2026 Team Preview: Sandia Matadors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sandia failed to make the Class 6A playoffs in 2025 as the Matadors dug an early 0-4 hole and couldn't climb out of it entirely. A season-opening OT loss at Piedra Vista and a wild 53-50 loss to Eldorado likely cost Sandia a post-season berth. In fact, had Sandia won just one of those two games, they would have likely earned a berth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Tylon Wilder begins his second season at Sandia, so he's more familiar with the players and vice versa. The players know the expectations and standards. If the Matadors stay healthy, which didn't happen in 2025, they should compete for a playoff berth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We've definitely been more efficient and more organized,” Wilder said. “I showed up late last season because of when I got hired. I had about a quarter of an offseason. I had to get used to the players and the players had to get used to me. Now we've had a full offseason. We're so much more organized. Hopefully, it shows on the field.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sandia has had just one winning season since going 7-4 in 2015. Two years ago, they won eight games and earned a top four seed in the 6A playoffs but lost to Rio Rancho in the quarterfinals. The Matadors last won a playoff game in 2013. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's always disappointing not to go to the playoffs,” Wilder said. “Last season, I knew we would be right there. The Eldorado and PV games, I wish we had those back. This year, I think we're going to start out a little bit better. We've had a complete culture change in a good way. The boys are buying in. We've had our new turf field for the entire offseason. We're pretty pumped.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The numbers have risen significantly for Sandia compared to a year ago. Wilders says around 30 players showed up regularly for workouts last spring. This year? About 80 to 82 players are faithfully participating in offseason workouts on a daily basis. When you factor in the rising freshmen joining the program, Wilder expects to have 110 to 120 players in the Matadors program when preseason camp starts. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A major reason for Sandia's cautious optimism is the return of&nbsp; rocket-armed quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis']</strong>, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound rising senior gunslinger who threw for over 2,000 yards and 22 TD in 2025. But Lewis is extremely mobile as well, and has proven he can elude defenders and escape trouble when he has to. He rushed for 358 yards and 7 TD last season. Because of his tremendous size, he's difficult to tackle. Lewis is one of the top signal callers in the Albuquerque Metro Region in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis could also line up at receiver or play safety on defense. Some colleges have expressed interest in Lewis as an ‘athlete,' Wilder said, and boosting his versatility will enhance his chances of earning a scholarship at the next level. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I expect a lot of big things from Jahleel,” Wilder said. “He should be competing for Gatorade Player of the Year. That's the level he should be at. He has a lot of potential. I've been trying to get him to be more of a leader in the huddle and locker room.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're working on his body language and all those little things like the intangibles. He's been zipping the ball all over. He's much stronger in the weight room. He's more accurate and he's seeing his reads better. He's going to be on the field a lot.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114872' first='Micah' last='Jaramillo']</strong> will be the backup quarterback. He played outside linebacker as a freshman last season and made 21 tackles and 7 QB hurries for the varsity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ground game will be highlighted by the quartet of &nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613382' first='Gad' last='Harris']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613284' first='George' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155132' first='Aiden' last='Maldonado']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1988470' first='Ezra' last='Wagner']</strong>. Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2108921' first='Antonio' last='Garcia']</strong>, who played linebacker in 2025, will be involved as well. When Wilder was the head coach at Espanola Valley, he preferred to utilize a large number of ball carriers. This season, we could see the same thing at Sandia with a half dozen or more running backs contributing to the cause.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I'm going to have a stable of running backs and we're going to pound it,” Wilder said. “We're going to keep them fresh. Between Jahleel's passing and our run game, we're going to be dangerous.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613284' first='George' last='Smith']</strong> was Sandia's leading receiver by a wide margin last season. When he's not lined up at running back, he'll be in the slot. Six-foot-4 rising senior <strong>Carter Strauss</strong>,rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104489' first='Jack' last='Padilla'] </strong>(an elite high jumper) and rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679790' first='Hayden' last='Frederich']</strong> will also have major roles catching passes. The latter trio played mainly on defense last season. Strauss has good speed to go along with his lengthy frame. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sandia's youthful offensive line struggled last season, yet Wilder is counting on that group to improve and allow Sandia to run the football better and have a more balanced attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior center <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2076945' first='Isaac' last='Sullivan']</strong> anchors the O-Line. He deadlifts over 500 pounds, so he's impressively strong. <strong>Jorge Gonzalez</strong> will play guard. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679933' first='Eli' last='McGovern']</strong> (260 pounds) played right tackle last season before he suffered an injury. He's still rehabbing from that injury and likely won't return until the summer. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We won't have a big offensive line,” Wilder said. “But they are strong and fast.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='1613382' first='Gad' last='Harris'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1613284' first='George' last='Smith'] (RB/WR), Carter Strauss (WR).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of the aforementioned players will also be lining up on defense. <strong>Carter Strauss</strong> will be a defensive end to take advantage of his length and speed. