After posting a 10-1 record and capturing the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail Division I championship with a perfect 6-0 league mark in 2025, Maize enters the 2026 season with another experienced group determined to make a deeper postseason run.
The Eagles return 23 letter winners, including 11 starters, and head coach Gary Guzman believes an experienced senior class gives his team a strong foundation. Guzman begins his 16th season at Maize and his 43rd year coaching overall, bringing a career head coaching record of 207-140 into the season.
Leading the offense is a talented group of seniors that includes running back Demarye Smith, wide receivers Pearce George, Malachi Leichner and Ryder Zimmerman, and offensive lineman Nolan Hadley. The experienced skill players give Maize plenty of proven production as the Eagles continue to operate out of their spread offense.
Defensively, the Eagles return linebacker Drake Blasi, linebacker Connor Goerzen, defensive linemen Josiah Cole and Isaac Lerma, along with defensive backs Vincent Rosas and Beckett Schuette. That veteran group will anchor a defense built around a 4-2 scheme.
Guzman said the Eagles’ biggest advantage is their experience.
“Our strength is our strong senior class,” Guzman said.
While experience is plentiful, Maize will need younger players to develop throughout the season.
“Our weakness is the lack of depth on both sides of the ball,” Guzman said.
After reaching the second round of the playoffs last season, the Eagles have their sights set on another championship push. Guzman said the team’s success will depend on establishing momentum early and maintaining consistency throughout the fall.
“We need to experience some early success and build on it every week,” Guzman said. “We also have to execute, play fast, play smart, and be aggressive in all phases of the game.”
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