89 to 1: New Mexico HS Football Preseason Previews - Hope Christian Huskies

As the countdown to kickoff begins, NMPreps.com launches its annual New Mexico High School Football Preseason Rankings, unveiling every team in the state from No. 89 to No. 1. All summer long, we’ll deliver the most in-depth team previews, player spotlights, and district breakdowns across Classes 6A to 2A, setting the stage for the 2025 season.

No. 61 Hope Christian Huskies

Head Coach: Fernando Salinas
2024 Record: 4-7 overall, 1-3 in District 2-3A
Classification: 3A
2024 Playoffs: 8-seed, First Round (Lost to 9-seed Thoreau 22-20)
Points For: 271
Points Against: 292
2024 Final Ranking: No. 50 overall, No. 8 in 3A
2025 Preseason Ranking: No. 61 overall, No. 9 in 3A

2024 Review

Hope Christian opened 2024 with a promising 25-14 win over 5A Del Norte but quickly hit an early season slump, dropping three straight non-district contests to Legacy Academy (2A), Albuquerque Academy (4A), and Manzano (4A). The Huskies rebounded with wins over Estancia (2A) and Santa Fe Indian (3A), finishing non-district play at 3-3. In District 2-3A action, they were overmatched against top-tier programs like St. Michael’s, Robertson, and West Las Vegas, though they did manage a win over Pojoaque Valley. Despite a 4-6 regular season, Hope secured the 8-seed in the playoffs but suffered another first-round exit, falling 22-20 to Thoreau.

2025 Overview

The 2024 season followed a familiar script for Hope Christian: solid individual talent, moments of potential, but ultimately a 4-win season, first-round playoff exit for the third consecutive year. Under Fernando Salinas, the program has remained competitive but hasn’t broken through in a deep and demanding 3A field. The good news? The Huskies return key contributors across the board and may have one of their most experienced and balanced rosters in recent seasons.

Roster Breakdown

Under center, Roman Montoya (2026) returns as a proven weapon after throwing for 1,857 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushing for 256 yards and 6 more scores in 2024. In the backfield, Krew Ward (2026) and Noah Carter (2026) provide a one-two senior punch. At receiver, Derrion Williams (2027) and Preston Bevan (2028) step in to replace production lost with the graduation of standout Breylon Williams (1,500 receiving yards, 17 TDs), with Williams, Breylon’s younger brother, offering big-play potential.

Defensively, Krew Ward anchors the unit after recording 100 total tackles last season. Derrion Williams added 36 stops, while rising star Kashton Ewen (2028) had 50 tackles and a team-high 10 sacks as a freshman. The 6-2 defensive end is an early All-New Mexico 3A candidate and could be a game-changer this fall.

Realistic Expectations

The hard truth is that Hope Christian has hit a plateau in recent years, three straight first-round playoff exits and three straight four-win seasons. This year’s group has the talent and experience to break that cycle, but the challenge will be converting offensive firepower into consistent wins, a highly competitive District 2-3A, and overcoming postseason pressure. The schedule and district remain difficult, but there’s a path to a 5-win regular season. Still, our projected record is 4-6, with a playoff berth and a real shot at snapping the first-round skid.

Bottom Line

The Huskies have talent. They have experience. They have a returning quarterback and one of 3A’s top young defensive linemen. Now the question is whether they can turn that potential into results. A return to the upper tier of 3A is possible, but until they prove it in November, Hope Christian remains a team with upside, but still plenty to prove.

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