The Española Valley High School football team will take on a somewhat easier schedule in 2022 as they look to find ways to build momentum after a tough 2021 season.
Their scheduled regular-season opponents had a combined .466 win percentage in 2021 — .425 when counting only non-district opponents.
Española finished the 2021 season officially 1-9, with the one win coming in a forfeited game that they had originally lost 42-8.
Not counting that game, Española’s opponents outscored the Sundevils 474-90. They allowed 50 or more points in eight of 10 games, scored eight or fewer in seven games, and only scored more than 14 points in their season opener.
Española has not won more than three games in a season since 2015, when they won nine games and a district championship.
New coach Tylon Wilder will look to add more tempo and speed to what was a largely lifeless offense, bringing in his infectious energy. Whether they will be able to do so successfully and to find talent to fill a roster remains to be seen.
Before the season, Española will have an August scrimmage against Socorro — who beat Española 56-8 last season.
Española will start the year on the road at Los Alamos, the only 5A opponent on the schedule (Española plays in 4A). A five-touchdown performance by Ollie Fell kept the game close in the 2021 season opener.
They will play three 3A opponents — meaning they have roughly half of Española’s total enrollment — as well as McCurdy from 2A. The only one of the group that had a winning record last year was West Las Vegas, who went 8-4 and were the No. 6 seed in the state tournament.
Their two 4A non-district opponents are Bernalillo (5-6 in 2021) and Gallup — the only new addition to the schedule besides McCurdy. Gallup last played Española in 2019, and went 1-9 last year.
Española’s three district opponents — Taos, Moriarty and Pojoaque Valley — will all be competitive this year while looking to improve. Moriarty was the district champion and made the state semifinals.