Pintos Football Showered with Postseason Honors

Following a hard-fought 2025 campaign that saw the Moriarty Pintos return to the postseason, the Class 4A District 1 standout program has been showered with post-season accolades. Highlighting a deep roster of talent, junior sensation Mario Romero and senior stalwarts Lance Volk and Marques Romero led a group that earned recognition at the District, Metro, and State levels.

Romero’s Remarkable Run

Junior running back Mario Romero cemented his status as one of the state’s elite playmakers, being named the District 1-4A Most Outstanding Offensive Player. Romero was the engine of the Pintos’ offense, racking up a massive 1,420 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns over 11 games. Averaging a staggering 8.3 yards per carry, his season was highlighted by a 216-yard explosion against Portales and a career-long 76-yard touchdown run.

Romero’s impact wasn’t limited to the offensive side of the ball. As an inside linebacker, he led the Pintos with 8.4 tackles per game, earning dual First-Team All-District honors and an All-State Honorable Mention for his defensive prowess.

Trench Warfare: Volk and Marques Romero

The Pintos’ physical style of play was anchored by the dominant duo of Lance Volk and Marques Romero.

Volk, a senior tackle, was the highest-honored Pinto at the state level, earning First-Team All-State honors on the offensive line. According to MaxPreps, Volk recorded 37 pancake blocks on the season, providing the clear paths needed for the Pintos’ high-powered rushing attack. He added a Second-Team All-Metro selection to his impressive resume.

Volk is carrying his game to the next level after signing a National Letter of Intent to play football for in Iowa for Northwestern College.

Marques Romero proved to be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. The senior defensive lineman earned Second-Team All-State and Second-Team All-Metro honors after a season where he led the team with 9.0 sacks. Like his teammate Mario, Marques was a dual threat in the trenches, also earning an All-State Honorable Mention as an offensive lineman.

District Dominance and Depth

Moriarty’s coaching staff saw eight different offensive positions filled by Pintos on the All-District First Team. Joining the Romeros and Volk were tight end Ryan Dennisson, cornerback Devin Ortiz, and safety Royce Dennisson, the latter of whom also picked up an All-Metro Second Team nod. Marques Romero was tabbed as a first teamer on both offense and defense.

The future remains bright for Moriarty, as several underclassmen stepped into the spotlight. Devin Ortiz and Royce Dennisson showed their versatility by picking up Second-Team All-District honors on offense (at quarterback and running back, respectively) while starting on the first-team defense.

Other Pintos recognized for their contributions include:

• All-District Second Team Defense: Cody McGratha (DL), Abraham Sloan (OLB), and Noah Wolf (ILB).
• Two-Way Standouts: Mateo Griego-Manley and Adrian Ramirez, who were tabbed for Second-Team honors on both sides of the ball.
• Special Teams & Support: Center Adrian Ramirez earned a Second-Team offensive selection for his reliable play in the middle of the line.

With a 6-5 record and a playoff victory over Portales under their belts, these post-season honors serve as a fitting tribute to a Moriarty squad that combined grit with high-level production in 2025.