Updated 2023 Rankings: Top Newcomers, Part 2
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We released the updated 2023 rankings on Monday. We also published our first list of the Top 10 newcomers to the ranking. Today, we present Part 2. Here are 10 more of the top newcomers: Ethan Vanlandingham Ethan Vanlandingham 5'10"…
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Continue ReadingWe released the updated 2023 rankings on Monday. We also published our first list of the Top 10 newcomers to the ranking. Today, we present Part 2. Here are 10 more of the top newcomers:
Ethan Vanlandingham Ethan Vanlandingham 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR Hobbs | 2023 State NM , Hobbs: Kaden Trevino Kaden Trevino 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Hobbs | 2023 State NM was Hobbs’ No. 1 WR in 2021 but Vanlandingham was a solid No. 2 guy with 32 receptions for 316 yrds and 3 TD. He finished with 435 all-purpose yards. Both Vanlandingham and Trevino return in 2022, giving Hobbs one of the top WR duos in Class 6A. Finding a QB is key.
Juan Badillo Juan Badillo 5'8" | 150 lbs | QB NMMI | 2023 State NM , NMMI: Without much fanfare, Badillo led NMMI to a district title and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A playoffs by throwing for 1,169 yards and 17 TD while rushing for a team-leading 526 yards and 3 TD. Badillo will again be the headliner in 2022.
Daemon Ely Daemon Ely 6'7" | 210 lbs | QB Taos | 2023 State NM , Taos: Along with graduating senior Matt Suazo, Ely spearheaded the Tigers’ offense in 2021 and led the push towards the playoffs, throwing for 1,137 yards and 10 TD while rushing for 345 yards and 4 TD. Ely (1,482 total yards) and RB Elijah Romero (357 rushing yards in 2021) return in 2022, so Taos shouldn’t have a problem scoring points.
Dalen Moyer Dalen Moyer 6'0" | 160 lbs | QB Sandia | 2023 State NM , Sandia: The Matadors enjoyed a respectable season in 2021, finishing 5-5 and advancing to the Class 6A playoffs. Malachi Thymes Malachi Thymes 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Sandia | 2023 State NM was Sandia’s biggest offensive weapon but Moyer was the quarterbacks and ran the offense with confidence. He threw for over 1,000 yards and 14 TD. He has one main task: get the ball into hands of Thymes and Dalton Speis Dalton Speis 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Sandia | 2022 State NM as much as possible. Moyer and Thymes return in 2022.
Elliot Pasket-Bell, Volvano Vista: Pasket-ball was Volcano Vista’s ‘Swiss Army Knife’ in 2021. He served as the Hawks’ No. 2 QB behind Josh Gerardo Josh Gerardo 6'1" | QB Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM and attempted 106 passes, throwing for 900 yards, rushed for 373 yards and caught 20 passes for 417 yards. Will Pasket-Bell ascend to the No. 1 QB job or will he maintain his ‘do everything well’ role in 2022?
Eloy Vigil, Bernalillo: The Spartans have gained a reputation the last couple of years as a program that brings the defense every week. This past season Vigil was one of the leaders of Bernalillo’s defense, collecting 118 tackles and an impressive 22.0 TFL, an average of two per game.
Gavon Hall Gavon Hall 5'7" | 160 lbs | LB Ruidoso | 2023 State NM , Ruidoso: The Warriors advanced all the way to the Class 4A championship game because they has great players on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Griffin Hooker Griffin Hooker 5'11" | 160 lbs | QB Ruidoso | 2022 State NM , Braxton Hall Braxton Hall RB Ruidoso | 2022 State NM and Cooper Pritchett Cooper Pritchett 5'10" | 150 lbs | LB Ruidoso | 2023 State NM led the way. Defensively, it was another Hall, this one named Gavon, who spearheaded Ruidoso’s efforts., Hall tied for the team lead in tackles with 116. Best news for Ruidoso: Their top 4 tacklers return in 2022, so the Warriors should be stout on that side of the ball.
Anderson Weese Anderson Weese 6'1" | 160 lbs | LB Raton | 2023 State NM , Raton: The Tigers were loaded with talent on both sides of the ball in 2021 and that’s reflected in their 11-1 record. Weese led Raton in tackles with 77 and added three interceptions. With the Quartieri brothers departing, Weese and RB Cayden Walton Cayden Walton 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Raton | 2023 State NM figure to be the team leaders in 2022.
Leonard Archuleta Leonard Archuleta 6'2" | 215 lbs | DL Taos | 2023 State NM , Taos: Possessing a 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame, Archuleta was one of the top defensive ends in Class 4A this past season. He finished with 63 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble. The Taos defense should be solid with Archuleta on the field in 2022.
Andreas Gordo Andreas Gordo LB Bloomfield | 2023 State NM , Bloomfield: From his linebacker position, Gordo fueled the Bobcats defense with 59 tackles, 7 QB hurries and 1 INT. He also contributed on offense, and could become a nice two-way player in 2022. With QB Ryan Sharpe Ryan Sharpe QB Bloomfield | 2023 State NM , Gordo and others returning, Bloomfield’s outlook is positive for 2022.