2026 Team Preview: Cleveland Storm

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since the NMAA's reorganization of high school football in 2016, Cleveland has dominated Class 6A. The Storm has played in the last SEVEN state championship games, winning five titles in that span, including the last two. The last time Cleveland didn't play in the Class 6A state championship game? 2017.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That impressive level of sustained success proves Cleveland doesn't rebuild, they reload. So, the fact they'll have a new quarterback, a new No. 1 running back, a revamped offensive and several new faces on defense in 2026 won't prevent the Storm from competing for another state title. That's how Cleveland rolls. After all, the standard is the standard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's been a good offseason with a new group of guys,” Cleveland head coach Robert Garza told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “Same work ethic. These guys get after it. They're doing everything they're asked to do. They show up early and work hard every day. I couldn't ask for anything more at this point. We graduated some guys, but we graduate guys every year. We're going to take what we have and we'll go see what we can do.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The No. 1 question facing Cleveland heading into the new season shouldn't surprise anybody: Who's going to be the quarterback? The Storm have a proud tradition at the position, with the last two signal callers leading to the Storm to state titles before heading off to play FBS level college football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, who's the new QB? Most likely, 6-foot-3 rising junior <strong>Michael Denison</strong>. He was the Storm's JV quarterback last season and saw limited action with the varsity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Michael is the guy we hope takes over the job,” Garza said. “He's a big, long, lanky kid. He looks every bit of 6-3. He looks the part. He's perfectly capable of running the football and he has a good, strong arm. We're hoping that working with Coach (Heath) Ridenour will get him to where he needs to be. Michael has dual threat capabilities. He likes to run the ball. But we're expecting him to sit in the pocket, too, and do the things we have been doing. He gives us some versatility. Hopefully, he can make his mark.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How confident are Garza and the Cleveland offensive coaches with Denison? Rather than conducting a straightforward, summer-long competition for the starting job, their focus is getting Denison ready to play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have some young guys coming up, but right now Michael is the guy we're looking to,” Garza said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's any competition at the QB spot, it will be for the backup job. Six-foot-4 rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1473331' first='Kaeleb' last='Escudero']</strong> (younger brother of former Cleveland standout and NMHU signee [player_tooltip player_id='1142637' first='Noah' last='Escudero']) played safety last season, but he'll be moved over in case he is needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Kaeleb is a good second option for us,” Garza said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland will also have a new No. 1 running back, as the Storm's top three rushers last season were seniors. Rising senior <strong>Damian Rodriguez</strong> (214 rushing yards, 4 TD in 7 games), who played mostly on the JV team in 2025, has the inside track in the battle for the job. Some other possibilities include rising junior <strong>Dylan Messer</strong>, who has seen action at WR, rising senior <strong>Lincoln Jones</strong> and a couple of up-and-coming sophomores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Cleveland will have a new starting QB and RB, that won't be the case at wide receiver. The elite athletic duo of rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613490' first='Evan' last='Nanez']</strong> and rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1651252' first='Ajay' last='Vigil']</strong> ranks among the best in the state. Both are elite athletes and superb basketball players for the Storm as well. Nanez is Prep Redzone's new No. 1 prospect for the 2028 class after catching 51 passes for 996 yards and 16 TD in 2025. He had FIVE touchdown receptions against Hobbs in the 6A semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six-foot-4 rising junior <strong>Darius Steverson</strong>, another basketball standout, will also be a big target. Lesson? Don't play the aforementioned trio in 3-on-3 hoops. It won't end well for you. And they're just as good in football. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have a trio of wide receivers that we're excited about,” Garza said. “Ajay had a breakout year last season. Evan was First-Team All-State. Everybody knows what Evan is capable of with the ball in his hand. He might be the best player in the state. Darius can go up and get the football. He's super athletic.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Experienced 6-foot-3 rising senior <strong>Noah Valler</strong> will be the tight end. He started all 13 games for Cleveland last season and is an excellent blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1637643' first='Wyatt' last='Lohr']</strong>, a First-Team All-State honoree in 2025 and an elite power lifter (5th at recent state championships in 308-pound class), anchors the offensive line. The 6-foot-1, 260-pound Lohr is going into his third season as a major contributor on the Storm O-Line. He's arguably the state's top interior offensive linemen and a definite next level prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're excited for Wyatt to lead the way for our offensive line group,” Garza said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Capable rising senior <strong>Lucas Carrica</strong> will start at one of the guard spots. Both tackles will be new, and they have large shoes to fill as both starting OT last season signed letters to play at the next level, one at a FBS school. Several young up-and-comers are battling for those jobs, Garza said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We have some young guys in the works,” Garza said. “They were JV guys with a lot of potential. We're figuring out the tackle situation. But with the two guys coming back for sure, we know we're going to piece things together. Those guys are working their tails off.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>: Michael Denison (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='1613490' first='Evan' last='Nanez'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1651252' first='Ajay' last='Vigil'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1637643' first='Wyatt' last='Lohr'] (OL).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because Cleveland's offense has been so explosive the last several years, the Storm's defense has usually been underrated. Last year was the same thing. Cleveland must replace four All-State caliber player in the defensive front seven, along with two secondary standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all, Cleveland graduates 10 starters on defense. The lone returning starter is OLB Jacob Garcia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“There are a ton of holes to fill, but we have guys who have patiently been waiting their turn,” Garza said. “Our defensive line last year was very experienced. You can't replace that. But we have guys who will be ready.