2026 Team Preview: Valencia Jaguars

OVERVIEW   Coming off an eight-win season in 2024 and with a roster containing more than 20 seniors, Valencia entered the 2025 campaign filled with optimism. But the Jaguars struggled to a 4-7 record and quickly exited the Class 4A playoffs. Head coach LeDarrius Cage is hopeful recent history won't repeat itself in 2026 with a younger roster.   “We were definitely looking to take a step forward last season into the final four,” Cage told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “But it seemed like we lacked some motivation and leadership when the season got rolling. That hurt us. That's what we're preaching to the guys this year.   “We can't go back to what we did last year. We had a lot of talent, but we didn't execute. The guys we have returning saw what happened last year and they've been spending the summer trying to correct those things.”   Valencia will have about six seniors on its 2026 roster, Cage said, so the Jaguars will rely more heavily on sophomores and juniors in 2026.                 OFFENSE   Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1604768' first='Santino' last='Mares'], arguably the Jaguars' best athlete, returns at quarterback. He threw for over 500 yards and rushed for close to 650 yards and 9 touchdowns in Valencia's run-dominated attack. However, Mares' valuable experience could allow the Jaguars to open up the playbook more in 2026.   “Santino took over the quarterback position last year,” Cage said. “It's not his natural position. He's a safety. But he took on the role. Unfortunately, we had some issues with the offensive line, so it was hard to get him going the way we wanted to. We didn't have any continuity on the O-Line.   “We've taken steps to solve that and make Santino more comfortable. Since November, he's made a huge jump. We have a new quarterbacks coach and Santino has been working closely with him. Right now, Santino is the guy. He knows the offense and what we expect.”   Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1826241' first='Aaden' last='Chavez'] will be the backup after serving in that role last season.   Valencia must replace a 1,000-yard rusher at running back. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1606132' first='Aiden' last='Farless'] is the leading contender to take the NO. 1 RB job. He's mainly played linebacker the past two years as he awaited his turn at RB. Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1826244' first='Malachi' last='McCoy'] is competing for the top job after being the MIKE linebacker inn 2025. Transfer Andrew Ramos, a rising junior, joined the Jaguars in the spring and looks to get some carries as well.   While Valencia averaged only 12.2 pass attempts per game, they lost their top four receivers to graduation, In fact, no receiver with more than one reception in 2025 returns. Rising senior transfer Nick Herrera is one of the top contenders for the No. 1 WR role. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1787798' first='Mario' last='Santiago']-Diaz, the Jaguars' free safety last season, is also involved in the competition.   “Nick has some explosive ability,” Cage said. “He'll probably be our No. 1 guy this year. He's recovering from an injury right now but we do expect him to be ready by August. Mario is another explosive guy. He's primarily been a defensive guy, but we've talked with him about having a role on offense. He's done well during 7-on-7. We could be more balanced this year, but you never know until Week1 comes.”      A name for the future: Speedy rising freshman (2030) Michael Torres will get a look at receiver and could make an early impact. He's spent the entire spring with the varsity.   “Michael has taken a lot of reps with the varsity,” Cage said. “I usually don't put freshmen on varsity, but with how young we are and his ability, I think he can help us on the varsity.”   Valencia will be younger on the offensive line in 2026. The Jaguars have just one returning starter, rising junior Ivan Solis. He played left tackle last season but is shifting inside to left guard. Six-foot rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2114833' first='Judah' last='Salcido'], who played defensive end as a freshman, joins the O-Line as the new left tackle. Transfer Elias Sanchez, who relocated from Arizona, will be another newcomer on the O-Line. He'll play center or right guard. Rising sophomore Leo Trujillo will play somewhere on the right side (or center) after playing JV and C team in 2025. Rising sophomore Jacob Madrid is the top contender to take over at right tackle.                      Key Players:  [player_tooltip player_id='1604768' first='Santino' last='Mares']n(QB),  [player_tooltip player_id='1606132' first='Aiden' last='Farless'](RB), Nick Herrera (WR), Ivan Solis (OL).      DEFENSE   Rising senior cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='1790893' first='Danny' last='Cristan'] returns and he'll be one of Valencia's defensive leaders. The opposite cornerback will likely be rising junior transfer Ethyn Betenbough. Even though he didn't play much in the secondary last season, [player_tooltip player_id='1604768' first='Santino' last='Mares'] (see above) will likely see  more action at strong safety in 2026 in addition to his QB duties.   “Safety is Santino's natural position,” Cage said. “He's a football player. He makes a lot of plays. We're going to use him to his full potential.”   The free safety alongside Mares will be [player_tooltip player_id='1787798' first='Mario' last='Santiago']-Diaz (see above), who will also play both ways. Rising senior Jorgen Booth, who filled in when Santiago-Diaz was injured last year, will see action at both safety spots.   [player_tooltip player_id='1606132' first='Aiden' last='Farless'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1826244' first='Malachi' last='McCoy'] (top returning tackler) are back at linebacker, and both will be two-way players for the Jaguars. Rising junior Santiago Perea takes over at strongside LB.   Along the defensive line, [player_tooltip player_id='2114833' first='Judah' last='Salcido'] (see above) returns at defensive end after leading Valencia in TFL with 7.0 last season. Rising junior Everardo Chavira will be the opposite DE along with playing tight end on offense. The interior DL players include rising junior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2173922' first='Jacob' last='Thomas'].         Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1790893' first='Danny' last='Cristan'] (DB), [player_tooltip player_id='1606132' first='Aiden' last='Farless'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1826244' first='Malachi' last='McCoy'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='2114833' first='Judah' last='Salcido'] (DL).   2026 VALENCIA SCHEDULE   Aug. 21 DEL NORTE (6 p.m.)                    Aug. 28 at Grants                  Sept. 4 MIYAMURA (6 p.m.)                    Sept. 11 Bye             Sept. 18 at Dexter              Sept. 25 at Belen*              Oct. 2 at Lovington (6 p.m.)*                  Oct. 9 SANTA TERESA (6 p.m.)*               Oct. 16 at Albuquerque Academy (3 p.m.)*           Oct. 23 ST. PIUS X (6 p.m.)*             Oct. 30 PORTALES (6 p.m.) *           * District 4A-2 Game   All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Recognizing a few guys that have been getting it done so far this offseason! <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/TheStandardIsUs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheStandardIsUs</a> 🏈 🐆 <a href="https://t.co/mQN3fPPKaw">pic.twitter.com/mQN3fPPKaw</a>— VHS Jaguars Football (@VHSJagFootball) <a href="https://x.com/VHSJagFootball/status/2032173417185886264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2026</a></blockquote>

OVERVIEW