2025 Team Preview: Kirtland Central Broncos
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<p><strong>2025 KIRTLAND CENTRAL PREVIEW</strong></p>
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<p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p>
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<p>Kirtland Central has seen their season win total steadily decrease from five in 2021 to four in 2022 to three in 2023 to two last season. Just one of their losses in 2024 was by single digits.</p>
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<p>“Everybody had a sour taste in their mouths after last season,” Kirtland Central head coach Travis Clary told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “It was disappointing. We're using that as fuel to get better as players and as people. We just need to move forward.</p>
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<p>“We've had a good steady group of young men all summer long. They're showing up consistently and making things happen in the weight room and on the field. That's what you want, a core group of players that are going to get the job done.” </p>
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<p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Top 3 Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1604919' first='Chance' last='Aspaas']</strong> (QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790900' first='Matthew' last='Decker']</strong> (RB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1752411' first='Kayben' last='Dowdy']</strong> (WR).</p>
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<p>Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604919' first='Chance' last='Aspaas']</strong> divided time at quarterback last season with graduated senior Bryle Matthews (signed with Nebraska Wesleyan) , but the job looks to be his for the taking in 2025. Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787853' first='Trenton' last='Salt']</strong> will be the backup after serving as a receiver and safety as a sophomore. Salt is very athletic. If he's not the starting QB, Salt will play slot WR. </p>
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<p>“Chance has taken a lot of the reps this summer,” Clary said. “He went through the growing pains last season. He's done well in 7-on-7 making the right reads and asking great questions. He's stepping up as a leader of the program. He's developing well. His knowledge of the game has really increased over the last few months.”</p>
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<p>Kirtland Central's top four rushers in 2024 have graduated. Aspaas is the top returning rusher, so the Broncos will have plenty of newcomers at the running back position. Six-foot-1, 190-pound rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790900' first='Matthew' last='Decker']</strong> is the likely No. 1 RB after being limited by injuries in 2024. Decker has been solid throughout the offseason and taking a strong hold of the role. Decker is also a member of Kirtland Central's power lifting team and has added considerable size and weight to his frame. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1752417' first='Phillip' last='Horsley']</strong> is competing for the starting job after being a role player last year.</p>
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<p>Similar to RB, Kirtland Central lost its top four receivers from last season to graduation. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1752411' first='Kayben' last='Dowdy']</strong> is the top returning WR and he should step into the No. 1 role. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787853' first='Trenton' last='Salt']</strong> should join him at WR of he doesn't win the QB job. Both will play slot WR. Rising seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1752424' first='Keoni' last='Scott']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1752429' first='Gaven' last='Mulnix']</strong> should be the top two outside receivers. </p>
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<p>“Kayben and Trenton are the two guys that have really stepped forward,” Clary said. “Especially in the slot.”</p>
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<p>Continuing an offensive theme for the Broncos, the offensive line must replace all five starters from last season. Newcomers will include 260-pound twin brothers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1826307' first='Jayden' last='Taylor']</strong> and <strong>Tristan Taylor</strong>, both rising sophomores. They are expected to earn starting jobs at the two guard spots.</p>
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<p>Rising senior <strong>Cooper Collom</strong> is competing with rising junior <strong>William Lee</strong> at center. Whoever loses that battle will get a look at tackle. Rising sophomore <strong>Raymond Thompson</strong> will also get a look at tackle. It's very likely Kirtland Central could have at least three sophomores starting on the O-Line. </p>
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<p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Top 3 Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1752417' first='Phillip' last='Horsley'] </strong>(DL), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790900' first='Matthew' last='Decker']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1752424' first='Keoni' last='Scott']</strong> (DB).</p>
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<p>Kirtland Central's top four tacklers from 2024 have graduated, but behind them on the tackle chart are some talented newcomers. The entire linebacker corps must be replaced.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1752417' first='Phillip' last='Horsley']</strong> (see above) will lead the defensive line. Rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1826249' first='Delvecchio' last='Begay']</strong> joins him there after a superb freshman season.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790900' first='Matthew' last='Decker']</strong> will likely be one of the starting inside linebackers after moving from D-Line. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604919' first='Chance' last='Aspaas']</strong> (see above) will play on both sides of the ball and he'll anchor the outside LB corps along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1752411' first='Kayben' last='Dowdy']</strong>, who moves from safety to OLB. Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1791027' first='Jordan' last='Davis']</strong> should be one of the inside LBs. Rising sophomore <strong>Jayceon Atcitty</strong> will compete for one of the inside LB spots.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1752424' first='Keoni' last='Scott']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1752429' first='Gaven' last='Mulnix']</strong> anchor the secondary as returning starters at the two cornerbacks pots. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787853' first='Trenton' last='Salt']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1826251' first='Dallas' last='Trujillo']</strong> will be the safeties. </p>
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<p><strong>2025 Kirtland Central Football Schedule:</strong></p>
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<p>Aug. 22 VALENCIA (6 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Aug. 29 at Pagosa Springs (CO)(7 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 5 at Shiprock (7 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 12 BLOOMFIELD (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Sept. 19 at Grants (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Sept. 26 Bye </p>
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<p>Oct. 3 BERNALILLO (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 10 at Espanola Valley (6 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 17 TAOS (6 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 24 AZTEC (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 31 at Moriarty (6 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>* District 4A-1 Game</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Go check out this seasons highlights!<br>WR/CB <br>c/o 2026<a href="https://t.co/kzGnDrqnEU">https://t.co/kzGnDrqnEU</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1752411' first='Kayben' last='Dowdy'] (@kayben_dowdy) <a href="https://twitter.com/kayben_dowdy/status/1852610064697200914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's Newcomb 7v7 tournament Thursday June 12, 2025!!!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Quarterback?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Quarterback</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ENMUFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NMHUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMHUFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WYLIE_NMHU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WYLIE_NMHU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tygtalexpo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tygtalexpo</a> <a href="https://t.co/pa5Fh7EhM9">pic.twitter.com/pa5Fh7EhM9</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1604919' first='Chance' last='Aspaas'] (@AspaasChance) <a href="https://twitter.com/AspaasChance/status/1933379218165149707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
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2025 KIRTLAND CENTRAL PREVIEW
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