Los Alamos stays unbeaten, clinches 1-5A title

There were several goals the Los Alamos Hilltoppers set out for themselves in this 2025 prep football season.

They hit the first of those milestones on Saturday afternoon.

Junior tailback Jordan Herrera had what can best be described as a quiet 230 yards and a touchdown, and Los Alamos — the only undefeated team in Class 5A — clinched the District 1-5A championship, beating Valley 47-10 at Milne Stadium.

“These guys, last November, we had our first meeting, and we set our goals,” Los Alamos coach Garett Williams said. “That guy right there (gesturing to Herrera) said, ‘We’re undefeated. That’s the goal. That’ll take care of the district championship.’ “

Senior quarterback Hayden Watkins threw a pair of first-half touchdown passes in a game the Hilltoppers were in control of all the way.

He threw 23 yards on a swing pass to Dylan Baca, and a 61-yard hitch-and-go toss to a wide open Carlo Baca. Ben Brousseau added a 6-yard TD run for a 21-3 lead at halftime.

The Vikings’ one score in the first half saw them drive 90 yards after a turnover, but they had to settle for a field goal.

Valley did cut the deficit to 21-10 with a touchdown drive to open the third quarter with Joshua Sanchez catching a 5-yard scoring pass, but Los Alamos answered right away and Watkins threw his third touchdown pass, 20 yards to Cooper Beavers.

The Los Alamos defense, which forced five turnovers, turned Valley over three times in a seven- play stretch in the third quarter as the Hilltoppers quickly pulled away. Herrera’s only touchdown came during this sequence, and Dylan Baca went 20 yards on a scoop and score.

Meanwhile, Herrera, Class 5A’s leading rusher, didn’t have any huge runs — his longest was 26 yards — but behind his big O-line, he continually gained yards in decent chunks. He had 10 carries go for at least 10 yards in this game.

“When you’re in front of Jordan, those guys are gonna get it done,” Williams said. “We got a great line.”

Said Herrera, who carried it 26 times: “Sometimes, you just have to grind yards as a running back.”

Valley (3-6, 3-3) is in a three-way tie for fourth place in district with Highland and Capital, and it’s entirely possible only two of those three will get into the postseason. The Vikings close next week against Rio Grande.

MANZANO 36, SILVER 25: In the late game at Wilson Stadium, Aiden Erickson returned an interception for a touchdown and was over 100 receiving yards, and Broden Price rushed for over 100 yards with a TD as the unranked Monarchs (4-5, 2-3 in 2-4A) captured a must-win game against the third-ranked Colts (6-4, 2-4).

There is a three-way tie for fourth place in this incredibly competitive district, with Manzano, Portales and Valencia all at 2-3. Silver’s regular season ended Saturday, and despite being ranked third in the state, the Colts are seventh and last in the 2-4A standings.

LA CUEVA 55, SANTA FE 0: In the early game at Wilson Stadium, the seventh-ranked Bears (7-2, 6-0 in 2-6A) made quick work of the Demons (4-5, 2-4) and scored in all three phases.

Isaiah Goree returned a punt for a TD, Brody Clark brought an interception back for a score, Jhett Kinghorn returned a fumble for a touchdown, and Kobe Cooper caught two touchdown passes.

BLOOMFIELD 62, ESPAÑOLA VALLEY 12: In Española, quarterback Manuel Chavarria tossed five touchdown passes as Class 4A’s No. 1-ranked team (8-1, 6-0) and the defending state champion, officially locked up the District 1-4A championship.

The Bobcats defense added two pick-6s in the win.