No. 87 Zuni Thunderbirds
Head Coach: Shawn Miller
2024 Record: 2-8 overall, 1-5 District 1-3A
Classification: 3A (District 1-3A)
Points For: 122
Points Against: 402
2024 Final Ranking: No. 88 overall (6A–2A), No. 20 in 3A
2025 Preseason Ranking: No. 87 overall, No. 19 in 3A
Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs
Review: Searching for Answers
The Zuni Thunderbirds showed flashes of fight during a tough 2024 campaign, but ultimately couldn’t overcome their shortcomings on either side of the football. After starting the season 0-3 with double-digit losses to Hozho Academy (36-6), Laguna-Acoma (48-18), and Hatch Valley (50-0)—a 3A playoff team that went on to win a postseason game—Zuni finally broke through with a 24-0 shutout of Hopi High School (AZ).
Momentum carried briefly into district play as Zuni outlasted Wingate 42-36 in a shootout, improving to 2-3 overall. But the second half of the season unraveled quickly. The Thunderbirds scored only 32 points across their final five games, all losses, and head into the 2025 season on a five-game losing streak.
They finished last in 3A and No. 88 overall in 2024. While they've moved up one spot to No. 87 in this year’s preseason rankings, major roster losses and question marks leave little reason for optimism.
Roster Breakdown: Filling Spots
The Thunderbirds are in for a major reset on both sides of the football. They’ll be without standout running back Mackenzie Lara, and the quarterback position is also up for grabs heading into the fall. Finding a new leader under center will be a top priority as the offense tries to regain its rhythm after sputtering down the stretch last season.
There is some size and returning experience along the offensive line in
Ty Lementino (2026), a 6-foot-2 senior-to-be who will be counted on to anchor the trenches. His leadership and physicality will be crucial as Zuni looks to develop a new backfield.
On the outside,
Dionte Ukestine (2027) returns at wide receiver and could become a go-to option in the passing game, if they pass it. Another player to watch is
Terrance Smith (2025), a two-way contributor with size who will be expected to play a larger role on both offense and defense.
Defensively, Zuni already struggled last season, allowing over 400 points, and now takes a major hit from graduation, losing much of its starting unit. Without immediate impact players ready to step in, the defense could face even more challenges in 2025.
Realistic Expectations for 2025
Given the roster turnover and last year’s struggles, Zuni enters 2025 with one of the lowest preseason outlooks in the state. They open the year ranked No. 87 overall and No. 19 in 3A, narrowly ahead of Wingate, but there’s little separation.
A repeat 0-3 start is very possible, and even their non-district matchup with Hopi (AZ) isn’t guaranteed—the Arizona school won just two games last season but could be improved. While Zuni earned a win over Wingate last year, a reversal in that matchup could easily happen this fall.
At this stage, a realistic record for Zuni is 1-9 overall and 0-6 in district, matching their 2024 struggles and keeping them near the bottom of the 3A standings.
Bottom Line
The Thunderbirds are trending toward another difficult season. They scored 66 of their 122 total points in just two games—their only wins—and failed to reach the end zone consistently in the second half of the year. With graduation gutting both sides of the ball, especially on defense, and uncertainty at quarterback and running back, 2025 looks like a rebuilding (or building) year at best.
There are a few bright spots—Lementino, Ukestine, and Smith offer some hope—but unless Zuni finds an answer at quarterback and dramatically improves defensively, they’re likely to remain near the bottom of Class 3A and New Mexico’s overall football rankings this fall.
Related: 2025 New Mexico high school football rankings
