2025 Team Preview: St. Michael’s Horsemen
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<p><strong>2025 ST. MICHAEL'S HORSEMEN PREVIEW</strong></p>
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<p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p>
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<p>Since the pandemic ended, St. Michael's has been the most dominant program in Class 3A, capturing state titles the past two seasons (2023-24) and appearing in four straight 3A state championship games. Then again, the Horsemen are all about winning. They've had just one losing season since 2004 under long time head coach Joey Fernandez. This year, St. Michael's strives for the coveted three-peat.</p>
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<p>“Our No. 1 goal every year is to win the state championship,” Fernandez told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We always talk with our kids about lifting the blue trophy. We know it takes a lot of work and commitment but also a lot of luck to get into position to do that.</p>
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<p>“It's a long season. We know there are teams that circle the game against us on their schedule. We're a big target. We know teams are coming after us and trying to beat us. We understand that and try to be mentally focused every week.” <strong> </strong></p>
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<p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Top 3 Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1600843' first='Kamal' last='Stith']</strong> (QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853063' first='Isaiah' last='Dominguez']</strong> (RB/WR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600008' first='Brandon' last='Meyer']</strong> (WR). </p>
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<p>Senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600843' first='Kamal' last='Stith']</strong> shared snaps last season with graduated senior Reed Bass. But the job is Stith's completely in 2025 and he looked the part during 7-on-7 season, throwing the ball with more confidence and zip than he did last year. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1826298' first='Estevan' last='Gonzales']</strong> has the inside track on securing the backup QB after serving as the freshmen team QB in 2024.</p>
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<p>“Kamal got every third series last year,” Fernandez said. “We knew he needed to get those reps coming into this season. He looked great at times last season and other times he looked inexperienced. Coming into this season, Kamal knows he's the guy. He has that added confidence in himself, but he also knows he has some pretty good players around him that will help him.”</p>
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<p>Fernandez's offensive system traditionally relies on multiple running backs, and this year should be no different. The top returning rusher is senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853063' first='Isaiah' last='Dominguez']</strong>, who was a camp warrior this summer. Dominguez will largely be utilized on runs to the perimeter into space. Between the tackles, bruising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137830' first='Pete' last='Johnson']</strong>, also an elite linebacker, will usually get the ball. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267011' first='Brayden' last='Hollis']</strong> should get some carries as well. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1763645' first='Roman' last='Barrera']</strong> is a promising addition to the backfield. Senior <strong>Dylan Garcia</strong> will see action as well. </p>
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<p>“We'll try to spread the ball around like we have the last few years,” Fernandez said. “Pete will be our guy in one-back sets. The majority of the time, Isaiah and Brayden will be in the slot. They're also valuable to us catching the ball. When we go to two-back sets, Isaiah will be in the backfield. Pete is a strong guy. He's tough to bring down. He's honed his running backs skills the last couple of years.”</p>
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<p>St. Michael's returns its top three receivers from a season ago, led by senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600008' first='Brandon' last='Meyer']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267011' first='Brayden' last='Hollis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853063' first='Isaiah' last='Dominguez']</strong> will catch the football in addition to running it when called upon. Six-foot-4 athletic junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155019' first='Ryan' last='Hunt']</strong>, an elite defensive end, will line up at WR as well. He'll play some tight end as well. </p>
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<p>“One of our strengths this year is we have guys who can run routes, get open and catch the football,” Fernandez said. “[player_tooltip player_id='1600008' first='Brandon' last='Meyer'] is an exceptional receiver. Great route runner. When the ball is thrown his way, he's going to get it. Brandon looks even better this year. He's upped his game a lot.”</p>
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<p>The Horsemen return four offensive linemen who started at least one game in 2024, three being full-time starters: junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604774' first='Jedrek' last='Lewandowski']</strong>, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787965' first='Preston' last='Cdebaca'], </strong>senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1753925' first='Devin' last='Riebsomer'] </strong>and senior <strong>Don Gorman</strong>. Fernandez likes to use six or seven O-Linemen over the course of a season.</p>
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<p>“Those guys have all gotten much stronger,” Fernandez said. “The experience they got last year will make them that much better. This year we'll have one of the strongest lines we've had.”</p>
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<p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Top 3 Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1137830' first='Pete' last='Johnson']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155019' first='Ryan' last='Hunt']</strong> (DE), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267011' first='Brayden' last='Hollis']</strong> (DB). <strong> </strong></p>
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<p>In addition to probably being St. Michael's primary ball carrier, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137830' first='Pete' last='Johnson']</strong> leads the Horsemen defense from his middle linebacker spot. Johnson has been a tackling machine since he was a sophomore and enters the 2025 season with over 170 career tackles. He was a Class 3A First-Team All-State selection after making 102 tackles in 2024.</p>
