2025 Team Preview: Rio Grande Ravens

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 RIO GRANDE RAVENS PREVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After six years playing as an independent, Rio Grance moved to Class 5A for the 2024-25 scheduling cycle. But the results seemed familiar in 2024 as the Ravens went 0-9. However, third-year head coach Christopher Smalls appears to have the program on the right track as far as the numbers and enthusiasm is concerned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Overall, things have gotten better,” Smalls told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We have more kids out than we had last year. Growth is always good. But I know Rio Grande has never been a football school, so I understand if some kids are still holding out. The kids have been doing well this summer.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751640' first='Angel' last='Montelongo']</strong> appears to have won the job with his solid play during the spring and summer in 7-on-7 play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Angel is putting a good spin on the ball,” Smalls said. “He's finding the gaps and hitting the windows. He's delivering the ball. His production in 7-on-7 plays exceeded my expectations. He has command of the team. He has some mechanical type stuff to work on, but he's looking&nbsp; far better then he did late last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787153' first='Julian' last='Romero']</strong> headlines an inexperienced running backs corps. Rising senior <strong>Edgar Madera</strong> will compete for the starting job. Rio Grande's best player on offense could be WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751646' first='Fernando' last='Gonzalez']</strong>. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751649' first='Joey' last='Gonzales']</strong> and <strong>Giovon Grant</strong> will also get a lot of balls thrown in their direction. Rio Grande is searching for a new tight end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ravens must replace the entire offensive line. Right now, numerous players are competing for the five starting jobs. &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>Rising junior LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790803' first='Sammy' last='Padilla']</strong> leads the Rio Grande defense along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751646' first='Fernando' last='Gonzalez']</strong> (see above) and rising senior DL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751655' first='Max' last='Allen']</strong>. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Rio Grande Football Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 22 AZTEC (7 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29 MANZANO (7 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 4 at Atrisco Heritage (Thur., 7 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 13 MIYAMURA (Sat., 11 a.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 20 HIGHLAND (Sat., 11 a.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 26 at Capital (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 3 DEL NORTE (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 10 Bye &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 17 at Los Alamos (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 23 BELEN (Thur., 7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 31 VALLEY (7 p.m.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 5A-1 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->