2025 Team Preview: Robertson Cardinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 ROBERTSON CARDINALS PREVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the past decade, Robertson has been one of the dominant programs in Class 3A. Since 2014, the Cardinals have appeared in the state championship game six times and won 10+ games nine times. For the most part, it's pretty much been a given Robertson will seriously contend for the Class 3A championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But this could be a year of transition for Robertson. The Cardinals have a new head coach in long-time assistant and alum Lucas Sanchez (12 years as Robertson offensive coordinator after graduating from RHS in 2006 and attending Eastern New Mexico and NM Highlands) after highly successful coach Leroy Gonzalez was abruptly dismissed by the local school board in the spring. In addition, many key contributors last season have graduated or transferred.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“My No. 1 goal was to be a head coach,” Sanchez told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “And it was only ever going to be at my alma matter. However long that took, it didn't matter to me. I wanted to be here. I had long talks with my wife and family. It's demanding in terms of the time, hours and commitment. But my roots are here. I've always been a Cardinal.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanchez says the numbers in the Robertson program, the work ethic and morale throughout the programs has increased over the past several months as a new era in Robertson football dawns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Our guys are chomping at the bit,” Sanchez said. “We have some seniors returning but mostly we have a lot of young, talented, hardworking guys in our program.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 3 Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1155256' first='Nathan' last='Gonzales']</strong> (QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137836' first='Elijah' last='Ortiz']</strong> (RB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613594' first='Diego' last='Maez']</strong> (WR)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new quarterback for the Cardinals is 6-foot-5 junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155256' first='Nathan' last='Gonzales']</strong>, who takes over after playing mainly receiver and defensive line last season for Robertson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Nathan is the type of quarterback I've been wanting for years,” Sanchez said. “He's tall and he brings a totally different style of football to this team compared to our previous quarterbacks in the last few years. His arsenal is completely different. Still dangerous, though. He has all the attributes you often see in a typical tall, lanky quarterback. His pocket presence is fantastic. And he's an unbelievable leader.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman <strong>Marcus Montoya</strong> is expected to be the backup QB. Montoya is a dynamic young athlete who played as an 8th-grader on Robertson's varsity basketball team that won the 3A title in March. Sanchez, though, plans to utilize Montoya at other positions when he's not at QB. Between Gonzales and Montoya, Robertson appears set at QB for at least the next four years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robertson's top four rushers from last season have departed, three to graduation and one transferred to a 6A school in Albuquerque. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137836' first='Elijah' last='Ortiz']</strong> moves from wide receiver to running back, and has shown tremendous speed in preseason workouts. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672753' first='Andres' last='Sanchez']</strong> should see his number of carries increase significantly. He has good vision and runs hard. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606130' first='Francisco' last='Lopez']</strong> will get some carries in addition to being the Cardinals' middle linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613594' first='Diego' last='Maez']</strong> is the top returning receiver from last season. He averaged over 19 yards per reception. Senior <strong>Brenen Deisler</strong> joins the Cardinals from the baseball team and he's expected to make an immediate impact at receiver. <strong>Marcus Montoya</strong> (see above) could make a major contribution at receiver as well. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Diego got an opportunity to play as a freshman last season and he did very well,” Sanchez said. “He adapted quickly and learned on the fly. He took us by surprise. Diego is very athletic. He'll be our leading target. Brenen catches everything thrown to him and he has great speed.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two starters return on the Robertson offensive line: sophomore LG <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613664' first='Santos' last='Martinez']</strong> and junior LT <strong>David Lautalo</strong>. Senior <strong>Tristan Abeyta</strong> will play center in his first year as a starter. Junior <strong>Max Flure</strong> will be the right tackle. The right guard spot is up for grabs. Sophomore <strong>Diego Tenorio</strong> is one of the candidates competing for the spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 3 Players: Max Flure </strong>(DL)<strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1613664' first='Santos' last='Martinez']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606130' first='Francisco' last='Lopez']</strong> (LB).<strong> &nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roberton utilizes a 3-4 defense. The nose tackle will be <strong>Max Flure</strong>. One of the defensive ends is <strong>David Lautalo</strong>. The two inside linebackers are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613664' first='Santos' last='Martinez']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606130' first='Francisco' last='Lopez']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Santos and Francisco bring a lot of intensity and speed,” Sanchez said. “They're ballhawks. I foresee both of them having great years on the defensive side of the ball.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613594' first='Diego' last='Maez']</strong> will be one of the cornerbacks after gaining valuable experience on both sides of the ball as a freshman. The cornerback on the opposite side will be senior <strong>Santos Rael</strong> or <strong>Marcus Montoya</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155256' first='Nathan' last='Gonzales']</strong>, the expected starting QB, moves from LB to free safety to minimize his chances of being injured while playing defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137836' first='Elijah' last='Ortiz']</strong> moves from CB to strong safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have some battles going on, but those are good problems to have,” Sanchez said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Robertson Football Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 22 at 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;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29 COBRE (7 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 5 SANTA ROSA (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>Sept. 13 at Ruidoso (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;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 19 at Raton (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>Sept. 27 at Tularosa (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;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 3 at Pojoaque Valley (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. 10 WEST LAS VEGAS (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. 18 HOPE CHRISTIAN (Sat., 1 p.m.)* &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;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nov. 1 at St. Michael's (Sat., 1 p.m.)* &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 3A-2 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->