Three generations of LAHS athletes, from left, Hector Hinojosa, his grandson Diego and son Tony together Oct. 21 at Sullivan Field celebrating Diego and the Hilltopper Football Team winning the 2022 District Championship. All three Hinojosas can now call themselves district football champions! Photo by Tiffany Hinojosa

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Three generations of Hinojosa athletes share something in common: they are all Los Alamos High School (LAHS) district football champions.

Hector Hinojosa earned the title in 1972. His son Tony became a district champion in 1995 and Tony’s son Diego, a junior, clinched the title Oct. 21, 2022.

“It’s definitely a good family tradition,” Tony said.

Not only do they share district championship titles but Tony and Hector shared positions and even jersey number 44.

Hector said he was a running back and outside linebacker on the high school team. Tony also was a running back and played safety. Diego plays center for offense and is a middle linebacker on defense.

Tony said his time playing football ended in high school and Hector played his freshman year at Eastern New Mexico University. Diego, who has played football since middle school, said he doesn’t plan to pursue football after high school. Despite this, the Hinojosa family are big fans of the sport, Tony said.

“We all grew up playing football,” he said.

Hector agreed.

“We still play for fun,” he said.

One of the highlights of his high school football career, Hector said, was how the perception of the LAHS football team changed during the season. He said at the start of the season, the team was predicted to lose every game but toward the end of season, people began to change their minds. The team was undefeated the entire season, until the state championships.

Hector’s fondest memory was playing against district powerhouse, Farmington. The stands were so crowded, he said, that people had to stand on the grass. Farmington’s defense was the best in the state and haven’t given up a touchdown all season. When Hector scored his first touchdown of the game, the crowd went crazy. “It was epic!,” Hector said.

Tony said for him, one of the highlights of playing football was the family aspect of his team.

“I think football is so much more than a game,” he said. “…it’s a family. You learn a lot about hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. My biggest memories are the life lessons.”

Diego said he also appreciates how football emphasizes family.

“It’s a family,” he said. “I’ve known my teammates a quarter of my life.”

Diego added that his head coach Garrett Williams really emphasizes the importance of family within the team. He explained that the coach created an acronym – FAMILY (Forget About Me, I Love You), which his team consistently chants.

He added that earning the district title was achieved by the entire team. Diego said everyone played a part.

“No way we could have done this without every single person on the team,” Diego said.

That family quality doesn’t seem to dissipate over time. Hector’s teammates cheered on Tony and Tony’s teammates now cheer on Diego. Plus, every football game is an excuse for the Hinojosa family to get together and tailgate.

“It’s a big reason to be together,” Diego said.

Three generations of LAHS district football champions, from left, Hector Hinojosa, his grandson Diego and son Tony during a recent visit to the Los Alamos Daily Post newsroom. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com