2025 Team Preview: Loving Falcons

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 LOVING FALCONS PREVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loving pulled off one of the shockers of the 2024 post-season when they traveled to Albuquerque and dominated No. 3 seed Legacy Academy in the Class 2A quarterfinals, earning the Falcons a trip to the semifinals. Loving finished 8-5. The post-season momentum carried over into the summer and preseason camp for Loving. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We felt really good about what we accomplished this summer in terms of our strength and conditioning,” Loving head coach Tyler Finch told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “Our fitness levels within our team are great. Our team camaraderie is at an all-time high. We have a great senior group leading our team this year. The expectations are high. But we know we have a tough district.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 3 Players:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137875' first='Tristen' last='Onsurez'] </strong>(QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854281' first='Bobby' last='Parraz']</strong> (RB),<strong> Jayce Munoz</strong> (OL) <strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The dynamic offensive duo of elite dual threat quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137875' first='Tristen' last='Onsurez']</strong> and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854281' first='Bobby' last='Parraz']</strong> returns for Loving after combining for over 1,900 rushing yards and 25 TD in 2024. Both are seniors. Onsurez joined the prestigious 1,000-1,000 club last season as he threw for 1,330 yards, rushed for 1,071 yards and accounted for 29 TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Those two guys have very high football IQs,” Finch said. “They can do special things on the football field. They're great leaders within our program. They're excited to get out there for their senior year. We expect a lot of the same things from them. Tristen is a high level dual threat quarterback. He can do a lot of things. He makes a lot of plays with his legs.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parraz rushed for 833 yards last season but surely would have surpassed 1,000 yards had he not missed four games due to injury, including all three playoff games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604697' first='Brodie' last='Allen']</strong> is the backup quarterback for Loving, but he'll also play running back. Allen stepped in when Parraz was injured last season and finished with 429 yards on 77 carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The wide receiver corps for the Falcons is deep. Five of the six WRs with 10+ receptions last season are back, led by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1601101' first='Ricky' last='Fuentes']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599529' first='Braven' last='Vasquez']</strong>. Both had 21 receptions in 2024. Behind them are seniors <strong>Garrett Bunch</strong> and <strong>Kenius Onsurez</strong>. Promising sophomores <strong>Evan Leyva</strong> and <strong>Rider Gonzalez</strong> should contribute. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Ricky and Breven were great for us in the slot last year,” Finch said. “We feel very good about our receiving corps coming into the season. All those guys had great summer and they're ready to go.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>Jayce Munoz</strong>, a three-year starter, anchors the offensive line for the Falcons. Munoz checks in at over 300 pounds. Senior <strong>Isaac Murillo</strong> has experience. Newcomers include senior <strong>Aiden Franco</strong>, junior <strong>Jose Valdivia</strong> and sophomore <strong>Joshua Barnes</strong>. &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><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 3 Players</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599529' first='Braven' last='Vasquez']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604697' first='Brodie' last='Allen']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137875' first='Tristen' last='Onsurez']</strong> (DB).   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loving utilizes the 4-3 as the base scheme. Middle linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599529' first='Braven' last='Vasquez']</strong> was Loving's leading tackler last season with 118 tackles, 6.0 for loss. He'll be the undisputable leader of the Falcons' defense in 2025. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854281' first='Bobby' last='Parraz']</strong> will play defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604697' first='Brodie' last='Allen']</strong> (60 tackles as a sophomore in 2024) and sophomore <strong>Arion Lopez</strong> are expected to fill two of the other LB spots next to Vasquez.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137875' first='Tristen' last='Onsurez']</strong>, an elite two-way player, leads the secondary after making 38 tackles with 5 interceptions and 6 pass breakups last season. He'll fill a hybrid DB/OLB role for Loving in 2025. Which position he fills depends on whether the Loving DC calls for a two high or one high look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1601101' first='Ricky' last='Fuentes']</strong> and <strong>Garrett Bunch</strong> will play cornerback. <strong>Kenius Onsurez</strong> and <strong>Rider Gonzalez</strong> will be in the mix. <strong>Evan Leyva</strong> is another player who could see action at either LB or safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joshua Barnes</strong> joins <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854281' first='Bobby' last='Parraz']</strong> at defensive end. <strong>Aiden Franco</strong> will also see action at defensive end. The DL interior will consist of <strong>Jayce Munoz</strong> and senior <strong>Jesus Soria</strong>. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Loving Football Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 22 ESTANCIA (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;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29 NMMI (7 p.m.) &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 4 at Artesia JV &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 TUCUMCARI (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;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 20 NEWCOMB (Sat., 11 a.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>Sept. 25 at Carlsbad JV &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 EUNICE (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. 10 at Texico (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;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 17 TULAROSA (7 p.m.)* &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 at Jal (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;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 31 Bye &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 2A-3 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->