2026 Team Preview: Robertson Cardinals

OVERVIEW   Last season wasn't a lot of fun for Robertson. One of the blue blood programs in northern New Mexico, the Cardinals suffered through a frustrating campaign in 2025 with ample player suspensions (many of those players decided to quit rather than serve the suspensions), unexpected losses and a pair of setbacks to rival St. Michael's within a two-week span, the latter in the quarterfinals of the 3A playoffs. Robertson head coach Lucas Sanchez is glad to turn the page and look ahead to the 2026 season.   “We've done a lot of growing up since the end of last season,” Sanchez told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “It's no secret. We're going to be pretty young. We have a ton of freshmen and sophomores that I'm very excited about. They have big schools to fill, but I need for them to grow into those shoes very quickly. Our guys worked hard in the off-season. Lot of work in the weight room. We're still Robertson football. We'll be  in the mix just like we usually are every year.”        OFFENSE   Six-foot-5 strong-armed senior [player_tooltip player_id='1155256' first='Nathan' last='Gonzales'] returns at quarterback for the Cardinals. Gonzales is a two-sport standout and has already won a state championship in basketball (March 2025) with Robertson. Gonzales was rifling the ball around the field when we saw him at the NMMI 7x7 Tourney in July.   “We have big expectations for Nathan,” Sanchez said. “His character is just as strong as his physical appearance. Good leader. The one thing we're working with him on is being more vocal. He's quiet by nature. He's our gentle giant. But when the lights are on, he turns into a different guy. There's a lot riding on his shoulders and he knows it. He works hard. He's put on about 15 pounds since the end of last season.”   Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2114598' first='Marcus' last='Montoya'] will be the backup QB. He's also a standout hoops player. Six-foot-2 freshman Donovan Gonzales, Nathan's younger brother, will be in the mix as well. Sanchez said Donovan Gonzales will play somewhere based on his size and promising talent.   Juniors Adriano Gallegos and Angelo Brizal will be the top running backs. Brizal was moved from tight end to the offensive backfield. Sophomore Jace Cordova, described by Sanchez as ‘our Mighty Mouse,' is an up-and-comer. He has good speed and elusiveness.   [player_tooltip player_id='2114598' first='Marcus' last='Montoya'] enjoyed a solid freshman year at receiver in 2025. He'll likely be Robertson's No. 1 receiver as a sophomore. Newcomer Sonnie Cruz has shown promise in preseason camp. Freshman Miles Cavanaugh, who saw action with the varsity as an 8th-grader last season, is another promising young talent at receiver.   “I'm expecting big things from Marcus,” Sanchez said. “A lot of what we do in the passing game will involve him. He's going to get a lot of touches. He's going to see the ball plenty. Sonnie hasn't played football before, but he's turning into an absolute stud. He's picked it up fast. He has a different twitch to him and he's got a little attitude in him. That's the part I like about him the most. He's catching the ball all over the place.”   Three starters return on the offensive line: Senior LT [player_tooltip player_id='2104239' first='David' last='Lautalo'], junior LG [player_tooltip player_id='1613664' first='Santos' last='Martinez'] and senior RG Max Flure. Sophomore Darrien Sanchez will be the new center. Sophomore Aztlan Padilla and 6-foot-2, 235-pound freshman Angel Lujan are battling for the starting right tackle job.                      Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1155256' first='Nathan' last='Gonzales'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='2114598' first='Marcus' last='Montoya'] (WR), Adriano Gallegos (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='2104239' first='David' last='Lautalo'] (OL).   DEFENSE   [player_tooltip player_id='2104239' first='David' last='Lautalo'] and Max Flure will anchor the defensive line for the Cardinals from both DE spots. The interior features promising 260-pound sophomore NG Rafael Jaramillo.   “I'm expecting big things from Rafael,” Sanchez said. “He's grown up. He's dropped some weight and gotten leaner. He took the weight room very seriously.”   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1613664' first='Santos' last='Martinez'] (defensive captain) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1606130' first='Francisco' last='Lopez'] is back to anchor the linebacker corps. Lopez will play MLB.  Adriano Gallegos and Angelo Brizal will rotate in at ILB.   The Robertson secondary includes [player_tooltip player_id='1155256' first='Nathan' last='Gonzales'] and Donovan Gonzales at safety. Sonnie Cruz showed promise at cornerback during the summer. The opposite CB will be [player_tooltip player_id='2114598' first='Marcus' last='Montoya'].   Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2104239' first='David' last='Lautalo'] (DL), Max Flure (DL), [player_tooltip player_id='1613664' first='Santos' last='Martinez'] (LB),   [player_tooltip player_id='1606130' first='Francisco' last='Lopez'] (LB).   2026 ROBERTSON SCHEDULE   Aug. 21 SOCORRO                              Aug. 28 at Santa Rosa         Sept. 5 at St. Michael's (Sat., 1 p.m.)*                                Sept. 11 GALLUP*                     Sept. 18 at Kirtland Central (6 p.m.)*                    Sept. 25 POJOAQUE VALLEY*                       Oct. 1 at Newcomb (Thur., 6 p.m.)                        Oct. 8 Bye*                  Oct. 16 at Thoreau*            Oct. 23 AZTEC*               Oct. 30 WEST LAS VEGAS*              *District 3A-1 Game   All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise.

OVERVIEW