Predicting Every Team’s 2023 MVP: Class 5A (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The start of the 2023 New Mexico high school football season is still 4 months away but it's always the right time to begin talking about some of the key players in the fall. We're going to go out on a limb and predict each team's MVP. We've already done Class 6A and now we tackle Class 5A, which has 16 teams. Here's Part 1, with the first eight schools listed in alphabetical order:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Los Alamos: [player_tooltip player_id='590222' first='Melaki' last='Gutierrez'], WR</strong>. When you're one of the fastest players in the entire state of New Mexico, you're going to make an impact. Gutierrez is a strong contender for the ‘King of Speed' crown, running the 100 in under 11 seconds. We're going to see Gutierrez run past defensive backs all season long. If Los Alamos can get him the ball, their offense could be dynamic.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manzano: [player_tooltip player_id='590676' first='Eli' last='Darnell'], LB</strong>. Darnell was a tackling machine for the Monarchs as a junior in 2022, finishing with 105 tackles and 3 QB hurries. Darnell earned 5A All-State Honorable Mention honors. If the Manzano offense generates some points, the Monarchs should be improved in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mayfield: [player_tooltip player_id='590675' first='Bobby' last='Herrera'], LB</strong>. Herrera was one of Mayfield's defensive leaders in 2022, often topping the Trojans in tackles. He had 15 tackles in one game alone against Goddard. Herrera earned Class 5A Second-Team All-State honors, the lone Mayfield players to be honored by the NMHSCA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miyamura: [player_tooltip player_id='275121' first='Dylan' last='Joines'], QB/LB</strong>. On a senior-dominated team, Joines stood out as a junior for the Patriots in 2022. He led Miyamura in tackles (64), tackles for loss (11.0) and sacks (4.5), adding two forced fumbles. Joines is destined to become one of the key leaders for Miyamura in 2023 with so many new players. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Piedra Vista: TBA</strong>. After reaching the Class 5A state championship game last November, Piedra Vista is losing nearly all of its major offensive and defensive contributors from last season to graduation, some of whom have signed to play at the next level. So, who will step up? We'll start to get some answers this summer during preseason camp. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roswell: [player_tooltip player_id='340165' first='Bryce' last='Sanchez'], RB</strong>. We could have picked either Sanchez or QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='425194' first='Manny' last='Fuentez']</strong> for this spot. Roswell loves to run the football, a strategy that paid off handsomely with back-to-back 5A titles in 2018 and 2019. Sanchez was one of the Coyotes' featured backs last season as they reached the 5A semifinals, rushing for 883 yards and 12 TD on 160 carries. He has been invited to Junior Day by Eastern New Mexico.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Santa Teresa: Jack Bumgardner, QB</strong>. Bumgardner is a dual threat quarterback who led the Desert Warriors (one of the best team nicknames in NM High School FB) to the 5A playoffs in 20922. He threw for 700 yards and ran for over 500 yards. Bumgardner will need to boost his production to make up for the loss of 1,000-yard rusher [player_tooltip player_id='543989' first='Angel' last='Gutierrez']. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley: [player_tooltip player_id='615626' first='Julian' last='Butkivich'], QB</strong>. Valley surprised many folks in 2022 by finishing with a solid 8-4 record and earning a home game in the first round of the playoffs. Butkivich had a lot to do with the Vikings' success by passing for 1,330 yards and 20 TD. Butkivich and RBs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592353' first='Tazhe' last='Wilson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590712' first='Charles' last='Lopez-Burton'] </strong>will be a highly productive offensive backfield for Valley. Lopez-Burton has been a weight room warrior in the off-season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MelakiGutierrez/status/1645875352940744708","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MelakiGutierrez/status/1645875352940744708 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/eli_darnell/status/1620193588444553217","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/eli_darnell/status/1620193588444553217 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BryceSanchez_/status/1628122474545303552","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BryceSanchez_/status/1628122474545303552 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->