2025 Team Preview: Dexter Demons
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<p><strong>2025 DEXTER DEMONS PREVIEW</strong></p>
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<p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p>
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<p>Dexter fell a fourth-down stop from winning the Class 3A championship last season, but eventually lost a heartbreaker to St. Michael's. But the Demons (12-1 in 2024) have reloaded for 2025 with an eye on again playing on Thanksgiving Weekend.</p>
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<p>“We've had a great turnout and great buy-in from the players on this year's team,” Dexter head coach Sonny Duran told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We lost a great senior class, but our message to the players hadn't changed: brick-by-brick, day-by-day, let's get better somehow, someway. If we do that, everything will take care of itself. Especially the little things.”</p>
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<p>Dexter has been one of the most successful programs in southern New Mexico over the past decade or more. Since 2012, the Demons have had only two losing seasons (5-6 in 2021 and 2022) and have won 8+ games seven times. They won the 3A state title in 2018. Over the past two seasons, Dexter is 21-4.</p>
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<p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Top 3 Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1155032' first='CJ' last='Granados'] </strong>(QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854287' first='Garet' last='Gonzalez']</strong> (RB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599998' first='Hector' last='Ramirez']</strong> (OL).</p>
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<p>Six-foot-3 junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155032' first='CJ' last='Granados']</strong>, who's been quarterbacking the Dexter varsity since he was in eighth grade in 2022, burst out last season by throwing for over 1,700 yards and 19 touchdowns with just four interceptions, significantly improving his TD Pass-to-INT ratio from his freshman campaign in 2023. Senior <strong>Matthias Salas</strong>, who played a few snaps in last November's state championship game, will likely be the backup.</p>
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<p>“CJ hasn't missed anything in the offseason,” Duran said. “He's been here every day. If he missed a day, it was because he was at a camp learning the game even more. CJ has been a great leader for us. He's added some good weight by being really focused in the weight room. He's been working on getting his feet faster. The next step for him is to understand the game and our offensive concepts even better. With all the meetings we've had, he's definitely progressed.”</p>
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<p>Leading rusher Omar Loya has graduated but No. 2 rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854287' first='Garet' last='Gonzalez']</strong> returns after gaining 825 yards and 9 TD as a junior in 2024. Gonzalez, regarded as the strongest player on the team, is a power back for the Demons. Juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1794624' first='Josh' last='Gonzalez']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155314' first='Rigo' last='Regalado']</strong> are slated to be the backup running backs.</p>
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<p>“Garet is a little quicker after losing some weight,” Duran said. “I'm super excited to see how he progresses. He'll be our focal point for the offense. Ultimately, the backup job will be a collective effort between Josh and Rigo. We'll sprinkle some (junior) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155274' first='Alexis' last='Castro']</strong> in there, too.” </p>
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<p>Dexter must rebuild at receiver after the top four pass catchers from 2024 graduated. Just one receiver, though, had more than 18 receptions in the Demons's run-dominated offensive attack. The top receivers are expected to be <strong>Matthias Salas</strong> (No. 1 outside WR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155274' first='Alexis' last='Castro']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1794624' first='Josh' last='Gonzalez']</strong>.</p>
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<p>Dexter lost three offensive line starters to graduation, both tackles and a guard. The two returners are senior center <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599998' first='Hector' last='Ramirez']</strong> (37 pancake blocks) and senior left guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600004' first='Angel' last='Jimenez']</strong>. The two new offensive tackles will come from a group consisting of juniors <strong>Oscar Hernandez</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1794629' first='Jorge' last='Solis']</strong>, <strong>Hunter Wilkinson</strong> and <strong>Mo Bogle</strong>. The offensive line will be dominated by juniors and seniors. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1794629' first='Jorge' last='Solis'] </strong>is the leading contender for the all-important left tackle spot since Granados is right-handed. </p>
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<p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Top 3 Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1155314' first='Rigo' last='Regalado']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155310' first='Fernando' last='Prieto']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1794624' first='Josh' last='Gonzalez']</strong> (DB).</p>
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<p>The linebackers are the heart and soul of the Demons 3-3-5 defense, beginning with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155314' first='Rigo' last='Regalado']</strong>, last season's third leading tackler (71 tackles), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854287' first='Garet' last='Gonzalez'] </strong>(65 tackles). Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155310' first='Fernando' last='Prieto']</strong>, who made 91 tackles, 15 TFL and 11 sacks in 2024 as an athletic nose tackle, moves to linebacker.</p>
