2025 Team Preview: Del Norte Knights

OVERVIEW   Dallas Petersen understood clearly his first season as Del Norte head coach in 2024 was less about winning and more about laying the foundation for future success, something the Knights haven't experienced in football in a long time.   The last time Del Norte won as many as five games? 2016. From that perspective, Petersen, a 2014 Del Norte graduate and one of the youngest head coaches in the state, believes his debut season in which Del Norte was 1-9 was a success.   “I thought it was amazing. We started laying the bricks for a good foundation,” Petersen told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “Some of our older guys last season struggled at times because they were used to doing things a certain way and sometimes it's hard to see things a different way.   “So, there was a lot of questioning. But the younger guys understood the message. That's why I'm excited for the upcoming season. Obviously, we didn't win as many games as I thought we would. But we were more competitive. We have to figure out how to put four solid quarters together.”   OFFENSE   3 Players To Watch: Nicholas Archulata (QB), Ke'andre Wyatt (RB), Santos Nevarez (OL)   Both of Del Norte's quarterbacks a season ago were seniors, so the Knights will have a brand new signal caller in 2025. Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1826079' first='Nicholas' last='Archuleta'] is expected to take over the job after quarterback at the sub-varsity level for the Knights in 2024. But he faces competition from a couple of younger contenders. Most likely, though, the backup QB for Del Norte in 2025 will be the Wildcat scheme.   “Nicholas is a very football smart kid,” Petersen said. “I first saw him a couple of years ago when he was an eighth-grader. He's growing up. He's already taken the steps to become the leader. This year will his first rodeo with the varsity if he wins the battle.”   Rising senior Ke'andre Wyatt returns at running back. He was a solid workhorse RB last season and should fill the same role again in 2025. He was also a defensive standout with a pair of Pick-6s. Transfer Julian Cabrera is a promising newcomer.   “Ke'andre had a great year for us last season.” Petersen said. “He's a lightning in a bottle type of player. He wants to line up everywhere. We definitely have to get the ball in his hands. Between Ke'andre and Julian, it will pretty much be those two guys. They should be able to handle the workload. They will both play defense too. I see both of them getting about 10 to 15 carries per game.”   Rising senior speedster [player_tooltip player_id='1751409' first='Gauge' last='Perez'] leads the Del Norte wide receiver corps. He will line up at outside WR. Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1826084' first='Kordell' last='Erby'] should emerge as another promising target.   The offensive line returns four of five starters from a season ago: LT [player_tooltip player_id='1751414' first='Nicholas' last='Saiz'] (6-2, 250), LG [player_tooltip player_id='1720577' first='Santos' last='Nevarez'], C [player_tooltip player_id='1751420' first='Mason' last='Munoz'] and RT [player_tooltip player_id='1826086' first='Noah' last='Onomoto'] (started as freshman in 2024). The right guard spot is up for grabs. Rising sophomore Giovanni Martin is the favorite to win the job. The entire O-Line has impressed in the weight room during the off-season, Peterson said.               DEFENSE   3 Players To Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1751414' first='Nicholas' last='Saiz'] (DL), [player_tooltip player_id='1751422' first='Dillon' last='Bishop'] (DL), Mario Archuleta (DL).   Del Norte will rely on plenty of two-way players on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1751414' first='Nicholas' last='Saiz'] will anchor the defensive line along with rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1751422' first='Dillon' last='Bishop']. Rising senior Mario Archuleta (older brother of [player_tooltip player_id='1826079' first='Nicholas' last='Archuleta']) will handle one of the DT spots.   All four linebackers in Del Norte's 3-4 scheme last season graduated, so the Knights are essentially starting over at that spot. However, Del Norte's new defensive coordinator could utilize 3 LBs. All three spots are wide open. Ke'andre Wyatt will likely play one of the OLB spots.   In the secondary, [player_tooltip player_id='1751409' first='Gauge' last='Perez'] will likely play one of the cornerback spots, but he could play safety. [player_tooltip player_id='1826084' first='Kordell' last='Erby'] will pull double duty as well in the secondary. [player_tooltip player_id='1826090' first='Byren' last='Bean'] is a rising sophomore who has exhibited a nose for the football. He will likely start at CB.          2025 Del Norte Football Schedule:   Aug. 23 at Hope Christian (Sat., 11 a.m.)     Aug. 30 ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY (Sat., 11 a.m.)   Sept. 5 at Manzano (7 p.m.)     Sept. 12 at Capital (7 p.m.)*     Sept. 19 BELEN (7 p.m.)*     Sept. 25 LOS ALAMOS (Thur., 7 p.m.)*      Oct. 3 at Rio Grande (7 p.m.)*     Oct. 10 Bye   Oct. 17 VALLEY (7 p.m.)*     Oct. 24 MIYAMURA (7 p.m.)*     Oct. 30 at Highland (7 p.m.)*   * District 5A-2 Game   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">JUNIOR SEASON HIGHLIGHTS ⚔️🥞 Blessed to play another year!!<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NMrecruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMrecruits</a> <a href="https://t.co/RyB4jqkh7W">https://t.co/RyB4jqkh7W</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1720577' first='Santos' last='Nevarez'] (@Santosnevarez66) <a href="https://twitter.com/Santosnevarez66/status/1898494208438100470?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2025</a></blockquote>

OVERVIEW