THE HOBBS EAGLES ARE READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Last season, the Hobbs Eagles arrived on the state soccer scene with plenty of promise—and plenty of youth. They made it all the way to the Class 5A state semifinals, where their run ended against a talented La Cueva team. But while the result may have left the Eagles wanting more, the experience could prove invaluable in 2026.
Three eighth graders were part of last year’s team, along with a large group of freshmen. Now, those young players are back with something they didn’t have a year ago: postseason experience. “Last year we got beat out by a fantastic La Cueva team, but we had three eighth graders on the team, we only had two seniors, we had a lot of freshmen on that team,” said head coach Reyes Marquez. “They got a lot of game play, that’s for sure, and a lot of experience.”
And that experience got an early test this summer. Hobbs entered the New Mexico United-hosted Summer Classic, surrounded by some of the state’s top talent. The Eagles didn’t just compete—they walked away as champions. For Marquez, the tournament provided something every coach wants in the preseason: a measuring stick. “It paid off huge for us,” Marquez said. “We felt like we were going to be a competitive team, but we were wondering, what’s the measuring stick? To walk away with that championship, it kind of set the tone, and I’m hoping it will launch us into this season.”
If the summer was any indication, the Eagles are ready to take the next step. Hobbs knows what championship soccer looks like. Marquez guided the Eagles to a perfect 23-0 season and a state championship in 2023, capping a remarkable run of four consecutive appearances in the state final for the head coach. Before taking Hobbs to the top, Marquez helped Lovington reach the championship game three straight times, including a state title in 2022. Now, he’s trying to get Hobbs back to the top.
The foundation starts with a defense Marquez believes can be special. “Our entire defense is unbelievable,” he said. One of the anchors is Brandon Almanza, a center back who brings an unusual combination of size and athleticism. Almanza also plays football for the Hobbs Eagles, creating the kind of two-sport versatility that could make him a difference-maker on both fields.
“As an eighth grader, the kid was running qualifying times in the 100 and he was already six feet tall,” Marquez said. “We’ll do football practice in the morning and soccer practice in the afternoon. This is a kid that can pay off huge on the football field.”
Up front, the Eagles bring back junior striker Joel Gamez, who scored 28 goals last season and gives Hobbs a proven finisher to lead the attack. Sophomore center back Bryan Hodge, senior midfielder Josh Davila and junior Orlando Galindo are also expected to play important roles as Hobbs looks to turn last year’s semifinal appearance into something more.
But winning a championship in Class 5A won’t be easy. In fact, Marquez believes the division may be as unpredictable as ever. “5A is loaded with talent,” he said. “It’s probably been 12 or 13 years since we’ve had back-to-back state champs. I know it’s the one trophy everyone wants at the end of the season, but the fact no one has won it repeatedly tells you it’s always a different entity there. 5A is wide open.”
La Cueva enters the season as the defending state champion, while New Mexico’s largest classification hasn’t seen a repeat champion since Eldorado won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011. For Hobbs, the challenge is simple: find a way through an unpredictable field and peak when it matters most. “You have to hit your rhythm at the right time, and you have to have lady luck, let’s be honest,” Marquez said with a smile.
The Eagles believe they have the talent. They’ve gained the experience. And after a summer championship against some of the state’s best, they may have found the confidence, too.
Hobbs opens the 2026 season August 18 at Artesia.
