Piedra Vista Panthers Brace for 6A Gauntlet in 2025
By Walter Dorman – San Juan County Sports
Photos by Chuck Cook Dust Devil Photography
Farmington, NM — If there’s one thing Piedra Vista head coach Jared Howell knows well, it’s how to navigate a brutal football schedule. The Panthers, competing in one of the toughest Class 6A districts in New Mexico, are gearing up for a 2025 season loaded with challenges — and opportunity.
Last year’s 3–8 record didn’t tell the whole story. PV battled toe-to-toe with some of the state’s elite, scoring an upset win over crosstown rival Farmington to clinch a playoff berth, and pushing several top-tier teams to the brink.
A Summer of Work — and Balance
Howell’s approach to summer workouts blends hard work with preventing burnout.
“We try to create a balance because all work and no play burns kids out,” Howell said. “We’ve gone to four days a week, but we get our work in — a lot of 7-on-7, focusing on the passing game because that’s the nature of football now.”
While PV’s identity remains rooted in a power run game, the Panthers showed in summer passing tournaments that they can air it out when needed.
“We decided a long time ago — if we can’t be better at something everyone else is doing, we’re going to be different,” Howell explained. “And we’ve always been able to find fullbacks.”
Hybrid Experience
This year’s roster is a blend of veteran skill players and less-experienced linemen. The offensive line returns strong athletes, many of whom saw rotational or defensive snaps last season but will take on bigger roles.
Replacing standout Brig Kaiser at running back won’t be easy, but Howell believes in his stable: three, four, even five quality backs ready to rotate.
“Running back by committee helps us wear out defenses, especially against high-powered spread teams,” Howell said.
Underrated Talent Returning
A key returning weapon is quarterback Ruben Marquez, who flashed playmaking ability before injuries cut short his 2024 campaign. Healthy again, he brings a dual-threat dimension the Panthers haven’t had in years. Juniors Gail Gallion and AJ Cockrell also return after impactful sophomore seasons.
District of Doom
PV shares a district with perennial 6A powers La Cueva, Cleveland, Rio Rancho, Cibola, and Sandia — five preseason top-10 programs.
“The margin for error is so thin,” Howell said. “Our drop-off in depth is bigger than theirs, so we have to play closer to perfect.”
And the non-district slate? It features Bloomfield, the defending 4A champion, a matchup Howell calls critical for power rankings and playoff positioning.
More Than Wins and Losses
For Howell, the scoreboard isn’t the only measure of success.
“This might be the hardest thing some kids do, and that’s important,” he said. “Winning the football game isn’t the ultimate — it’s winning the kid, preparing them for the hurdles life’s going to throw at them.”
A Message to the Panther Faithful
Howell preaches pride — in performance and in name.
“When people see you in public, they know you as a Panther football player. We want our town to be proud of us, in our behavior and in our effort, not just in wins and losses.”
The Panthers open their season with another daunting slate, but if recent history is any indication, they’ll be battle-hardened and dangerous when November arrives.
You can listen to all live broadcast right here on SanJuanCountySports.com. Panthers Open up with Sandia 7pm at the Hutch.
