The wait is over.
The Lovington Wildcats have released their 2026 football schedule, one that reflects the changing landscape of New Mexico high school athletics. The season opens August 21 at Wildcat Stadium against Roswell Goddard (not one of Mr. Ed Bond’s favorite. More on that in later column.) on Alumni Night and concludes Halloween afternoon at St. Pius X.
One thing longtime Wildcat fans will notice immediately is the absence of Artesia and Hobbs.
With the NMAA expanding district alignments, schools now have fewer opportunities to schedule non-district opponents. Every available date has become increasingly valuable, forcing coaches and athletic directors to make difficult scheduling decisions.
Both Artesia and Hobbs determined that dropping Lovington was in the best interest of their football programs. Their reasoning is understandable. In today’s scheduling environment, schools must weigh travel, competitive balance, playoff implications, and long-term program goals.
Still, their absence leaves a noticeable void. For decades, those games represented some of southeastern New Mexico’s greatest football traditions. Players circled them on the calendar. Fans packed the stadiums. Communities came together under Friday night lights.
While those rivalries are on pause, Wildcat football remains as strong as ever. A challenging schedule lies ahead, and with it comes the opportunity to create new traditions while honoring the legacy of those who built the old ones.
2026 Schedule at a Glance
Aug. 21 – Roswell Goddard (Alumni Night) – Home – 7:00 p.m.
Aug. 28 – Lubbock Christian (Military Appreciation) – Home – 6:00 p.m.
Sept. 4 – Carlsbad – Away – 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 11 – Monahans, Texas – Away – 6:00 p.m.
*Sept. 18 – Portales – Away – 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 25 – BYE
*Oct. 2 – Valencia (Cancer Awareness Night) – Home – 6:00 p.m.
*Oct. 9 – Belen (Homecoming) – Home – 6:00 p.m.
*Oct. 16 – Santa Teresa – Away – 6:00 p.m.
*Oct. 23 – Albuquerque Academy (Senior Night) – Home – 6:00 p.m.
*Oct. 31 – St. Pius X – Away – 2:00 p.m.
* District games.
“Every season tells a story. This year’s story begins August 21.”
Around the Sports World
U.S. Eliminated from World Cup
The United States saw its World Cup journey end with a 4–1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16. The Americans had advanced from group play and earned a convincing victory in the opening knockout round, but Belgium proved to be the stronger side when it mattered most.
One storyline that caught my attention happened before the match. Belgium entered with an added source of motivation after believing it had been wronged by a controversial red card in an earlier match. Rather than dwelling on the disappointment, the Belgians appeared to channel that frustration into determination. They played with urgency, purpose, and intensity from the opening whistle.
There is an old coaching principle: adversity can become an excuse, or it can become fuel. Great teams often find a way to transform setbacks into motivation instead of allowing them to become distractions.
That thought deserves a deeper look. In a future Wildcat’s Tale 2.0, we’ll explore one of the most powerful forces in sports—and in life: motivation. What drives athletes and teams to perform beyond expectations? Why do some people use disappointment as a stepping stone while others allow it to become a stumbling block? The answers extend far beyond the playing field.
And the Tale goes on…