Predicting Every Team's 2023 MVP: Class 6A (Part 2)

<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, beginning with Class 6A, which has 22 teams. Here's Part 2, with the schools listed in alphabetical order:</p>   <p><strong>Hobbs: Zaeden McPherson (LB) and [player_tooltip player_id='1103266' first='Cameron' last='Hernandez'] (LB)</strong>. The Eagles' linebacker duo promises to be one of the best in the state in 2023. McPherson averaged more than 10 tackles per game in 2022, finishing with 113 along with 4 TFL, 3 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries. Hernandez was quietly sensational as a junior OLB in 2022 with 78 tackles, 12 TFL and 15 QB hurries. He wreaked havoc in opposing backfields all season long and should do the same in 2023.  </p>   <p><strong>La Cueva: [player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'] (QB)</strong>. The Bears are reloading for another run at the Class 6A title, and the multi-talented Dyer could get them to Thanksgiving weekend. He filled numerous roles in 2022 and now he gets to succeed New Mexico signee Aidan Arment at QB. The Dyer-<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274790' first='Jackson' last='Hix']</strong> combination will give defensive backs fits all year long. Dyer is visiting UNLV this weekend. 2025 OLB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611083' first='Mason' last='Posa']</strong> should be one of the best defensive players in the state next season. He has already been offered by New Mexico. 2025 LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611069' first='Nick' last='Mertz']</strong> is pretty good too.</p>   <p><strong>Las Cruces: [player_tooltip player_id='340292' first='Kash' last='Alley'] (DL)</strong>. With a fierce quarterback battle brewing and a new RB, the Bulldawgs might have to lean on a solid defense in 2023, and few are better at his craft than Alley. He's been an elite defensive lineman for some time now, earning Second-Team All-State DL honors in 2022. </p>   <p><strong>Los Lunas: [player_tooltip player_id='274794' first='Jasiah' last='Baca'] (OL)</strong>. Baca is our No. 1 offensive line prospect for the 2024 class after earning Second-Team All-State honors and First-Team All-District at center in 2022. Eastern New Mexico has expressed interest. DL/LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615687' first='Gage' last='Marquez']</strong> would have been an excellent choice as well.</p>   <p><strong>Organ Mountain: Logan Tarango (QB)</strong>. The Knights endured a challenging season in 2022 with the passing of popular senior RB Abraham Romero and several close losses (four by 7 points or less). The No. 1 job of new head coach Kenneth Sanchez, who led Las Vegas, NV powerhouse Bishop Gorman to four straight state titles from 2015-18, is to get organ Mountain back on track. Tarango will help him get there.  </p>   <p><strong>Rio Rancho: [player_tooltip player_id='590563' first='Rayce' last='Ramirez'] (RB)</strong>. Even though Rio Rancho's ground game took a slight step backwards in 2022 following the graduation of New Mexico signee Zach Vigil, Ramirez was solid as a junior by rushing for 736 yards and 5 TD on 148 carries last season. The Rams quarterback position will feature a spirited battle between [player_tooltip player_id='274972' first='Noah' last='Nelson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano']. Until that question is answered, Ramirez is the guy. Eastern New Mexico has expressed interest.    </p>   <p><strong>Rio Grande: Zavien Carreon (QB)</strong>. The rising senior is one of a group of players Rio Grande is hoping will lead the Ravens back to football prominence. Competing as an independent in Class 6A, the Ravens won two games last year over Del Norte and Shiprock.</p>   <p><strong>Sandia: [player_tooltip player_id='590743' first='Jacob' last='Adcox'] (WR)</strong>. The Matadors have large shoes to fill on offense with the graduations of dynamic RB [player_tooltip player_id='137923' first='Malachi' last='Thymes'] and OL Franklin Finch (ENMU signee). Adcox will be counted on to spark the offense. He had a good season as a junior, earning Second-Team All-District honors.</p>   <p><strong>Santa Fe: Bryce Melson (WR)</strong>. The Demons' offense is looking for a bolt of energy after struggling mightily in 2022 (6 shutout losses; 8 games with 8 or fewer points) and Melson could be the guy to provide it. Melson's greatest asset is his speed as he runs the 100 in sub-11 seconds. If Santa Fe can find a quarterback to get him the ball consistently, Melson will be a handful for opposing defensive backs in 2023.     </p>   <p><strong>Volcano Vista: [player_tooltip player_id='274709' first='Alijah' last='Gonzales'] (RB)</strong>. Gonzales is one of several Hawks we could have chosen. 2024 LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590651' first='Hunter' last='Martinez']</strong> is coming off an 83-tackle season and he'll be the leader of the Volcano Vista defense. Gonzales had nearly 700 rushing yards and 36 receptions in 2022, one season after making 81 tackles defensively. So, Gonzales has proven he can play at an elite level on both sides of the ball.      </p>   <p><strong>West Mesa: [player_tooltip player_id='275488' first='Elijah' last='Brody'] (QB)</strong>. An easy choice. Brody won't just be the best player on West Mesa, he's a legitimate contender for the 2023 New Mexico Heisman. As a junior in 2022, Brody threw for 2,454 yards and 29 TD while rushing for 765 yards and 15 TD, making him one of the most dangerous dual threat QBs in the state. He accounted for over 3,200 yards and 44 TD in 2022. New Mexico has offered. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Zaeden1313/status/1590523562334781440 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JEBACA53/status/1606068307307597824?s=20 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/OrganMountainFB/status/1572438317534420993?s=20 </div></figure>   <p> </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/2xRayce/status/1596926628629663744 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/elijahobrody/status/1588678434997374976 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/camdyer7/status/1603400340421967875?s=20 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/44_atrain/status/1642967779430268929 </div></figure>

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, beginning with Class 6A, which has 22 teams. Here's Part 2, with the schools listed in alphabetical order: