New Mexico

New Mexico’s Chaparral High School football team is making history

Published

2 months ago

November 20, 2025

New Mexico’s Chaparral High School football team is making history

The Chaparral High School football program in Southern New Mexico is making a name for itself these days.

And for the first time, the state of New Mexico is taking notice of the Lobos program. Chaparral High School is located less than 30 miles from Northeast El Paso.

The Lobos are 8-3 overall and seeded No. 3 in the Class 4A playoffs. The eight wins are the most in school history and the No. 3 seed in the playoffs is the highest seed the Lobos have ever had in the playoffs.

The Lobos defeated No. 6 seed Moriarty, 42-41, in the state quarterfinals on Nov. 14 when Lobos quarterback Israel Nieto scored with a rushing touchdown and it was followed by a successful extra point to advance the Lobos. Twelve teams made the state playoffs.

There are multiple classifications in New Mexico, ranging from Class 2A to Class 6A, as well as six-man and eight-man football divisions.

Chaparral football history

The Lobos played their first varsity game in 2007 and went 1-9 that season. The Lobos have had seven seasons with no wins,

The Lobos had winning seasons in 2015 and 2017, both times going 6-4.

Chaparral breaks through in 2024

Chaparral made the postseason in 2024 and defeated Portales in the first round on the road, securing the program’s first-ever playoff win.

Fast forward to 2025

The Lobos have won 8 of their last 10 games after losing their season opener to Gadsden. They went 4-2 in District 2-4A, which placed them second behind Albuquerque St. Pius.

The Lobos defeated strong teams from Albuquerque (Academy and Manzano), the state’s largest city, and another team from Los Lunas (Valencia HS), which is near Albuquerque.

Chaparral players to watch

Israel Nieto, QB. He has 1,786 yards passing, 634 yards rushing, 19 touchdown passes and 15 rushing touchdown runs.
Raul Lopez, RB. Lopez has rushed for 1,092 yards and has 470 yards rushing.
Aaron Eliserio, WR. He has caught eight touchdown passes.

Chaparral’s coaching staff

Joseph Frias, who played quarterback at El Paso’s Franklin High School and graduated in 2003, is the second-year head coach.

His staff includes defensive coordinator Stephen White, offensive coordinator Esai Ontiveros and defensive backs and wide receiver coach David Butler.

What’s next for Chaparral

The Lobos will play No. 2 St. Pius at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Nusenda Community Stadium in Albuquerque in the state semifinals. The winner will play either No. 1 Bloomfield or No. 4 Taos in the state finals.

What Chaparral head coach Joseph Frias said

“The kids have worked hard and bought into what we want to do,” Frias said. “Making the playoffs last year and winning a playoff game meant so much to the program. It gave us momentum.”

What Chaparral player Israel Nieto said

“We’ve had great support from the community, we’ve played with confidence and determination,” Nieto said.

Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X

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New Mexico

Texas man charged with selling artist Fritz Scholder fakes to New Mexicans

Published

6 hours ago

January 7, 2026

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Texas man charged with selling artist Fritz Scholder fakes to New Mexicans

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New Mexico

Fourth Republican candidate announces bid for New Mexico governor

Published

18 hours ago

January 6, 2026

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Fourth Republican candidate announces bid for New Mexico governor

SANTA FE, N.M. — Former New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jim Ellison is running for governor as a Republican, he announced on social media Tuesday.

Ellison is running on affordability, opportunity and trust in government as the key points of his campaign. His experience includes serving on the NMPRC in 2023 and 2024.

“New Mexico deserves leadership that listens, acts, and delivers results. Our state has enormous potential, but too often that potential is held back by policies that don’t serve everyday New Mexicans,” he said on his website. “I’m running to bring practical solutions, honest accountability, and a renewed focus on the public interest.”

A Georgia native, Ellison has lived in New Mexico for 20 years and currently lives in the Albuquerque area with his wife and two children.

Ellison is aiming to get 5,000 signatures by Feb. 2, to appear on the primary ballot with at least three other Republicans who have announced their candidacy.

Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez announced his campaign in December and recently confirmed to KOB 4 that he received enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and New Mexico State Sen. Steve Lanier are also running.

Three Democrats are running – Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.

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