2026 prep football team previews: Antelope Rams

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA) - The Antelope Rams enter the 2026 season with unfinished business after narrowly missing the postseason a year ago.

Antelope was in playoff contention late into the 2025 campaign, but back-to-back losses to close the regular season left the Rams on the outside looking in. Now, in their second season under head coach Alfonzo Brown, neither the head coach nor his players are taking any opponent lightly.

“We're just gonna go and do our best,” junior lineman Alex Rodriguez said. “We're going to try. It doesn't matter who it is, if it's the first one or the last one in the division. We're gonna go mean, tough, and physical because that's what we are as a team.”

Brown believes both the offensive and defensive lines are strengths for the Rams this season. Replacing production at the skill positions, however, has been a bigger challenge following the graduation of standout receiver Ozzy Martin.

“Seniors come and go,” senior quarterback Trane Figueroa said. “Obviously, [Ozzy] was a big part of our game plan, our process and throughout game film, gameplay and stuff, but we had good summer workouts, getting to work with the receivers. You know, just gotta work with what you got.”

One player helping fill that void is senior Sebastian Marquez, who has made the transition from center to slot receiver. While the position change is new, his connection with Figueroa is not.

“It's been good,” Marquez said. “I've known him since I was a little kid - 3 years old. We have a bunch of chemistry together.”

Brown believes Marquez's experience and leadership make him a natural fit in the new role.

“He has really good hands, runs routes clean, so it was an easy transition for him,” Brown said. “We have some new kids that have to go on the skill side of the ball, so having him transition over helps them out - that maturity, understanding how the game plays.”

While the offense works to develop new playmakers, the defense is looking to make significant strides after allowing 32 points per game last season.

The Rams may benefit from familiarity this year, as they will face the exact same schedule they navigated in 2025.