2 months ago
As far as statements go, the Pojoaque Valley football team issued a strong one in its 41-17 win over Taos on Friday.
And Josh Gonzales added to it with a performance worthy of being The New Mexican's athlete of the week for Aug. 17-21. The senior quarterback guided an offense that churned out 424 rushing yard, gaining 254 of them on 19 carries with two touchdowns. Gonzales also went 3-for-9 passing for 70 yards and a touchdowns, to boot.
Gonzales scored on a 2-yard plunge and a 69-yard scamper as the Elks scored 27 points in the second half. The longer run extended the lead to 34-17 late in the third quarter. He also did his part on the defensive side, recording five tackles that was tied for second-most on the team.
Honorable mention:
* St. Michael's running backs C.J. Valdez and Roman Barrera combined for 198 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-6 win over Capital Aug. 21. Valdez had a team-high 127 yards on just 11 carries, while Barrera ran for 71 yards and two scores on just six carries. He also had 30 yards in receiving yards, too.
#touchdowns #valdez
And Josh Gonzales added to it with a performance worthy of being The New Mexican's athlete of the week for Aug. 17-21. The senior quarterback guided an offense that churned out 424 rushing yard, gaining 254 of them on 19 carries with two touchdowns. Gonzales also went 3-for-9 passing for 70 yards and a touchdowns, to boot.
Gonzales scored on a 2-yard plunge and a 69-yard scamper as the Elks scored 27 points in the second half. The longer run extended the lead to 34-17 late in the third quarter. He also did his part on the defensive side, recording five tackles that was tied for second-most on the team.
Honorable mention:
* St. Michael's running backs C.J. Valdez and Roman Barrera combined for 198 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-6 win over Capital Aug. 21. Valdez had a team-high 127 yards on just 11 carries, while Barrera ran for 71 yards and two scores on just six carries. He also had 30 yards in receiving yards, too.
#touchdowns #valdez
2 months ago
The Bloomfield Bobcats are going to have a prominent new face among the chase pack.
The two-time defending Class 4A state football champions open 2026 strongly poised to earn a three-peat. St. Pius, the team Bloomfield beat in the last two finals, remains a prominent challenger as the Sartans go after their first **** le in 10 years.
And other faces are hunting on the Bobcat trail. Taos and Bernalillo, for example. Perhaps also the Belen Eagles, a Class 5A quarterfinal team a year ago.
But the one most noticeable addition to the 4A division is the Lovington Wildcats, a team that could very well end Bloomfield's run.
"I think 4A is the most competitive classification," Portales coach Jaime Ramirez said.
#team #class #sartans #taos
The two-time defending Class 4A state football champions open 2026 strongly poised to earn a three-peat. St. Pius, the team Bloomfield beat in the last two finals, remains a prominent challenger as the Sartans go after their first **** le in 10 years.
And other faces are hunting on the Bobcat trail. Taos and Bernalillo, for example. Perhaps also the Belen Eagles, a Class 5A quarterfinal team a year ago.
But the one most noticeable addition to the 4A division is the Lovington Wildcats, a team that could very well end Bloomfield's run.
"I think 4A is the most competitive classification," Portales coach Jaime Ramirez said.
#team #class #sartans #taos
5 months ago
A hiker found human remains next to a handgun in the McGaffey Ridge in the Carson National Forest on May 28, according to the New Mexico State Police. While the Office of the Medical Investigator was able to identify Casias’ remains, no cause of death has been determined.
“We confirm that the remains found in Rio Chiquito are Melissa,” Casias’ family said in a statement posted to a Facebook page established to find the New Mexico mother. “There will be more information to come but what we can tell you now is she was located in an area previously searched. This is a lot to process, our hearts are heavy and we fully intend to continue to pursue answers for justice.”
Casias, an administrative ***** istant for the federal government’s Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), was reported missing in late June 2025. She never arrived at work, did not return home, and left behind personal belongings.
Her family and authorities previously told Nexstar’s KRQE that Casias drove to work on Thursday, June 26, but forgot her badge. She decided instead to work from home.
In the early afternoon, Casias brought lunch to her daughter in Taos. Surveillance footage showed her leaving the area, Jazmin McMillen, Casias’ niece, said. Casias’ daughter returned home to find her mother gone, but her purse, car, keys, computer, and personal and work phones had been left behind.
“We confirm that the remains found in Rio Chiquito are Melissa,” Casias’ family said in a statement posted to a Facebook page established to find the New Mexico mother. “There will be more information to come but what we can tell you now is she was located in an area previously searched. This is a lot to process, our hearts are heavy and we fully intend to continue to pursue answers for justice.”
Casias, an administrative ***** istant for the federal government’s Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), was reported missing in late June 2025. She never arrived at work, did not return home, and left behind personal belongings.
Her family and authorities previously told Nexstar’s KRQE that Casias drove to work on Thursday, June 26, but forgot her badge. She decided instead to work from home.
In the early afternoon, Casias brought lunch to her daughter in Taos. Surveillance footage showed her leaving the area, Jazmin McMillen, Casias’ niece, said. Casias’ daughter returned home to find her mother gone, but her purse, car, keys, computer, and personal and work phones had been left behind.
5 months ago
Human remains discovered by a hiker in a northern New Mexico national forest last week have been identified as Melissa Casias, a Los Alamos National Laboratory employee who disappeared nearly a year ago, authorities said.
The remains were found May 28, nearly 11 months after she disappeared, in the McGaffey Ridge area of Carson National Forest — nearly 15 miles from her home in Taos. A handgun was found alongside the remains, the New Mexico State Police said in a news release.
The state Office of the Medical Investigator positively identified Casias, but the cause and manner of death have not yet been determined, police said. The remains will undergo further anthropological examination by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
State police declined to comment further when reached by CNN on Monday. CNN has also reached out to the Office of the Medical Investigator and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Casias, 54, was last seen walking along a highway near Talpa, New Mexico, in June 2025, state police said. She had left her belongings — including her purse, identification and cellphones — at her home in Taos, nearly 8 miles away. One of her phones had been factory-reset, NBC News reported at the time.
The remains were found May 28, nearly 11 months after she disappeared, in the McGaffey Ridge area of Carson National Forest — nearly 15 miles from her home in Taos. A handgun was found alongside the remains, the New Mexico State Police said in a news release.
The state Office of the Medical Investigator positively identified Casias, but the cause and manner of death have not yet been determined, police said. The remains will undergo further anthropological examination by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
State police declined to comment further when reached by CNN on Monday. CNN has also reached out to the Office of the Medical Investigator and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Casias, 54, was last seen walking along a highway near Talpa, New Mexico, in June 2025, state police said. She had left her belongings — including her purse, identification and cellphones — at her home in Taos, nearly 8 miles away. One of her phones had been factory-reset, NBC News reported at the time.
