<p>Six-foot-4, 295-pound Fresno State commitment <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853015' first='Alex' last='Rivera']</strong> anchors the offensive line. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1750358' first='Jesus' last='Morales']</strong> returns at center. Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787396' first='Jaden' last='Garcia']</strong> will start somewhere. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297175' first='Elijah' last='Gonzalez']</strong> and rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788683' first='Daemyn' last='Leyva']</strong> will be involved in the competition at the two remaining spots.</p>
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<p>“Alex is as good as they come,” Bailey said. “His punch is awesome. He has a great frame. He works hard and plays even harder. He'll be an important piece on both sides of the ball. Jaden has been a very versatile player for us on the offensive line. He can play any position on the O-Line. Elijah has worked hard for several years. Daemyn has made some noise on the defensive side.” </p>
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<p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p>
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<p><strong>3 Players To Watch</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137465' first='Kyler' last='Reaves']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787396' first='Jaden' last='Garcia']</strong> (DL), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137867' first='Elijah' last='Rivero']</strong> (DB). </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137465' first='Kyler' last='Reaves']</strong> led Lovington with 113 tackles and 4.0 sacks in 2024, and he's back at middle linebacker. He begins the season with 191 career tackles, putting him within reach of the coveted 300-tackle mark. Reaves was offered by Eastern New Mexico in May. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1693060' first='Joaquin' last='Vasquez']</strong> will likely be one of the other starters at LB, replacing Patrick Sanchez at the hybrid LB/DE spot.</p>
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<p>“Kyler will be right there in the middle for us,” Bailey said. “He's been there for four years. He's a very good player.”</p>
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<p>Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1750388' first='Mien' last='Bustillos']</strong> appeared in five games last season but is expected to transition to a full-time role at weakside LB. </p>
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<p>The secondary loses All-State caliber cornerbacks Alec Holguin and Ondalis Cardenas as well as Damien Munoz and Valente Herrera on the defensive line.</p>
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<p>The new look D-Line features <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787396' first='Jaden' last='Garcia']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788683' first='Daemyn' last='Leyva']</strong> (see above on both) in the three-man front. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853015' first='Alex' last='Rivera']</strong> will also play D-Line, meaning three offensive line starters will see extensive action on defense.</p>
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<p>At cornerback, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137867' first='Elijah' last='Rivero']</strong> will likely be a major contributor after playing mostly safety in 2024. The second CB spot will boil down to a battle between rising senior <strong>Alejandro Kame</strong>, rising junior <strong>Paul Sanchez</strong> and rising senior <strong>Ayden Nunez</strong>. </p>
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<p><strong>SPECIAL TEAMS</strong></p>
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<p>Lovington has one of the top placekickers in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266897' first='Caleb' last='Aranda']</strong>. </p>
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<p><strong>2025 Lovington Football Schedule:</strong></p>
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<p>Aug. 22 at Hobbs (7 p.m.)</p>
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<p>Aug. 29 PORTALES (7 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 5 CARLSBAD (7 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 12 at Roswell (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Sept. 19 GODDARD (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Sept. 26 at Artesia (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 3 at Mayfield (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 10 Bye </p>
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<p>Oct. 17 GADSDEN (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 24 at Deming (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 31 SANTA TERESA (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>* District 5A-2 Game</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season Highlight - <a href="https://t.co/PlwExY5bQ9">https://t.co/PlwExY5bQ9</a> TOT- 113<br>SOLO- 35<br>AST- 78<br>SACK- 4<br>TFL- 8.5<br>FF- 1<br>FR- 1<br>PD- 1<br>INT- 2<br>REC- 22<br>YARDS- 336<br>TD- 5</p>— kyler reaves (@KylerReavesLVT) <a href="https://twitter.com/KylerReavesLVT/status/1862598929071644841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out my junior highlights - <a href="https://t.co/If36S75zGr">https://t.co/If36S75zGr</a><br><a href="https://twitter.com/CoachFort_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachFort_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ochoa13x?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ochoa13x</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachjoshbailey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachjoshbailey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1137475' first='Jayden' last='Gutierrez'] (@_jgutierrez_14) <a href="https://twitter.com/_jgutierrez_14/status/1859700520924963216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I had a great time at the UNM camp, I charted a perfect 10/10 on field goals!! Here is a ball from 45 and 41, Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDaPrato?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDaPrato</a> for the great time!!<a href="https://twitter.com/OberkromKicking?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OberkromKicking</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachjoshbailey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachjoshbailey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachFort_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachFort_</a> <a href="https://t.co/N2ajN6wlzd">pic.twitter.com/N2ajN6wlzd</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1266897' first='Caleb' last='Aranda'] (@CalebAranda8) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalebAranda8/status/1934059571544522775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AGTG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AGTG</a> Had a great time at state today! Finished 1st in discus and 3rd in shot! <a href="https://t.co/cueIoyecOq">pic.twitter.com/cueIoyecOq</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='853015' first='Alex' last='Rivera'] (@nmriveraalex) <a href="https://twitter.com/nmriveraalex/status/1923509968533401912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out my junior highlights - <a href="https://t.co/If36S75zGr">https://t.co/If36S75zGr</a><br><a href="https://twitter.com/CoachFort_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachFort_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ochoa13x?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ochoa13x</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachjoshbailey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachjoshbailey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1137475' first='Jayden' last='Gutierrez'] (@_jgutierrez_14) <a href="https://twitter.com/_jgutierrez_14/status/1859700520924963216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After a great talk with <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Crab?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Crab</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Entz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Entz</a> I'm very excited and blessed to say that I have commited to <a href="https://twitter.com/FresnoStateFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FresnoStateFB</a>! I'd like to thank God for this amazing opportunity and my coaches for believing in me! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AGTG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AGTG</a> <a href="https://t.co/QeryVCkH3U">pic.twitter.com/QeryVCkH3U</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='853015' first='Alex' last='Rivera'] (@nmriveraalex) <a href="https://twitter.com/nmriveraalex/status/1896946806434713737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
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2025 LOVINGTON PREVIEW
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