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155132' first='Aiden' last='Maldonado']</strong> will key the LB corps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Basketball standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1853328' first='Mateo' last='Hogan']</strong> (6-3, 215) will be the middle linebacker as Wilder looks for the Matadors to do a better job stopping the run between the tackles. He was Sandia's leading rebounder in 2025-26, so he's strong, tough and hard-nosed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third linebacker will be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1988470' first='Ezra' last='Wagner']</strong>, who played nearly every snap on defense a season ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strauss will be joined by several newcomers on Sandia's defensive line. In the secondary, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679790' first='Hayden' last='Frederich']</strong> will be one of the cornerbacks after playing well there last season. The other CB will be speedy rising junior <strong>Kaden Ingersoll</strong>. Promising rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114827' first='Landon' last='Sturgeon']</strong>, who played varsity last season as a freshman, will be one of the safeties. &nbsp;Sturgeon is fast and is highly regarded as a ball hawk. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104489' first='Jack' last='Padilla']</strong>, last season's leading tackler, will be the strong safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As mentioned, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis']</strong> will likely see action as a safety as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have a lot of guys playing both ways,” Wilder said. “They'll play defense first and then I'll rotate them on offense.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1155132' first='Aiden' last='Maldonado'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1853328' first='Mateo' last='Hogan'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1988470' first='Ezra' last='Wagner'] (LB), Carter Strauss (DL). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SANDIA SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though Sandi has just four home games in 2026, they leave the Albuquerque Metro area only once during the campaign for a district matchup at Farmington. Their first four games will be played at Wilson Stadium. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 20 CIBOLA (Thur.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 28 at Manzano &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 4 at Eldorado &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 10 ALBUQUERQUE HIGH (Thur.)* &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 18 at Rio Rancho* &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 25 at West Mesa* &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 3 CLEVELAND (Sat.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 9 Bye</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 17 at Atrisco Heritage (Sat.)*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 23 at Farmington* &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct. 30 LA CUEVA* &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 6A-1 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Year Highlights <br>2083 Passing Yards<br>22 Passing TDs<br>358 Rushing Yards<br>7 Rushing TDs<br>7 ints<br>(2441 Total Yards &amp; 29 Total TDs)<a href="https://twitter.com/tony_mccoy3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tony_mccoy3</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachwilder0917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachwilder0917</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Avina?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Avina</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachCala?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCala</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_CoachElliott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_CoachElliott</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_CoachPowell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_CoachPowell</a> <a href="https://t.co/kRlHEieuJ3">pic.twitter.com/kRlHEieuJ3</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis'] (@JahleelLewis1) <a href="https://twitter.com/JahleelLewis1/status/1987357536132194488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2025 Varsity Highlights (Soph)<br>(Full Highlights in Hudl link above)<br>#5 WR/Slot/S<br>6-0 165 4.5<br>2028 Propect<br>Sandia HS, NM <a href="https://t.co/40aeBnza64">pic.twitter.com/40aeBnza64</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1613284' first='George' last='Smith'] (@georgesmithlll) <a href="https://twitter.com/georgesmithlll/status/2013007465390960878?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/MtMWa6CplQ">https://t.co/MtMWa6CplQ</a><br>Junior Year Highlights<br><br>8 games played<br>56 TOT(14 solo 42 Asst)<br>14 TFL<br>4.5 sacks<br>10 QB hurries<br>1 DEF TD(Pick 6)<br>2 FF (2 recovered)<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachKelleyLee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKelleyLee</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ShielWood?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShielWood</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/natep4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@natep4</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jbmorriscoach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jbmorriscoach</a> @CoachO_SJSU <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachParkerIowa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachParkerIowa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Heacock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Heacock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachSintim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSintim</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTaufaasau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTaufaasau</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1155132' first='Aiden' last='Maldonado'] (@Aidenmaldonado_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aidenmaldonado_/status/1988057164867567987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hit a new pr this morning! (500lbs) Only up from here!<a href="https://twitter.com/tony_mccoy3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tony_mccoy3</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachwilder0917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachwilder0917</a> <a href="https://t.co/1CHasCQzJz">pic.twitter.com/1CHasCQzJz</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis'] (@JahleelLewis1) <a href="https://twitter.com/JahleelLewis1/status/2046352797281763651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->