2026 Team Preview: Lovington Wildcats

OVERVIEW   The last time we saw Lovington competing in Class 4A, the Wildcats lifted the blue trophy after beating Portales in the 2023 state championship game at Greyhound Stadium. Now they're back after consecutive seven-win seasons in Class 5A. Goodbye, Artesia and Roswell. Hello, St. Pius X, Albuquerque Academy and long-time rival Portales.   “It's been a little bittersweet,” Lovington head coach Josh Bailey told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We all wanted to get it done in 5A. The last two years, we made a decent showing. I wish we had a little more depth and made a few more plays at the end.   “But our goal is to win a state championship. We know it won't be easy in 4A. There are some good teams. But on a week-to-week basis, the physical demands on our bodies might be less. That could give us a better chance to get the blue trophy.”   In Lovington's last three seasons in Class 4A (2021-23), the Wildcats won two state championship and reached the semifinals in the other year. Yeah, Lovington loves life in Class 4A. But they don't play games on paper, or computer screens, so the Wildcats know they must bring their ‘A' game every week in order to achieve their goals.   “Our message to our team has been about finding leadership and doing things the Wildcat Way,” Bailey said. “We've emphasized our traditions and who we are. That's our job to teach them that. Our guys are beginning to realize we play for and represent a very special place. We get to be a part of something unique. Around here, representing the right way is winning a state championship.”                  OFFENSE   The fierce battle to become Lovington's new starting quarterback is between junior [player_tooltip player_id='2109037' first='Kylan' last='Spencer'] and sophomore Miguel Perez, whose nickname is ‘Chicken.' They combined for 30 pass attempts and 349 passing yards in 2025.   “Neither guy has a lot of experience, but they're working hard and both have the respect of their teammates,” Bailey said. “They both bring toughness to the position. We've had a senior quarterback the last several years. But most likely we're going to have a young quarterback this season. We have to put those guys in position to make great decisions and make great plays.”   Bailey said last Friday's Blue-White Scrimmage did not settle the issue, and the fierce competition will likely continue until the scrimmage during preseason camp.     Lovington lost its top two running backs to graduation but Bailey likes the stable of ball carriers the Wildcats bring back. The group is led by impressive sophomore Aidan Ortiz and speedy junior Jeremiah Caballero.   “Aidan is awesome,” Bailey said. “He's a phenom. He's big, strong and fast. He looked like an upper classmen last season as a freshman before he got a concussion. If we would have had a healthy Aiden in the playoffs last year, we would have been a different team. He's a good player. Jeremaih has definitely earned the right to compete for the starting job. He'll get a lot of reps. He's very tough. He's worked hard on the track and gained phenomenal speed.”              Former quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1665332' first='Justin' last='Allen'], a rising senior, has moved to wide receiver to better take advantage of his elite athleticism. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2114597' first='Jude' last='Madrid'] is another promising offensive skill player for the Wildcats after catching 13 passes and scoring 4 TD as a freshman in 2025. Madrid is the lone receiver with 10+ receptions returning from 2025.   Seniors Paul Sanchez and LZ Vaughn (didn't play in 2025) will contribute at receiver as well. Two intriguing newcomers at the receiver spot are basketballs standouts Jojo Perez (Miguel's older brother) and sophomore Braxtyn Valenzuela (played varsity hoops as an 8th-grader). Manny Perez recently joined the program.   Lovington losses a FBS caliber offensive lineman, but Bailey believes the unit won't take a step back in 2026 based on experience and toughness. The anchors are 6-foot-1, 260-pound rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1787396' first='Jaden' last='Garcia'] (impressive at the Prep Redzone Exposure Series Camp) and 260-pound senior [player_tooltip player_id='2212414' first='Daemyn' last='Leyva']. Junior Sterling White will be one of the tackles. Six-foot-2, 315-pound senior Ricardo Rodelo is big and fast. He's only played football for a short time but he has next level size and ability. Junior Lukas Quintana will likely start at center.   “We feel the trenches should be a strength of our football team,” Bailey said.                 Key Players: Aidan Ortiz (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='2114597' first='Jude' last='Madrid'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1665332' first='Justin' last='Allen'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1787396' first='Jaden' last='Garcia'] (OL).   DEFENSE   The Lovington defensive line got a major boost when former Hobbs defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1606138' first='Amryn' last='Wheeler'], one of the top pass rushers in the state, transferred to the Wildcats. Wheeler has elite speed and quickness, and he enjoyed a sensational junior season at Hobbs. He is listed on Lovington's Hudl roster and has enrolled for classes at LHS. New Mexico Highlands has offered.   