Gatorade Player of the Year: Watchlist

The Gatorade State Player of the Year award winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: Athletic Excellence - Standout performance in their respective sport made at the high school, club, national or international levels of competition. Academic Achievement - Review of GPA and class rank, as well as SAT and ACT scores, and academic honors distinctions. Exemplary Character - Commitment to sportsmanship, character and community through membership and participation in positive activities. With three weeks left in the regular season for high school football in New Mexico, we look at players who are making a strong case for the Gatorade Player of the Year award in 2022 so far this season.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>    Through the first eight weeks of the regular season, [player_tooltip player_id='137862' first='Aidan' last='Armenta'] has made a strong case for the Gatorade Player of the Year award in 2022. He currently leads the State of New Mexico with 2,318 passing yards averaging about 331 yards per game. He is third in the state with 23 passing touchdowns and has completed 64% of his passes. Most importantly, he has led the La Cueva Bears to a 6-1 record through seven games to start the season. They're currently in first place in their district and have positioned themselves to get a first round bye come playoff time. He recently made his commitment to the University of New Mexico and has his focus on winning the State Championship for the La Cueva Bears.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>    Despite missing almost two full games this season, [player_tooltip player_id='137861' first='Aden' last='Chavez'] is still in my conversation for the Gatorade Player of the Year. Even after missing the season opener and most of the game last week vs Volcano Vista, Aden still ranks 4th in New Mexico in terms of passing yardage. He has thrown for 1,966 passing yards and leads the state with a ridiculous 393 passing yards per game. His 17 touchdown passes is still inside the top 10 and had led the Cibola Cougars to a 6-0 record through the first seven weeks of the season. He led three fourth quarter comeback wins this season vs West Mesa, Farmington and Los Lunas. When he was o the field, you could never count on the Cougars with his clutch ability late in games.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>    [player_tooltip player_id='269571' first='Elliot' last='Paskett-Bell'] from Volcano Vista has been one of the most valuable players in New Mexico this season. He is a dual threat quarterback that can dominate you through the air and on the ground. His play has helped the Volcano Vista Hawks currently stand at 6-2 this season through eight games. Elliot has thrown 1,929 passing yards which is in the top five in New Mexico and ran for 635 rushing yards which is 4th among quarterbacks running the football. He has thrown 20 passing touchdown passes and rushed for 9 touchdowns this season. His play this season has made him an unquestioned top five quarterback in New Mexico.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>    If I could describe [player_tooltip player_id='139521' first='Evan' last='Wysong'] from the Cleveland Storm, I'd say the one word that fits him is "winner". He is the ultimate competitor and a great leader for the defending 6A football state champions. Evan is often the best athlete on the field and is just as dangerous running the football as he is passing the football. Thier famous line, "Protect The Tradition" is all [player_tooltip player_id='139521' first='Evan' last='Wysong'] has done in his career for the Storm. The team currently is 5-2 this season and is the #1 ranked team in New Mexico thanks again to his elite playmaking. Most of his numbers have increased across the board from his junior year including his passing yards per game, passing touchdowns, rushing yards per game and quarterback passer rating. This season he currently ranks 9th in passing yards, 5th in passing touchdowns and 6th in rushing yards among quarterbacks. Their is a reason why he is a current UNM Lobos Commit.    [player_tooltip player_id='137885' first='Paul' last='Cieremans'] the 5A State Champion from Los Lunas High School should be in the Gatorade Player of the Year conversation. He is another dual-threat quarterback that is explosive in the passing and running game. Paul is a strong armed quarterback that can push the ball down field and put pressure on opposing defenses. What makes [player_tooltip player_id='137885' first='Paul' last='Cieremans'] a matchup nightmare is that he is a bigger and strong QB that is incredibly tough to bring down in the open field. Los Lunas has had an up and down season but look like their starting to figure it out now during district. [player_tooltip player_id='137885' first='Paul' last='Cieremans'] will be a huge X-Factor in this team's playoff aspirations.