Española football’s turnaround started two years ago.
From the lowest of the low — two straight years of winless football with blowouts in nearly every game — the Sundevils became a force to be reckoned with on the field.
But that started even before Tylon Wilder came to Española. We can trace the beginnings of their success to the formation of a powerlifting team. Football players came out to work on their muscles, and soon became one of the strongest young men in the state.
A year later, Jack Purdy and EJ Martinez were state champions. Leandro Salazar and Bryan Almedia also reached the podium. And it’s no coincidence that those students also formed the heart and soul of the football team.
Many have given credit to Española Coach Tylon Wilder for the turnaround. But also responsible are the student-athletes themselves, an incredible group of people on and off the field. And Wilder would be the first to admit that.
Wilder was very clearly the perfect hire by Española’s administration. His smarts and people skills are praised by all. He has done so much to get the most out of everyone in every position. His family has quickly become part of the Española family, while his wife led cheers of ¡Viva La Spaña! in Lovington. He was very deservingly the district coach of the year.
Just don’t overlook the players that made it happen.
Española’s first powerlifting “meet”, in January 2022, coincided with one of Wilder’s first days on campus, exploring housing options before he moved from Silver City. Soon, the powerlifting team would have state champions and record-breakers from a running back and offensive linemen.
The work many have put in the weight room, as part of the competition, is absolutely a factor in their success. But before this season, players said that it wasn’t enough. They needed speed.
These players have spent years putting work in during their summers, going out in the summer heat to run back and forth to get a little bit faster and build a bit more endurance every day. Even when it was far from clear that those efforts would lead to any sort of sustained winning.
Adrick DeLeon is one of those players, and he’s worked for four years while switching between quarterback, running back, wide receiver and more, always taking it in stride. And his efforts led to a historic year that ranked among the state’s very best, scoring 31 touchdowns.
Last week, the Sundevils were just happy to have a chance to see southern New Mexico-style football up close. “Urlacher country” they called it. Though I’m unsure how many of them even know who Brian Urlacher really is, given that his best seasons were before many were born. (That realization made me feel pretty old.)
All year long, the Sundevils persevered. They lost their starting quarterback less than halfway through the first game of the year. After starting 1-3, they looked lost. Then, they suddenly repealed off seven straight wins.
That’s not about coaching. That can’t be taught.
Even in a 50-point loss, the fighting spirit was evident. They went down early, and by halftime it was clear their season would soon be over. But they kept fighting all the way until the end. Even on the final defensive drive, with backups entering the game, they almost grabbed an interception.
But only one team’s season can have a happy ending.
“The energy was still there,” said senior running back Jack Purdy after their loss. “I’m proud of my boys. They kept fighting ‘till the very end. None of us gave up. We all believed.”
Purdy has been a team leader since he was a freshman, and always had the drive. In his first game as a freshman, down more than 40 points in a miserable Moriarty March sleet, Purdy begged the coach for a chance, then used that to block an extra point. He is usually the smallest player on the field. That’s never stopped him from going at the biggest player he sees and hitting as hard as he can.
He embodies what Española football could be for years to come. And while Purdy and others will be leaving this year, Española football is here to stay.