Dexter Demons 2024 Season Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #57
NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps
2024 Classification: 3A (District 3)
Playoffs: Quarterfinals, lost to Cobre 40-0; First Round, won 38-6 over Hatch Valley
Points Scored: 456
Points Given Up: 219
Streak into 2024: 1-game win streak
Recap: Dexter Demons' 2023 Season: Strong Start, Playoff Run Ends in Quarters
The Dexter Demons had a promising season in 2023, winning 9 games and reaching the state playoffs. The Demons started the season strong with a five-game win streak, opening with a victory over Cloudcroft, followed by a resume-boosting win over West Las Vegas (40-27), a dominant 52-0 win over Hagerman, and two quality victories over Jal (30-6) and a shootout win against a top 2A team in Eunice (44-43).
The Demons suffered their first loss of the season to Robertson (42-14) at home, finishing their non-district schedule at 5-1. They rebounded with a 54-12 win over Hope Christian to start district play but then faced a setback with a 22-8 loss to New Mexico Military. Dexter closed out the regular season with a 62-7 thumping of Tucumcari and a 60-14 win over Ruidoso, finishing district play at 3-1 and 8-2 overall in the regular season.
In the playoffs, the Demons, seeded 6th, opened with a 38-6 win over the 11th-seeded Hatch Valley Bears at home. However, their season came to an end with a 40-0 loss to Cobre in the quarterfinals.
Kaesn George (2025) also contributed significantly, rushing for 461 yards and 3 touchdowns while leading the team in receiving yards with 623 yards and 7 touchdowns. Omar Loya and Isaac Ramirez, both class of 2025, return for their senior season and could have big production.
On defense, Ivandre Aguilar (2025), Enrique Sena (2026), Diego Munoz (2025), Jacob Richards (2025), and Garrett Gonzales (2026) return for the Demons. Sena is on our early watch list this season after recording 16 sacks and 44 total tackles last year. Aguilar added 52 total tackles and 2 sacks. Julian Manzanares is a force on both sides of the ball, with 3 interceptions last season.
The defense, which allowed just 219 total points last season (an average of 18.25 points per game), returns nearly everyone and could be a dangerous unit for opponents in the 2024 season.
The Demons' non-district schedule will test their mettle early, starting with a game against 2A Jal on opening night, followed by a trip to Las Vegas to take on West Las Vegas, and another road game against 4A Grants. They wrap up non-district play on September 13th by hosting Pojoaque Valley. District play in 3-3A begins with a match against Cobre on September 20th, followed by games against Ruidoso, New Mexico Military, and Socorro. The regular season concludes with contests against Hot Springs and Hatch Valley.
Given their strong roster and promising young talent, the NMPreps early prediction of a 6-4 or 7-3 overall record might be conservative. The Demons have the potential to exceed these expectations, making them a serious contender for the 3A state championship in 2024. As the season progresses, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Dexter climb in the rankings, proving that they are a team to watch this year.
More Previews: 2024 Preseason Rankings
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #57
NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps
2023 Season Review
Record: 9-3 overall, 3-1 district2024 Classification: 3A (District 3)
Playoffs: Quarterfinals, lost to Cobre 40-0; First Round, won 38-6 over Hatch Valley
Points Scored: 456
Points Given Up: 219
Streak into 2024: 1-game win streak
Recap: Dexter Demons' 2023 Season: Strong Start, Playoff Run Ends in Quarters
The Dexter Demons had a promising season in 2023, winning 9 games and reaching the state playoffs. The Demons started the season strong with a five-game win streak, opening with a victory over Cloudcroft, followed by a resume-boosting win over West Las Vegas (40-27), a dominant 52-0 win over Hagerman, and two quality victories over Jal (30-6) and a shootout win against a top 2A team in Eunice (44-43).
The Demons suffered their first loss of the season to Robertson (42-14) at home, finishing their non-district schedule at 5-1. They rebounded with a 54-12 win over Hope Christian to start district play but then faced a setback with a 22-8 loss to New Mexico Military. Dexter closed out the regular season with a 62-7 thumping of Tucumcari and a 60-14 win over Ruidoso, finishing district play at 3-1 and 8-2 overall in the regular season.
In the playoffs, the Demons, seeded 6th, opened with a 38-6 win over the 11th-seeded Hatch Valley Bears at home. However, their season came to an end with a 40-0 loss to Cobre in the quarterfinals.
2024 Outlook: Offensive & Defensive Players to Watch
The Demons' offense could quietly be one of the must-see units this season. CJ Granados, who got the start in 2023 as a freshman, returns for his sophomore season after passing for 1,391 yards and 15 touchdowns while also showcasing his mobility with 294 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. He is accompanied in the backfield by Julian Manzanares (2025), who rushed for 1,079 yards and 17 touchdowns last season and added 346 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns.Kaesn George (2025) also contributed significantly, rushing for 461 yards and 3 touchdowns while leading the team in receiving yards with 623 yards and 7 touchdowns. Omar Loya and Isaac Ramirez, both class of 2025, return for their senior season and could have big production.
On defense, Ivandre Aguilar (2025), Enrique Sena (2026), Diego Munoz (2025), Jacob Richards (2025), and Garrett Gonzales (2026) return for the Demons. Sena is on our early watch list this season after recording 16 sacks and 44 total tackles last year. Aguilar added 52 total tackles and 2 sacks. Julian Manzanares is a force on both sides of the ball, with 3 interceptions last season.
The defense, which allowed just 219 total points last season (an average of 18.25 points per game), returns nearly everyone and could be a dangerous unit for opponents in the 2024 season.
Realistic Expectations: Predictions and Projections
The Dexter Demons are poised for a standout season in 2024, with a roster full of returning talent and experience. The offensive unit, led by sophomore quarterback CJ Granados, promises to be dynamic and high-scoring.The Demons' non-district schedule will test their mettle early, starting with a game against 2A Jal on opening night, followed by a trip to Las Vegas to take on West Las Vegas, and another road game against 4A Grants. They wrap up non-district play on September 13th by hosting Pojoaque Valley. District play in 3-3A begins with a match against Cobre on September 20th, followed by games against Ruidoso, New Mexico Military, and Socorro. The regular season concludes with contests against Hot Springs and Hatch Valley.
Given their strong roster and promising young talent, the NMPreps early prediction of a 6-4 or 7-3 overall record might be conservative. The Demons have the potential to exceed these expectations, making them a serious contender for the 3A state championship in 2024. As the season progresses, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Dexter climb in the rankings, proving that they are a team to watch this year.
More Previews: 2024 Preseason Rankings
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