2026 Team Preview: Atrisco Heritage Jaguars
In this article:
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<p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p>
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<p>From a win-loss perspective, Dominic Casaus' first season as Atrisco Heritage head coach probably didn't go as planned. The Jaguars finished 1-9, capping a two-year record of 3-17 after finishing .500 (5-5) in 2023. Atrisco Heritage hasn't reached the playoffs since 2022. Casaus hopes that changes in 2026 in his second season.</p>
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<p>“I took over on short notice ”last year,” Casaus told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “It was tough, but we pushed through it. Our priority was to put the culture in place. Our goal is to get one percent better every day. Our message to our players has been to put everything we've got into every day. We're hoping for a different outcome for our season. We have some guys and some size that we haven't had in the past.”</p>
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<p>Atrisco Heritage graduated over 20 seniors from last year's team. This year's team will feature numerous rising juniors and rising sophomores playing major roles for the Jaguars.</p>
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<p>“Our goal is always to make the playoffs,” Casaus said. “We want to win our first playoff game in school history. It's been a while since we made the playoffs. To get there, we have to win more games than we have in the past.” </p>
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<p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p>
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<p>The new Jaguars quarterback is rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1362443' first='Izaiah' last='Casaus']</strong>, who has been a camp warrior this spring. Casaus got his feet wet at the varsity level last season by attempting 74 passes and throwing 6 touchdown passes in about five quarters of action. The likely backup is promising rising sophomore <strong>Brayan Medina</strong>, Atrisco's ‘C' team QB in 2025. </p>
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<p>“Izaiah has put in a lot of work this offseason,” Casaus said. “He's fine-tuning his skills. His football IQ is one of his strengths. He makes good reads. He can throw the ball into tight windows. He definitely has the spot. He just has to show up and work hard every day. He has to earn everything he gets. He proved himself last year in terms of making good on his opportunity. He averaged about 100 yards passing per quarter.”</p>
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<p>Running back will feature a pair of rising juniors (<strong>Josiah De La Pena</strong>, <strong>Leroy Chavez</strong>) and one rising senior (<strong>Jayden Martinez</strong>). Martinez played linebacker for the Jaguars last season and has the look and build of a fullback. Casaus foresees a three-way rotation at RB.</p>
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<p>“We're going to be rotating our backs in and out of the games,” Casaus said. “We definitely want to run the ball. If defenses give us a light box, we'll be running it. If not, we'll be throwing it. Izaiah has a good football IQ, so he can change stuff at the line of scrimmage according to alignments.”</p>
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<p>Atrisco's wide receiver trio of rising seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155114' first='Deon' last='Session']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272752' first='J'ven' last='Smith']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1642384' first='Jude' last='Maldonado']</strong> ranks among the best in the Albuquerque Metro region. Session led the Jaguars in receptions, receiving yards and TD catches. Behind them are several young up-and-comers, including hoops standout Jashon Morinia. For this year, though, Atrisco will rely on the aforementioned seniors,. Another rising senior, <strong>Matthew Mata</strong>, should contribute after missing the 2025 season.</p>
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<p>One word describes the Atrisco offensive line: gigantic. Six-foot-3, 285-pound rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1676994' first='Joshua' last='Roybal'] </strong>and 6-foot-3, 270-pound <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155059' first='Dominick' last='Lewallen']</strong> headline the Jaguars offensive line. Royball was a Top Performer at the Prep Redzone Exposure Series camp three weeks ago. He'll play center.</p>
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<p>“Joshua is very smart, he's physical and he's quick when he needs to be,” Casaus said.</p>
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<p>The behemoth Atrisco Heritage O-Line will also feature 6-foot-6, 280-pound rising senior <strong>George Johnson </strong>and 240-pound two-way standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2069919' first='Wa'Qari' last='Walker']</strong>. </p>
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<p><strong>Key Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1362443' first='Izaiah' last='Casaus'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='1155114' first='Deon' last='Session'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1272752' first='J'ven' last='Smith'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1642384' first='Jude' last='Maldonado'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1676994' first='Joshua' last='Roybal'] (OL).</p>
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<p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p>
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<p>The Atrisco Heritage defense lost its top four tacklers from a season ago to graduation. DE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2069919' first='Wa'Qari' last='Walker']</strong> (11.0 TFL, 22 QB hurries in 2025) leads a stout defensive line. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1676994' first='Joshua' last='Roybal']</strong> and <strong>George Johnson</strong> will also play both ways. <strong>Danny Lara</strong> is an up-and-comer on the defensive line. Rising sophomore <strong>Vincent Moya</strong> is a future star. So too is rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114853' first='Johnny' last='Valles']</strong>, who started at DE as a freshman last season.</p>
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<p>“With our D-Line, I think we're going to get some pressure on opposing quarterbacks,” Casaus said. “ </p>
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<p><strong>Jayden Martinez</strong> (see above) leads the linebacker corps. Feisty rising junior <strong>James Wade</strong> returns to play LB after missing last season with a knee injury. Promising rising sophomore <strong>Darrius Bland</strong> is another up-and-comer.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155114' first='Deon' last='Session']</strong>, who rarely comes off the field, highlights the secondary from his safety spot. Session contributes in all three phases. [player_tooltip player_id='1272796' first='Ja'Von' last='Bouldin'] and Zayland Ingram join Session in back seven.</p>
