2026 Team Preview: Cibola Cougars
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<p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p>
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<p>Following a pair of frustrating seasons in 2023 and 2024 in which they went a combined 2-20, Cibola promoted defensive coordinator David Howes, previously the state championship winning coach at Rio Rancho and a UNM Lobos assistant, to head coach. Howes quickly pointed the Cougars program in the right direction, leading them to five wins and a Class 6A playoff berth in his first season at the helm in 2025.</p>
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<p>“This is a new team with new players,” Howes told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “It was tough to lose last season's seniors, but we bring back quite a few guys on offense. Defensively, we have to reload and teach the defense to some guys coming up from the JV. We're shaping up nicely for the summer.”</p>
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<p>Cibola moved to Class 5A as part of the NMAA's substantial realignment in December. As a result, the Cougars have a new district and new teams to prepare for.</p>
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<p>“It should benefit us to compete against teams that are like-minded and similar in numbers,” Howes said. “In our former district (in Class 6A) we were competing against schools with twice as many students and twice as many players. Change is good, sometimes. It was time to give football at Cibola, and all our sports, an opportunity to compete on an equal playing field.” </p>
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<p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p>
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<p>After sharing snaps last season, 6-foot-3 rising junior southpaw <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1684435' first='Terry' last='Maes']</strong> hopes to claim the Cougars quarterback job on a full-time basis. Based on his performances at multiple camps and 7-on-7 events, he looks ready for a breakout season.</p>
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<p>“Right now, Terry is in control of his job,” Howes said. “He has to stay upright and he has to stay healthy. Terry will be the guy.”</p>
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<p>Cibola lost its top four rushers to graduation. Howes envisions a running back by committee approach in 2025. The group of contenders includes rising juniors <strong>Ezra Mehling</strong>, <strong>Kade Payne</strong> and <strong>Liam Peterson</strong>. All will play and get their share of carries.</p>
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<p>Rising senior <strong>Jeremiah Martinez</strong> elevates to the No. 1 receiver role following a solid season with the JV team in 2025. Rising junior <strong>Jonah Foster</strong> is also a newcomer to the varsity. Martinez and Foster will mainly line up on the outside. Both slot receiver spots are up for grabs. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663881' first='George' last='Martinez'] </strong>and<strong> Taylor Johnson </strong>will factors at receiver as well. </p>
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<p>“We'll be pretty balanced across the board at receiver,” Howes said.</p>
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<p>Rising juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1668839' first='Zander' last='Salisbury']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1684443' first='Devon' last='Love']</strong> return to lead the Cibola offensive line. Rising junior <strong>Ethan Lazcano</strong> is a promising newcomer. He's incredibly strong. Rising seniors <strong>David Nolte</strong> and <strong>Josh Johnson</strong> are expected to be major contributors as well. </p>
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<p>“The offensive line can be a strength for us,” Howes said. “It's always nice in high school football to have guys with experience. The offense will be our strength for once. They have to lead the way.” </p>
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<p><strong>Key Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1684435' first='Terry' last='Maes'] (QB), Jeremiah Martinez (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1668839' first='Zander' last='Salisbury'] (OL), [player_tooltip player_id='1684443' first='Devon' last='Love'] (OL). </p>
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<p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p>
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<p>Six-foot-4, 230-pound next level prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679747' first='Isaac' last='Behrens']</strong> (60 tackles + 9.0 TFL in 2025) highlights the Cibola defense. Behrens has been a camp warrior this spring and was recently offered by New Mexico Highlands and Western New Mexico. Behrens will shift to a new hybrid DE/Edge/OLB role which takes advantage of his elite size, speed and skill. Rising senior <strong>Nathan Hawkins</strong> is expected to make an impact along the D-Line.</p>
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<p>Cibola will have three new linebackers: rising senior <strong>Kristjan Kiziuk</strong>, rising senior <strong>Moses Sena</strong> and rising junior <strong>Kade Payne</strong> (see above). The 6-foot-2 Sena played basketball for Cibola in 2025-26.</p>
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<p>Rising senior <strong>Chase Cannady</strong> will play safety. The remainder of the secondary lacks experience at the varsity level, but Howes is confident a summer of work will get them ready. Rising junior <strong>Jonah Foster</strong>, rising senior <strong>Ryan Puentes</strong> and rising junior <strong>Max Padilla</strong> will all get opportunities along with rising senior <strong>Zach Zimmer</strong>. Another possible contributor is rising senior <strong>Jack Edward</strong>, who joins the football team after focusing on basketball. </p>
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<p><strong>Key Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1679747' first='Isaac' last='Behrens'] (DL), Chase Cannady (DB), Kade Payne (LB).</p>
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<p><strong>2026 CIBOLA SCHEDULE</strong></p>
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<p>Aug. 20 at Sandia (Thur.) </p>
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<p>Aug. 28 VOLCANO VISTA </p>
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<p>Sept. 3 at Albuquerque High (Thur.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 10 MIYAMURA (Thur.)* </p>
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<p>Sept. 18 at Los Alamos* </p>
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<p>Sept. 25 at Capital (6 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 2 Bye </p>
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<p>Oct. 9 SANTA FE* </p>
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<p>Oct. 15 at Highland (Thur.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 22 LOS LUNAS (Thur.) * </p>
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<p>Oct. 30 at Piedra Vista* </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">Junior season <a href="https://t.co/jf57Q57Akh">https://t.co/jf57Q57Akh</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1679747' first='Isaac' last='Behrens'] (@IsaacBehre22224) <a href="https://x.com/IsaacBehre22224/status/2048176243036835996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Off-season work with air bruere! <a href="https://t.co/wjJHugbQvq">pic.twitter.com/wjJHugbQvq</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1684435' first='Terry' last='Maes'] (@Tmaes10) <a href="https://x.com/Tmaes10/status/2047878228229157202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2026</a></blockquote>
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