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Lovington Dominates A Bracket as Eastern New Mexico 7-on-7 Challenge Showcases Top Talent

kZoAUGAx_400x400 (1)by: J Grine07/13/25nmpreps
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PORTALES, NM — Under the summer sun of the Eastern New Mexico plains, teams from across New Mexico and West Texas came together in Portales for the annual Eastern New Mexico University 7-on-7 Challenge. With over a dozen schools participating in three competitive brackets and a lineman challenge, the event highlighted rising stars and offered a preview of talent heading into the 2025 high school football season.

A Bracket: Lovington Claims Title in All-Lovington Final​

The premier A Bracket ended in a unique showdown between two Lovington squads, with Lovington I edging Los Alamos in the championship game. The top-seeded Wildcats squad, led by standout athletes Kyler Reaves, Jayden Gutierrez, and Elijah Romero, showed composure and chemistry throughout the tournament.

For Portales, the play of freshman quarterback Kingston Lee stood out, and the Rams also received a solid showing from sophomore Slade Segovia—both named to the All-Tournament team. The depth in both programs was on full display in this bracket.

B Bracket: Trinity Christian (TX) Shines​

In the B Bracket, it was Trinity Christian of Lubbock, Texas, that separated itself from the rest of the pack. Trinity Christian capped off a strong day with a championship win over Texico, a squad that also impressed with sharp execution and physical play.

Trinity Christian was led by dynamic playmakers Deacon Highley and Dawson Ashley, who were consistent threats throughout the day. Texico, meanwhile, showcased breakout performances from Bennet Whalen and Jaheim Moses, earning runner-up honors and two All-Tournament selections.

C Bracket: Lovington II Wins Over Portales II​

The C Bracket final featured future stars and up-and-coming talent. Lovington II emerged victorious over Portales II in a hard-fought game. Both teams featured promising underclassmen, giving fans and coaches a glimpse into the future.

Lineman Challenge Results​

In the trenches, the Friona (TX) linemen came away with top honors in the Lineman Challenge, narrowly edging out Texico and Portales, who rounded out the top three. Each team competed in strength, speed, and agility events designed to showcase the big men up front.

Final Lineman Challenge Rankings:

  1. Friona (TX)
  2. Texico
  3. Portales
  4. Lovington
  5. Legacy Academy
  6. Clovis
  7. Estancia
  8. Rio Grande
  9. Los Alamos
  10. Hot Springs/Capitan

All-Tournament Team Honors Talent Across the Southwest​

The All-Tournament Team featured top performers from every bracket and both sides of the ball. Headlining the group were Lovington’s Kyler Reaves, Portales’ duo of Slade Segovia and Kingston Lee, and Hot Springs’ versatile athlete Tristan Polanco—each recognized as tournament standouts.

Skill Players:​

  • Kyler Reaves – Lovington
  • Jayden Gutierrez – Lovington
  • Elijah Romero – Lovington
  • Slade Segovia – Portales (Sophomore)
  • Antonio Bonilla – Portales
  • Kingston Lee – Portales (Freshman QB)
  • Bennet Whalen – Texico
  • Jaheim Moses – Texico
  • Frank Sheppard – Los Alamos
  • Tristan Polanco – Hot Springs (WR/DB)
  • Deacon Highley – Trinity Christian (TX)
  • Dawson Ashley – Trinity Christian (TX)

Offensive/Defensive Line:​

  • Vicente Montano – Legacy Academy
  • Jaden Garcia – Lovington
  • Kyle Glock – Clovis
  • Dexter Chapman – Texico
  • Mario Garcia – Friona (TX)
  • Diego Garcia – Los Alamos
  • Dominic Terrazas – Hot Springs
  • Trypp Hamilton – Portales

Biggest Standouts​

  • Kyler Reaves (Lovington) – A dynamic two-way player, Reaves made plays all over the field and led his team to the A Bracket title.
  • Slade Segovia (Portales) – The sophomore’s performance in both the 7-on-7 and lineman challenges was a highlight for the host school.
  • Kingston Lee (Portales) – The freshman quarterback displayed poise beyond his years and is a name to watch in 2025 and beyond.
  • Tristan Polanco (Hot Springs) – A true playmaker, Polanco’s versatility made him a threat on both sides of the ball.

Final Takeaway​

The Eastern New Mexico University 7-on-7 Challenge not only provided competitive action across the board but also showcased the rising talent pipeline in the region. From dominant skill players to gritty linemen, this year’s event set the stage for a highly anticipated 2025 season.

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