2026 Team Preview: Hope Christian Huskies
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<p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p>
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<p>Eight months after reaching the semifinals of the Class 3A playoffs, Hope Christian finds themselves in a new district along with seven mostly southern based teams. The Huskies spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons in the 3A district consisting mostly of the northern based schools.</p>
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<p>“We went to the semifinals last year and I've told our guys not to lower our standards,” Hope Christian head coach Fernando Salinas told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We have high aspirations to match last season or do better.”</p>
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<p>Hope Christian registered back-to-back 11-win seasons in 2018 and 2029. They won the 2019 Class 3A state championship. Last season's eight-win campaign was preceded by three consecutive four-win seasons, so the Huskies are trending upward. </p>
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<p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p>
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<p>Hope Christian's new quarterback is promising 6-foot-1, 185-pound freshman <strong>Nick Miller</strong>, who showed few jitters and a strong, accurate throwing arm at the UNM 7x7 Tournament in June. Miller was the Huskies' backup QB in 2025 as an 8<sup>th</sup>-grader, completing four passes with 1 TD pass. He was the starting QB for the JV team., </p>
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<p>“Nick has done well,” Salinas said. “He's a pocket passer. We're still working on his speed and mobility. Right now, he's a drop back passer. He has a great arm. He's different from the quarterback we had last year. Nick throws the ball better but obviously doesn't run like him.”</p>
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<p>The backup QB job is up for grabs between several contenders, including sophomore <strong>Jake Harris</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827328' first='Landon' last='Cochran']</strong>.</p>
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<p>Hope Christian's top three rushers graduated. They accounted for all but 30 of the Huskies' rushing yards last season. Sophomore <strong>Jeremiah Roybal</strong> is competing for the No. 1 job after seeing action in the playoffs. Senior <strong>Kane Otero</strong> returns after not playing football in 2025. He runs track and has good speed.</p>
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<p>Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605990' first='Darrien' last='Williams']</strong> is back after leading the Huskies in receptions, receiving yardage and TD catches last season. He was impressive during camping season, displaying great speed, soft hands and elite athleticism. New Mexico Highlands and Western New Mexico have offered. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613629' first='Ethan' last='Carter']</strong> is back after suffering a torn ACL injury late last season. He should be ready to go by the first game. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827328' first='Landon' last='Cochran']</strong> will be the tight end after finishing second with 30 receptions in 2025. Junior Blake Volk will play the slot. </p>
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<p>“I like our receiving corps,” Salinas said. “They're going to be strong. Darrien coming back will be one of the leaders. Ethan is going to be a good receiver.”</p>
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<p>Four of five starters return on Hope Christian's experienced offensive line. The anchor will be 250-pound senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248664' first='Cooper' last='Cecil']</strong>, a four-year starter. He was impressive at multiple camps in June. Senior <strong>Zach Bullock</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827331' first='Waylon' last='Defrisco']</strong> are also multi-year starters. The center is sophomore <strong>Aden Trujillo, </strong>who played varsity as a freshman in 2025. Junior <strong>Leroy Vasquez</strong> will be the lone new starter. </p>
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<p><strong>Key Players</strong>: Nick Miller (QB), Jeremiah Roybal (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1605990' first='Darrien' last='Williams'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1248664' first='Cooper' last='Cecil'] (OL).</p>
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<p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p>
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<p>The Huskies return four of last season's top five tacklers, led by LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827331' first='Waylon' last='Defrisco']</strong>, the defensive captain. DE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827328' first='Landon' last='Cochran']</strong> had 10 TFL and a team high 9.0 sacks in 2025. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248664' first='Cooper' last='Cecil']</strong> (40 tackles in 2025) had a team-high 12 TFL and 7 sacks at DT. <strong>Zach Bullock</strong> (42 tackles in 2025) gives Hope Christian a formidable DL.</p>
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<p>Juniors <strong>Adam Jimenez</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827307' first='Elias' last='Harvey']</strong> join Defrisco at linebacker. Harvey is a returning starter.</p>
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<p>The secondary includes CB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605990' first='Darrien' last='Williams']</strong>, CB/S <strong>Blake Volk</strong> and senior safety <strong>Deacon Sanchez</strong>, who is described as a ‘good edge setter and fast kid.' Senior <strong>Matthew Wright</strong> will be the free safety.</p>
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<p><strong>Key Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1827331' first='Waylon' last='Defrisco'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1827328' first='Landon' last='Cochran'] (DE), [player_tooltip player_id='1248664' first='Cooper' last='Cecil'], Deacon Sanchez (DB). </p>
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<p><strong>2026 HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHEDULE</strong></p>
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<p>Aug. 21 at Gallup </p>
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<p>Aug. 27 LEGACY ACADEMY (Thur.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 3 at Atrisco Heritage (Thur.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 11 at Ruidoso* </p>
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<p>Sept. 18 at Hatch Valley* </p>
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<p>Sept. 25 Bye </p>
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<p>Oct. 2 NMMI* </p>
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<p>Oct. 9 at Moriarty* </p>
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<p>Oct. 17 SILVER (Sat., 1 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 22 at Hot Springs* </p>
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<p>Oct. 30 SOCORRO* </p>
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<p>*District 3A-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">Had a great time at the Prep Redzone NM showcase this weekend<br><br>Longest broad jump at the camp, 9'10<br> <a href="https://t.co/TH2dzkWgRW">pic.twitter.com/TH2dzkWgRW</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1605990' first='Darrien' last='Williams'] (@darrien_will23) <a href="https://x.com/darrien_will23/status/2061916748610417086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">‼️End of 2025 Season Highlights‼️<br>5'11 165 Wide Out<br>8-4 Season(best in 5 years)<br>604 Receiving Yards<br>9 Touchdowns <br>MISSED 4 GAMES <a href="https://x.com/coachsalinas_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachsalinas_</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach</a> <a href="https://t.co/OQCGr9xVVB">pic.twitter.com/OQCGr9xVVB</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1605990' first='Darrien' last='Williams'] (@darrien_will23) <a href="https://x.com/darrien_will23/status/2016372147313319979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248664' first='Cooper' last='Cecil'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1605990' first='Darrien' last='Williams']</strong></p>
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