2026 Team Preview: Pojoaque Valley Elks

OVERVIEW   Pojoaque Valley has made remarkable progress in Zeke Villegas' first three seasons as head coach of the Elks. In the season prior to his arrival in 2023, Pojoaque Valley went 0-9. Since Villegas took over, the Elks are 3-7, 5-6 and 5-5.   It's the first time since 2013-14 that Pojoaque Valley has won five or more games in consecutive seasons. Last season was a year of firsts for the Elks: first top four playoff seed, first home playoff game and first victory over rival district rival Robertson.   “We're going into Year Four and our guys know the playbook very well,” Villegas told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “Our middle school runs the same playbook. We've built a good foundation from the bottom up. That's what has helped us the past two years. Our program has made the playoffs five times in 29 years, so our program has really grown. The kids understand it's gotten better every year. We have high expectations this year.”   Villegas said about 90 percent of last season's starters are returning.     OFFENSE   Senior Josh Gonzales is back for his third season as the Elks' starting quarterback. Last season, Gonzales threw for over 1,200 yards and rushing for over 550 yards, making him a legit dual threat signal caller. The backup QB will be 6-foot-2 sophomore Jonah Martinez. He was the JV QB in 2025. Promising Freshman Jacobi Gonzales is an up-and-comer. The Elks look set at QB for the next several years.   “We were able to run and pass last year,” Villegas said. “That helped us win a lot of games. This year, Josh is reading the field and the coverages better. During passing camp, he made some throws he wouldn't have made in the past.   “He completed passes into tight windows. Just accurate throws. He's making better decisions. That is something that came with his growth. We've seen some amazing things from Josh. He's  dual threat QB for sure. We expect big things from him.”   The senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1213336' first='Jaden' last='Leyba-Moya'] and speedy [player_tooltip player_id='1129687' first='Jonah' last='Villegas'] should be highly productive at running back. Villegas missed the first half of last season with a shoulder injury, but still managed to rush for over 300 yards and average 7 yards per carry. Leyba-Moya did even better, averaging 9.9 yards per carry. Behind them on the depth chart is 6-foot-0, 185-pound sophomore Muziq Portis. He‘ll be the No. 3 RB and should get some varsity carries.     Pojoaque Valley lost its top two receivers last season to graduation, opening the door for junior [player_tooltip player_id='1613748' first='Deion' last='Dixon'] to become one of the Elks' main receivers in 2026. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2256798' first='Mateo' last='Gonzales'] is also being counted on to step up and catch more passes. Those two will ‘most definitely' be Pojoaque Valley's top two receivers this season. Six-foot-1 freshman Marco Caballero is a name to remember for the future. [player_tooltip player_id='1213336' first='Jaden' last='Leyba-Moya'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1129687' first='Jonah' last='Villegas'] will likely play slot receiver when they're not lined up at RB.   Three seniors and one junior are set to start along the offensive line. The senior trio features LT [player_tooltip player_id='1248684' first='Michaelangelo' last='Leapingwolf'] (a distinguished member of the All-Name team), RG [player_tooltip player_id='1791354' first='Roman' last='Gonzales'] and 6-foot-1, 250-pound C Danny Ortiz. The LG will be 240-pound junior [player_tooltip player_id='2108856' first='Jeremiah' last='Ortiz']. The RT spot is a battle between three guys: senior [player_tooltip player_id='1826296' first='Nicholas' last='Martinez'], sophomore Fabian Pacheco and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1248660' first='Angel' last='Rivera']. Muziq Portis will be the tight end in certain formations.          “This is the biggest and strongest offensive line we've ever had,” Villegas said. “We have 19 linemen on the roster. It's something we take pride in. We build around the line. Our O-Line will be big, but they can move quickly.”                     Key Players: Josh Gonzales (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='1213336' first='Jaden' last='Leyba-Moya'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1129687' first='Jonah' last='Villegas'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1248684' first='Michaelangelo' last='Leapingwolf'] (OL).   DEFENSE   Like many Class 3A schools, Pojoaque Valley has numerous players ready to play both sides of the ball. In the secondary, [player_tooltip player_id='1213336' first='Jaden' last='Leyba-Moya'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1129687' first='Jonah' last='Villegas'] will play safety, while [player_tooltip player_id='1613748' first='Deion' last='Dixon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2256798' first='Mateo' last='Gonzales'] will be the cornerbacks.   At linebacker in Pojoaque Valley's 3-4 scheme, the ILB will be 195-pound sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2114836' first='Jaziah' last='Romero'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2108856' first='Jeremiah' last='Ortiz']. The OLB will be Josh Gonzales and Muziq Portis.   The Elks' defensive line features NT [player_tooltip player_id='1248684' first='Michaelangelo' last='Leapingwolf'], DE [player_tooltip player_id='1791354' first='Roman' last='Gonzales'] and 6-foot-3, 210-pound DE [player_tooltip player_id='1248674' first='Isaiah' last='Gomez'], who has battled a hip issue but should be ready in time for the season opener. Gomez will also play tight end.   “This will be the biggest defensive front seven we've ever had,” Villegas said. “We're very excited about that. We finally have the big inside linebackers and the big outside linebackers we need.”           Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1129687' first='Jonah' last='Villegas'] (DB), [player_tooltip player_id='2114836' first='Jaziah' last='Romero'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1248684' first='Michaelangelo' last='Leapingwolf'] (DL), [player_tooltip player_id='1248674' first='Isaiah' last='Gomez'] (DE).       2026 POJOAQUE VALLEY SCHEDULE   Aug. 2 TAOS                             Aug. 28 at Moriarty       Sept. 4 AZTEC*                                Sept. 11 at Belen                    Sept. 18 Bye                   Sept. 25 at Robertson*                      Oct. 2 GALLUP*                        Oct. 9 at Thoreau*                  Oct. 16 WEST LAS VEGAS*            Oct. 23 at Kirtland Central*               Oct. 30 ST MICHAEL'S*              *District 3A-1 Game   All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sophomore year highlights ! 1st team all district running back<a href="https://t.co/eqS6xDaqZi">https://t.co/eqS6xDaqZi</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1129687' first='Jonah' last='Villegas'] (@Jonahv_23) <a href="https://x.com/Jonahv_23/status/1880253476292423769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2025</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Always love it when my skills get a touchdown <a href="https://t.co/xm8dyetoVt">pic.twitter.com/xm8dyetoVt</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1248684' first='Michaelangelo' last='Leapingwolf'] (@MzaKillabee) <a href="https://x.com/MzaKillabee/status/1845251828516003851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2024</a></blockquote>

OVERVIEW