City Series: Top 5 Quarterbacks in Albuquerque Metro Region

It’s March, which means it’s time again for our ‘City Series’ where we tell you the top players in the three major regions of the state entering the 2022 season: Albuquerque Metro (Including Rio Ranchos and Los Lunas), Northern New Mexico and Southern New Mexico. We begin with the Top 5 quarterbacks in the Albuquerque Metro region: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137861" first="Aden" last="Chavez"], Cibola</strong>: When was the last time a New Mexico quarterback signed with a FBS school directly out of high school (Former Hobbs QB Gavin Hardison played one year at NMMI before signing with UTEP)? Chavez has all the measurables major college coaches are looking for: size (6-foot-5), strong and accurate throwing arm (“he can make all the throws”), leadership, high football IQ, relentless work ethic, etc. Chavez will compete again this year in the Elite 11 Regionals, arguably the top national QB competition. Arkansas (SEC), Vanderbilt (SEC), Pittsburgh (ACC) and Washington State (Pac-12) are expressing interest along with some Ivy League schools. With Chavez at QB, Cibola’s offense will be humming in 2022. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7943705/6192706734530605d8111e54"><strong>Hudl</strong></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137862" first="Aidan" last="Armenta"], La Cueva</strong>: The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Armenta is on the verge of joining Chavez as a NM quarterback who could sign with a Div. I program. Armenta has secured a coveted invitation to the Elite 11 Regionals. He told Prep Redzone New Mexico that he will likely compete at the Las Vegas regional on May 1. He has also been invited to participate in the Blue-Grey Football All-American Bowl Combine. Dartmouth of the Ivy League has invited him to Junior Day. Armenta threw for 2,696 yards and 28 TD in 2021. He’ll direct La Cueva’s potentially explosive offense in 2022. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12694734/61a4416dd225a10a449ed3b3"><strong>Hudl</strong></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137885" first="Paul" last="Cieremans"], Los Lunas</strong>: Most analysts regard Cieremans as the state’s top dual threat QB, and he certainly lived up to that claim in 2021 by leading Los Lunas to an undefeated season and Class 5A state championship. Cieremans threw for 1,347 yards and rushed for 1,544 yards, joining a small fraternity of quarterbacks in the 1,000-1,000 club. Because of the town’s population spurt over the past decade, Los Lunas has moved to Class 6A and will compete in a district with Albuquerque, Capital, Clovis and Santa Fe. Right now, Los Lunas would be the favorite to win that district. Watching Cieremans operate against Class 6A defenses will certainly be one of the fascinating storylines of the 2022 season. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13709216/61b6c6fc6898e308cc306bed"><strong>Hudl</strong></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="139521" first="Evan" last="Wysong"], Cleveland</strong>: Is Wysong a quarterback or a wide receiver? He’s ultra-dynamic as a dual threat QB, as we saw week after week during Cleveland’s undefeated run to the Class 6A championship. But WR is likely his best position in college. With a 4.5 clocking in the 40, he’s one of the fastest players in the state. In the wake of Heath Ridenour’s departure to become the quarterbacks coach at New Mexico (the Lobos have already offered Wysong), it will be interesting to see how new Storm head coach Robert Garza utilizes Wysong. The Storm also have a talented 2024 QB in [player_tooltip player_id="275488" first="Elijah" last="Brody"]. At least for now. Brody’s father is the new head coach at West Mesa. Brody’s Twitter profile still says he’s attending Cleveland. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7880874/61aa964fd225f10728359703"><strong>Hudl</strong></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137884" first="A.J." last="Rivera"], Albuquerque Academy</strong>: After throwing for over 2,500 yards and 23 TD in 2021 and establishing several school records in the process, Rivera will direct one of the most prolific offenses in the entire state in 2022. His top wide receiver, [player_tooltip player_id="137928" first="Kellan" last="Gehres"], returns as well along with bruising RB [player_tooltip player_id="138056" first="Cole" last="Conway"]. Rivera-Gehres should again be one of the top QB-WR duos. And Academy is now in a highly competitive district with Class 4A rivals Bernalillo, Lovington and Portales. Right now, Rivera is listed at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. He’s beginning to generate interest from colleges as Princeton has expressed interest. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12846289/6196bdfbd45e080a50bc26c0"><strong>Hudl</strong></a>: <strong>Honorable Mention</strong>: Caeden Jojola (Valley); [player_tooltip player_id="137890" first="Alejandro" last="Sapien"] (St. Pius X); [player_tooltip player_id="269571" first="Elliot" last="Paskett-Bell"] (Volcano Vista); [player_tooltip player_id="208750" first="Jacob" last="Pino"] (Bernalillo); [player_tooltip player_id="269568" first="Dalen" last="Moyer"] (Sandia); [player_tooltip player_id="274972" first="Noah" last="Nelson"] (Rio Rancho); [player_tooltip player_id="137892" first="Myles" last="Lane"] (Atrisco Heritage); [player_tooltip player_id="275488" first="Elijah" last="Brody"] (Cleveland); [player_tooltip player_id="275430" first="Brandon" last="Olivas"] (Eldorado); [player_tooltip player_id="275504" first="Carlos" last="Sisneros"] (Albuquerque High); Alex Lopez (Highland). https://twitter.com/AdenChavez08/status/1484925476405604356 https://twitter.com/AidanArmenta/status/1491488510792146950 https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1464732751651741696 https://twitter.com/WysongEvan/status/1491999841034985472 https://twitter.com/AndresAJRivera1/status/1462451074829225992