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679768' first='Joaquin' last='Manning']</strong> is one of the talented newcomers on the defensive line. Though undersized, Manning has a fantastic motor and makes plays. The rest of the D-Line will likely be filled with players who starred on Cleveland's undefeated JV team in 2025. That group includes 6-foot-3, 265-pound rising senior <strong>Damian Sanchez</strong>, rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248672' first='Hugh' last='Pena']</strong> and rising senior <strong>Shawn Davis</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six-foot-2 <strong>Lincoln Jones</strong> (see above), described by Garza as ‘big, strong and fast,' is expected to start at inside linebacker. He was part of the LB rotation last season and finished with 20 tackles, 3.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks in 10 games. Several up-and-comers are battling for other inside LB spot, including rising seniors <strong>Isaac Sotelo</strong> and <strong>Nathaniel Roybal</strong> and rising junior <strong>Jordan Mitchell</strong>.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We think Lincoln is going to explode this year,” Garza said. “We moved him from outside linebacker to inside linebacker and now he has a year under his belt. He's going to make a name for himself. At the other spot, we believe somebody will step up and take over.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the secondary, Cleveland must replace all four starters, two of them All-State selections. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1473331' first='Kaeleb' last='Escudero']</strong> (see above) will be a tall safety. He has length and good speed. Six-foot-3 rising junior Isaiah Cavazos is moving from LB/Nickel to safety, giving the Storm plenty of size and athleticism at that key position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several contenders are battling for the two starting cornerback jobs. Rising senior <strong>Donovan Jamerson</strong> saw action with the varsity in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The retirement of coaching legend Eddie Kilmer following last season's 6A title &nbsp;means Cleveland will have a new defensive coordinator in 2026. Garza will have co-defensive coordinators (one for the run, one for the pass) in 2026. However, Garza told Prep Redzone New Mexico that he will call the defensive signals for the Storm this coming season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1679768' first='Joaquin' last='Manning'] (DL), Lincoln Jones (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1473331' first='Kaeleb' last='Escudero'] (DB).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 CLEVELAND SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/21 CENTENNIAL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28 LITTLETON (CO) CHATFIELD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/4 at Amarillo (TX)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/11 at Farmington*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/18 at La Cueva*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/25 ATRISCO HERITAGE*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/2 at Sandia*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/9 Bye</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/16 WEST MESA*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/23 ALBUQUERQUE HIGH*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/30 at Rio Rancho*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* District 6A-1 Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">C/O 2027 Guard/Center <br>Full Junior Season Highlights<br>Back 2 Back State Champions<br>First Team All-State<br>First Team All-Metro<br>First Team All-District<br>All-Academic<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AGTG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AGTG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_RGarza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_RGarza</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Ridenour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Ridenour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmprepcosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmprepcosports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/rKEAl78n3f">pic.twitter.com/rKEAl78n3f</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1637643' first='Wyatt' last='Lohr'] (@WyattLohr) <a href="https://twitter.com/WyattLohr/status/1998513548134330728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Highlights from semi-finals: 303 all-purpose • 172 REC yards • 6 Total TDS (5 receiving, 1 kick return)<br><br>Also broke the record for most receiving touchdowns in a game in VSCHS history! <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_RGarza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_RGarza</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Ridenour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Ridenour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coach_crow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_crow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ColinLockett15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ColinLockett15</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_CoachElliott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_CoachElliott</a>… <a href="https://t.co/MmPeyMC5pG">pic.twitter.com/MmPeyMC5pG</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1613490' first='Evan' last='Nanez'] (@EvanNanez5245) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanNanez5245/status/1992698369832354272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='1473331' first='Kaeleb' last='Escudero']<br>6&#039;3 178<br>QB<br>3.6 GPA<br>Full season highlights<a href="https://t.co/WD903ORvSw">https://t.co/WD903ORvSw</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1473331' first='Kaeleb' last='Escudero'] (@Kaeleb_Escudero) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kaeleb_Escudero/status/1888446214846480621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had an amazing time at the <a href="https://twitter.com/CSUPFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSUPFootball</a> junior day and spring game thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_TPearson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_TPearson</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBehbahani?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachBehbahani</a> I am looking forward to their camps!! <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_RGarza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_RGarza</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachD84?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachD84</a> <a href="https://t.co/zkO1XA1sUO">pic.twitter.com/zkO1XA1sUO</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1679768' first='Joaquin' last='Manning'] (@JoaquinManning1) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoaquinManning1/status/2045999505640923490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->