Legacy WR eyes enhanced role with Cleveland
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Going into the 2022 season, rising senior Nic Trujillo Nic Trujillo 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NM appears to have the No. 1 wide receiver job for Cleveland High locked up, especially after catching 51…
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Continue ReadingGoing into the 2022 season, rising senior Nic Trujillo Nic Trujillo 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NM appears to have the No. 1 wide receiver job for Cleveland High locked up, especially after catching 51 passes for 906 yards and 10 TD in 2021 for the undefeated and Class 6A champion Storm
The key question is who will claim the No. 2 WR role as the next FIVE leading receivers in 2021 after Trujillo were all seniors (Ethan Duran, Michael Ortiz, CJ Munoz, Max Gillert Max Gillert 6'3" | 190 lbs | TE Cleveland | 2022 State NM and Lucious Dickson Lucious Dickson 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2022 State NM ).
In fact, the most receptions by a non-senior besides Trujillo last season for Cleveland was five.
So, the door is open for somebody to walk through. Rising senior Andres Armijo Andres Armijo 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NM (2023), who divided time between varsity and junior varsity last season and is now excelling for the New Mexico Legacy 7-on-7 team, believes he’s the guy to take over the top job in support of Trujillo.
“Cleveland has always been about ‘Next Man Up,’” Armijo told Prep Redzone. “We always prepare like we’re going to be the Next Man Up. Everybody is always prepared and ready to play. We couldn’t be more confident going into this next season. Basically, I just want to do anything I can to help the team win.”
Armijo’s primary competition for the No., 2 WR role behind Trujillo appears to be Isaac Medrano Isaac Medrano 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Cleveland | 2024 State NM (also plays RB; 5 receptions in 2021) and rising senior Zach Beranek (1 reception in 2021).
“It’s always competitive (at Cleveland) because we have so much talent,” Armijo said. “Practicing every day with our guys provides great competition. It gets everybody better. With New Mexico Legacy, I’m getting more experience playing against guys of that caliber. I’ve improved a lot going into the fall.
“I’ve learned how important it is to create space because there are a lot of fast defensive backs. Creating space is very important to getting open along with finding the gaps in the defense.”
Armijo said new head coach Robert Garza has (smartly) adopted an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach to the Storm., In short, little has changed with how the Storm operate and prepare for the new season ahead.
“Coach Garza has been there ever since the school opened, so nothing has changed. It’s been rolling for the past few years,” Armijo said. “So not much has changed. I’ve been working with Evan (Wysong), Nic and Zach.”
Boys put in that work today! Championship are built during this time of year! #FearTheBolt⚡ pic.twitter.com/yg399g1hr5
— Cleveland Storm 🏈 (@CHSStormFB) February 17, 2022
The Storm family is extremely excited for our new head coach! @RobertGarza48 We can't wait to see what the future has in store! #ProtectTheTradition ⚡ pic.twitter.com/DDooRYyIRW
— Cleveland Storm 🏈 (@CHSStormFB) January 8, 2022