2026 Team Preview: Los Alamos Hilltoppers

OVERVIEW   Los Alamos was one of only a few New Mexico teams to go undefeated during the regular season in 2025, capturing another district title in the process. But the Hilltoppers saw their dream season end at home in the quarterfinals with a loss to Gadsden as they finished 10-1.   The Hilltoppers have stealthy become one of the top programs in northern New Mexico, compiling an impressive record of 27-8 over the last three seasons. Los Alamos hasn't lost a district game since 2023. However, since they are largely overlooked by the mainstream media, few folks south of Santa Fe know what's going down in the Land of Oppenheimer except for the happenings at the National Laboratory.   “We've won three district titles in the last four years. Our goal is to keep moving forward,” Los Alamos head coach Garett Williams told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “That's been our talking point all spring. Ten and 1 wasn't good enough. The goal is the state championship. We're trying to establish a program that can do that. We've had a couple of really good years, but we have to keep getting better.”   If the Hilltoppers repeat as district champions, they will have definitely earned it. The new look District 5A-1 features FOUR team that moved from Class 6A to 5A in the NMAA's latest realignment: Cibola, Los Lunas, Piedra Vista and Santa Fe.   “It's definitely going  to be a challenge,” Williams said. “(Winning another district title) became a lot harder when the NMAA (realigned the districts). But it's our job to go play it. You can't worry about who's in the district . Our job is to go win games and put kids in position to be successful. That's what we try to do.”         OFFENSE   Going into last season, the goal of the Los Alamos offense was simple – hand the ball to All-State running back Jordan Herrera as much as possible. The Hilltoppers did exactly that as Herrera rushed a workhorse 255 times for 2,224 yards and 34 TD. He rushed for 100+ yards in EVERY game last season. He captured the state rushing title by a whooping 300 yards and was the only running back to eclipse 2,000 yards.   Well, nothing has changed for 2026 with Herrera set to begin his senior campaign. Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.   “Jordan is the man,” Williams said. “We'll load him up again. But we have some other skill guys coming back and some young ones coming up. We have plenty of speed. We live off giving the ball to Jordan and our quick screen game. We want defenses to stay honest and have to cover the whole field.”   Speedy rising senior Jesse Perez will again be the primary backup behind Herrera.           The quarterback position is less settled. As early as last season, 6-foot-2 rising junior Caleb Taylor was tabbed as the next QB for the Hilltoppers. However, Taylor suffered a serious knee injury late last season and underwent surgery. As a result, whether Taylor returns in time for the 2026 season is unclear at this time.   “He's just now getting to where he's starting to lift weights,” Williams said. “He's not running yet. Right now, whether he gets back is a huge question for us. We have to wait and see on him. He's a stud, though. We're working on developing some of our younger guys. We may not have a deep passing game, but we still have a lot of guys we can rely on.”   Rising junior Andrew Dailey has taken a lot of reps at quarterback during spring workouts, and looks to be starting signal caller if Taylor is unable to go. Dailey played safety last season, so he has varsity experience.   “Andrew has a good arm. The big thing is teaching him the offense,” Williams said. “He's a smart guy. We'll have a lot of guys around him that will take some of the pressure off him. He's the guy getting all the reps right now.”   Th wide receiver corps will again be spearheaded by rising senior Ben Brousseau, who led the Hilltoppers in receptions and receiving yardage in 2025. Carlo Baca was third in receptions last season and should ascend to No. 2 WR. He'll line up in the slot. Rising junior Sebastian Primero, rising senior Alex Treat and rising junior Jonathan Vigil will be targets as well. Treat has good speed and soft hands and will be the outside receiver opposite Brousseau.        Los Alamos must replace four of five graduated starters on the offensive line. The lone returning starter – and expected leader - is Second Team All-State selection Evan Beveridge. He'll play left guard. Rising junior OT MJ Martinez got varsity experience as a backup in 2025, and is expected to become a starter. Rising senior Alex Byerly, who played defensive end last season, should fill one of the OT jobs based on his size and speed. The other two spots (center and guard) are up for grabs between several young candidates.          Key Players: Jordan Herrera (RB), Ben Brousseau (WR), Carlo Baca (WR), Evan Beveridge (OL).     DEFENSE   The Hilltoppers return three of their top fiver tacklers from a season ago. They lose two highly productive inside linebackers to graduation. Many of the aforementioned names on offense will also play defense.   “We're not a two platoon team because we don't have the numbers,” Williams said. “Most of the time, our guys play both ways. They play one side and roll in on the other side.”       The defensive line will be led by Evan Beveridge and Alex Byerly. They'll be joined by 6-foot-3 rising junior DE Garrett Dailey, a hoops standout who has good speed and great feet. The nose tackle spot in the Hilltoppers' 3-4 scheme will likely be by committee. MJ Martinez, rising junior Emerson Segundo and 6-foot-4, 250-pound rising senior Jerod Povijua figure to contribute there.   Los Alamos has a tradition of producing quality linebackers and this year should be no different. Rising junior Harvey Sheppard takes over from his older brother at one of the ILB spots. Rising junior Jayden Sisneros will be a factor as well along with speedy rising junior Diego Leonard. All three played mostly JV last season.   Ben Brousseau leads the secondary from his safety spot. Carlo Baca will start at cornerback. Alex Treat will also play CB. Rising senior Curtis Sisneros will play the other safety spot opposite Brousseau. Several JV guys could earn a place in the rotation, starting with rising juniors Marcos Garcia and Xaedyn Martinez. Rising junior Jonathan Vigil is battling to join the rotation at safety.          Key Players: Evan Beveridge (DL), Alex Byerly (DL), Harvey Sheppard (LB), Ben Brousseau (DB).             2026 LOS ALAMOS SCHEDULE   Aug. 21 ESPANOLA VALLEY     Aug. 28 at Taos     Sept. 4 at Belen     Sept. 11 PIEDRA VISTA*     Sept. 18 CIBOLA*     Sept. 26 at Highland (Sat.)   Oct. 2 Bye     Oct. 9 LOS LUNAS*     Oct. 16 at Capital*     Oct. 23 at Santa Fe*     Oct. 30 MIYAMURA*   * District 5A-1 Game     All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">2025 Season Highlights 2,224 Rushing Yards #1 in NM and Top #100 Nationally 35 Total Touchdowns<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDGallagher?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDGallagher</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachK_UChicago?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachK_UChicago</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UChicagoFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UChicagoFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/lAgSMGM0z9">https://t.co/lAgSMGM0z9</a>— Jordan Herrera (@JordanHerrera27) <a href="https://twitter.com/JordanHerrera27/status/2052544284336034221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2026</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">2025 Season Highlights 2,224 Rushing Yards #1 in NM and Top #100 Nationally 35 Total Touchdowns<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDGallagher?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDGallagher</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachK_UChicago?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachK_UChicago</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UChicagoFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UChicagoFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/lAgSMGM0z9">https://t.co/lAgSMGM0z9</a>— Jordan Herrera (@JordanHerrera27) <a href="https://twitter.com/JordanHerrera27/status/2052544284336034221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2026</a></blockquote>

OVERVIEW