City Series: Top 5 Quarterbacks in Northern New Mexico

It’s March, which means it’s time again for our ‘City Series’ where we write about 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 previously told you the Top 5 quarterbacks in the Albuquerque Metro and Southern New Mexico regions. We continue with the Top 5 quarterbacks in northern New Mexico: <strong>C.J. Perea, West Las Vegas</strong> (2025): In a couple of years we might be talking about Perea as one of the top quarterbacks in the entire state. As a freshman in 2021, Perea threw for 2,229 yards and 24 touchdowns as he led the Dons to the quarterfinals of the Class 3A playoffs in a very difficult district. Perea is also a bruising runner, using his stocky 5-foot-11 frame to run over would-be tacklers. How serious is Perea about improving his skills? He’ll work this summer with the same QB coach who mentored current New England Patriots and former Alabama QB Mac Jones, Garrett Chachere in New Orleans. [player_tooltip player_id="269537" first="Jaydin" last="Vigil"] returns at wide receiver, giving WLV a potent passing attack. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="208748" first="Ryan" last="Sharpe"], Bloomfield</strong> (2023): Injuries forced Sharpe to miss over half the 2021 season but when he was on the field he was one of the most dynamic dual threat quarterbacks in Class 4A. Sharpe’s return in 2022 allows promising rising sophomore Blake Spencer to mature for one more season before taking the Bobcats’ QB reins in 2023. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="275457" first="Landan" last="Frost"], Aztec</strong> (2024): Possibly the best quarterback in the state that just a few folks in the Four Corners know about. Frost took over the QB job for Aztec last season and threw for 1,325 yards and 18 TD in 11 games. Frost is just one of several promising young offensive players for the Tigers. WR [player_tooltip player_id="275041" first="Baylor" last="Seabolt"] and RB Jaylen Ignacio are both 2024 prospects as well. <strong>Zach  Martinez, St. Michael’s</strong> (2023): Because of covid, injuries (QB [player_tooltip player_id="134997" first="Lucas" last="Coriz"] was lost for the season against Santa Fe) and other issues, St. Michael’s was forced into a musical chairs situation at QB until Martinez righted the ship and led the Horsemen to the Class 3A championship game. Martinez has a good arm and elusiveness when he runs with the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137891" first="Adam" last="Pacheco"], Pojoaque Valley</strong> (2023):  Pojoaque Valley enjoyed one of its best seasons in years in 2021, finishing 5-4. The Elks were primarily a running team behind RB [player_tooltip player_id="198250" first="Dominic" last="Esquibel"] (1,496 rushing yards). However, Pacheco also threw for 1,257 yards and 17 TD. <strong>Honorable Mention</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id="269567" first="Daemon" last="Ely"] (Taos); [player_tooltip player_id="208737" first="Julian" last="Munoz"] (Capital); [player_tooltip player_id="274791" first="Trel" last="Griego"] (Farmington); Tyler Beach (Kirtland Central); Andre Coriz (Santa Fe Indian); Cannon Walton (Raton). https://twitter.com/CoachCarlos62/status/1498499909250699265 https://twitter.com/CoachCarlos62/status/1485721348164898816 https://twitter.com/ZachMartinez017/status/1485240921448873987 &nbsp;