School’s back in session, Week 1 of the prep football season is in the books and The Santa Fe New Mexican’s sports writers have purpose in their lives once more.

In the latest episode the “The Sports Den” podcast, Will Webber and James Barron share their takeaways and surprises from the first week of action on the gridiron, offer their picks for Week 2, chat about prep soccer and look to the start of the college football season.

The guys open the pod by discussing the games they attended on Friday, with James offering his impressions of the St. Michael’s-Capital blowout and Will talking about Santa Fe High’s loss at Alamogordo. Their findings? St. Mike’s is still really good, Capital could use some conditioning, and Santa Fe High could give some teams trouble with its fast pace of play.

The guys also chat about Santa Fe Indian School’s win over Zuni, Pojoaque’s victory over Taos, Española Valley's win over Los Alamos and more.

College football begins this week, and Will and James have their eye on the matchup between New Mexico Highlands and Eastern New Mexico, where former Baylor coach Art Briles will make his return to the sidelines with the Grehyounds. New Mexico State, meanwhile, will have its hands full in its opener in Tallahassee against Florida State. The University of New Mexico Lobos will make their 2026 debut Sept. 5 against Central Michigan.

James then shares his outlook for local soccer squads, focusing on the girls teams at Santa Fe Prep and St. Michael’s.

The guys end the show with their Week 2 prep football picks, including the intracity rivalry game between St. Mike’s and Santa Fe High.

School&rsquo;s back in session, Week 1 of the prep football season is in the books and&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s&nbsp;sports writers have purpose in their lives once more.
In the latest episode the &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, Will Webber and James Barron share their takeaways and surprises from the first week of action on the gridiron, offer their picks for Week 2, chat about prep soccer and look to the start of the college football season.
The guys open the pod by discussing the games they attended on Friday, with James offering his impressions of the St. Michael&rsquo;s-Capital blowout and Will talking about Santa Fe High&rsquo;s loss at Alamogordo. Their findings? St. Mike&rsquo;s is still really good, Capital could use some conditioning, and Santa Fe High could give some teams trouble with its fast pace of play.
The guys also chat about Santa Fe Indian School&rsquo;s win over Zuni, Pojoaque&rsquo;s victory over Taos, Espa&ntilde;ola Valley's win over Los Alamos and more.
College football begins this week, and Will and James have their eye on the matchup between New Mexico Highlands and Eastern New Mexico, where former Baylor coach Art Briles will make his return to the sidelines with the Grehyounds. New Mexico State, meanwhile, will have its hands full in its opener in Tallahassee against Florida State. The University of New Mexico Lobos will make their 2026 debut Sept. 5 against Central Michigan.
James then shares his outlook for local soccer squads, focusing on the girls teams at Santa Fe Prep and St. Michael&rsquo;s.
The guys end the show with their Week 2 prep football picks, including the intracity rivalry game between St. Mike&rsquo;s and Santa Fe High.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.   
The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp; The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican.

The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.  

The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican.