2026 Team Preview: Gallup Bengals

OVERVIEW   Lawrence Garcia's first season as Gallup head coach was encouraging, to say the least. The Bengals were edged out for a 3A playoff spot but went 5-5, the most wins for the program since 2006. In the four seasons (2021-24) prior to Garcia's arrival, Gallup was a combined 3-37. The result of Gallup experiencing its best season in two decades? The Bengals' numbers are up and enthusiasm for the football program within the school and community has risen.   “Our message to the players has been consistency,” Garcia told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “That is what has plagued this area the most. There's hasn't been a ton of consistency and guys showing up all the time. Getting guys here all the time has been a difference maker. Our numbers this summer were much better. We've been able to rely on some guys a lot better.”   Garcia expected about 45 to 50 players to show up when preseason camp opened Monday, significantly higher than last year at this time. The Bengals were able to sustain that number through the first week of camp, and Garcia expects about another dozen or so players to join the team when school starts and they complete their physicals. More could join in the wake of nearby Wingate dropping football.   “We've grown significantly,” Garcia said. “We feel like we're making a very good turn right now. We have some athletes and we have some players who have completely bought in. They really care about football. They show up and work hard. Hopefully, we continue to grow. We've had a lot of interest.”               OFFENSE   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2109008' first='Tristan' last='Garcia'], the younger half-brother of Lawrence Garcia, returns at quarterback after a promising sophomore campaign in which he threw for over 1,000 yards and 15 TD while completing 60 percent of his passes. Junior Ayden Rico will be the backup QB.   “Tristan being here was a big factor in attracting me to the job,” Garcia said. “He talked about his friends and how they took football seriously and how they wanted football to work for them. Tristan had a pretty  good sophomore year. It was his first year playing quarterback at the high school level. He's very smart and understands the concepts. He has a good feel for everybody's speed. He knows where everybody is supposed to be and how to read the defense. He looked very confident this summer. He's made big strides.”   Because of his speed (he's arguably the fastest player on the team), Garcia said Tristan could be utilized more in the run game this season. He gained close to 250 yards last season.   Gallup's leading rusher from last season graduated. Senior Jeremias Cleveland is expected to take over as the No. 1 running back. Senior Truitt Lewis is the top returning rusher but he will likely move to another spot to take better advantage of his athleticism. He spent most of his summer playing baseball. Speedy senior Laramie Tom joins the Bengals from the soccer team and Garcia anticipates he'll get a lot of carries behind Cleveland. Tom is a soccer and basketball standout and will be utilized in the passing game on swing routes. He could be dynamic.   Junior receiver Kaleb Baca is one of the best athletes on the Bengals. He could line up in the backfield as well. His official listed position is H-Back. He will mainly line up in the slot. Junior Jakob Lomaintewa will be a slot receiver as well. He has good speed, soft hands and a knack for adjusting to the football in mid-air. The outside receivers will be senior Mason Belone, another player recruited from the soccer and basketball teams, and most likely junior Brandon Belone. Senior Tavyen Tsosie (starting safety last season before an injury) and 6-foot-1 junior Cody Yazzie, who is playing football for the first time.   Gallup's offensive line has depth issues, but Garcia believes the starting five of junior LT Adam Candelaria, junior LG Tregan Manuelito, sophomore C Andy Yazzie (weight room warrior), RG Chayton Chato (260 pounds)  and 6-foot-4 sophomore RT Cyrus White is talented and big enough to compete at a high level.                                    Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2109008' first='Tristan' last='Garcia'] (QB), Jeremias Cleveland (RB), Kaleb Baca (WR), Andy Yazzie (OL).   DEFENSE   The Bengals' defensive line will largely consist of the aforementioned offensive linemen. Many will play both ways in Gallup's 3-4 scheme. Chayton Chato will be the starting nose tackle with Adam Candelaria starting at strongside DE. The third DL spot is up for grabs. Junior Isaak Hovel is one of the candidates. He has a good motor. Two more candidates are senior transfer Tristan Davis and promising 6-foot-2 freshman Taylon Brown. Junior   Dauntae Dahozy will contribute after moving from linebacker. Junior Moses Nez will be in the mix as well.   Truitt Lewis (described by Garcia as ‘our best defensive player”) and Jakob Lomaintewa return as starters at linebacker. Senior Jacob Yazzie is competing for one of the two remaining starting jobs. Lewis plays “with an attitude and he really plays with some violence,” Garcia said. Promising sophomore Peyton Haley is competing for one of the two ILB spots. Kaleb Baca is being eyed for an OLB spot. Junior Kyian Rico will get reps at LB as well after moving from safety.   In the secondary, Ayden Rico will be one of the starting cornerbacks. Laramie Tom should be the field CB. Athletic freshman Izayah Pinto could earn reps at CB. Junior CB [player_tooltip player_id='1848610' first='Elijah' last='Alemon'] is recovering from a serious ankle injury but hopes to be ready by the start of the season. Tavyen Tsosie is back at strong safety. Wingate transfer Matthew Whitehair will be given an opportunity to seal a starting job at free safety. He has good speed.      Key Players: Chayton Chato (DL), Truitt Lewis (LB), Jakob Lomaintewa (LB), Ayden Rico (DB).   2026 GALLUP SCHEDULE   Aug. 21 HOPE CHRISTIAN                            Aug. 28 at Navajo Prep      Sept. 4 WEST LAS VEGAS (6 p.m.)                               Sept. 11 at Robertson*                   Sept. 19 EUNICE (Sat., 7 p.m.)*                  Sept. 25 AZTEC*                     Oct. 2 at Pojoaque Valley*                       Oct. 9 KIRTLAND CENTRAL*                  Oct. 17 Bye           Oct. 24 at St. Michael's (Sat., 1 p.m.) *               Oct. 30 at Thoreau*              *District 3A-1 Game   All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Year 1 establishing the shoot. X & Z Go 3 for 3! <a href="https://t.co/ClSL9QlDEh">pic.twitter.com/ClSL9QlDEh</a>— Lawrence Garcia (@CoachGarcia62) <a href="https://x.com/CoachGarcia62/status/1985780858499056019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2025</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fantastic first year for Gallup HC <a href="https://x.com/CoachGarcia62?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachGarcia62</a>. As a result of last night's 40-20 win over Shiprock, Bengals finished the regular season at 5-5. Most wins for Gallup since 2006. <a href="https://t.co/ZRqULeVfVc">pic.twitter.com/ZRqULeVfVc</a>— Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1984368400773366244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2025</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fantastic first year for Gallup HC <a href="https://x.com/CoachGarcia62?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachGarcia62</a>. As a result of last night's 40-20 win over Shiprock, Bengals finished the regular season at 5-5. Most wins for Gallup since 2006. <a href="https://t.co/ZRqULeVfVc">pic.twitter.com/ZRqULeVfVc</a>— Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1984368400773366244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2025</a></blockquote>

OVERVIEW