Cross Country: District Champions
It was a championship Saturday for the St. Pius X Cross Country program!
The Sartan Boys dominated the course to capture the 2025 NMAA Class 4A District 5 Championship, showcasing incredible depth and team strength with seven runners finishing in the Top 10, a true testament to their season-long discipline and effort.
The St. Pius X girls team also delivered an outstanding performance, finishing as District 5 Runners-Up, with two athletes placing in the Top 10 to cap a strong postseason showing.
Adding to the celebration, Coach Simon Lopez was named District 5 Boys Coach of the Year, a well-deserved honor for leading both programs to excellence on and off the course.
Football: Sartans Finish Regular Season as District Champions
The St. Pius X football team closed its regular season in statement fashion, earning a 49-28 victory over Manzano on Saturday morning at Sartans Stadium.
Junior quarterback Isaiah Carpenter continued his standout play, completing 11 of 17 passes for 271 yards and four touchdowns, spreading the ball across a dangerous group of playmakers.
Junior running back Hershul Olloway Jr. was unstoppable on the ground, rushing for 212 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries an explosive performance that powered the Sartans to 250 total rushing yards. Through the air, junior Cayl Cox-Liggins led the receiving corps with 7 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown, while senior Logan Underwood added a highlight 65-yard touchdown catch. Sophomore Ezra Ocampo chipped in with three receptions for 26 yards to round out the balanced attack.
Defensively, the Sartans were flying to the football, totaling 88 tackles as a unit. Sophomore Kane Huffmyer recorded a team-high 10 tackles, while seniors Collin Foster and Kolbe Padilla, along with juniors Ethan Machtinger and Joaquin Aragon, each added eight. Junior Chace Dabney made a major impact up front, registering a sack and five tackles.
Senior kicker Preston Terrazas was perfect on the night, converting all 5 PATs to keep the Sartans in control throughout.
With the win, St. Pius X finishes as District 2-4A Champions, earning the No. 2 seed in the 2025 NMAA State Playoffs.
Next Up: State Quarterfinals
The Sartans (8-1 overall, 5-1 District 2-4A) will host the winner of No. 7 Grants vs. No. 10 Silver in the state quarterfinals, set for the weekend of November 14–15 in Albuquerque.
Volleyball: Sartans Sweep the Week, Extend Win Streak to 13
The St. Pius X volleyball team continued its dominant run, earning two more district victories last week to officially clinch the District 5-4A Championship and extend its win streak to 13 matches.
On October 28, the Sartans traveled to Grants and swept the Pirates in convincing fashion, 25-7, 25-10, 25-6, behind sharp serving and balanced offense. Two nights later, they defended home court against Valencia, pulling out a competitive 3-1 victory (25-18, 22-25, 25-9, 25-10) to remain unbeaten in district play.
With the pair of wins, St. Pius X improved to 18-3 overall and 7-0 in district, maintaining a perfect 11-0 home record and a 6-0 mark on the road. The Sartans have dropped only 14 sets all season (56-14) and continue to sit at the top of the 4A volleyball standings heading into the final week of regular-season play.
Up Next
The Sartans will close the regular season at home with two big matches, hosting Sandia Prep on Monday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m. and Highland on Wednesday, November 6 at 6:30 p.m. as they prepare for another postseason run to defend their two-time state championships.
Boys Soccer: Sartans Advance to State Semifinals
The No. 1-seeded St. Pius X boys soccer team opened the 2025 NMAA Class 4A State Tournament with a dominant 6-2 quarterfinal victory over Chaparral on Friday at Ben Rios Field, extending their win streak to 14 matches and improving to 17-1-3 overall.
The Sartans’ attack was firing on all cylinders once again, led by senior Ethan Wright, who scored three goals and tallied six points to pace the offense. Sophomore Gustamantes added two goals, while junior Nico Reyes finished with a goal and an assist, continuing his strong postseason form. Sophomore Santi Muñoz, and sophomore Diego Herrera all contributed assists, showcasing the team’s unselfish play and depth across the lineup.
With the win, St. Pius X improves its season totals to 109 goals scored while allowing just 15. The Sartans remain undefeated at home (9-0) and will now turn their focus to the semifinals.
Up Next
The Sartans will host No. 4 Artesia in the Class 4A State Semifinals on Wednesday, November 5 at 2:00 p.m. on Ben Rios Field. A win would send St. Pius X back to the state championship match as they continue their pursuit for a state championship.
Girls Soccer: Sartans Advance to State Semifinals
The No. 3-seeded St. Pius X girls soccer team continued its impressive postseason run with a 4-1 victory over Miyamura in the Class 4A State Quarterfinals on Friday in Albuquerque. The win improved the Sartans to 17-4 overall and extended their home record to 8-1 this season.
The Sartans’ relentless attack and defensive organization set the tone early, as St. Pius X controlled possession and created constant pressure throughout the match. The win also pushed their season totals to 129 goals scored while allowing just 22, maintaining one of the best goal differentials in the state.
St. Pius X has now advanced to the State Semifinals for the second straight season, continuing their climb toward another title appearance after a dominant district campaign (8-0) and consistent play against top-tier competition.
Up Next
The Sartans will face No. 2 Albuquerque Academy in the Class 4A State Semifinals on Monday, November 4 at 3:00 p.m. in Albuquerque. This matchup sets up one of the most anticipated showdowns of the postseason between two of the state’s elite programs.
St. Pius X Sartan Athletics
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