SMITH AND THE SUNDEVILS HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS AGAIN
For 29 seasons, Tommy Smith has patrolled the sideline for the Sandia Prep boys soccer program. Through all those years, one thing hasn’t changed: the Sundevils still want more. “I enjoy being around the boys, I’m super competitive,” Smith said. “There’s always wanting to get to the next level, and can we win with this group. We always want to put ourselves in a position to win a state championship.”
After nearly three decades, the motivation remains as strong as ever. And heading into the 2026 season, Smith believes his team has a legitimate chance to make another run. “I think we’re there,” Smith said. “I don’t want to say we’re the favorite or anything, but we’re in the mix.”
The Sundevils know exactly how close they came a year ago.
In the 2025 state championship game, Sandia Prep built a 2-0 lead over Santa Fe Prep before ultimately falling in a penalty-kick shootout. “That game we were up 2-0, and so, that one hurts,” Smith said. “This group is super motivated to get back to that position.”
If history is any indication, the Sundevils know what it takes to make that journey. No program has collected more New Mexico boys soccer state championships than Sandia Prep. The Sundevils have captured 21 blue trophies, including their most recent title in 2022, and they have reached the championship match in seven of the last nine seasons. This year’s roster may look different, but Smith doesn’t consider it a rebuild. “We lost seven seniors from last year’s group, but it’s not a rebuild because I have ten seniors on this year’s group and most of them were on the team last year,” Smith said. “We should have a decent amount of experience.”
Still, there are some big shoes to fill. Ryan Williams provided a major spark for the Sundevils last season, finding the back of the net 33 times. With Williams gone, senior midfielder Akasha Khalsa will be counted on to help replace that production. “He plays like a bulldog, so he is all over the place,” Smith said. “We’re going to lean heavily on him. I told him he’s going to need to score quite a few more goals this year to make up for some of the slack that we lost from Ryan.”
For a program accustomed to playing deep into November, the standard remains unchanged. Twenty-one state championships have set the bar. Seven championship appearances in the last nine years have kept it there. Now, the Sundevils are chasing another opportunity. Sandia Prep opens the 2026 season August 28 against Artesia.
