The Biggest X-Factors In The First Round Of The 6A Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2022 New Mexico High School Football State Playoffs kicking off this Friday Night, we take a look at the first four first round matchups in the 6A Class. This article will breakdown the X-Factors in each playoff matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#5 Volcano Vista vs #12 Atrisco Heritage</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274709' first='Alijah' last='Gonzales']</strong> RB "Volcano Vista"- The junior RB comes into this game as a huge X-Factor because of his importance in Volcano Vista's offense. He is able to run the football as a true workhorse and his ability to catch passes in the backfield. Expect [player_tooltip player_id='274709' first='Alijah' last='Gonzales'] to receive a lot of touches vs Atrisco Heritage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='269622' first='Nathan' last='Wallin']</strong> LB "Volcano Vista"- The captain of that Volcano Vista defense has had an amazing senior season for the Hawks. He is more than capable of reading offenses and taking over a game by himself from the linebacker position. He is the type of player that every offensive coordinator needs to game plan for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274705' first='Marquise' last='Renfro']</strong> RB/WR "Atrisco Heritage"- The emerging star for the Jaguars is the key if they are looking to pull off an upset victory vs Volcano Vista. He is a dual-threat on offense running the football and catching the football. His ability to make defenders miss tackles and gain extra yards is one of his best traits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>#6 Rio Rancho vs #11 Alamogordo</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>JJ Arellano</strong> QB "Rio Rancho"- The sophomore QB will be making his playoff debut vs Alamogordo this Friday Night in a home game at Rio Rancho High School. Despite being a first year varsity QB, he has accepted the challenge of putting the team on his back at times this year. This will be a big game for JJ as he looks to cement his status as the Rams Quarterback of the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='269511' first='Chris' last='Montoya']</strong> LB "Rio Rancho"- Rams Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='269511' first='Chris' last='Montoya'] is in the top tier of defensive players in New Mexico. He will always find a way to impact the game and put his fingerprints in the biggest games. His leadership and communication is what separates him from other Linebackers. Chris is the heart and soul of the Rams without question as he looks to make one last run for a State Championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>#7 Farmington vs #10 Carlsbad</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274791' first='Trel' last='Griego'] </strong>QB "Farmington"- Scorpions QB [player_tooltip player_id='274791' first='Trel' last='Griego'] will arguably be the best player on the field in his playoff game vs Carlsbad in the First Round. His ability to be a dual-threat QB is what makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He's an elusive QB that is difficult to bring down that gives his squad the best opportunity to win games like these. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>#8 Cibola vs #9 Los Lunas</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138099' first='NICHOLAS' last='TORRES']</strong> FS/RB "Los Lunas"- The Los Lunas State Champion will make an impact on both sides of the football field this weekend. The teams season started to turn itself around after a slow start once everyone got healthy and when [player_tooltip player_id='138099' first='NICHOLAS' last='TORRES'] got more opportunities to run the football. Defensively he is a ball-hawk and can change the momentum of game in the blink of an eye. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='269529' first='Branden' last='Castillo']</strong> WR "Cibola"- The Cibola WR was the third leading receiver in New Mexico in terms of yardage during the regular season. With the injury to his Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='137861' first='Aden' last='Chavez'], it will be extra important to get [player_tooltip player_id='269529' first='Branden' last='Castillo'] involved early. He will be more than a handful for defenses and can change the landscape of this game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator -->