St. Michael’s Horsemen have become synonymous with dominance in New Mexico high school football, having captured three straight Class 3A state championships and riding a 33‑game winning streak that began after a 7‑6 loss to West Las Vegas in 2023.
The 2026 campaign promises to be their most ambitious yet, as the squad eyes a historic 34‑game streak and a return to the state championship game, a goal that has driven every practice since the offseason.
Head coach Joey Fernandez has repeatedly emphasized that the team will not rest on past glory, insisting that each week presents its own challenge and that the streak is a byproduct of daily work rather than a target in itself.
Rebuilding key positions
Quarterback and tailback spots are among the areas being reshaped, but the offense retains firepower from last season’s standouts. Kamal Stith and Isaiah Dominguez combined for 74 touchdowns in 2025, and senior receiver Ryan Hunt, the team’s leading pass catcher a year ago, is expected to shoulder a larger role.
Defensively, the Horsemen must replace several graduated starters, yet the coaching staff believes the unit can replicate the aggressive front seven that helped them shut down opponents in 2025.
District 1‑3A remains a gauntlet. Traditional rivals Robertson and West Las Vegas are joined by NMMI, which fell in the semifinals the past three years, as well as rising contenders Moriarty and Hope Christian, both of which reached the 3A semifinals last season. New entrants Aztec and Kirtland Central, recently down‑classified from 4A, add further depth to a competitive landscape.
Despite the formidable opposition, Fernandez and his players remain focused on the process, knowing that consistency week after week is the only way to preserve their legacy and chase the elusive 34‑game streak.