A drone camera flew above Española Valley’s preseason scrimmage.
Operated by a student team manager, the technology buzzed above the field, and provided the team with new angles to watch film of how they shape up against an opponent.
“I love using the drone,” Española coach Tylon Wilder said. “Especially, getting from, like, behind. Angles, blocking angles, things like that.”
The Sundevils are looking to continue their improvement from a 6-4 season in 2023 as they learn how to win. Their confidence is high behind a productive group of returning players, and they are taking aim at the top of District 2-4A.
“We’ve just got to look ourselves in the mirror, that’s something that we have to accomplish ourselves,” quarterback Alex Chavez said of developing confidence.
“Everyone looks faster, stronger, way better, our IQ, everything’s up,” said senior running back/receiver Jack Purdy.
The goal for Española is to get “deep in state,” Purdy said.
“I feel like, if we don’t get deep in state, we underperformed,” he said.
In a scrimmage at Socorro on Aug. 9, Española got a taste of what winning culture looks like, facing the 2019 state runners-up and a 3A semifinalist in 2022.
Quarterback Alex Chavez ran in a touchdown on Española’s first drive. Then, Purdy made an impressive diving catch, and Chavez had a long run later before Española ran out of plays on offense. Their defense held up, stopping a strong Socorro offense.
The one negative from the day was a couple of touchdowns allowed during red zone plays. Wilder instructed the team that they need pride on defense near the goal line, and to keep a mental focus late in games.
“You can’t really coach effort,” Wilder said. “That has to come from, individually they got to look in the mirror and find it in themselves.”
But, he noted a huge improvement from their Socorro scrimmage a year ago, and said they are putting their schedule on notice.
“It’s a brand new team from where we were last year,” Wilder said. “Last year was a great team for us. This team, this year, 100 times improvement … We moved the ball at will on (Socorro). Everything we did in the summer has paid off.”
After a few dreadful years, the program started to turn around in 2022. In Wilder’s first year, the Sundevils scored their first win in three years (not counting a retroactive forfeit) in week three, turned it into five straight wins, and finished the year with a 6-4 record, their first winning season since 2015.
But, despite their record, the Sundevils were passed over for a spot in the state tournament, largely due to their strength of schedule. In their place, St. Pius X grabbed the final spot in the tournament despite a 2-8 season. That felt like a slap to the face of the Sundevils, and they are determined to not give anyone a choice this year.
Nate Chacon, the team’s starting quarterback for three seasons, departs. In his place is Chavez, a year removed from finishing as an all-state running back with 711 yards and 12 scores. With limited football experience, Chavez is learning quickly to become the team leader. His running ability is unquestioned while he works on upgrading his throwing.
“We can add so many layers to our offense now just with how fast he is,” Purdy said. “Alex just picked up the position real quick. His IQ, his ability to read, it’s something I’ve never seen before.”
“A running back who can throw,” said senior Adam Garcia, echoing a common sentiment on the team.
Outside of Chacon, Española returns much of its production. Leandro Salazar was all-state on the offensive line, and that group with another year together could be a top strength for the Sundevils. Speedster Adrick DeLeon, honorable mention all-state receiver, and Kevin Coffeen, second team all-state tight end, will have a big role in the passing game and could run the ball. DeLeon, who led the team with 610 receiving yards in 2022, scored in the scrimmage on a direct snap run. Also expected to make an impact are Purdy, who scored 10 times last year, and Victor Parra, who had a team-high six receiving scores.
Teammates pointed to sophomore Irvin Primero as a young player to watch. Primero will have a big role at linebacker, plays some running back, and is quarterback of the junior varsity team. And Wilder mentioned junior Matthew Martinez as the likely starting left tackle who has made a big leap.
The schedule remains largely the same this year, though McCurdy has been replaced by Escalante (in Tierra Amarilla on Sept. 1). Española will likely be favored again in their final five non-district games.
In the district, Moriarty figures to be the team to beat, though Taos will remain strong and Pojoaque should be improved from last year.
Española’s season opens on Thursday against Los Alamos, a team they have not beaten in 18 tries since 2004 (as far back as MaxPreps records last). A win in that game would signify a new dawn for Española football.
“We build a winning culture by winning,” Wilder said.