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<p>“Pete is the quarterback of our defense,” Fernandez said. “Every year, he works very hard in the offseason to get himself to a new level. He did the same thing this summer. He's a great linebacker. He reads the offense very well. He has those football instincts that put him in good spots. It will be nice having him for another year.”</p>
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<p>The second inside LB (St. Michael's base scheme is 4-4-3) will probably be <strong>Dylan Garcia</strong>. Both OLB spots are up for grabs as those positions were hard hit by graduation. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155019' first='Ryan' last='Hunt']</strong> is one of the top defensive ends in the state. He earned First-Team All-State honors in 2024. He set the school record for sacks as a freshman in 2023. The other DE spot opposite Hunt is up for grabs at the beginning of preseason camp. The two defensive tackle spots will be shared by about five players, allowing the coaches to keep everybody fresh.</p>
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<p>The aforementioned quartet of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604774' first='Jedrek' last='Lewandowski']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787965' first='Preston' last='Cdebaca']</strong>, <strong>Don Gorman</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1753925' first='Devin' last='Riebsomer']</strong> will be three of the rotating defensive tackles along with junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787980' first='Zach' last='Salazar']</strong>.</p>
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<p>The secondary will be led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267011' first='Brayden' last='Hollis']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600008' first='Brandon' last='Meyer']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853063' first='Isaiah' last='Dominguez']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600843' first='Kamal' last='Stith']</strong> – all offensive standouts – and junior <strong>Ray Griego</strong>. Dominguez was a First-Team All-State selection in 2024 for his work in the secondary. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1763645' first='Roman' last='Barrera']</strong> and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1826301' first='Victor' last='Corral']</strong> are the key backups and will fill in when needed. </p>
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<p><strong>2025 St. Michael's Football Schedule:</strong></p>
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<p>Aug. 22 at Taos (6 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Aug. 30 CAPITAL (Sat., 1 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 5 at Santa Fe (7 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 13 ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY (Sat., 1 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 20 EUNICE (Sat., 1 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 27 RATON (Sat., 1 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Oct. 4 at Hope Christian (Sat., 11 a.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 10 Bye </p>
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<p>Oct. 17 at West Las Vegas (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 25 POJOAQUE VALLEY (Sat., 1 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 31 ROBERTSON (Sat., 1 p.m.)*</p>
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<p>* District 3A-2 Game</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Full Junior Season Highlights C/O 2026<br>6'0 200lb Linebacker<br>102 tackles <br>3 interceptions <br>First Team All State<br>District DPOY<br>State Champion <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://t.co/6oPjRyYYoT">pic.twitter.com/6oPjRyYYoT</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1137830' first='Pete' last='Johnson'] (@PeteJohnson44) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteJohnson44/status/1867586829421359219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season Highlights<br>Receiver(slot)<br>660 Total Yards<br>6 Td's<br>1st Team All-State Receiver<br>Honorable Mention All-State Secondary<br>All-District<br>State Champion (back to back)<a href="https://t.co/J06uY3mhTI">https://t.co/J06uY3mhTI</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://t.co/p77MSdjQl3">pic.twitter.com/p77MSdjQl3</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1267011' first='Brayden' last='Hollis'] (@bhollis_19) <a href="https://twitter.com/bhollis_19/status/1872370537902785000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> for the article. Can't wait for this year. <a href="https://twitter.com/sfnmsports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sfnmsports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmprepcosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmprepcosports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NMrecruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMrecruits</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/StMikesHorsemen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StMikesHorsemen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JRichterNCSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JRichterNCSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/e6OBIK2c3O">pic.twitter.com/e6OBIK2c3O</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='853063' first='Isaiah' last='Dominguez'] (@Zae_d_24) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zae_d_24/status/1943355900854702488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Full Junior Season Highlights C/O 2026<br>Running Back<br>15 Total TD'S<br>1338 Total Yards<br>45 Tackles<br>6 Int<br>All District<br>All State Honorable Mention RB/Slot<br>All State 1st Team (Secondary)<br>State Champion <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sfnmsports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sfnmsports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmprepcosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmprepcosports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NMrecruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMrecruits</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/StMikesHorsemen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StMikesHorsemen</a>… <a href="https://t.co/1IUMyo0hjJ">pic.twitter.com/1IUMyo0hjJ</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='853063' first='Isaiah' last='Dominguez'] (@Zae_d_24) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zae_d_24/status/1885841685894266964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
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2025 ST. MICHAEL'S HORSEMEN PREVIEW
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