89 to 1: New Mexico HS Football Preseason Rankings - Legacy Academy
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. 65 Legacy Academy Silverbacks
Head Coach: Joey Romero
2024 Record: 9-2 overall, 4-1 District 2-2A
Classification: 2A (District 2-2A)
Points For: 455
Points Against: 99
2024 Final Ranking: No. 45 overall, No. 2 in 2A
Playoff Result: 2A Quarterfinals – #3 seed (lost to #6 Loving 42-20)
2025 Preseason Ranking: No. 65 overall, No. 4 in 2A
Review
The Legacy Academy Silverbacks continued their upward trajectory in 2024, finishing 9-2 in just their first full season of 11-man football after transitioning from 8-man. They stormed through their schedule with a 9-0 start, allowing fewer than 100 total points in the regular season, before falling in their final two games, a district title decider to Santa Rosa (27-20) and a quarterfinal playoff loss to 6-seed Loving (42-20). Despite the late-season setbacks, it was a remarkable year that cemented Legacy as a rising power in Class 2A.
Overview
Stepping into the head coach role this summer is Joey Romero, a former assistant since 2021 who now takes the reins of a program coming off back-to-back playoff runs in two classifications. At just 25 years old, Romero becomes one of the youngest head coaches in New Mexico and inherits a program brimming with potential. With elite returning talent and the advantage of being in the Albuquerque Metro, the Silverbacks are primed for another strong season, though the challenge remains in overcoming postseason hurdles.
Roster Breakdown
The offense returns one of the most dynamic players in 2A football in Lorenzo Sedillo-Urban (2026). The junior quarterback threw for 1,847 yards and 30 touchdowns and added 440 rushing yards with 11 scores. He is the unquestioned leader of this team.
The backfield will look different, with the graduation of both top running backs who combined for over 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Silverbacks will lean more on their wide receiving corps, which returns Bryant Scales (2026)—nearly 600 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns last season—alongside Christian Perez (2028) and Aaron Gonzales (2026).
On defense, the Silverbacks are loaded. Xander Chavez (2027) leads the way after totaling 82 tackles as a sophomore. Perez also made his presence felt with 44 tackles as a freshman. Gonzales, Zachary Perea, and Luke Sanchez return with veteran leadership. Perea was especially impactful up front with a team-high 13 sacks, helping anchor a defense that allowed just 99 points all regular season.
Realistic Expectations
The Silverbacks are poised for another run at a district title and top playoff seed. With Sedillo-Urban under center and a defense that returns nearly intact, there’s every reason to believe Legacy can replicate or even exceed last year’s success. Our projection is a 9-1 regular season, likely entering the postseason with home-field advantage once again. The true test will be whether they can finally break through and win a big playoff game — something that has eluded them the past two seasons.
Bottom Line
Legacy Academy is built to win now. The program benefits from its metro location, returning experience, and a high-level quarterback. With Joey Romero stepping in as head coach, the foundation is there to keep the Silverbacks rolling. The only question is whether this is the year they finally overcome their playoff ceiling.