Five running backs with the most to prove in the spring
Some high school running backs in the state of New Mexico are looking to build upon solid seasons in 2019, and take their game to the next level. Other running backs, however, are trying to replace graduated seniors and go…
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Continue ReadingSome high school running backs in the state of New Mexico are looking to build upon solid seasons in 2019, and take their game to the next level. Other running backs, however, are trying to replace graduated seniors and go into the spring without much experience OR know they must improve or produce at a higher level for their teams to have the type of season they want. Here are five running backs with the most to prove in 2020:
Marino Rivera-Noblitt Marino Rivera-Noblitt 5'5" | RB Estancia | 2022 State NM , Estancia: Here’s all you need to know about the large shoes Rivera-Noblitt must fill this season – the rising junior rushed for 891 yards on just 70 carries in 2019, averaging a gaudy 12.1 yards per attempt. Yet, he still finished 1,278 yards behind the state’s leading rusher, Andrew Lujan, who amassed 2,169 yards in just 10 games. Estancia totaled a staggering 3,577 yards on the ground.
Terrell Hocker, Grants: The Pirates already have arguably the top quarterback in Class 4A in rising junior Brandon Furbee Brandon Furbee 6'3" | QB Farmington | 2022 State NM . Last season, RB Isaiah Johnson helped Furbee stay comfortable in the pocket by rushing for 2,088 yards and 34 touchdowns on 149 carries, finishing as the state’s second leading rusher. But Johnson has graduated and the job of RB1 will likely fall to Hocker, who also plays wide receiver.
Matthew Suazo, Taos: A year after winning the Class 4A state championship, Taos fell to 6-5 and lost a first round home playoff game to Silver in 2019. But it wasn’t for a lack of a solid running game led by Armando Valerio, who rushed for 1,289 and 15 touchdowns yards on 170 carries. Suazo had a solid sophomore season as well with 469 yards on 97 carries and now becomes RB1 for the Tigers, who are clearly aiming to regain their 2018 form.
Cleveland’s Potential 3-Headed Monster at RB: Dorian Lewis helped fuel Cleveland’s Class 6A title run by rushing for 1,038 yards on 145 carries. Trey Ortega Trey Ortega 5'11" | DB Cleveland | 2021 State NM had 346 yards, but he mainly filled in at quarterback replacing the injured Jeff Davison Jeff Davison 5'11" | 185 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2021 State NM . Right now, the Storm plans to utilize three running backs: Lucious Dickson, Demetrius Banks and La Cueva transfer Tyler Jensen Tyler Jensen 6'2" | 185 lbs | RB La Cueva | 2021 State NM , who rushed for 549 yards in half a season.
Baylor Diaz, Portales: The Rams rolled to the Class 4A title in 2019 behind a stout defense and reliable ground game led by Romeo Gbassagee (1,396 yards on 138 carries), who has since graduated. Diaz is next in line after rushing for 486 yards and 5 touchdowns as a junior in 2019. Biggest difference between Gbassagee and Diaz last season? Yards per carry. The former averaged over 10 yards per attempt, while the latter averaged 5.1 yards.
Rams,
Here is the 2021 Ram Football Schedule! pic.twitter.com/9m8cZ9gnDq— Portales Ram Football (@PHS_RamFootball) July 25, 2020
Here's the thing re: @CHSStormFB, defending Class 6A champions. The Storm might be even better this upcoming season with most of its major contributors from 2019 returning. Our preview: https://t.co/rff1oTCBQf@Coach_Ridenour@O12Trey @Murphyy_2021 @tr3watson @LukeWysong pic.twitter.com/TaUkwnt5no
— Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) August 30, 2020