2021 6A State Football Quarterfinals Players To Watch This Week!

The brackets and the matchups for the high school football state tournament was released this past Saturday night and in this article we will breakdown the players to watch and the players to keep an eye on in all four games of the 6A Quarterfinals that begin later this week, Friday November 5th. In the 6A #8 and #9 matchup between Hobbs and Eldorado, we have players from both schools to keep an eye on in this Quarterfinals matchup. <img class="size-medium wp-image-226596 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Colton-crop-722x475-1635779422-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />     [player_tooltip player_id="134908" first="Colton" last="Graham"]- 5’10 Quarterback "Hobbs" Class of 2022 Hobbs Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="134908" first="Colton" last="Graham"] is coming off a good season leading Hobbs high school to the #8 seed in the 6A state tournament. He finished the season throwing for 1,862 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns and threw a 64% completion percentage. He ranked 6th in New Mexico in passing yards and 9th in passing touchdowns. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="134908" first="Colton" last="Graham"] gives Hobbs High School a great chance at home to advance vs Eldorado. <img class="alignleft wp-image-226600 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Kaden-T-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" />       [player_tooltip player_id="137921" first="Kaden" last="Trevino"]- 5’11 Wide Receiver "Hobbs" Class of 2023 Junior Wide Receiver [player_tooltip player_id="137921" first="Kaden" last="Trevino"] is playing his best football of the season coming a strong performance vs Carlsbad where he had 9 receptions, 130 receiving yards and 3 total touchdowns. This season he had 46 receptions which ranked 7th in New Mexico, 756 yards which ranked 7th in New Mexico and 9 receiving touchdowns which was tied for 6th in New Mexico. Kaden and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="134908" first="Colton" last="Graham"] have been an elite QB-WR connection all season with hopes of continuing that play in the state tournament. <img class="size-medium wp-image-221048 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/Jaden-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" />   Jaden Fischer- 6’2 Outside Linebacker "Eldorado" Class of 2022 Defensive Player of The Year candidate Jaden Fischer from the Eldorado Eagles has been a nightmare for opposing offenses all season long with his elite play. His play helped Eldorado secure the #9 seed and finish the regular season with an impressive 7-3 record. He finished the season with 13 sacks which ranked 2nd in New Mexico this season and 13 tackle for losses which ranked 2nd in the 6A Class. Jaden Fischer is one of the biggest X-factors this weekend for the Eldorado Eagles. If Jaden Fischer can put enough pressure on Hobbs Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="134908" first="Colton" last="Graham"], that might be enough to help Eldorado advance this weekend. <img class="alignleft wp-image-226620 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Brendan-e1635781524166-300x216.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="216" />     Brendan Johnson- 6’3 Defensive End "Eldorado" Class of 2023 Junior Brendan Johnson has made a huge impact for the Eldorado Eagles this season. Alongside teammate Jaden Fischer, he has done his part contributing with 6 sacks this season which ranks 3rd in the 6A Class and tied for 1st among his junior class. He also has contributed with 8 tackles for loss this season. He is another X-factor for the Eldorado Eagles, if teammate Jaden Fischer gets most of Hobbs attention than don’t be surprised when Brendan Johnson makes big plays in this Quarterfinals matchup. In the 6A #7 and #10 matchup between Cibola and Sandia, we have players from both schools to keep an eye on in this Quarterfinals matchup. <img class="alignleft wp-image-226634 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Aden-e1635783798502-300x265.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="265" />       [player_tooltip player_id="137861" first="Aden" last="Chavez"]- 6’5 Quarterback "Cibola" Class of 2023 CIbola Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="137861" first="Aden" last="Chavez"] had a great junior year campaign finishing the regular season throwing 2,486 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns which both led the state of New Mexico. Cibola had the toughest schedule in all of New Mexico this season and was rewarded the #7 seed despite finishing with a 5-5 regular season record. With [player_tooltip player_id="137861" first="Aden" last="Chavez"] being the number one ranked Quarterback according to Prep Redzone staff, [player_tooltip player_id="137861" first="Aden" last="Chavez"] is an obvious pick as one of the players to watch in the Quarterfinals this weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="137861" first="Aden" last="Chavez"] gives the Cibola Cougars a chance to win every single week. <img class=" wp-image-226641 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/nathan-crop-576x379-1635784632-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />   [player_tooltip player_id="134963" first="Nathan" last="Lopez"]- 5’6 Wide Receiver "Cibola’ Class of 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="134963" first="Nathan" last="Lopez"] is one of the most dynamic Wide Receiver’s in New Mexico. Him and Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="137861" first="Aden" last="Chavez"] are arguably the best QB-WR connection in New Mexico. During the regular season [player_tooltip player_id="134963" first="Nathan" last="Lopez"] had 72 receptions which led the state of New Mexico, 925 receiving yards which ranked 5th in New Mexico and 9 receiving touchdowns which finished tied for 6th. What made [player_tooltip player_id="134963" first="Nathan" last="Lopez"] so explosive this season was his big plays after the catch and getting extra yards down the field. In a game vs Volcano Vista last week he had 15 receptions. 130 receiving yards and 1 touchdown reception. [player_tooltip player_id="134963" first="Nathan" last="Lopez"] is playing his best football of the year just in time for the state quarterfinals. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/malachi-crop-688x452-1635785406.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-226653 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/malachi-crop-688x452-1635785406-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>     [player_tooltip player_id="137923" first="Malachi" last="Thymes"]- 5’7 Running Back "Sandia" Class of 2023 Running Back [player_tooltip player_id="137923" first="Malachi" last="Thymes"] is one of the states most underrated Running Backs in the game and is a huge reason why Sandia has won their last 4 games of the season and secured the #10 seed in the 6A bracket. This season [player_tooltip player_id="137923" first="Malachi" last="Thymes"] ran for 1,158 rushing yards which was in the top 10 in New Mexico and also ran for 16 rushing touchdowns on the ground. After Sandia started the season 1-4 with a tough schedule to begin with, Sandia turned their season around with Malachi having a huge impact. If Sandia can continue to run the offense through Malachi, don’t be surprised if the Matadors pull off an upset versus the #7 seeded Cibola Cougars. Sean Johnson- 6’5 Wide Receiver "Sandia’ Class of 2022 Wide Receiver Sean Johnson was a late addition to the Sandia Matadors this season and has only played 5 games this season for their program but his timing to join this team couldn’t have been at a more perfect time. Since joining this team they have went 4-1 in their last 5 games and every week he gets more involved in the offensive system for the Matadors. In his very 1st game versus Volcano Vista he had 5 receptions, 91 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. In just his fourth game October 22nd vs Clovis he had 8 receptions, 123 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. In his past game October 30th versus Manzano he had 3 carries for 53 rushing yards. With Sean more comfortable in this offense now, don’t be surprised if he has a big performance this weekend versus CIbola in the state tournament. This weekend the #5 seeded Clovis heads to Las Cruses for a quarterfinals showdown and they have some players we need to keep an eye on this weekend. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Milo-Acosta-crop-801x526-1635787447.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-226679 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Milo-Acosta-crop-801x526-1635787447-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>     [player_tooltip player_id="134999" first="Milo" last="Acosta"]- 6’0 Quarterback "Clovis’ Class of 2022 Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="134999" first="Milo" last="Acosta"] from Clovis high school is a player to watch this week because of his resilient play to help guide Clovis to the final spot in the state tournament as the #12 seed. In a up and down year for Clovis this season, they went 3-3 in district play and that helped them clinch the final state tournament spot in the 6A Class. From an individual stand point, [player_tooltip player_id="134999" first="Milo" last="Acosta"] had a solid season throwing for 1,444 passing yards which ranked 11th in New Mexico. He was also a threat with his legs and ran the ball for 304 rushing yards at the Quarterback position. If [player_tooltip player_id="134999" first="Milo" last="Acosta"] can continue to be a threat passing and running the ball, maybe the #12 seeded Clovis Wildcats can pull off an upset vs #5 Las Cruses this Friday night.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/manuel-b-crop-320x211-1635788044.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-226686 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/manuel-b-crop-320x211-1635788044-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>   Manuel Bustillos- 5’9 Outside Linebacker "Clovis" Class of 2022 Outside Linebacker Manuel Bustillos is gonna be one of the top players to watch this weekend with his elite tackling. This season Manuel Bustillos finished with 100 tackles and ranked 7th in New Mexico and 3rd in the 6A Class. His consistent play all year helped Clovis turn their season around the last six games. This season he has also forced a fumble, recovered one and has 1.5 sacks this season on the defensive side of the ball. If Manuel Bustillos and the Clovis defense can slow down the Las Cruses offense, than that will increase their chances and pulling off an upset this weekend on the road. The final Quarterfinals matchup is between the #6 Volcano Vista and #11 Carlsbad. We look at the top players to keep an eye on this weekend. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Tyler-crop-709x466-1635789015.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-226703 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Tyler-crop-709x466-1635789015-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>   [player_tooltip player_id="135101" first="Tyler" last="Martinez"]- 6’1 Linebacker "Volcano Vista" Class of 2022 Volcano Vista’s [player_tooltip player_id="135101" first="Tyler" last="Martinez"] is arguably having the best year of any Linebacker this season and is one of the main reasons why Volcano Vista went a solid 6-4 in the regular season and finished as the 6A Classes #6 seed. Despite being a #6 seed, the Volcano Vista Hawks are super underrated in this years tournament and the defense gives them a chance to compete with any team in this tournament. [player_tooltip player_id="135101" first="Tyler" last="Martinez"] finished this season with 121 total tackles which finished 2nd in New Mexico, 24.5 tackle for losses which finished 3rd in New Mexico and has an impressive 6 sacks this season which was 8th in New Mexico. [player_tooltip player_id="135101" first="Tyler" last="Martinez"] is one of the biggest players to watch this weekend with his ability to take over a game by himself. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Kaden-crop-715x470-1635789484.jpg"><img class="wp-image-226708 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Kaden-crop-715x470-1635789484-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>   [player_tooltip player_id="135097" first="Kaden" last="Valdez"]- 5’11 Wide Receiver "Volcano Vista" Class of 2022 Volcano Vista Wide Receiver [player_tooltip player_id="135097" first="Kaden" last="Valdez"] had one of the best seasons of any Wide Receiver in New Mexico. He finished the regular season with 49 receptions which was 6th in New Mexico, 1,026 receiving yards which was 2nd in New Mexico and 10 receiving touchdowns which ranked 5th in New Mexico. His elite play has made him one of the top Wide Receivers in the game and his connection with Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="26247" first="Josh" last="Gerardo"] makes [player_tooltip player_id="135097" first="Kaden" last="Valdez"] one of the most dangerous and dynamic players in New Mexico and a player to watch not just in this Quarterfinals but in the rest of this state tournament if Volcano Vista is to keep advancing further. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Kieran-crop-714x469-1635790340.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-226724 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Kieran-crop-714x469-1635790340-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>   [player_tooltip player_id="198052" first="Kieran" last="Cordova"]- 5’9 Wide Receiver "Volcano Vista’ Class of 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="198052" first="Kieran" last="Cordova"] finished his regular season as one of the top Wide Receivers in New Mexico. Alongside teammate [player_tooltip player_id="135097" first="Kaden" last="Valdez"] gave Volcano Vista possibly the best Wide Receiver duo in New Mexico. Also having Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="26247" first="Josh" last="Gerardo"] under center made Volcano Vista one of New Mexico’s most dangerous passing attacks. During the regular season he finished with 53 receptions which was tied for the second most in New Mexico, 933 receiving yards which was the 4th most in New Mexico and he had finished with 8 receiving touchdowns which was 13th in New Mexico this season. With [player_tooltip player_id="198052" first="Kieran" last="Cordova"] being in such a dangerous offense with his speed and catching ability should be enough reasons why you need to keep your eyes on him in this weekend. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Josh-crop-719x472-1635790871.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-226738 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/Josh-crop-719x472-1635790871-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>   [player_tooltip player_id="26247" first="Josh" last="Gerardo"]- 6’1 Quarterback "Volcano Vista" Class of 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="26247" first="Josh" last="Gerardo"] is without a doubt one of the top Quarterback prospects in New Mexico. His consistent play all season helped Volcano Vista secure the #6 seed in the 6A State Tournament bracket and gives Volcano a real shot at winning the state championship this season. During the regular season he threw for 2,129 passing yards which was 4th in New Mexico and 20 passing touchdowns which ranked 8th in New Mexico. His ability to throw the deep ball accurately to teammates [player_tooltip player_id="198052" first="Kieran" last="Cordova"] and [player_tooltip player_id="135097" first="Kaden" last="Valdez"] made Volcano Vista one of the top offenses in New Mexico. His elite passing this season makes him one of the top players to watch in the Quarterfinals this weekend vs #11 Carlsbad.