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>    When your arguably the best running back in the state, your going to find yourself in the conversation for many awards and accolades. [player_tooltip player_id='138204' first='Josh' last='Perry'] has been brilliant for the Storm this season and is responsible for a lot of the team's success this year. Through seven games, this team is 5-2 and the #1 ranked team in New Mexico once again. Josh has ran for 1,036 rushing yards which ranks 4th in New Mexico, ran 14 rushing touchdowns which is tied for 9th in New Mexico and is averaging over 7 yards per carry. He is averaging 148 rushing yards per game and is a fun running back to watch this year.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>    [player_tooltip player_id='137923' first='Malachi' last='Thymes'] from Sandia High School is a machine. He is very capable of taking over a football game by himself and he's done that plenty of times this year for the Matadors. [player_tooltip player_id='137923' first='Malachi' last='Thymes'] is averaging a mind-blowing 158.8 rushing yard per game on 7.28 yards per carry. In five games posted on "MaxPreps", it shows [player_tooltip player_id='137923' first='Malachi' last='Thymes'] has run for 794 rushing yards which is 10th in New Mexico and 14 rushing touchdowns. When the team updates his performances from the last two weeks, he's probably somewhere inside the top 5 or top 3 in rushing. He runs the football hard and when he breaks a few tackles, he doesn't look back. [player_tooltip player_id='137923' first='Malachi' last='Thymes'] gives the Matadors a chance to compete every weekend and you can't say that about too many players.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>    Anyone who isn't a fan of La Cueva's [player_tooltip player_id='270020' first='Ian' last='Sanchez'], isn't a true fan of football. [player_tooltip player_id='270020' first='Ian' last='Sanchez'] reminds me a lot of former New England Patriots WR; Julian Edelman". The reason for that comparison is because Ian is always consistent and reliable especially in the biggest moments of the game. It's also because they both wear the jersey number 11 I might add. But seriously, [player_tooltip player_id='270020' first='Ian' last='Sanchez'] doesn't make a lot of noise and isn't your typical Diva WR. In a recent interview with him, all he cares about is winning and doing whatever is required for the team. Even as a humble WR, he has that dog in him on the field. Ian leads the state of New Mexico with 988 receiving yards and 60 receptions. He also ranks 2nd with 10 touchdown receptions. He is easily in the conversation for the GPOY.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>    [player_tooltip player_id='139523' first='Nic' last='Trujillo'] is without the doubt the most complete wideout in New Mexico. Their is a reason why he committed to UNM last year as a junior but that didn't stop him from taking his game to another level this year. After a conversation with him earlier in the season from one of his dominant performances, he told me "I got to keep proving myself". He is never satisfied and is always looking to get better everyday. Nic has had some games this year where he is just off the charts. He has been dominant catching the football from teammate [player_tooltip player_id='139521' first='Evan' last='Wysong'] as well as returning punts/kickoffs for touchdowns this season. Nic is currently 4th in New Mexico in terms of yardage with 864 receiving yards, on just 40 receptions with about 21 yards per reception. He has ran away leading the state with 16 touchdown receptions and is 6 ahead of the next closest WR. It's time for everyone in New Mexico to give this man the respect he has earned and deserves.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>    [player_tooltip player_id='269529' first='Branden' last='Castillo'] from Cibola High School is a true #1 Wide Receiver that is in the discussion for being the best Wideout in the State of New Mexico. When you look at his numbers, that will back up his argument. He only trails La Cueva WR [player_tooltip player_id='270020' first='Ian' last='Sanchez'] for the second most receiving yards in NM with 943, he also ranks 2ns with 57 receptions and has grabbed 8 touchdowns receptions. [player_tooltip player_id='269529' first='Branden' last='Castillo'] leads the state with over 157 receiving yards per game and has been a huge problem for secondary's all season long.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>

The Gatorade State Player of the Year award winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: Athletic Excellence - Standout performance in their respective sport made at the high school, club, national or international levels of competition. Academic Achievement - Review of GPA and class rank, as well as SAT and ACT scores, and academic honors distinctions. Exemplary Character - Commitment to sportsmanship, character and community through membership and participation in positive activities. With three weeks left in the regular season for high school football in New Mexico, we look at players who are making a strong case for the Gatorade Player of the Year award in 2022 so far this season.