2025 Team Preview: Socorro Warriors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SOCORRO WARRIORS PREVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Derek Smith Era begins Friday night for Socorro when the Warriors host Clas 3A power Robertson in the back half of a home-and-home series. Smith was named the new head coach of Socorro in April after serving several seasons in a variety of roles at Gadsden, including head coach of the freshman and JV teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith, a Western New Mexico graduate, replaces the highly successful Damien Ocampo, who resigned in February and was subsequently hired at Class 4A St. Pius X as the offensive coordinator.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I've always liked the Warrior mentality,” Smith said. “When I found out Damien was going to step away, I decided to apply for it and see if I could get the job. I want to continue the winning tradition at Socorro. I know they lost a lot of seniors, so a lot of my time has been spent trying to get the numbers up and get more kids involved.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 3 Players: Carlos Jaquez</strong> (QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272788' first='Nazario' last='Silva']</strong> (RB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600888' first='Jacob' last='Angel']</strong> (WR).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new quarterback for Socorro will likely be sophomore <strong>Carlos Jaquez</strong>, who is transitioning to QB after playing other positions the last couple of years. Sophomore <strong>Brendan Reichenbauch</strong> has also been competing for the starting job. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Both Carlos and Brendan showed some promising things during the summer,” Smith said. “Both need some work but they've been out there ballin' out.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top returning rusher is junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272788' first='Nazario' last='Silva']</strong>. He'll be joined in the backfield by junior <strong>Josiah Barba</strong>, who will also play slot receiver. If <strong>Brendan Reichenbauch</strong> doesn't win the QB job, he'll likely get some carries at RB. Sophomore <strong>Gabriel Silva</strong> is a promising up-and-comer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the wake of the transfers of [player_tooltip player_id='1613459' first='Ezra' last='Ocampo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1137096' first='Jay' last='Lee'], <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272788' first='Nazario' last='Silva']</strong> is also the top returning receiver. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600888' first='Jacob' last='Angel']</strong> is back after making 19 receptions and scoring 8 TD through the air in 2024. Sophomore <strong>Aiden Wheeler</strong> has promise. The versatile Reichenbauch could also line up at WR when he's not at QB or RB. Junior <strong>Isaiah Silva</strong> will get opportunities as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior <strong>William Rosas, </strong>sophomore center <strong>Bubba Contreras</strong> and junior guard <strong>Vyncyny Gonzales</strong> are returning starters on Socorro's offensive line. <strong>Tyler Marcum </strong>will likely be the starting right tackle. Senior <strong>Chad Aldrich</strong> is competing for a starting job. Six-foot-3, 280-pound freshman <strong>Angel Vasquez</strong> is a promising newcomer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 3 Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1604777' first='Dakota' last='Johnson'] </strong>(DL), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672823' first='Quay' last='Brawley']</strong> (LB), <strong>Jaxson Griffith</strong> (LB).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top retuning tackler is junior defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604777' first='Dakota' last='Johnson']</strong> (63 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 2 forced fumbles in 2024). Senior outside linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672823' first='Quay' last='Brawley']</strong> (50 tackles, team-leading 9.0 TFL) is the second leading returning tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>Jaxson Griffith</strong> will be the middle linebacker. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272788' first='Nazario' last='Silva']</strong> (44 tackles in 2024) joins them at OLB to give the Warriors a formidable second level on the defense. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>AD Munguia</strong> should be one of the cornerbacks, with <strong>Josiah Barba</strong> or <strong>Isaiah Silva</strong> filling the opposite CB spot. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600888' first='Jacob' last='Angel']</strong> (40 tackles last season) will be the free safety. <strong>Brendan Reichenbauch</strong> will likely be the strong safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bubba Contreras</strong> anchors the defensive line along with possibly <strong>Chad Aldrich</strong>. <strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Socorro Football Schedule:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 22 ROBERTSON (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>Aug. 29 THOREAU (7 p.m.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 5 CROWNPOINT (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. 12 at 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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 19 RUIDOSO (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;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 26 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. 2 at Hot Springs (Thur., 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. 10 at Hatch 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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 17 Bye &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 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;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 31 at Dexter (7 p.m.)*&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 3A-3 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->