Joining Wheeler on the defensive line are promising sophomores Freddy Moncayo and Daniel Ayala. Both gained varsity experience as freshmen in 2025. Most of the aforementioned offensive linemen – particularly [player_tooltip player_id='1787396' first='Jaden' last='Garcia'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2212414' first='Daemyn' last='Leyva'] - will also play on the defensive front, so they won't come off the field. Ayala could start.   The biggest turnover on the Lovington defense will be at linebacker. Five key contributors there graduated. As a result, most positions are up for grabs, Bailey said. Jeremiah Caballero will likely see significant action at LB along with junior Cason Terrell (younger brother of former Lovington standout Chase Terrell) and sophomore Preston Atwood.   In the secondary, the starting cornerbacks will likely be [player_tooltip player_id='2114597' first='Jude' last='Madrid'] and LZ Vaughn. At safety, Miguel Perez has experience and has been highly productive in the past but Bailey is waiting to see how the QB battle pans out. If Perez isn't the starting QB, he'll start at free safety. Senior Chris Casarez will be the other safety. [player_tooltip player_id='1665332' first='Justin' last='Allen'] and JoJo Perez add depth.                      Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1606138' first='Amryn' last='Wheeler'] (DL), Daniel Ayala (DL), Chris Casarez (DB), LZ Vaughn (DB).   2026 LOVINGTON SCHEDULE   Aug. 21 GODDARD                       Aug. 28 LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (TX) (6 p.m.)                    Sept. 4 at Carlsbad                       Sept. 11 at Monahans (TX)               Sept. 18 at Portales*                Sept. 25 Bye               Oct. 2 VALENCIA*                   Oct. 9 BELEN*                Oct. 16 at Santa Teresa*           Oct. 23 ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY*              Oct. 31 at St. Pius X (2 p.m.)             *District 4A-2 Game   All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Check out my Varsity highlights!!! - CO 2029 <a href="https://x.com/CoachFort_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachFort_</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachjoshbailey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachjoshbailey</a> <a href="https://x.com/lvtwildcatsfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lvtwildcatsfb</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachCruz1988?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCruz1988</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> 9 games played 13 receptions 251 total yards 4 touchdowns <a href="https://t.co/WoPAGdArRg">pic.twitter.com/WoPAGdArRg</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='2114597' first='Jude' last='Madrid'] (@madrid_Jude11) <a href="https://x.com/madrid_Jude11/status/2050748854807548010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2026</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Check out my junior season highlights!!! 42 pancakes 24 total tackles 3 tackles for loss 1 force fumble 1 Qb hurries <a href="https://x.com/CoachFort_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachFort_</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachjoshbailey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachjoshbailey</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachfaith45?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachfaith45</a> <a href="https://x.com/CouchPSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CouchPSports</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/aqfzk5uilm">https://t.co/aqfzk5uilm</a> <a href="https://t.co/qRSqRLnfsq">pic.twitter.com/qRSqRLnfsq</a>— Daemyn (@DaemynL_77) <a href="https://x.com/DaemynL_77/status/2070981229990875566?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2026</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Check out my junior season highlights !!! 51 pancakes 22 assist tackles 27 total tackles 6 tackles for loss 5 solo tackles 1 force fumble 6 Qb hurries<a href="https://x.com/CoachFort_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachFort_</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachjoshbailey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachjoshbailey</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/0RG5BsGKv3">https://t.co/0RG5BsGKv3</a> <a href="https://t.co/gSVzpzOdq7">pic.twitter.com/gSVzpzOdq7</a>— Jaden_garcia60 (@Jaden_garcia60) <a href="https://x.com/Jaden_garcia60/status/2049296099496865867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2026</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After a lot of prayer and trusting God's plan, I've made the decision to transfer to Lovington High School and begin a new chapter in my journey. thankful for every coach, teammate, and supporter who has been part of my journey.<a href="https://x.com/lvtwildcatsfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lvtwildcatsfb</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/CouchPSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CouchPSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/gXSVhfmQEt">pic.twitter.com/gXSVhfmQEt</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1606138' first='Amryn' last='Wheeler'] (@AmrynW1532) <a href="https://x.com/AmrynW1532/status/2072060549983347127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2026</a></blockquote>

OVERVIEW