A CULTURE CHANGE
Demons focus on taking responsibility and staying positive
Unfortunately for the Santa Fe High School football team, there’s just one thing outsiders want to focus on: the team’s 33-game losing streak.
It’s one of the longest streaks in state history, trailing the record, 43-game skid Albuquerque High ended in 2014 and the Demons’ own 37-game futility mark from the 1990s.
Even playing as an independent and scheduling Class 2A Escalante at home could not put an end to the streak.
But for those within the Santa Fe locker room, it’s really not something being discussed, unlike like last season when it was a big topic of conversation, said secondyear coach Andrew Martinez.
“The truth is, it’s human nature for it to be in the back of everybody’s minds,” Martinez said. “Last year, there was such an emphasis on it by the coaching staff and the seniors. We wanted the streak to end and we wanted them to taste that victory. It was talked about every week last year.”
This year’s team has a different attitude about it, he said.
“Not a word has been said about it this year,” Martinez
said. “It’s an all-different environment.”
“These guys just want to go out and compete, have some confidence and really want to play well,” the coach said.
The Demons will certainly benefit from a change in classification to District 2-5A, away from the Clevelands, Rio Ranchos and La Cuevas of the world. As a matter of fact, it has already energized summer workouts, Martinez said.
“As far as we’re concerned, it gave us a big shot in the arm in terms of participation,” he said. “We’ve been averaging anywhere between 40 and 50 a day in summer camp. We have a lot more kids willing to play football now that it’s without Clovis, Manzano, Rio Rancho, Cleveland. I think that’s been a real big positive impact on us. I feel like the kids feel like they can compete at that level. There’s a ton more enthusiasm.”
Tempering that enthusiasm some, the team lost 16 seniors and 85 percent of the players are freshman through juniors.
“But that’s a good thing,” Martinez said. “The young ones are going out there and they’re working hard, they have good attitudes. Last year, we were setting that foundation, implementing that culture. They understand what’s expected. The new guys who have shown up have been real consistent with everything we’re trying to do. There’s some good talent there, but its young talent. We really have to coach them and we have to stay positive.”
The Demons will have some weapons this season, starting with Jackson Kerry (6 foot, 1 inch, 175lbs, Sr., WR/DB), who is versatile and will play wherever the team needs him and turn in a strong performance, Martinez said.
Trent Jones (6-4, 240, Jr., TE) will be a match-up nightmare.
“He’s a really good athlete,” Martinez said. “He’s light on his feet and he’s strong.”
Coben Branch (6-0, 190, Sr., DL/OL) and Andres Rodriguez (5-9, 200, Jr., OT/ DT) will anchor the offensive and defensive lines.
And Stephen Romero Jr. (6-2, 190, Jr., TB/DE) “is the most explosive player that we have,” Martinez said.
When he took over the Demons, Martinez said the first thing the new coaching staff had to do was change the culture of the team. That’s been progressing as expected.
“It’s come along well,” he said. “Our players have bought in. We preach it every day. Whether we’re out in the weight room or on the field or in the film room, the expectations have been set. I think it’s been, we’re on track. We’re not there yet, but we’re on track to be really successful with that. The kids are the ones that create the culture. We just set it up for them. It’s up to them to take responsibility and it’s been pleasant.”