The eight-man equation

The Mesilla Valley Christian SonBlazers have been knocking on the door of a state championship. This season, they're looking to finish the job. 

The SonBlazers strengthened their position Friday with a 60-12 road victory over Mescalero Apache, improving to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in district play. After reaching the New Mexico eight-man football state championship game in 2024 and advancing to the semifinals last season, Mesilla Valley Christian has another opportunity to make a postseason run. 

Eight seniors lead a roster that has combined experience with younger talent, giving the SonBlazers confidence in what they can accomplish. Head coach Jake Caldwell, now in his second season leading the program, credits the foundation established before he took over, along with his current assistants and players who have embraced a common goal. 

“They have a goal. The goal is to be playing in the state title game,” Caldwell said. 

For Mesilla Valley Christian, reaching that point requires players to take on responsibilities that extend beyond a single position. Eight-man football uses a narrower field than the traditional 11-man game, with fewer players on each side creating additional space and placing greater demands on athletes who contribute on offense and defense. 

Senior quarterback Kobe Redfearn knows both versions of the game. He attended Centennial as a freshman before joining the SonBlazers and said the transition to eight-man football created opportunities to attack defenses differently. 

“You get a lot more room to operate, a lot more room to show off your legs when you go run,” Redfearn said. 

That space has helped the SonBlazers develop an offense that relies on a strong running game to create passing opportunities. Redfearn said the offensive line has played an important role in establishing that balance, forcing defenses to account for the run before Mesilla Valley Christian looks to throw. 

Redfearn also plays cornerback, a position he took on for the first time this season. His experience at quarterback gives him a different perspective on defense, where he can anticipate what opposing passers might see as a play develops. 

The demands of playing both ways are especially noticeable along the line of scrimmage. Senior Levi Lang, who plays on the offensive and defensive lines, said maintaining his energy throughout a game is one of the biggest challenges. With fewer linemen available, he must balance the physical demands of each snap with the responsibility of helping lead his teammates. 

Lang and Redfearn have taken on complementary leadership roles, with Lang helping guide the linemen while Redfearn works with the skill-position players. 

“I just have to keep these boys energized, but also realize it's a mental game and a physical game, and just to keep them having a love for the sport,” Lang said. 

That leadership has carried over to the defense, where junior Luke Dwyer has emerged as one of the SonBlazers' leading tacklers. Dwyer credited the players in front of him for occupying blockers and allowing him to make plays, while emphasizing the importance of communication and trust among teammates. 

With fewer defenders covering the field, missed assignments can create opportunities for opposing offenses. The SonBlazers have relied on their familiarity with one another to respond, particularly as younger players continue gaining varsity experience. 

Sophomore Jaxson Warner has become part of that transition. A running back and safety, Warner said offseason training has helped him improve his strength and speed while adjusting to the open-field demands of eight-man football. He has also been selected as a team captain — a role he said reflects the trust placed in him by his teammates. 

Warner credits the seniors and coaching staff for helping him develop as a player and leader. That support has shaped how he views his place within the program. 

“It's a brotherhood. We're all brothers,” Warner said. “We're a big family, really. That's what I love about this team.” 

Those relationships extend beyond practice and games. Lang said the players' shared faith has helped strengthen their connection, particularly after months of workouts and preparation together. He hopes his example will continue influencing younger teammates after his senior season ends. 

“I want state, but what I would like to leave is that I'm a godly man and a leader above anything,” Lang said. 

The program's growth has also extended to the middle school level. Caldwell made establishing a team for seventh and eighth graders a priority when he took over, believing younger players should have an opportunity to learn the game before reaching high school. 

Now in its second season, the middle school program has become part of Mesilla Valley Christian's effort to build continuity. Caldwell said the varsity roster includes 27 players, allowing his staff to rotate athletes while continuing to develop players capable of contributing at multiple positions. 

The school has made improvements to its practice facilities as well. Caldwell said the coaching staff helped establish grass on a field that previously had none, expanded the practice area and added batting cages shared by the baseball and softball programs. A building under construction is expected to provide a weight room, locker rooms, classrooms and equipment storage. 

For Caldwell, who previously coached at Goddard High School and played at New Mexico State University, those efforts are about giving students opportunities that extend beyond the football season. He said the relationships formed through athletics can remain meaningful long after players graduate, something he has experienced through friendships with former teammates and players. 

The SonBlazers still have a championship to pursue, but Caldwell believes the program's impact will ultimately be measured by what his players carry with them after graduation. The friendships, challenges and shared experiences are part of what he hopes they'll remember. 

“It's about creating memories,” Caldwell said. “Embrace the practice when it's hot and it sucks and coaches yelling at you. And embrace the wins and the bus rides and the special teams practice.” 

For a team focused on reaching another state championship game, those moments are already becoming part of what the players will take with them long after their final season.