City Series: Top 5 Running Backs in Northern New Mexico
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We complete Phase 2 of our ‘City Series’ by taking a look at the top running backs in Northern New Mexico entering the 2022 season: Cayden Walton Cayden Walton 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Raton | 2023 State NM…
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Continue ReadingWe complete Phase 2 of our ‘City Series’ by taking a look at the top running backs in Northern New Mexico entering the 2022 season:
Cayden Walton Cayden Walton 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Raton | 2023 State NM , Raton: There is NO debate as to who’s the top running back in northern Mexico. In fact, Walton, hailing from a small town of about 6,000 residents situated along I-25 on the New Mexico-Colorado border, could be the No. 1 RB in the entire state. Walton was our 2021 Class 3A Player of the Year after leading the state in rushing with 1,905 yards and 24 TD on 188 carries. He has already amassed nearly 5,000 career rushing yards. Two thousand rushing yards in 2022 is not out of the question. He should generate plenty of recruiting interest in the fall.
Andres Madrid Andres Madrid 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Santa Rosa | 2023 State NM , Santa Rosa: It’s unlikely many folks have heard of Madrid, who toils in obscurity for Class 2A Santa Rosa. In his first year of varsity football, Madrid rushed for 1,370 yards and 15 TD, compiling 7 games of 100+ rushing yards along the way. He averaged nearly 9 yards per carry. Santa Rosa should be a Class 2A playoff contender with Madrid leading the way on offense.
Jakeem Reed Jakeem Reed 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Farmington | 2023 State NM , Farmington: The Scorpions had more than a high-powered passing attack en route to an undefeated regular season and the No. 1 seed for the Class 5A playoffs. Reed, along with Julian Gomez, fueled Farmington’s ground game. Reed should be Farmington’s No. 1 RB in 2022 during their first year at the Class 6A level.
Jesse James Gonzales, Robertson: Yes, he still has the best name in New Mexico high school football. But Gonzales, one of the top 2025 prospects in the state, is also an outstanding young running back. Older brother Matthew led Robertson to the 3A title in 2021. Jesse James was the featured running back for the Cardinals and rushed for over 800 yards. He combined with his older brother for over 2,000 rushing yards.
Kyun Tate Kyun Tate 5'7" | 145 lbs | RB Navajo Prep | 2023 State NM , Navajo Prep: In December we told you about Tate and explained why he was a Player to Watch in 2022. Navajo Prep’s dynamic RB and DB rushed for 934 yards and 16 TD, amassed over 1,000 total yards, and made 76 tackles with 3 interceptions on defense. Tate goes into the 2022 season as one of the top two-way players in Class 3A.
Honorable Mention: Jaydin Vigil Jaydin Vigil 5'7" | 160 lbs | WR West Las Vegas | 2023 State NM (West Las Vegas); Jacob Ramsted Jacob Ramsted 6'1" | RB Piedra Vista | 2023 State NM (Piedra Vista); Teke Nieto Teke Nieto 6'1" | 215 lbs | RB Los Alamos | 2023 State NM (Los Alamos); Ethen Meloy-Chavez (Pojoaque Valley); Taylor Torivio Taylor Torivio RB Santa Fe Indian | 2024 State NM (Santa Fe Indian School); Randon Matthews (Kirtland Central); Francisco Diaz (Capital); Elijah Romero (Taos).
Want to congratulate our football athletes on All-State Honors!
Dylan Quartieri – 2nd Team QB, 1st Team Outside LB
Matthew Quartieri – 1st Team TE, 1st Team Inside LB
Cayden Walton- 1st Team RB, 1st Team DB
Chance Middlebrook- 1st Team WR, 2nd Team DB
Continued…
— Raton Football (@RatonFootball) December 14, 2021
— Andres Madrid (@Andres5Madrid_) September 8, 2021