2026 Team Preview: Organ Mountain Knights

OVERVIEW   The Gregory Mallory Era begins at Organ Mountain.  After serving in a variety of roles with the Knights since 2018, Mallory was promoted to head coach in March. He faces an uphill battle in District 6A-2 against the likes of Las Cruces, Carlsbad, Centennial, Hobbs, Eldorado and Volcano Vista. Organ Mountain hasn't won more than four games in a single season since 2016.   “We're definitely building a new culture,” Mallory told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We're trying to bring some players backs. Last year we had about 60 players in the program. Right now, we're close to 100 players. We're going to have our first JV team since 2020. Spring had some trying times, but as we moved through the summer and fall camp, everything worked itself out. Our boys are hungry. The buy-in is there. Our community is excited.”   Even though District 6A-2 is considered by some analysts as the state's toughest, Mallory vows Organ Mountain will be ‘in the mix.' The goal for this season is to finish with at least a .500 record and make the 6A playoffs, Mallory said.   Mallory's coaching staff includes former Hot Springs head coach Maximus Buckingham as offensive coordinator.              OFFENSE   Last season's quarterback, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1680049' first='Jaden' last='Gonzales'], has moved to defense and play linebacker and safety, leaving the QB competition to junior [player_tooltip player_id='1597499' first='Jaydon' last='Kraft'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2112514' first='Enrique' last='Ramirez']. One of those two will start Thursday night's season opener at Deming. Kraft attempted three passes for the varsity last season, but that's the extent of their experience. Utilizing both QBs is a possibility, Mallory said.   “Jaden is switching to becoming a complete athlete,” Mallory said. “He'll be starting on the defensive side of the ball. We looked at what's best for the team and Jaden stepped up. We were lacking in linebackers and defensive backs. Jaden has stepped into that role beautifully. Jaydon and Enrique will lead the charge at quarterback. Both those guys are young but they're competitors. They're excited to show what they're made of.”   Gonzales won Linebacker MVP honors at the Western New Mexico Elite Prospect Camp in July. Last week, he made 5 tackles, 2.0 TFL and 1 sack in the Knights' scrimmage at Gadsden.   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1613370' first='Romeo' last='Jones'] was slowed by injuries last season after a promising freshman campaign in 2024 in which he rushed for over 750- yards and 7 TD. He enters the new season as the Knights' No. 1 RB, but the workload will be spread among several other ball carriers. Senior Ian Garcia will have a prominent role in the ground game. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2128053' first='Christian' last='Garcia'] is one of several young RBs in the mix.       “We have a tremendous running back room,” Mallory said. “We have about five guys. [player_tooltip player_id='1613370' first='Romeo' last='Jones'] will be our feature back, but we have some other guys too. Our young guys are talented and hungry. Romeo will have some help. We have irons in the fire that could be featured in different games and different packages.”   Senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1680055' first='Zeke' last='Weir'] possesses freakish athleticism. Bethel College in Kansas has offered. He had 38 receptions for 678 yards in 2025. Six-foot-3, 220-pound senior Yandel Molina will be another inviting target at tight end. Senior Michael McGill should contribute. Six-foot-3 junior Josiah Rogers joins the program from the basketball team.   “Zeke is one of one,” Mallory said. “I don't know if we'll see another Zeke in our program. He's talented and he works hard. Zeke will have help this year but I think Zeke is going to have one of the best seasons at receiver the state will ever see. Yandel has come a long way. He's strong and he's athletic.”     The offensive line will be senior heavy. Senior Ryan Porter will be one of the anchors in the interior. Six-foot-3 junior Jeremiah Chavez and 6-foot-2 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1680164' first='Diego' last='Lopez'] will be starters as well.                Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1613370' first='Romeo' last='Jones'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1680055' first='Zeke' last='Weir'] (WR), Yandel Molina (TE), Ryan Porter (OL).   DEFENSE   Organ Mountain has switched to the 3-4 this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1680049' first='Jaden' last='Gonzales'] will play a hybrid LB spot Mallory called the ‘Knight.'Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1680207' first='Diego' last='Acosta'] (LB), one of the leading tacklers in 2025, LB [player_tooltip player_id='1680197' first='Joshua' last='Belmontes'] and DB),  Kyler Peterson (safety) all return.   Another senior, Noway Armendriz, joins the varsity after transferring from Centennial last year. Underrated senior Jayden Ramirez will play MLB.   Junior Miles Herrod returns to the program and will likely claim a starting job in the secondary.   Senior NT Christopher Ibarra Sanchez will anchor the defensive line. Promising sophomore Cinque Dunlap will play defensive end along with senior Victor Grado. Senior  Alejandro Padilla will contribute.   “We're super excited about the defensive side of the ball,” Mallory said. “The last couple of years, I don't think we had enough athletes to fill all the spots. We now have more depth. This year, I'm looking forward to seeing how our young guys develop and create chemistry with our seniors.”      Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1680049' first='Jaden' last='Gonzales'] (LB/DB), [player_tooltip player_id='1680207' first='Diego' last='Acosta'] (LB), Kyler Peterson (DB), Christopher Ibarra Sanchez (DL).   2026 ORGAN MOUNTAIN SCHEDULE   Aug. 20  at Deming (Thur.)                                  Aug. 28 at Mayfield              Sept. 5 ALAMOGORDO (Sat., 11 a.m.)                                  Sept. 12 ELDORADO (Sat., 1 p.m.)*                       Sept. 18 LAS CRUCES*                      Sept. 25 at Hobbs*                        Oct. 2 Bye                          Oct. 9 CENTENNIAL*                  Oct. 16 at Carlsbad*            Oct. 22 VOLCANO VISTA (Thur.)*               Oct. 30 at Clovis*               *District 6A-2 Game   All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JadenGonzales21/status/2087957304490721347 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ZekeWeir14/status/2068782448826351983 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JaydonKraft8/status/2069129690233577852 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EnriqueQB12/status/2088738214597349540 </div></figure>

OVERVIEW