City Series: Top 5 Running Backs in Albuquerque Metro Region
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Phase 2 of our ‘City Series’ has begun. We’re now taking a look at the top running backs in the state entering the 2022 season. Today we give you the top five running backs in the Albuquerque Metro Region: Josh…
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Continue ReadingPhase 2 of our ‘City Series’ has begun. We’re now taking a look at the top running backs in the state entering the 2022 season. Today we give you the top five running backs in the Albuquerque Metro Region:
Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM , Cleveland: Perry rushed for 600+ yards last season even though he missed the second half of the regular season in 2021 with an injury before returning in splendid fashion for the Class 6A state championship game against rival Rio Rancho. How valuable is Perry to the Storm’s offense? He finished with over 160 yards rushing and a season high 4 TD against the Rams in the title game. He’ll combine with QB/WR Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM , RB Andres Aguirre Andres Aguirre 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2024 State NM and WR Nic Trujillo Nic Trujillo 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NM to form arguably the most dynamic offense in the state in 2022.
Gabriel Buie Gabriel Buie 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB La Cueva | 2023 State NM , La Cueva: Possibly the most underrated player in Albuquerque, Buie will be a key piece of what should be a dynamic La Cueva offense in 2022, joining QB Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM and WR Exodus Ayers Exodus Ayers 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Proctor Academy | 2024 State NewE to scare opposing defenses all season long. Buie rushed for 988 yards and 13 TD in his first season of varsity competition in 2021. If he stays healthy, Buie should rush for 1,000+ yards in 2022. The La Cueva offense is going to be tough to stop.
Andres Aguirre Andres Aguirre 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2024 State NM , Cleveland: Aguirre’s move from Albuquerque High to Cleveland promises to be one of the most intriguing offseason stories when preseason camp kicks off in late July. Aguirre rushed for nearly 900 yards and 9 TD for the Bulldogs in 2021 and brings more than 1,200 career rushing yards to Cleveland. Aguirre and Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM will be the No. 1 RB duo in the state next season, giving the Storm incredible depth at the position. How new Cleveland head coach Robert Garza divides the playing time will be interesting to watch as the 2022 season unfolds.
Malachi Thymes Malachi Thymes 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Sandia | 2023 State NM , Sandia: If Gabriel Buie Gabriel Buie 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB La Cueva | 2023 State NM (see above) is the most underrated player in Albuquerque, Thymes might be a close No. 2. Thymes led the Matadors to the Class 6A playoffs in 2021 by rushing for 1,158 yards and amassing about 1,300 all-purpose yards. If you think Sandia is going away, forget it. QB Dalen Moyer Dalen Moyer 6'0" | 160 lbs | QB Sandia | 2023 State NM , a 1,000-yard passer in 2021, also returns. Watch out for the Matadors. They’ll battle for a Class 6A playoff berth again.
Cole Conway Cole Conway 6'3" | 230 lbs | RB Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM , Albuquerque Academy: The Chargers already have one of the top passing quarterbacks ( A.J. Rivera A.J. Rivera 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM ) and wide receivers ( Kellan Gehres Kellan Gehres 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM ) in Class 4A going into the 2022 season. With the powerfully built Conway (6-2, 220 pounds) running the football, opposing defenses will have to respect the run and the pass. And that should open things up for the Chargers offense. Conway rushed for 1,037 yards and 17 TD in 2021. He also caught 14 passes. Albuquerque Academy is one of the most intriguing teams in Class 4A going into the new season. Their district, which also consists of Bernalillo, Lovington and Portales, will be must-watch football in the fall.
Honorable Mention: Brent Miller Brent Miller DB Hope Christian | 2023 State NM (Hope Christian); Nathan Velez Nathan Velez 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Eldorado | 2023 State NM (Eldorado); Erik Wolf Erik Wolf 5'7" | 130 lbs | RB Moriarty | 2023 State NM (Moriarty); Matthew Romero Matthew Romero 5'11" | 160 lbs | RB Moriarty | 2023 State NM (Moriarty); David Llanez David Llanez 5'8" | 135 lbs | RB Bernalillo | 2023 State NM (Bernalillo); Damian Garcia Damian Garcia 5'5" | 150 lbs | RB Albuquerque | 2023 State NM (Albuquerque High); Jonathan Casaus Jonathan Casaus 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Atrisco Heritage Academy | 2023 State NM (Atrisco Heritage); Rickey Henderson (Valley); Diego Avila Diego Avila 5'6" | 160 lbs | RB Belen | 2024 State NM (Belen); John Paul Ludi John Paul Ludi 5'10" | 160 lbs | RB Eldorado | 2024 State NM (Eldorado); Joziah Rodriguez Joziah Rodriguez RB Highland | 2024 State NM (Highland).
315 bench at 196bw @Coach_Ridenour @CoachGonzUNM @CoachJChristian @DavidHowes5 @CoachBBlackmon pic.twitter.com/Miiriu4lyT
— Josh Perry (@Josh23Perry) March 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/gabrielbuie07/status/1470611734930989060
Humbled to be ranked as the #1 running back in my class by @PrepRedzoneNM Still have a lot of work to do!! pic.twitter.com/hGKBnM1LJm
— Andres Aguirre (@AndresGAguirre6) January 27, 2022
End Of Season Stats:
(10)games
Total rushing yards:1,288, 17 TDs
Carries: 198
Carries per game:128.6
Yards per carry:6.5
Total REC yards: 140, 1 TD
Total Special team yards: 340
All purpose yards 1,770https://t.co/YaTRiLFMHY— Malachi Thymes (@Malaxhi_) November 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/ColeConwayFB/status/1491463785965494275