2026 Team Preview: Alamogordo Tigers
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<p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p>
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<p>When the NMAA reorganized high school football last December, Alamogordo moved from Class 6A to Class 5A. The Tigers aren't complaining. Instead of facing a gauntlet of district rivals such as Las Cruces, Centennial, Hobbs and Carlsbad, they're now in a district (5A-2) with schools more comparable in terms of student numbers.</p>
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<p>“Now that we're back in 5A, our goals have changed,” Alamogordo head coach AJ Cisco told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “The past four years in 6A, our goal was to get into the playoffs and win a playoff game. In 5A, we're now trying to play Thanksgiving weekend in November. We'll be one of the bigger teams in 5A. In 6A, we were giving always one of the smallest teams.” </p>
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<p>Alamogordo started 4-1 last season but lost its final five games to district rivals to finish 4-6 and missed the 6A playoffs. Three of those losses were by 10 points or less. So, the Tigers competed well, but they just couldn't get over the hump.</p>
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<p>“It took a physical tool on us,” Cisco said. “The injuries piled up. In 6A, our starting 11 could matchup with opponents, but depth hurt us. We didn't have nearly as much depth as a lot of those 6A schools do. We got banged up. We had to plug in a bunch of young guys. They had to grow up fast. We had a shot to win a couple of games. We just needed to win one and we would have been in the playoffs.”</p>
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<p>The upside to all those young players being thrown into the fire last fall is the Tigers enter the new season with a significant number of returners with varsity experience.</p>
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<p>“We'll be able to match up with depth with just about every other 5A school in the state,” Cisco said. “We have a bunch of athletes and linemen back. We're excited to be in 5A.” </p>
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<p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p>
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<p>Alamogordo lost a dynamic dual threat quarterback to graduation, and the four-way battle to replace him was on full display at the recent NMMI 7x7 Tournament in Roswell. The quartet of contenders includes senior <strong>Nathan Cereceres</strong> (4.5 in 40), senior <strong>Brandon Williams</strong>, junior <strong>Daniel Silva</strong> and sophomore <strong>Rudy Wolfe</strong>.</p>
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<p>“Nathan is one of the better athletes in the state,” Cisco said. “He's been a running back and inside linebacker for us the past two years. We transitioned him to quarterback just to put another athlete back there as we did the past two years. Regardless of who plays quarterback, the other guys are all going to play somewhere else. They're all good athletes and they'll benefit us at another position. That's the exciting part.”</p>
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<p>The new quarterback – all four are dual threats – will direct an offense Cisco described as a ‘physical, downhill offense that will try to punch people in the face.”</p>
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<p>“When you put an athlete back there at quarterback, the defense will play 11-on-11,” Cisco said. “We want a guy back there who can run a little bit and throw it enough to keep defenses honest. Then we'll line up and go downhill with our running backs and big offensive line.”</p>
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<p>Speedy senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605059' first='Bryson' last='Bloom']</strong> (laser timed 4.4 in the 40) , who was recently offered by New Mexio, was one of two 1,000-yard rushers for Alamogordo last season. He averaged 7.5 yards per carry and scored 8 TD. Bloom could also play defensive back (his likely position at the next level) or outside linebacker if the coaching staff wants to keep him on the field.</p>
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<p>“Bryson is special,” Cisco said. “He had less than 140 carries and rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. That's pretty good.”</p>
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<p>If Nathan Cereceres doesn't play QB, he'll get some carries at RB as well, giving Alamogordo as fast of an RB duo as anybody in the state. Senior <strong>Leyton Niland</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2108925' first='Qymani' last='Patterson']</strong> will serve as backups and get carries as well.</p>
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<p>Alamogordo averaged just 9.7 pass attempts per game last season. When the Tigers do throw the ball, three-year starter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606032' first='Tristan' last='Bowman']</strong>, senior <strong>Aiden Rowe </strong>and junior <strong>Yadi Torrado</strong> will be the primary targets.</p>
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<p>“Tristan is electric,” Cisco said. “He's great with the ball in his hands. He's fast. He can go. Aiden is a good athlete. He can run. He started all our games last season. He does everything right. Yadi is a game changer on the outside for us with his long, lanky body. He can run and jump. That's something we haven't had in a few years. He has a shot to be one of the better receivers we've had here.”</p>
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<p>Alamogordo's offense line has the potential to be one of the best the Tigers have had in recent years. The Tigers return three starters, including anchor <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2252809' first='Carter' last='Galbraith']</strong>, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound rising junior OT with next level aspirations. Junior <strong>Jace Monroy</strong> and senior center <strong>Waylon Skelton</strong> are also back. Senior OG <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679752' first='Jackson' last='Wolfe']</strong> started as a sophomore in 2024 but missed last season due to an injury. Junior <strong>Stanley Burton</strong>, one of the strongest players on the team, will be the fifth starter.</p>
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<p>“We have five guys with varsity experience,” Cisco said. “They all get after it. Four of them are juniors. We always want to be good up front. Our guys know they win games because of the dues up front. We tell our linemen all the time that they're the most important people in our football program. That's why they get loved on.” </p>
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<p><strong>Key Players</strong>: Nathan Cereceres (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='1605059' first='Bryson' last='Bloom'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1606032' first='Tristan' last='Bowman'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='2252809' first='Carter' last='Galbraith'] m(OL).</p>
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<p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p>
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<p>Alamogordo returns seven of its top nine tacklers from 2025. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605059' first='Bryson' last='Bloom'] </strong>and <strong>Nathan Cereceres</strong> (both Honorable Mention All-State at DB and ILB respectively in 2025) tied for the team lead in tackles with 64.</p>
