2026 Team Preview: West Mesa Mustangs

OVERVIEW   West Mesa has earned an at-large berth in the Class 6A playoffs twice in the last three seasons. Now the goal for the Mustangs is winning a playoff game, something that hasn't happened in over two decades. Fifth-year head coach Landrick Brody hopes the breakthrough comes this fall following a 3-7 campaign in 2025 when the Mustangs were forced to battle through early injuries to several key players.   Over 20 sophomores saw extensive action for West Mesa in 2025, and Brody hopes that experience pays dividends this coming season against a challenging season highlighted by games against St. Pius X (4A runner-up), Cleveland, La Cueva and Rio Rancho.       “Those guys got a lot of experience last season,” Brody told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We have a well-tuned group coming back. But our district will be tough. If we remain healthy, we have some key pieces coming back to make us competitive.”             OFFENSE   Six-foot-3 rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1684430' first='Jericho' last='Brody'] (younger brother of current UNM Lobo Elijah Brody) returns as the Mustangs quarterback. Brody threw for 163 yards and 3 TD on 13-of-22 passing against Eldorado in Week 10 last season, displaying impressive improvement.   “Jericho really came along towards the end of the season,” Brody said. “I didn't expect to play him as much as I did. He got rushed into that role a little bit. But as the year went along, he became more efficient. He's a smart guy. He knows ball. He might be the best passer we've had in a while. He throws a good ball. I think he's poised to have a pretty big year. We have a full fleet of receivers returning for him.”   Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='2206324' first='Noah' last='Jackson'] returns to lead the running back corps, which loses a 1,200-yard rusher. He'll be joined by promising rising junior Ikenna Okoye and 225-pound rising junior Chris Martinez, who also plays fullback.   “We'll probably rotate guys,” Brody said. “This might be the most depth we've had at that position in a while. All of them got reps last season, so they have some experience. Ikenna is very strong. He'll help us.”     West Mesa's group of promising receivers features rising senior Gio Martinez (younger brother of former West Meda standout WR Ricky Martinez), rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1680035' first='Isaiah' last='Cazares'] (played just 5 games due to broken collarbone) and rising senior Russell Trujillo. Basketball standout Sheldon Harris joins the program as a receiver.   “This may be our best group of receivers in several years,” Brody said. “We're deep. Sheldon is very athletic. He can jump. He'll add a bunch to that wide receiver group.”       The Mustangs return three offensive linemen with experience. The unit will be anchored by rising senior Elias Lopez and 270-pound rising senior Stephen Alfaro. Also returning is rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='2118282' first='Martin' last='Hernandez']. All three weight 250+ pounds, giving the Mustangs some nice size in the trenches. Rising senior Dominic Aquiar moves over from the defensive line to be the center. Rising juniors Noah Rodriguez and [player_tooltip player_id='1272734' first='Josiah' last='Chavez'] will compete for starting jobs. Six-foot-2, 250-pound rising junior Derek Sleuth also moves over from D-Line and will battle for playing time.     Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1684430' first='Jericho' last='Brody'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='2206324' first='Noah' last='Jackson'] (RB), Gio Martinez (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1680035' first='Isaiah' last='Cazares'] (WR), Elias Lopez (OL).          DEFENSE   Rising senior linebacker/nickel [player_tooltip player_id='1680028' first='Max' last='Romero'], a First-Team All-District selection, returns to anchor the West Mesa defense after making 80 tackles, 7.0 TFL and 10 QB hurries in 2025. Rising senior MLB [player_tooltip player_id='1680043' first='Larry' last='Varoz'] is back after missing all but one game last season with an injury.     “Max isn't a big guy but he's a pit bull,” Brody said. “He's a good wrestler too. Larry will be one of our staples.”   Volcano Vista transfer Max Amaya is expected to be the Mustangs' top defensive back. He'll be joined by safety Alfred Cruz (45 tackles in 2025) and Russell Trujillo (see above). Trujillo will also return kicks, making him a valuable three-way player. He won't leave the field. Rising junior Diego Esparra and rising senior Carter Camacho (also the PK) add depth.     All-District selection Malakhi Alaniz, a 225-pounder who transferred from Texas last spring, rising senior Gabriel Peregrina, promising rising junior Mariano Leija (3-technique) and Dominic Aquiar will highlight the defensive line.       Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1680028' first='Max' last='Romero'] (LB), Max Amaya (DB), Malakhi Alaniz (DL).          2026 WEST MESA SCHEDULE   Aug. 20 ST. PIUS X (Thur.)     Aug. 29 at Valley (Sat., 11 a.m.)     Sept. 5 HIGHLAND (Sat., 11 a.m.)     Sept. 11 at La Cueva*      Sept. 18 Bye      Sept. 25 SANDIA*      Oct. 2 ATRISCO HERITAGE*      Oct. 9 at Farmington*     Oct. 16 at Cleveland*     Oct. 24 RIO RANCHO (Sat., 11 a.m.)*     Oct. 30 at Albuquerque High*      * District 6A-1 Game     All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">QB Sophomore Season <a href="https://t.co/I668yqsvys">https://t.co/I668yqsvys</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1684430' first='Jericho' last='Brody'] (@JerichoBrody1) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerichoBrody1/status/2047852100197945772?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2026</a></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/f_oliL_6_400x400.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2207658" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure>

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