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<p>“With Fernandeo developing more as a player, I think he'll work in space a little more and hopefully produce. Between Rigo, Garet and Ferando, those three will be the core of our defense.”</p>
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<p>Many of the aforementioned offensive linemen will switch sides when the opponent has the ball and play defensive line. The leaders should be <strong>Hunter Wilkinson</strong>, <strong>Mo Bogle</strong> and <strong>Oscar Hernandez</strong>.</p>
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<p>The secondary will be led by cornerbacks <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1794624' first='Josh' last='Gonzalez']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155274' first='Alexis' last='Castro']</strong>, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155032' first='CJ' last='Granados']</strong> and <strong>Matthias Salas</strong> playing safety. The edges of the 3-3-5 alignment will be filled by senior <strong>Wyatt Sena</strong> and junior <strong>Adrian Gallegos</strong>. </p>
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<p><strong>2025 Dexter Demons Football Schedule:</strong></p>
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<p>Aug. 22 at Jal (7 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Aug. 29 WEST LAS VEGAS (7 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 5 GRANTS (7 p.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 13 at Pojoaque Valley (Sat., 11 a.m.) </p>
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<p>Sept. 20 at Hatch Valley (Sat., 1 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Sept. 26 Bye </p>
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<p>Oct. 3 at Cobre (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 10 at Ruidoso (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 17 NMMI (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 24 HOT SPRINGS (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>Oct. 31 SOCORRO (7 p.m.)* </p>
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<p>* District 3A-3 Game</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/W8CO22jimV">https://t.co/W8CO22jimV</a><br>Run Heavy Offense!<br>1708 Passing Yards <br>130.8 Qbr<br>19 Tds<br>4 Ints<br>64 Rushing Attempts <br>479 Yards<br>7 Tds <a href="https://twitter.com/DDemonFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DDemonFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/osoukup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@osoukup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KennyDillingham?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KennyDillingham</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_TSanchez?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_TSanchez</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachbuttsUSU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachbuttsUSU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachGemp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachGemp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachNellyV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachNellyV</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTwelveGage?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTwelveGage</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/QBHitList?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QBHitList</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1155032' first='CJ' last='Granados'] (@cj_granados10) <a href="https://twitter.com/cj_granados10/status/1884983795168006516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Agility work 4.48 shuttle hand time<br>6'0<br>165lbs<br>DE-TE<br>🏎️ <a href="https://t.co/SdUDM17nfC">pic.twitter.com/SdUDM17nfC</a></p>— Wyatt Sena (@wyattsena21) <a href="https://twitter.com/wyattsena21/status/1899868670152892857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/Iv8hOF830Q">https://t.co/Iv8hOF830Q</a><br><br>•82 carries,889 yds,10td's(10.2yds per carry)<br><br>•52 solo tackles<br><br>•5 sacks<a href="https://twitter.com/DDemonFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DDemonFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachKelleyLee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKelleyLee</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/osoukup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@osoukup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTwelveGage?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTwelveGage</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SS_CoachMonson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SS_CoachMonson</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='854287' first='Garet' last='Gonzalez'] (@garet_gonzalez) <a href="https://twitter.com/garet_gonzalez/status/1910755068166754455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out this highlight! <a href="https://t.co/c4Cie9o6Qq">https://t.co/c4Cie9o6Qq</a> junior season 37 pancake blocks <a href="https://twitter.com/DDemonFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DDemonFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TerrenceIsaac1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TerrenceIsaac1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachCameronMMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCameronMMA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachRRod70?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachRRod70</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachMitch55?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachMitch55</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachSanders87?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSanders87</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1599998' first='Hector' last='Ramirez'] (@Hecram_55) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hecram_55/status/1864335068900282771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2024</a></blockquote>
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2025 DEXTER DEMONS PREVIEW
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