2026 Team Preview: Aztec Tigers

OVERVIEW   Truth be told, the last two seasons have been difficult for the Aztec football program. The Tigers had a combined record of 1-18 in 2024-25 after reaching the Class 4A quarterfinals and winning seven games in 2023. The numbers dwindled along with the enthusiasm for Aztec football among players, parents and the community.   Former Aztec player Colton Weaver has stepped in as the new head  coach. Weaver won a state title with the Tigers in 2011 before graduating from Aztec HS in May 2014. He spent several seasons as a Class 4A championship-winning assistant at neighboring Bloomfield under Mike Kovacs following previous stints at Shiprock and Navajo Prep.   Weaver's mission is simple: Make Aztec Great Again. He's the seventh head coach for the Tigers since 2020.   “The first thing I have to do is bring some stability,” Weaver told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “That's what they've been lacking. When you're constantly changing head coaches, it's tough to build a program."   Aztec's numbers are up for Weaver's debut season. Right now, the Tigers have over 40 players ready to go for the start of preseason camp on Monday. About half of those players are freshmen.   “I'm holding the players accountable and they seem to love that,” Weaver said. “They want to be coached and they want to be held accountable. Our numbers keep improving. If they were going down, I'd be concerned. You can sense the enthusiasm. Every job is open. We're rebuilding from the ground up. I'm very excited.”   Aztec moves to Class 3A as part of the NMAA's reorganization of high school football in December. They're in District 3A-1 along with Gallup, Pojoaque Valley, Kirtland Central,  Robertson, St. Michael's, Thoreau, West Las Vegas and Wingate.   Aztec opens the Colton Weaver Era on Aug. 21 against Bayfield (CO), whose new head coach is UNM Lobos legend Rocky Long.     OFFENSE   Aztec will switch from a run-dominated offense in 2025 to the Air Raid. Two quarterbacks are competing for the starting job: senior [player_tooltip player_id='2107191' first='Joseph' last='Martin'] (last season's starting QB) and 6-foot-1 freshman Logan DiGiacomo.   “I come from the Coach Kovacs' coaching tree,” Weaver said. “We'll make the kids fit the Air Raid and adjust to their strengths. It's not just plug and play. We'll adjust to our players. Logan has good size and a strong throwing arm.”   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2107233' first='Drake' last='Rivera'] and freshman Kegan Keller are battling to become the starting running back. Rivers saw limited action there in 2025 while also serving as a starting linebacker and offensive lineman.   “Drake is a stout kid and really strong,” Weaver said.   Promising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2107201' first='Alejandro' last='Valerio'] is a next level talent at receiver. He's a three-sport standout for the Tigers. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2107204' first='Parker' last='Olguin'], 6-foot-3 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2107195' first='Brody' last='Segotta'] and promising freshman Cooper Gomez join him. Gomez could start, Weaver said.      “Alejandro reminds me of some of the Bloomfield guys we had,” Weaver said. “He has good speed. Very fluid with the hips. His releases are great. Cooper is a fantastic freshmen. He's fast and he's smart. If this wide receiver corps stays together for a couple years, we're going to be very good.”   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2107250' first='Julian' last='Calderon'] anchors the offensive line. Freshmen Riley Clark and Nikko Elwood (6-2) are promising newcomers. Jaidyn Allen is another freshmen to watch. The Tigers could start multiple freshmen on the O-Line.   Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2107191' first='Joseph' last='Martin'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='2107233' first='Drake' last='Rivera'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='2107201' first='Alejandro' last='Valerio'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='2107250' first='Julian' last='Calderon'] (OL).   DEFENSE   The Aztec defense will employ a 3-3-5 alignment. Only three or four players will go both ways, Weaver said. Junior linebacker Jerry Mullins will anchor the defense along with junior CB [player_tooltip player_id='2107219' first='Lorenzo' last='Munoz']. Senior Braden McDonald, who returns to the football team after not playing in 2025, will play defensive end. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2107249' first='Harvey' last='Blackwater'] will play on the edge.   Sophomores Xzavier Hernandez and [player_tooltip player_id='2107232' first='Conor' last='Lee'] join Mullins at linebacker. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2107135' first='Trysten' last='Howells'] will play safety. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2107222' first='Ethan' last='Walters'] will play somewhere in the secondary.        Key Players: Jerry Mullins (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='2107219' first='Lorenzo' last='Munoz'] (CB), Braden McDonald (DL), [player_tooltip player_id='2107249' first='Harvey' last='Blackwater'] (DL).   2026 AZTEC SCHEDULE   Aug. 21 BAYFIELD (CO)                          Aug. 28 at Cuba                        Sept. 4 at Pojoaque Valley (6 p.m.)*                           Sept. 11 THOREAU*                  Sept. 18 WEST LAS VEGAS*                 Sept. 25 at Gallup*                 Oct. 2 ST. MICHAEL'S*                      Oct. 9 Bye                 Oct. 16 KIRTLAND CENTRAL*            Oct. 23 at Robertson*               Oct. 30 at Wingate*              *District 3A-1 Game   All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise.

OVERVIEW