City Series: Top 5 Quarterbacks in Southern New Mexico
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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…
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Continue ReadingIt’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 continue with the Top 5 quarterbacks in southern New Mexico. Many of the most prominent programs in the southern region will be relying on new quarterbacks in 2022: Artesia, Centennial, Hobbs, Las Cruces and Mayfield, among others.
Ashton Aranda Ashton Aranda 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Lovington | 2023 State NM , Lovington: Per MaxPreps, Aranda is statistically the top passing quarterback returning in southern New Mexico. He threw for 2,180 yards and 29 TD while rushing for 250 yards in 2021. But his Big Three receivers are graduating with two of them ( Isaac Hinson Isaac Hinson 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR Lovington | 2022 State NM and Tayten Hilliard Tayten Hilliard 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Lovington | 2022 State NM ) holding offers from Western New Mexico. But Lovington typically reloads and some talented young receivers are hopefully ready for the limelight. And Aranda will be aided by a solid ground game led by 2025 RB Ondalis Cardenas. Aranda is also a very good golfer and a member of Lovington’s varsity golf team.
Dane Naylor Dane Naylor QB Carlsbad | 2023 State NM , Carlsbad: Because Carlsbad is situated in the same district as three Las Cruces schools, Naylor is often overshadowed. But he led the Cavemen to the 2021 Class 6A playoffs with a solid season behind center. Look for another great season from Naylor in the fall as the Cavemen begin the Oliver Soukup Era.
Tomas Herrera Tomas Herrera 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Gadsden | 2023 State NM , Gadsden: Herrera is one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in southern New Mexico, rushing for over 1,000 yards last season and throwing 7 TD with just 1 INT. But few people paid attention to Gadsden last season outside of the town of Anthony because the Panthers played an independent schedule. But now they’re in Class 5A in a district with regional rivals Chaparral, Deming and Santa Teresa.
Cooper Pritchett Cooper Pritchett 5'10" | 150 lbs | LB Ruidoso | 2023 State NM , Ruidoso: The Warriors utilized a dual quarterback system last season en route to the Class 4A championship game with graduating senior Griffin Hooker Griffin Hooker 5'11" | 160 lbs | QB Ruidoso | 2022 State NM and Pritchett handling the split duties. When Pritchett wasn’t under center, he lined up at receiver and caught 18 passes and 4 TD. Ruidoso moved from Class 4A to 3A in the NMAA’s recent alignment.
Alexavier Carreon Alexavier Carreon 6'1" | RB Jal | 2023 State NM , Jal: Is there a better running quarterback in the state? Probably not. The younger brother of Boise State signee Roger Carreon Roger Carreon 6'5" | 305 lbs | OL Jal | 2022 State NM rushed for an incredible 1,773 yards and 29 TDs in 2021 to help lead Jal to the Class 2A championship game. Don’t be surprised if he puts up similar numbers in the fall as a senior.
Honorable Mention: Devin Diaz Devin Diaz 6'0" | 185 lbs | LB Portales | 2024 State NM (Portales); Kaidyn Lanham Kaidyn Lanham 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Hot Springs | 2024 State NM (Hot Springs); Kaleb Rodriguez Kaleb Rodriguez 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Loving | 2024 State NM (Loving); Joshua Duran Joshua Duran 5'10" | 140 lbs | WR Dexter | 2023 State NM (Dexter); Adrian Solis Adrian Solis 5'6" | 165 lbs | QB Goddard | 2023 State NM (Goddard); Juan Badillo Juan Badillo 5'8" | 150 lbs | QB NMMI | 2023 State NM (NMMI).
@AshtonA125 in preparation for his golf season this spring after our championship season this fall as our QB, 2023 Ashton Aranda big time PR to finish the day in the deadlift on Saturday morning. #FE pic.twitter.com/tAawhah6jN
— Wildcat Football (@lvtwildcatsfb) January 30, 2022
@AshtonA125 Congratulations to Ashton Aranda on his All-State Selection. A direct reflection of his work ethic and his position coach @coachjoshbailey #FE pic.twitter.com/3UnlsLHN5B
— Wildcat Football (@lvtwildcatsfb) December 14, 2021
Had an amazing team and some great opportunities this season was glad to fight next to my brothers 💙🏈 @dez1130 @PrepRedzoneNM @cavemenstrong https://t.co/rfzQjc7oTs
— danenaylor13 (@danenaylor13) November 11, 2021