Even during an 0-2 start to the season, the Santa Fe High football team showed it was going to be a formidable squad that plays at a fast pace. Since a 3-0 overtime loss to perennial Class 3A power St. Michael’s in Week 2, the Demons has racked up two blowout victories and seem to have found their stride.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron speak with Santa Fe High head coach Adrian Gonzales about his team’s strong play and aspirations for the season.

Since their 41-33 loss at Alamogordo in their season opener, the Demons have locked in on defense and upped their physicality, Gonzales said. The tight loss to St. Mike’s was followed by a 35-0 throttling of Clovis, a team that had had Santa Fe High’s number for years. Last week, the Demons had an offensive explosion in a 55-24 win against Highland.

For a program that rarely sees the playoffs, Gonzales said “everybody’s bought in to our goals” this season and the Demons are aiming to host a first-round playoff game this year.

In the second segment, Will and James chat about the University of New Mexico football team’s big game Saturday in Norman against No. 24 Oklahoma. The Sooners will be motivated after a stumble against Michigan last week. The Lobos will be motivated by the chance to notch a landmark win against a ranked team.

The guys then share their Week 5 prep football picks, including what could be a competitive clash between Santa Fe High and Los Lunas.