Cleveland, La Cueva headline loaded new 6A district

Prep Football

WEEK 1

Thursday, Aug. 20

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St. Pius at West Mesa, Community, 7 p.m.

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Cibola at Sandia, Wilson, 7 p.m.

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Rio Grande at Highland, Milne, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 21

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Centennial at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

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Las Cruces at Rio Rancho, 7 p.m.

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Eldorado at La Cueva, Wilson, 7 p.m.

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Volcano Vista at Atrisco Heritage, Community, 7 p.m.

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Los Lunas at Mayfield, Field of Dreams, 7 p.m.

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Valley at Albuquerque High, Milne, 7 p.m.

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Bernalillo at Belen, 7 p.m.

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Hope Christian at Gallup, 7 p.m.

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Del Norte at Valencia, 6 p.m.

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Moriarty at Thoreau, 7 p.m.

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Silver at Legacy Academy, at Bernalillo HS, 7 p.m.

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Menaul at Mesilla Valley, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 22

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Manzano at Albuquerque Academy, 11 a.m.

For the full 2026 schedule, check abqjournal.com or click here.

The newly configured District 1 has produced every Class 6A state football champion since 2018.

The two schools that have run rampant over this division, Cleveland and La Cueva, are now, intriguingly, district partners.

The Storm, chasing their third straight state title, and the Bears headline this new eight-team league, which also includes Rio Rancho, Sandia, Farmington, Albuquerque High, West Mesa and Atrisco Heritage.

“They understand what it takes to be on top,” Cleveland coach Robert Garza said of his 2026 group.

But this will be a significantly different looking bunch from the last couple of seasons. Cleveland graduated 10 defensive starters, and they’ll be new at some key positions on offense, including quarterback where 6-foot-3 junior Michael Denison takes over after two sensational seasons from Jordan Hatch.

“Ceiling is pretty high for him,” Garza said. “Super athletic kid.”

Seniors Damian Rodriguez and D’Angelo Mitchell — the latter a transfer from Volcano Vista — give Cleveland a potent 1-2 punch in the backfield. Both ran the ball very nicely in a scrimmage Thursday against Eldorado.

Evan Nanez, a 6-1 junior, is arguably the single most important offensive piece to any 6A team this year. Nanez caught nearly 1,000 yards worth of balls last year, with 16 touchdowns, and Cleveland can deploy him any number of ways, including as a kick returner.

“He’s our big-play guy,” Garza said. “The things he’s capable of are incredible. He’s a special kid. We just have to find ways to get him the ball and let him do his thing.”

Ajay Vigil and Kaeleb Escudero (Escudero is one of only two players who’ll be on both sides of the ball for Cleveland) will provide Denison two other dangerous targets.

All-state tackle Wyatt Lohr is one of three starters returning on the O-Line for the Storm, who open at home Friday night against Centennial.

The revamped defense gained a key addition when senior edge Jacari Smith transferred over from rival Rio Rancho, giving the Storm one of the dynamic talents in the state.

Others to watch are senior lineman Joaquin Manning and linebacker Lincoln Jones. Senior linebacker J.J. Garcia is Cleveland’s only returning defensive starter.

The Storm graduated 30 seniors from the team that defeated Las Cruces 35-28 in last November’s 6A final.

As a side note, the Storm might be the only New Mexico prep football program with three men who’ve won a state championship as a head coach, the other two being Heath Ridenour, the state’s premier quarterback whisperer, and former Los Lunas coach Greg Henington.

La Cueva won two playoff games last November before running into a Las Cruces juggernaut that routed the Bears in the semifinals.

The stars are aligned for La Cueva to make another deep run.

“I’ve been really pleased with our progression through the offseason,” Bears coach Brandon Back said. “We continue to do things right.”

There is one question looming over the Bears’ season opener: the status of veteran senior quarterback Monty Melendez. He has an elbow injury and as of the end of this last week, he is a question mark to start Friday against rival Eldorado.

His progress last year, coming in after the graduation of the magnificent Cam Dyer, was integral to the Bears’ playoff run.

Big Vaughn Saunders was expected to be vital at running back for La Cueva, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in June. J Hathaway, Back said, will be a featured back running behind a line that returns three starters.

Junior receiver Chris Lopez enjoyed a robust sophomore season, and his field-stretching speed makes him nearly impossible to defend 1-on-1.

“He’s the guy to blow the top off for us,” Back said.

Junior Devyn Williams, with his length and speed, brings another perimeter weapon to the table for La Cueva; Williams is the son of former Highland High great Martinez Williams.

Back said the Bears will lean on this offense as a defense with plenty of new faces catches up.

Players to watch on that defense include linebacker James Barreras, space-eating tackle Sammy Abiodun (6-1, 300) and Dockmiles Love at end.

“It’s a good mix of veterans and new players,” Back said of the defense.

Rio Rancho had an up-and-down 2025 season, ending with a first-round loss to Carlsbad. Will the Rams be a serious challenger this fall? Much will be learned from a daunting opening three games against Las Cruces, Los Lunas and Roswell.

“I think we are an extremely competitive football team,” Rams coach Nate Pino said.

Rio Rancho surely will have a boost from one of 6A’s elite dual-threat quarterbacks, senior Micah Takahashi. The third-year varsity veteran threw for 24 touchdowns and scored a team-best eight times on the ground. He was the team’s leading rusher.

“Micah does a great job of putting us in a great spot with his feet and his arm,” Pino said. “Dude just makes plays.”

And this offense, Pino added, has a plethora of quality players, including junior running backs Eli Vigil and Kellen McCray, and receiver Gilly Terrazas whose role will be to establish himself as the No. 1 target in the passing game.

Pino described the Ram defense as a little undersized, but extremely athletic and ...

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