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<p>“We definitely have weapons all over the field,” Casaus said. “I'm excited for our guys up front. One thing we've lacked is a push up front. Our defensive scheme this season is going to be fun to watch.” </p>
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<p><strong>Key Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='2069919' first='Wa'Qari' last='Walker'] (DE), Jayden Martinez (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1155114' first='Deon' last='Session'] (DB).</p>
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<p><strong>2026 ATRISCO HERITAGE SCHEDULE</strong></p>
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<p>Aug. 21 VOLCANO VISTA </p>
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<p>Aug. 28 at Rio Grande </p>
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<p>Sept. 3 HOPE CHRISTIAN (Thur.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 10 RIO RANCHO (Thur.)* </p>
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<p>Sept. 18 Bye </p>
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<p>Sept. 25 at Cleveland* </p>
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<p>Oct. 2 at West Mesa* </p>
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<p>Oct. 9 at Albuquerque High* </p>
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<p>Oct. 17 SANDIA (Sat., 11 a.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 22 LA CUEVA (Thur.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 29 FARMINGTON (Thur.)* </p>
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<p>* District 5A-1 Game</p>
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<p>All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here are a couple clips from one on ones from the UNM camp. Had a great time working with QB Coach <a href="https://x.com/LukeSchleusner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LukeSchleusner</a> and feel like I had an all around good camp. Thank you <a href="https://x.com/UNMLoboFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNMLoboFB</a> and <a href="https://x.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> for inviting me down and letting me come and compete Go Bo's 🐺<a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a>… <a href="https://t.co/6YRLBW9SZ3">pic.twitter.com/6YRLBW9SZ3</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1362443' first='Izaiah' last='Casaus'] (@IzaiahCasaus) <a href="https://x.com/IzaiahCasaus/status/2065598946857373890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior season offensive highlights <br>10 games played<br>624 yards<br>8 touchdowns<a href="https://x.com/tony_mccoy3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tony_mccoy3</a> <a href="https://x.com/BryantWill757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BryantWill757</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachCasaus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCasaus</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach_RiceV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_RiceV</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/Waters21John?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Waters21John</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachD_Delgado?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachD_Delgado</a> <a href="https://x.com/_CoachElliott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_CoachElliott</a> <a href="https://x.com/ColinLockett15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ColinLockett15</a> <a href="https://t.co/mcFxS9gT8C">https://t.co/mcFxS9gT8C</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1155114' first='Deon' last='Session'] (@Session1Deon) <a href="https://x.com/Session1Deon/status/1990527585512759495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2025 junior year season highlights WR #2<br>5 Games played <br>2 Carries <br>18 Rushing yards<br>1 Rushing Td <br>15 Receptions<br>227 Receiving yards <br>2 TD catches <br>245 All purpose yards <a href="https://x.com/tony_mccoy3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tony_mccoy3</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachCasaus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCasaus</a> <a href="https://x.com/BryantWill757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BryantWill757</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzone</a> <br> <a href="https://t.co/f3zfH5yMN1">https://t.co/f3zfH5yMN1</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1642384' first='Jude' last='Maldonado'] (@JudeMaldonado_) <a href="https://x.com/JudeMaldonado_/status/1978659118123511813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Season didn't go as planned but i'm blessed with the opportunity to play. Time to work in the offseason!<a href="https://x.com/tony_mccoy3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tony_mccoy3</a> <a href="https://x.com/CJTurner__?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CJTurner__</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachCala?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCala</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach_TSanchez?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_TSanchez</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachWick_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachWick_</a> @CoachReamon <a href="https://x.com/CoachRomeroCP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachRomeroCP</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachSammyMix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSammyMix</a> <a href="https://x.com/ColinLockett15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ColinLockett15</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachDrayden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDrayden</a> <a href="https://t.co/KnKd42ppsX">https://t.co/KnKd42ppsX</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1272752' first='J'ven' last='Smith'] C/O '27 (@jvensmith09) <a href="https://x.com/jvensmith09/status/1987973980326674598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> for having me out I came out and did my best and got named a top performer and keeping the grind up.<a href="https://x.com/CoachCasaus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCasaus</a> <a href="https://x.com/tony_mccoy3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tony_mccoy3</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachD_Delgado?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachD_Delgado</a> <a href="https://t.co/i1QivSPo3O">pic.twitter.com/i1QivSPo3O</a></p>— Joshua (@joshuaroybal07) <a href="https://x.com/joshuaroybal07/status/2062273283052191793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2026</a></blockquote>
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