Year One, Zero Fear
Organ Mountain has experience, talent and a chance to change the narrative.
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Today I want to talk some Organ Mountain Football, now under new leadership with Greg Mallory as the first-year head football coach.
My sources said there has been quite a few changes since Mallory’s taken the reigns, as there should be. It’s an exciting opportunity for the Knights this season!
For one, the coaching staff is rather impressive. The list of names isn’t on Maxpreps just yet, but I do know Mallory retained some of last year’s assistants but also splashed in some new hires. I know there’s quite a few of them with college football level experience. Let’s just say, Knights Football is in good hands now.
List of impactful players:
Zeke Weir WR (4-year starter)
Jaden Gonzales ATH (3-year starter)
Kyler Peterson S (3-year starter)
Yandel Molina TE
Lawerence “Diego” Acosta MLB (4-year starter)
Joshua Belmontes MLB (4-year starter)
Diego Lopez OT
Senior Jaden Gonzales took snaps at quarterback last year and I’ve seen highlights of him tossing the ball in 7-on-7’s the team has played so far — but I believe we’ll see another young man at the QB spot once the season starts and pads come on.
Junior Jaydon Kraft has slinged the rock around as well and he’s another dangerous lefty-quarterback and someone who can line up anywhere on the field and do some damage.
I’ve also seen a young athlete in sophomore Enrique Ramirez, who also might be in the race as the starting QB. Sources have said an underclassman is in talks for the job, so Gonzales and Kraft can play all over the field and be more “free.” Gonzales will also play on both sides of the ball, a baller wherever he lines up.
Regardless, Mallory has a good “problem” in who to start or play QB for his team. I can see all three taking snaps during the season and a sort of rotation going on there. But it’s also possible they let Ramirez take all the snaps and use Kraft and Gonzales as running backs and receivers. Majority of the film I’ve seen features Kraft and Gonzales throwing in the air game and they do so with natural lefty arm power.
Senior Zeke Weir is an electric receiver and more than capable of making big-time plays. He’s athletic enough to go up and get the ball over defenders and once the ball is in his hands, his speed and size make him an ultimate threat.
Gonzales threw 13 TDs in 2025, along with 1204 passing yards, 646 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs, a 94-yard run and had two games where he rushed for over 100 yards. He did throw 15 interceptions, but that just comes with learning the QB position.
Kraft didn’t play much as sophomore but he’s due for a breakout junior season.
Weir had a junior season with 38 receptions, 678 yards, averaged 75 yards a game, a season-long reception of 62 yards and 10 scores.
Organ Mountain is going to be a very-much improved football team. Their strength will be their defense, specifically at the linebacker position, but they will have head-hunters all over the place.
The skill players have some experience coming back and it seems from film they will be just fine there. The only downfall for them comes at the offensive line spot. Where most of those starters graduated from a season ago — senior Diego Lopez will lead that group this season.
Seniors Diego Acosta and Joshua Belmontes return to the defense and linebacker position as four-year starters and after a season where they led the team in total tackles.
Acosta was No. 1 in tackles, with 53, 20 solo tackles, 33 assists and two TFLs. Belmontes was second in total tackles — 13 solos, 30 assists, 43 tackles in whole, with one TFL.
*These defensive stats were only for seven games played. Not sure as to why not all of the games were inputted.
It’s interesting to note, the Knights first game of the season is against an out-of-state opponent. The Newberg Tigers, who are located in Newberg Oregon. That’s what Maxpreps has, and it could be a mistake. But Mallory has a ton of solid connections both in New Mexico and outside of it. So, I wouldn’t put it past him to schedule a team like this. The Tigers are listed as a 6A team in the Pacific League. If this is accurate, it will be a huge task for the Knights but one where it will show them just where they’re at in terms of competitiveness and knowing their system. This matchup is also listed as an away game. No idea if they will travel to Oregon (which is unlikely), or if the teams will find a midway-point, neutral site. I assume the latter.
They then have an “away” game with Mayfield and then a home game versus Alamogordo to close out non-district games — two solid 5A teams. The Knights open district with “newcomer” Eldoardo. Organ Mountain opened up the 2025 season with an away game at Eldorado, losing that game 56-28. Gonzales had a superb game versus the Eagles, scoring four TDs total. He rushed for over 100 yards (127 to be exact) and had a humongous run for 94 yards. He threw for 203 yards and had a completion percentage of 61 percent.
Another huge opportunity for the Knights to show the district just who they are this season. A win in this opening-league game can do wonders for the team’s confidence. The Knights haven’t been so competitive in their district as they went 0-6 in 2025 and were really only competitive in two district games (versus Alamogordo and Clovis). But this will change this season. I can see them winning two or three league games and putting them somewhere in the middle of the pack in the final standings.
I’m not sure they make the playoffs but if they do, I can see them as 12 or 11 seed. They could play the role as the “upsetter,” something similar to what No. 11 Carlsbad was last season.
The Knights have the ambitious and hungry attitude back in them. A dangerous characteristic to have in a team. They just have to put it all together and translate that into wins now — in order for the city and state to notice them again.