2026 Team Preview: Santa Fe Demons

OVERVIEW   Adrian Gonzales had Santa Fe in contention for a Class 6A playoff berth until the final weeks of the 2025 season. The Demons ultimately fell short with a 4-6 record but they certainly showed progress after going a combined 5-25 in the previous three seasons.   “We didn't finish,” Gonzales told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “Our goal was to make the playoffs and we didn't reach it. That hasn't changed. We still have that playoff mentality whenever we're here on the field or in the weight room.”   The numbers are encouraging. Santa Fe has about 70 players in the program, Gonzales said. Santa Fe moved from 6A to Class 5A in the NMAA's realignment last December.   “Being in 5A doesn't change our goals,” Gonzales said. “It doesn't change anything for us, our mentality or our goals.”   OFFENSE   Rising senior Manuel Pena took the majority of snaps at quarterback last season, but he faces competition this summer from rising sophomore Francisco Romero-Chavez, who saw varsity action as a freshman in 2025.   “They're embracing the competition,” Gonzales said. “They're helping each other and helping the team get better. Manuel is very smart. He identifies defensive coverages. He can check into a better play base don coverage. Francisco is probably more athletic. Right now, it's a pretty even battle.”   The Demons lost a 1,500-yard rusher to graduation, so they'll have new faces at running back. The contenders for the No. 1 job include rising senior Hank Clement, rising junior Ryan Means and rising senior Jesus Navarette.     “Right now, it's running back by committee until somebody gets the hot hand and we stick with them,” Gonzales said.   When he's not playing running back, Navarette will be a slot receiver. He led the Demons in receptions in 2025, while rising senior Marquez Pena (the Pena brothers are identical twins) led Santa Fe in receiving yards. Rising senior Alex Bobolsky is back as well.Rising sophomore Tristan Ramirez played mainly defense last season as a freshman, but he'll play some on offense too in 2026.       Six-foot-3, 200-pound rising senior Billy Jackson will be the tight end. He had the second most receptions on the Demons in 2025, and is definitely a weapon with his size. Last year was his first playing football. If he has a good season, Jackson should generate recruiting interest with his impressive size.   The three interior offensive linemen are back, led by rising senior center Jacob Reta-Perea. The guards are rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1272749' first='Cody' last='Hood'] (All-District) and rising junior Johnny Marsh. Both offensive tackle spots will feature new faces. Rising junior Nikolai Narvaiz started the season finale in 2025 and should claim one of those spots. The opposite tackle spot is being contended among a handful of candidates.                Key Players: Manuel Pena (QB), Jesus Navarette (RB/WR), Marquez Pena (WR), Jacob Reta-Perea (OL).   DEFENSE   Hank Clement (see above) will be one of the leaders of Santa Fe's defense from his weakside LB spot. Tristan Ramirez returns at defensive back along with Alex Bobolsky. Both were starters in 2025. Rising senior Alex Gardner returns at defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='1272749' first='Cody' last='Hood'] will play both ways and see action periodically along the defensive front at nose tackle.     Rising junior Jasper Parke and Johnny Marsh will see action at defensive end. Many of the other positions are up for grabs this summer.   Key Players: Hank Clement (LB), Tristan Ramirez (DB), Alex Bobolsky (DB), Alex Gardner (DL).   2026 SANTA FE SCHEDULE   Aug. 21 at Alamogordo            Aug. 28 at St. Michael's (at Ivan Head Stadium)              Sept. 4 CLOVIS             Sept. 11 HIGHLAND*             Sept. 18 LOS LUNAS*          Sept. 25 at Piedra Vista*           Oct. 2 Bye            Oct. 9 at Cibola*           Oct. 16 MIYAMURA*         Oct. 23 LOS ALAMOS*           Oct. 30 CAPITAL*         * District 5A-1 Game   All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise.

OVERVIEW