The Mountain Empire Red Hawks experienced an upturn in the school’s football program last season with a 9-3 record, runner-up finish in the Sunset League standings and a berth in the San Diego Section Division V-AA semifinal playoffs.
It was a resounding success even without a championship banner.
The team is back for what it hopes is an even better season in 2026.
“We’re expecting to build off of a successful season last year,” Mountain Empire head coach Cameron Keller said. “A lot of key returners, including the whole offensive-line. I expect to finish towards the top of our league and to make another run in the playoffs.”
The Red Hawks make a switch from the Sunset League to the Desert League for the upcoming season. League opponents will now include Southwest El Centro, Calipatria, Palo Verde Valley and Vincent Memorial.
Teams will play four league games.
Mountain Empire, seeded third in last year’s six-team playoff bracket, defeated Sunset League foe Victory Christian Academy, 44-27, in the opening round before the season ended with a 46-8 setback to No. 2-seeded Palo Verde Valley in the semifinals.
Palo Verde Valley met top-seeded Maranatha Christian in the division championship game, falling short 24-12.
Keller said the switch in league opponents doesn’t necessarily reduce travel distance; the team will just traveling in the opposite direction, he said.
“Much more competitive teams with programs right around our level,” the Red Hawks grid-iron boss surmised in regard to the team’s 2026 league schedule. “I believe we will stack up really well against these guys. Every team in this league will be a challenge and I’m excited we get to compete in it.”
Top returners include senior quarterback Chance Ross, junior running back Elisha Robinson, senior athlete Amar Mahasin, senior offensive/defensive tackle Spencer Alvarez, senior tight end/middle linebacker David Oney and senior center/defensive end Ezekiel Lopez.
Ross passed for 181 yards and three touchdowns in the playoff win over Victory Christian while Robinson rushed for 182 yards and three scores. Mahasin had 120 receiving yards and one TD.
The team’s impact newcomers include freshman Nathan Jimenez, sophomore Julian Lopez and juniors Nicholas and Zack Hansen.
The 2026 schedule kicks off with an Aug. 21 home game against the Anza Hamilton Bobcats at 7 p.m., followed by a road game at Linfield Christian on Aug. 28. The Red Hawks return home for three consecutive games: Sept. 4 against O’Farrell Charter, Sept. 11 against Crawford and Sept. 18 against San Ysidro.
Mountain Empire takes a trip westward to Chula Vista to engage Victory Christian Academy on Sept. 25, then hosts Vincent Memorial on Oct. 2 to kick off Desert League play.
Additional league games follow Oct. 9 at Calipatria, Oct. 16 against Southwest El Centro and Oct. 30 at Palo Verde Valley.
Palo Verde Valley finished 8-5 in 2025 while Calipatria and Vincent Memorial both finished 4-6 and Southwest El Centro finished 2-8.
