2025 Team Preview: Santa Teresa Desert Warriors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SANTA TERESA DESERT WARRIORS PREVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since winning nine games and advancing to the Class 5A quarterfinals in 2021, Santa Teresa has struggled. The Desert Warriors (still the best nickname in NM High school football) won four games in 2022 before back-to-back 1-9 campaigns has the program eyeing a fresh start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We had a good team last season but everything just fell in on us,” Santa Teresa head coach Shae Vierra told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We had seven season-ending surgeries in the first two weeks.&nbsp; We just didn't have the depth to be competitive after that. Our Achilles heel was the lack of depth. Week to week, we were just trying to find healthy bodies. It was just one of those anomalies in football that sometimes happen.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vierra acknowledged depth will again be a concern for the Desert Warriors in 2025. Staying healthy, of course, is the key. They didn't last year and paid the price in the won-lost record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“If we can stay healthy, we'll be competitive,” Vierra said. “If guys start going down, we'll have to scramble. It's basically the same scenario as last season. We feel we have some players. If we can keep them on the field, we'll be all right.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Players To Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1137846' first='Nicholas' last='Vierra']</strong> (QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137847' first='David' last='Gutierrez']</strong> (RB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751429' first='Adien' last='Rodriguez']</strong> (TE).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Santa Teresa offense revolves around dynamic rising senior dual threat quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137846' first='Nicholas' last='Vierra']</strong>, son of the head coach. Vierra came <em>THIS</em> close to joining the prestigious 1,000-1,000 club last season as he threw for 1,139 yards and 6 TD while rushing for 936 yards and 2 TD. He was Santa Teresa's leading rusher by a wide margin. Vierra impressed coaches and onlookers during camping season in June with his speed, elusiveness and passing ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Nicholas is on another level,” Vierra said. “He could play anywhere in the state. He loves football. He works hard. He runs well. He's the strongest player on the team. And he's in the top 10 percent of his class academically. We expect big things out of Nicholas this season. He had a phenomenal season last year even though we lost all five of our offensive linemen at one point and we still had to play Roswell and Artesia.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shane Vierra said Santa Teresa plans to run the ball more in 2025, so [player_tooltip player_id='1137846' first='Nicholas' last='Vierra'] will have plenty of opportunity to post impressive numbers on the ground. He has already rushed for close to 1,500 yards in his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How much did Santa Teresa rely on [player_tooltip player_id='1137846' first='Nicholas' last='Vierra'] running with the football last season? Injuries limited rising senior RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137847' first='David' last='Gutierrez']</strong> to two games in 2024 and he still finished as the team's second leading rusher with 188 yards on 33 carries. If he stays healthy, Santa Teresa could have a powerful 1-2 tandem with Vierra and Gutierrez. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“David is back and he's doing well,” Shane Vierra said. “We expect a good 1-2 punch if both stay healthy. David is a heckuva player when he has the ball in his hands. Unfortunately, he only got to play two games.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787093' first='Hector' last='Alvarez']</strong> finished the 2024 season strongly, positioning himself to be the No. 3 option in Santa Teresa's rushing attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All three of Santa Teresa's receivers with double digits receptions in 2024 have graduated. In fact, the Desert Warriors didn't have a non-senior with more than 1 reception last season. As a result, plenty of players are battling this summer to get on the field. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751429' first='Adien' last='Rodriguez']</strong> has moved from offensive tackle to tight end and the Santa Teresa coaches look for him to make a major impact catching the football. The rest of the receiver corps should be guys who played mainly JV and Freshmen team last year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line is expected to be vastly improved after injuries set the unit back in 2024. &nbsp;Again, there's not much depth, so the starting five must stay healthy. Four starters return – rising seniors <strong>Timothy Monarez</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751438' first='Erick' last='Silveyra']</strong>, <strong>Brandon Sanchez</strong> and <strong>John Hernandez</strong>. Some missed action last season due to injuries, but everybody is healthy right now. The newcomer is rising junior center <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790963' first='Paul' last='Garcia']</strong>. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Between the offensive backfield returning and an experience O-Line, that should really&nbsp; help us,” Shane Vierra said. “Hopefully, we'll do a better job finishing drives this season. We moved the ball between the 20s but the red zone was a major issue.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751431' first='Jacob' last='Martinez']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751435' first='Donovan' last='Ramirez']</strong> (DL), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1270998' first='Jonas' last='Lopez']</strong> (DB).&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Teresa has a new defensive coordinator after the Desert Warriors struggled on that side of the ball in 2024, so expect changes in the scheme and structure. First and foremost, Santa Teresa must reduce the number of big plays it gave up in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season's leading tackler <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751431' first='Jacob' last='Martinez']</strong> is back at LB. Martinez is extremely fast as he won the district title in the 100 meters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive line will be anchored by rising senior DT <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751435' first='Donovan' last='Ramirez']</strong>. Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790779' first='Danny' last='Calderon']</strong> and DE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751429' first='Adien' last='Rodriguez']</strong> (see above) join him on the D-Line. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1270998' first='Jonas' last='Lopez']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787093' first='Hector' last='Alvarez']</strong> (moving from LB to safety) headline the secondary. Both CB jobs are up for grabs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're revamping and retooling the defensive side of the ball,” Vierra said. “There will be a lot of new faces on defense.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Santa Teresa Football Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 22 at Silver (7 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29 at El Paso (TX) Mountain View (7 p.m.) &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 5 CHAPARRAL (7 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 12 GODDARD (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 18 at Mayfield (Thur., 7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 26 ROSWELL (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 3 at Artesia (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 10 Bye &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 16 DEMING (Thur., 7 p.m.)* &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 24 GADSDEN (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 31 at Lovington (7 p.m.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 5A-2 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out my 2024 Junior szn highlights<br>Qb/Ath/P<br>5'11 165<br>Class of ‘26<br>4.0 gpa<br>2,075 total yards<br>1,139 passing<br>936 rushing<br>10 tds <br>Nickvierra0@gmail.com <br>915-315-8371 <a href="https://t.co/9wBsotYEuU">https://t.co/9wBsotYEuU</a></p>&mdash; Nick Vierra (@Nickvierra5) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nickvierra5/status/1852949221856751688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Santa Teresa Quarterback <a href="https://twitter.com/Nickvierra5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nickvierra5</a>, 3.86 GPA, then benched 225, squatted 350 during class. Then stayed an hour and a half throwing to receivers after school, and then puts up a Double Double for the ST Spring League Team in the evening <a href="https://t.co/LDeefz0jee">pic.twitter.com/LDeefz0jee</a></p>&mdash; Santa Teresa Desert Warrior Football (@SantaTeresaFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SantaTeresaFB/status/1914488622226768137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Warrior Football Weight Room Warrior of the Week.<br>Brandon Sanchez putting up big numbers. He's Mr Powerclean <a href="https://twitter.com/STHSWarriors?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@STHSWarriors</a> <a href="https://t.co/ma17hm8itk">pic.twitter.com/ma17hm8itk</a></p>&mdash; Santa Teresa Desert Warrior Football (@SantaTeresaFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SantaTeresaFB/status/1894899151759954030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/SbQ4TWT72L">pic.twitter.com/SbQ4TWT72L</a></p>&mdash; Santa Teresa Desert Warrior Football (@SantaTeresaFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SantaTeresaFB/status/1883969967856722074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here are couple of plays at my spring game!! <a href="https://twitter.com/SantaTeresaFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SantaTeresaFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/lMn6wNpUB9">pic.twitter.com/lMn6wNpUB9</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1270998' first='Jonas' last='Lopez'] (@JonasLopez194) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonasLopez194/status/1928680671075041613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->