2025 Team Preview: Hatch Valley Bears

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 HATCH VALLEY BEARS PREVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hatch Valley begins its third season under head coach Manny Rodriguez. Last season the Bears finished 7-5 and reached the Class 3A quarterfinals by beating Pojoaque Valley in the first round of the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Our first two seasons have gone well,” Rodriguez told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “Our first year we made the playoffs. Second year, we won a playoff game. This year, we're looking to go even farther than that and make a run. The kids I have now are working hard. They're slowly buying into the program and what we preach.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodriguez said Hatch Valley should have about 26 players on the varsity roster when they make the long trip to West Las Vegas for Friday night's 6 p.m. season opener. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 3 Players: [player_tooltip player_id='854279' first='Omar' last='Gonzalez'] </strong>(QB), <strong>David Dumas</strong> (RB), <strong>Oscar Solis</strong> (OL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hatch Valley has two senior quarterbacks in 2025: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854279' first='Omar' last='Gonzalez']</strong> and <strong>Caleb Watkins</strong>. Those two battled all summer and preseason camp for the starting job. Regardless, Rodriguez says he will find a way to get the loser on the field at another position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>David Dumas</strong> will be the No. 1 running back after finishing as the Bears' No. 3 rusher in 2024. He rushed for 346 yards in just 5 games before breaking his collarbone. He has 1,000-yard potential. Junior <strong>Felipe Carranza</strong> is the No. 2 RB and should get his share of carries. Junior <strong>Peet Bothma</strong> will be the fullback in addition to playing linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“David is excited to come back and get the rock,” Rodriguez said. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hatch Valley threw the ball just 79 times in 12 games last season, so they employ a run-dominated attack. Last season's leading receiver only had 8 receptions. Junior <strong>Deven Martinez</strong> is the top returning receiver. Sophomore <strong>Nathan Ruiz</strong> will be the tight end. Senior <strong>Miguel Marquez</strong> recently joined the program and should contribute to the passing game. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior <strong>Oscar Solis</strong> returns to anchor the offensive line along with senior <strong>Estevan Castillo</strong>. Sophomore guard <strong>Joshua Moriel</strong> is a promising newcomer. Two spots were up for grabs going into the season opener. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 3 Players: Joshua Moriel</strong> (OL), <strong>Peet Bothma</strong> (LB), <strong>Caleb Watkins</strong> (DB) <strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oscar Solis </strong>and<strong> Joshua Moriel </strong>will also play defensive line in addition to their O-Line responsibilities. The nose tackle job was the subject of a position battle during camp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peet Bothma</strong> will be the middle linebacker. <strong>Estevan Castillo</strong> will also play inside linebacker in Hatch Valley's 3-4 alignment. The two outside LBs will be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854279' first='Omar' last='Gonzalez']</strong> and <strong>Felipe Carranza</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The secondary will be led by cornerbacks <strong>David Dumas</strong> and <strong>Caleb Watkins</strong>. One of the safeties will be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854307' first='Demarcus' last='Alaniz']</strong>. The other safety spot was up for grabs going into Friday's season opener.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Hatch Valley Football Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 22 at West Las Vegas (6 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29 CHAPARRAL (7 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 5 vs. Junior Varsity Opponent &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 12 LAGUNA ACOMA (6 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 20 DEXTER (Sat., 1 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 26 at Cobre (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 3 at NMMI (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 10 SOCORRO (7 p.m.) * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 17 at Hot Springs (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 24 Bye &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 31 RUIDOSO (7 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 3A-3 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->