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<p>Senior <strong>Sam Strong</strong> return to lead the secondary. <strong>Aiden Rowe</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606032' first='Tristan' last='Bowman']</strong> are set to start at cornerback. <strong>Daniel Silva</strong> will likely play CB as well if he doesn't win the QB job.</p>
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<p>Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680009' first='Jayden' last='Valdez']</strong> returns at OLB. <strong>Brandon Williams</strong> will also play OLB/Nickel if he doesn't win the QB job. <strong>Leyton Niland</strong> should be one of the safeties.</p>
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<p>The defensive line features senior defensive ends <strong>Tanner Nowaczck</strong> and 6-foot-2, 215-pound <strong>Michael Scott</strong>.</p>
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<p>“We return almost everybody defensively,” Cisco said. “Physically, we're very athletic. Michael Scott has college potential at D-End. He can run. Defensively, we're going to be drastically improved because we return so many guys. We lost some guys to graduation, but we think we're upgrading with talent through the program.” <strong> </strong></p>
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<p><strong>Key Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1605059' first='Bryson' last='Bloom'] (DB), Nathan Cereceres (LB), Sam Strong (LB), Michael Scott (DL).</p>
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<p><strong>2026 ALAMOGORDO SCHEDULE</strong></p>
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<p>Aug. 21 SANTA FE </p>
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<p>Aug. 28 at Clovis </p>
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<p>Sept. 5 at Organ Mountain (Sat., 11 a.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 11 ROSWELL* </p>
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<p>Sept. 18 at Goddard* </p>
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<p>Sept. 25 ARTESIA* </p>
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<p>Oct. 2 MAYFIELD* </p>
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<p>Oct. 9 Bye </p>
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<p>Oct. 16 at Gadsden* </p>
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<p>Oct. 23 DEMING* </p>
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<p>Oct. 30 at Chaparral* </p>
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<p>*District 5A-2 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 highlights!<br><br>10 games played <br>64 tackles/ 49 solo/ 2 sacks<a href="https://x.com/CoachCiscoAHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCiscoAHS</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachKyleShoot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKyleShoot</a> <a href="https://x.com/AaronCisco4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AaronCisco4</a> <a href="https://x.com/ScottSing82?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScottSing82</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachDrefs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDrefs</a><a href="https://t.co/GO5dmwZNFj">https://t.co/GO5dmwZNFj</a></p>— Nathan Cereceres (@NCereceres30203) <a href="https://x.com/NCereceres30203/status/2052443944244387951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season Highlights!<a href="https://t.co/rBrv1iU5ey">https://t.co/rBrv1iU5ey</a><br>134 Carries/1009 Rush Yards/7 TDs<br>6 Rec/57 Receiving Yards<br>62 Tackles/45 Solo/4 TFLs/2 PBUs<br>10 games played <a href="https://x.com/AaronCisco4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AaronCisco4</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachCiscoAHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCiscoAHS</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachKyleShoot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKyleShoot</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/Perroni247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Perroni247</a> <a href="https://x.com/adamgorney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adamgorney</a> <a href="https://x.com/ShannonTerry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShannonTerry</a> <a href="https://x.com/cjrecruiting2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cjrecruiting2</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1605059' first='Bryson' last='Bloom'] (@BrysonBloom) <a href="https://x.com/BrysonBloom/status/1986834754180948085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sophomore Season Highlights!<br>-10 games played <br>-13 rec/180 yd/2 td<a href="https://t.co/uDix2qR5uv">https://t.co/uDix2qR5uv</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1606032' first='Tristan' last='Bowman'] (@TristanBowman_) <a href="https://x.com/TristanBowman_/status/1936216751655862445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FULL SEASON HIGHLIGHTS <br>2028 / 6'5 255 lbs / OT/ GPA 3.7<a href="https://x.com/CoachCiscoAHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCiscoAHS</a> <a href="https://x.com/AaronCisco4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AaronCisco4</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachDrefs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDrefs</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachKyleShoot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKyleShoot</a> <a href="https://x.com/ScottSing82?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScottSing82</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/ur3J3v4Sgk">pic.twitter.com/ur3J3v4Sgk</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='2252809' first='Carter' last='Galbraith'] (@Carter_Galb2028) <a href="https://x.com/Carter_Galb2028/status/2014535942284181741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lasered at 21.5 MPH in the morning. Performed well in the afternoon at a camp. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/BuiltBytheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BuiltBytheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/BLytASwiUN">https://t.co/BLytASwiUN</a> <a href="https://t.co/8GCam7F6hw">pic.twitter.com/8GCam7F6hw</a></p>— Coach Haynie (@CoachKyleShoot) <a href="https://x.com/CoachKyleShoot/status/2068165483543625954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The road to #1 starts now. Every week. Every snap. Every battle. Time to defend the stripes. 🐅🏈 <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/TigerCountry?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TigerCountry</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/BuiltByTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BuiltByTheA</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/FOE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FOE</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ATownPride?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ATownPride</a> <a href="https://t.co/4KJkyplWk4">pic.twitter.com/4KJkyplWk4</a></p>— AJ Cisco (@CoachCiscoAHS) <a href="https://x.com/CoachCiscoAHS/status/2060754284569100482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season Highlights!! <br>5'11 230lb Long Snapper (.8-.9 Snap time for punt and .4-.6 for PAT) and IOL<br>Played 4 games and had a season ending injury <a href="https://x.com/CoachCiscoAHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCiscoAHS</a> <a href="https://x.com/ScottSing82?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScottSing82</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachDrefs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDrefs</a> <a href="https://t.co/CJml9jwrjL">https://t.co/CJml9jwrjL</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1679752' first='Jackson' last='Wolfe'] (@JacksonWolfe_) <a href="https://x.com/JacksonWolfe_/status/1985794872193007680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
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