Next Man Up: Biggest Shoes To Fill (Part 2)
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We recently published Part 1 of our series, “Biggest Shoes To Fill’ in the 2023 New Mexico high school football season. Here’s Part 2: Cleveland QB: It’s the No. 1 question for the No. 1 high school football team in…
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Continue ReadingWe recently published Part 1 of our series, “Biggest Shoes To Fill’ in the 2023 New Mexico high school football season. Here’s Part 2:
Cleveland QB: It’s the No. 1 question for the No. 1 high school football team in New Mexico. Who replaces two-time State Player of the Year and soon-to-be Lobo Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM at quarterback for the Storm? It won’t be easy. In fact, it’s going to be challenging. In two championship-winning seasons for the Storm, Wysong threw for 3,791 yards and 47 TD while rushing for 2,276 yards and 30 TD. Impressive numbers.
Only one other true quarterback attempted a pass for Cleveland last season, freshman (2026) Jordan Hatch. He saw most of his action for the JV team and did attempt 5 passes for the varsity in 2022. However, by the time preseason camp arrives in July, he should have plenty of contenders for one of the highest profile positions in NM high school football.
Hatch Valley RB: Who was the No. 3 leading rusher in the state last season behind Cayden Walton Cayden Walton 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Raton | 2023 State NM and Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM ? Hatch Valley’s Layton Gillis Layton Gillis 5'8" | 150 lbs | RB Hatch Valley | 2023 State NM , who recently committed to NMMI. Gillis had 1,741 yards on 280 yards, second most in the state behind Walton. Gillis was a physical, tough runner. Who replaces him? Most likely, Bears coach Louis Howell will take a committee approach with several running backs under consideration – 2024 Frank Angel, 2024 Jacob Gomez Jacob Gomez 5'10" | 170 lbs | QB Hatch Valley | 2024 State NM , 2024 Javier Pacheco and 2026 David Dumas.
Lovington QB: In 26 career games for Lovington, Ashton Aranda Ashton Aranda 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Lovington | 2023 State NM threw for over 4,100 yards and 49 TD as the Wildcats starting QB, including the Class 4A title in 2021. Some Wildcat fans probably presume rising senior Wyatt Gomez Wyatt Gomez 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Lovington | 2024 State NM will just into the starting job and everything will be fine. But Lovington head coach Anthony Gonzales has other ideas, telling Prep Redzone New Mexico, “Every position on our team in our program is a competition everyday.” At a blueblood program like Lovington, everything is earned, nothing is given. So, Gomez will face competition from three young signal callers – 2025 Patrick Sanchez Patrick Sanchez 6'1" | 170 lbs | DL Lovington | 2025 State NM , 2025 Matthew Prudencio and 2026 Jayden Gutierrez Jayden Gutierrez 5'8" | 160 lbs | DB Lovington | 2026 State NM . Sanchez started at safety for the Wildcats last season as a sophomore.
Silver RB/DE: The Class 4A runners-up face major questions of succession at TWO positions. At running back, the Colts had a three-headed monster in 2022 with Aidan Granado Aidan Granado 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Silver | 2023 State NM leading the way with 900 rushing yards on 103 carries. Ricky Vasquez (526 yards) and Mason Lockett Mason Lockett 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Silver | 2023 State NM (586) were also major contributors to Silver’s vaunted ground attack. However, all three were seniors in 2022. Who gets to carry the ball in 2023? Rising sophomore Michael Jimenez has loads of potential with rising seniors Ezekiel Torres and Jose Parra also expected to be part of the equation. Silver runs the Wing-T offense with three running backs on nearly every play.
At defense end, Reuben Holguin Reuben Holguin 5'11" | DL Silver | 2023 State NM led the state in sacks with 14.5 to go long with 80+ tackles and 20.5 tackles for loss. Replacing those numbers will be difficult. In fact, Silver’s entire defensive line graduates this spring (Silver had 21 seniors in 2022), so the Colts will have an entirely new defensive front in 2023. Jimenez will get a look at defensive end. Right now, Silver head coach Jerome Ortiz plans to take a look at several players to fill the spot, but will wait to see who emerges over the summer.