2026 Team Preview: Carlsbad Cavemen

OVERVIEW   Carlsbad's 6-6 record last season might not look overly impressive from a distance, but the Cavemen achieved several milestones. First, they won their first playoff game since 2010, and they did it on the road at Rio Rancho. Second, they won as many as six games for the first time since 2019 and just the second time since going 6-5 in 2013.   For a program like Carlsbad, the 2025 season marked a major step forward.      “Winning that playoff game was huge for us,” Carlsbad head coach Cale Sanders told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “That was one of our goals at the beginning of the season. Our guys wanted to accomplish something that this program hasn't done in a decade and a half.”   Sanders said the positive vibes from last season have reverberated through the first four months of 2026.       “This offseason has flown by,” Sanders said. “It seems like we just started. We've had some pleasant surprises. Some of our players have really stepped up and done some really good things. So far, so good. This group has a different feel compared to the past. It definitely helps to win football games. Our kids now believe they can do well here. Before, there was a lot of hoping. That's a culture thing we've been trying to change for several years.”       OFFENSE   If you're striving to change the culture of a program, it certainly helps to have a dynamic dual threat quarterback returning. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='2101127' first='Marley' last='Munoz'] took over as the Cavemen's starting QB in Week 3 last season and finished with 1,506 passing yards and nearly 900 rushing yards. The backup QB is expected to be rising junior Bennett Adsero, but he could play another position in 2026 in order to get him on the field.     “After his first start (at Cibola), Marley rolled,” Sanders said. “He is super smart. He's twitchy, fast and strong. He has a lot more confidence. He's going to be a big-time player for us. He flew under the radar last year.”   Munoz recently showcased his elite athleticism when he triple jumped 45 feet to qualify for the state championships in May. He has also qualified in the high jump.        Returning to the offensive backfield as well is 1,100+ yard rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1605005' first='Brock' last='Wright'] and underrated FB/H-Back Braden Florez. Wright had 121 rushing yards in the first-round playoff win at Rio Rancho, and had six games of 100+ rushing yards. This upcoming season will be his third as the Cavemen's top running back. Rising junior Lathan Ingram could get some carries as well.   “Brock is a bowling ball,” Sanders said. “Braden is the glue that keeps everything together. He does a lot of the dirty work that nobody sees. I'm excited to have both Brock and Braden back. It's like having two running backs in the backfield.”   If there's a position of change for Carlsbad in 2026, it's wide receiver. The Cavemen lose their top three pass catchers from a season ago. Actually, Wright is the top returner in the pass receiving department with 15. Behind him, rising senior Jaden Harper had 13 receptions. Not surprisingly, Sanders described the competition at WR as a ‘Battle Royale.”   Harper is involved in the battle for the No. 1 WR job along with rising junior Ian Wilson andrising sophomore Josiah Fuentes.   “Each of them has their own skill set,” Sanders said. “Harper is a blazer. He has Friday Night Lights experience. Wilson is probably the best route runner. Fuentes reminds me of our top wide receiver from last year. It's a good group. They're all going to have to step up and do something for us.”   Another position experiencing significant change is offensive line. Carlsbad loses all five starters from last season to graduation. Rising senior Nathaniel Olivas should be the center. Rising sophomore Carlo Chavez and rising senior Lincoln Adsero (older brother of Bennett) are the guards. Six-foot-4, 280-pound rising junior Makai Yorgesen and rising sophomore Zach Lujan are expected to start at the tackle spots. Santiago Rodriguez and Hector Nava will battle for jobs.         “There are some things I like about our new offensive more than last year's unit,” Sanders said. “Olivas has been in our program for along time. He's paid his dues and worked his butt off. Carlo and Lincoln are typical guards. Squatty bodies, strong, fast and quick feet. Both move very well. Makai definitely has the size to be a tackle. Our offensive line has shown a lot of potential this spring. We have some depth. But they need to be battle tested.”               Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2101127' first='Marley' last='Munoz'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='1605005' first='Brock' last='Wright'] (RB), Braden Florez (FB), Jaden Harper (WR).   DEFENSE   Any discussion of the Carlsbad defense for the upcoming season must begin, of course, with superstar rising senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben']. He is Prep Redzone's No. 1 prospect in the 2027 class for a reason. He's big (6-3, 225 pounds), strong (5th in the 242-pound class at the state powerlifting championships), extremely fast (the Cavemen's fastest player), a playmaker (111 tackles in 2025) and highly intelligent. He recently committed to UCLA of the Big Ten.   Carlsbad has a new defensive coordinator (former ENMU player and coach Kaden Merrell) and his No. 1 priority, Sanders said, is to design a scheme that allows McKibben to roam and make plays.     “Coach Merrell will build a scheme around what we have and what we can do well,” Sanders said. “Obviously, we're going to build it around Colton and let him be a dude, run around and make tackles. We would be crazy not to do that.”   