2026 Team Preview: Tucumcari Rattlers
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<p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p>
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<p>The Adrian Jones Era begins in Tucumcari. After serving as a head coach at six-man San Jon and four years as a Tucumcari assistant, Jones was promoted to Rattlers head coach in late May. He is a graduate of Tucumcari High and most of his family currently lives there in the town of 5,500.</p>
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<p>As soon as Jones was hired, he put together summer workouts for the high school and junior high players. He expects about 30-35 players to suit up for the Tucumcari varsity for the first game, a number he describes as ‘good.'</p>
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<p>Tucumcari is coming off a 4-7 season, but reached the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Those four wins marked the most in a single season for the Rattlers since 2012, which is also the last time they finished above .500. </p>
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<p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p>
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<p>Two senior quarterbacks are competing for the starting job: <strong>Mike Crouch</strong> (last season's backup) and <strong>Jadon Navarro</strong>. Whoever wins the job has large shoes to fill as the graduated Nick Geon threw for nearly 1,700 yards and 20 TD with just seven interceptions.</p>
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<p>Senior <strong>Eric Acosta</strong>, last season's leading rusher, returns. He'll be joined by athletic junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1684748' first='Jermy' last='Jones']</strong>, who is moving from slot receiver, and promising 6-foot-1 sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114575' first='Robert' last='Rice']</strong>. Senior <strong>Zoriah Phillips</strong> could get some carries as well after a solid summer on the field and in the weight room.</p>
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<p>“Robert is too good to keep off the field, so we're going to find ways to get him there, even if it's at the slot,” Adrian Jones told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We have to find ways to get him involved.”</p>
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<p>With several talented running backs on the roster, Jones plans to run the ball more than the Rattlers did last season.</p>
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<p>Senior <strong>Joe Salas</strong> will be one of the key receivers for the Rattlers. Sophomore <strong>Julian Moralez</strong> is an up-and-comer and has already shown a strong work ethic in the weight room. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114575' first='Robert' last='Rice']</strong> will play slot when he's not in the backfield as a running back.</p>
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<p>Tucumcari will have an experienced offensive line with four starters returning. Senior center <strong>Josh Melendez</strong> anchors the unit along with senior guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2256683' first='Jeremiah' last='Garcia']</strong> and <strong>Justin Goen</strong>. Promising sophomore left tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114599' first='Niemiah' last='Pacheco']</strong> is a future star. The right tackle will be senior <strong>Brayan Giner</strong>. Another up-and-comer is 250-pound sophomore <strong>Frankie Montano</strong>. </p>
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<p>“We have weight, height, athleticism and experience on the offensive line,” Jones said. “All of them have taken the weight room seriously. They've all done power lifting. And they're always working out on their own too.” </p>
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<p><strong>Key Players</strong>: Eric Acosta (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1684748' first='Jermy' last='Jones'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='2114575' first='Robert' last='Rice'] (RB/WR), Josh Melendez (OL).</p>
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<p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114599' first='Niemiah' last='Pacheco']</strong> will play defensive line in addition to their offensive line responsibilities.</p>
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<p><strong>Zoriah Phillips</strong> will be the MIKE linebacker. <strong>Justin Goen</strong> returns to linebacker after playing on the defensive line in 2025.</p>
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<p><strong>Eric Acosta</strong> is an All-State caliber cornerback. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1684748' first='Jermy' last='Jones']</strong> returns to safety after playing mainly LB in 2025. His speed will be an asset there. The cornerback opposite Acosta will be <strong>Joe Salas</strong>.</p>
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<p>“Joe is a dawg,' Jones said. “He'll be excellent in coverage. He knows how to tackle and he likes to put his nose into the pile. We're looking for cornerbacks who can hit and definitely cover. Our defensive backs with Jermy, Joe and Eric should be able to cover most of the field and then come up and make tackles.” </p>
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<p><strong>Key Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='2114599' first='Niemiah' last='Pacheco'] (DL), Zoriah Phillips (LB), Eric Acosta (DB), Joe Salas (DB).</p>
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<p><strong>2026 TUCUMCARI SCHEDULE</strong></p>
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<p>Aug. 21 JAL </p>
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<p>Aug. 28 at Tohatchi </p>
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<p>Sept. 4 EUNICE </p>
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<p>Sept. 11 ESTANCIA </p>
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<p>Sept. 18 CUBA </p>
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<p>Sept. 25 at Tularosa </p>
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<p>Oct. 2 at Capitan </p>
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<p>Oct. 9 Bye </p>
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<p>Oct. 17 at McCurdy (Sat., 1 p.m.) * </p>
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<p>Oct. 23 SANTA ROSA* </p>
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<p>Oct. 30 at Raton* </p>
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<p>*District 2A-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">Congratulations dad <a href="https://x.com/CoachJones1421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJones1421</a> let's get to work! <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/45rjOWwzsA">pic.twitter.com/45rjOWwzsA</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1684748' first='Jermy' last='Jones'] (@Jermy_Jones0) <a href="https://x.com/Jermy_Jones0/status/2059359256399204800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Blessed?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blessed</a> Been grinding results are showing thank you to my coaches who push me! 400m 52.64 100m 11.68 200m 23.58 long jump 20'9 <a href="https://t.co/N59ofVZA1j">pic.twitter.com/N59ofVZA1j</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1684748' first='Jermy' last='Jones'] (@Jermy_Jones0) <a href="https://x.com/Jermy_Jones0/status/2077874202468561283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='1684748' first='Jermy' last='Jones'] 2028 l MLB-Safety l 5'9, 155 l Tucumcari Highschool 3.8 GPA l <br>Somphomore season video ! <br>Ready for my junior season let's get it!<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://x.com/MNHUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MNHUFootball</a> <a href="https://x.com/NMAcademySports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMAcademySports</a> <a href="https://x.com/nmmibroncos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmmibroncos</a> <a href="https://t.co/lNiZouNiVa">https://t.co/lNiZouNiVa</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1684748' first='Jermy' last='Jones'] (@Jermy_Jones0) <a href="https://x.com/Jermy_Jones0/status/2041297197950718003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
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