7×7 Wrapup: Top 10 Performers

We’re rapidly approaching the start of preseason camps throughout the state of New Mexico. In fact, in exactly one week, many teams will take the field for the first practice in preparation for the opening weekend of the regular season set for Aug. 19-21. Most – if not all - of the 7-on-7 competition is done for the summer. We watched the games at five different locations and here are our top 10 standout players: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26265" first="Martell" last="Mora"], Santa Fe</strong>: Did anybody have a better week than Mora? First he ran the 40 in 4.49 seconds at Eastern New Mexico’s camp in Rio Rancho on Tuesday. Then he went out and dominated at ENMU’s 7x7 tourney in Portales. Mora just makes plays, on both sides of the ball. If we had to name an MVP of 7-on-7 season, Mora would be our guy. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137861" first="Aden" last="Chavez"], Cibola</strong>: Our No. 1 2023 prospect is worthy of the hype. Chavez stands in the pocket and rifles the ball all over the field. Short, medium, deep, it doesn’t matter. The ball is usually on target. The 6-foot-5 Chavez can make all the throws, which is why FBS and FCS schools have contacted him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26227" first="Zach" last="Vigil"], Rio Rancho</strong>: He’s our No. 1 running back in the state for the 2002 class and Vigil demonstrated over and over why that’s the case. He’s fast and catches passes circling out of the backfield with ease. He’s visiting FCS Drake soon. <strong>Nathan Taylor, Artesia</strong>: The Bulldogs’ new quarterback is a lefty. Taylor throws a beautiful deep pass with a perfect spiral and plenty of air underneath it. After a couple of disappointing seasons, Artesia looks to be in good shape with a new head coach, new offense and new QB in 2021. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137862" first="Aidan" last="Armenta"], La Cueva</strong>: He’s only played part of one varsity game, but there’s plenty of buzz surrounding La Cueva’s presumptive starting QB. He’s tall with a powerful and accurate throwing arm. One of the highlights of 7-on-7 season was his duel with. . . <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26242" first="Daniel" last="Ayala"], West Mesa</strong>: Expectations are high at West Mesa and Ayala is a big reason for the optimism along with a talented wide receiver corps. Like Chavez and Armenta, he can make all the throws. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="139521" first="Evan" last="Wysong"], Cleveland</strong>: Wysong is more than just fast (4.52 in the 40). He also can throw the ball with accuracy. Add in his ability to run with the football, and Wysong should be a dangerous dual threat QB this season. He’s the favorite to win Cleveland’s starting QB job. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135135" first="Abraham" last="Lopez"], Highland</strong>: It’s difficult for defensive players to shine in 7-on-7 because the game is slanted towards the offense (that's why many defensive coaches don't like it), but Lopez was arguably the top defensive player we saw. He has next level ability and plays with passion. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137884" first="A.J." last="Rivera"], Albuquerque Academy</strong>: Another tall quarterback with a cannon for an arm. He’s a 2023 graduate, so he has two more high school seasons left. Our guess is by this time next year he’ll be talking with a bunch of schools. He attended the Stanford camp in June. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134963" first="Nathan" last="Lopez"], Cibola</strong>: Lopez possesses a bubbly personality, but don’t let that fool you. He’s an assassin on the field and with his 4.6 sped can run by defenders, as he did on several occasions when we were watching. He also has very good hands. He rose up to make several acrobatic catches. https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1417667215969513475 https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1417599986376736773 https://twitter.com/zacharyvigil21/status/1418380747891691523 https://twitter.com/zacharyvigil21/status/1417679379245715456 &nbsp;