Joining McKibben at OLB in Carlsbad's new 4-3 scheme is speedy rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1825979' first='Trey' last='Barta'] (hit 22 mph in recent testing) and rising junior Juan Rubio. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1155255' first='Lennon' last='Ananins'] (also the Cavemen's PK) headlines the secondary at cornerback. He has been one of Carlsbad's best player during spring workouts, Sanders said. Speedy rising senior Damian Valencia brings experience. Rising senior Noah Gonzalez and promising rising junior Alonso Miramontes are among several hopefuls battling for spots.           Along the defensive line, there is some question incredibly strong rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1684458' first='Sean' last='Cruz'] will play football. Sanders is confident he will. Cruz finished second in the 275-pound class at the state powerlifting championships. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1679956' first='Isaiah' last='Gaitan'] (37 tackles, 4.0 TFL in 2025) joins Cruz on the D-Line. Gaitan has a quick first step and has proven tough to block. He wreaks havoc in opposing backfields.   Six-foot-3 rising junior Jaedyn Lynch should also be a contributor along the defensive line. He has a wide wingspan and looks to make a major leap this coming season. Six-foot-3 rising junior Markus Morales will get a look at defensive tackle.             Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1825979' first='Trey' last='Barta'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1155255' first='Lennon' last='Ananins'] (DB).   2026 CARLSBAD SCHEDULE   Aug. 21 at Artesia (Eddy County War)   Aug. 28 at Goddard   Sept. 4 LOVINGTON   Sept. 11 at Centennial*   Sept. 18 VOLCANO VISTA*   Sept. 25 CLOVIS* (Homecoming)   Oct. 2 Bye   Oct. 9 at Eldorado*   Oct. 16 ORGAN MOUNTAIN*   Oct. 23 at Las Cruces*   Oct. 30 HOBBS*   * District 6A-2 Game   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/WBlqE5lHse">https://t.co/WBlqE5lHse</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben'] (@COLTONMCKIBBEN9) <a href="https://twitter.com/COLTONMCKIBBEN9/status/1994828471261085789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2025</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After an amazing journey, I'm blessed to say I'm committed to <a href="https://twitter.com/UCLAFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UCLAFootball</a> I wanna thank my family and coaches for everything. IM HOME!! <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Sooto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Sooto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JLDobbs5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JLDobbs5</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBobChesney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachBobChesney</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachHitsch?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachHitsch</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachSooto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSooto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dyray22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dyray22</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/247Sports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@247Sports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Rivals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rivals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/adamgorney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adamgorney</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AllenTrieu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AllenTrieu</a> <a href="https://t.co/sXzRLlIKe7">pic.twitter.com/sXzRLlIKe7</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben'] (@COLTONMCKIBBEN9) <a href="https://twitter.com/COLTONMCKIBBEN9/status/2040981263301923220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2026</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/wHTR2vQv0g">https://t.co/wHTR2vQv0g</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='2101127' first='Marley' last='Munoz'] (@Marleymunoz20) <a href="https://twitter.com/Marleymunoz20/status/1995957259634098248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">First 7 game highlights <a href="https://t.co/Ckvm7vcgJo">https://t.co/Ckvm7vcgJo</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1605005' first='Brock' last='Wright'] (@brockwright59) <a href="https://twitter.com/brockwright59/status/1975271398596899019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2025</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">March was the month for SPEED!! Our top numbers from last month! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/brotherhood?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#brotherhood</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CVE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CVE</a> <a href="https://t.co/dYk6J3Qp9U">pic.twitter.com/dYk6J3Qp9U</a>— Carlsbad Cavemen Football (@CavemenFBall) <a href="https://twitter.com/CavemenFBall/status/2041249940978942449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2026</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Check out this highlight!- <a href="https://t.co/dA1rEzmuM2">https://t.co/dA1rEzmuM2</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1825979' first='Trey' last='Barta'] (@TreyBarta09) <a href="https://twitter.com/TreyBarta09/status/1964374220881748008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a></blockquote>

OVERVIEW