The Fantastic Forty: Top Performers of Week 5
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Week 5 of the 2023 New Mexico High Schol Football season is in the books. Here’s our list of the week’s top performers (in alphabetical order), something we’re calling the Fantastic Forty: Anthony Audette Anthony Audette 5'10" | 170 lbs…
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Continue ReadingWeek 5 of the 2023 New Mexico High Schol Football season is in the books. Here’s our list of the week’s top performers (in alphabetical order), something we’re calling the Fantastic Forty:
Anthony Audette Anthony Audette 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Alamogordo | 2024 State NM , Alamogordo: The Tigers traveled to El Paso, TX to square off with Riverside in Week 5. Audette carried the Alamogordo offense with 188 rushing yards and 2 TD on 21 carries in the Tigers’ 35-28 loss.
Elijah Barber Elijah Barber 5'8" | 155 lbs | DB Manzano | 2024 State NM , Manzano: Rushed for 145 yards on 22 carries in Manzano’s 42-31 loss at Santa Fe.
Elijah Brody Elijah Brody 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB West Mesa | 2024 State NM , West Mesa: Brody keeps building his 2023 New Mexico Heisman credentials with one stellar performance after another. In Week 5, Brody rushed for 7 TD and passed for another in the Mustangs’ 74-36 victory over Atrisco Heritage. West Mesa ran the ball at will against the Jaguars, amassing 542 yards on the ground. Brody had 230 of those yards.
McKay Burtenshaw, La Cueva: Burtenshaw intercepted two passes for La Cueva in the first half as the Bears’ stout defense shut down the Los Lunas offense in a convincing 45-6 victory.
Joshua Calhoon Joshua Calhoon RB Estancia | 2024 State NM , Estancia: The state’s top rusher had 255 yards on the ground as Estancia walloped Hagerman, 53-0. Calhoon has 171+ yards rushing in all 5 games this season. He has 1,086 rushing yards, putting him on pace for 2,000 by the end of the regular season.
Owen Callaway Owen Callaway 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Hobbs | 2024 State NM , Hobbs: Hobbs needed a win desperately when they traveled to Rio Rancho to face the Rams. A power outage forced the game to be played at Cleveland HS but the Eagles got what they wanted: 24-21 win. Callaway completed 18-of-32 passes for 294 yards and 2 TD.
Ealan Clayton Ealan Clayton 5'8" | 150 lbs | LB Lovington | 2024 State NM , Lovington: The Wildcats’ senior DB had a season high 18 tackles and 1 QB hurry in Lovington’s 51-48 road win at Denver City (TX).
Ethan Conn Ethan Conn 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Artesia | 2025 State NM , Artesia: Conn was virtually unstoppable against the Cleveland defense with 9 receptions for 195 yards and 1 TD in the Bulldogs’ thrilling 36-34 victory.
Adrick Deleon, Espanola Valley: The Sundevils crushed Gallup, 58-0, as Deleon rushed for 182 yards on just 6 carries. Deleon has reached triple digits in all five games this season.
Cameron Dyer Cameron Dyer 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2025 State NM , La Cueva: Dyer led La Cueva’s rout of Los Lunas by passing for 193 yards (16-27) and 1 TD and rushing 5 times for 72 yards and 2 TD. He totaled 265 yards.
Mason Espinda-McChriston Mason Espinda-McChriston 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Bernalillo | 2024 State NM , Bernalillo: Espinda-McChriston proved again in Bernalillo’s hard-fought 14-7 victory over Moriarty that he’s one of the best two-way players in the state, Espinda-McChriston caught two TD passes + a 2-point conversion + made 13 tackles on defense with 3 TFL and 1 sack. Through 5 games, he has 21 receptions for 400 yards and 7 TD on offense and 69 tackles (12 TFL) on defense.
Nye Estrada Nye Estrada 5'10" | 170 lbs | QB Artesia | 2024 State NM , Artesia: The potent Artesia offense was hitting on all cylinders in the Bulldogs’ 36-34 victory over Cleveland. Estrada, now in his second season as Artesia’s starting QB, completed 28-of-38 passes for 367 yards and 2 TD. He appears to be well on his way to 3,000 passing yards as a senior.
Alex Fuentes Alex Fuentes 5'11" | 145 lbs | RB Texico | 2025 State NM , Texico: The Wolverines lost to border rival Farwell (TX) but Fuentes rushed for 142 yards on a workhorse 33 carries.
Manny Fuentez, Roswell: The senior QB for the Coyotes threw for 252 yards and 4 TD, completing 75 percent of his passes, in Roswell’s 41-7 victory over Carlsbad. Unbeaten Roswell is now ranked No. 2 in the MaxPreps state poll behind only Artesia.
Jykub Gage Jykub Gage 5'10" | 140 lbs | RB Santa Rosa | 2024 State NM , Santa Rosa: Gage and RB Nicolas Chavez Nicolas Chavez 5'9" | 150 lbs | RB Santa Rosa | 2024 State NM are a formidable offensive combination for the Lions. Gage had 154 yards rushing and 77 yards passing in Santa Rosa’s 40-0 victory over Tucumcari.
Jett Galles Jett Galles RB Albuquerque Academy | 2025 State NM , Albuq. Academy: Galles has emerged this season as an elite running back. Saturday, he rushed for 158 yards on 21 carries to lift the Chargers past Capital, 20-14.
Wyatt Gomez Wyatt Gomez 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Lovington | 2024 State NM , Lovington: The Wildcats’ senior QB threw for 352 yards and 5 TD in a wild 51-48 road win at Denver City (TX). In 5 games, Gomez has passed for 1,467 yards and 19 TD.
Alijah Gonzales Alijah Gonzales 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM , Volcano Vista: Gonzales continued his outstanding season with 187 rushing yards and 2 TD on 25 carries in a bounce back 30-14 victory for the Hawks. Per MaxPreps, Gonzales is the state’s 4th leading rusher with 780 yards, putting him on pace for close to 1,500 rushing yards during the regular season.
Trel Griego Trel Griego 6'3" | 225 lbs | QB Farmington | 2024 State NM , Farmington: The Scorpions won their second straight game by shutout as Griego threw for 300+ yards and 5 TD in a mercy-rule 50-0 victory over Albuquerque High. Farmington will be tested in Week 6 when they travel to Rio Rancho to face the Rams.
Jeremiah Jaquez Jeremiah Jaquez 5'8" | 145 lbs | WR Hobbs | 2024 State NM , Hobbs: The Rio Rancho secondary had few answers on how to stop Jaquez, who finished with 7 receptions for 132 yards and 1 TD in the Eagles’ 24-21 victory. Jaquez has 33 receptions at the halfway point of the season.
Andres Lazos Andres Lazos 5'4" | 125 lbs | RB Grants | 2025 State NM , Grants: The Pirates junior RB led the way in Grants’ 35-18 road win at Hope Christian by rushing for 145 yards on 20 carries and contributing 7 tackles on defense.
Alejandro Lopez, Highland: Lopez was the defensive star in Highland’s 54-32 win over Del Norte as he finished with 20 tackles on defense + 91 passing yards and 159 rushing yards and 3 rushing TD on offense.
Bryle Matthews Bryle Matthews 6'0" | 215 lbs | RB Kirtland Central | 2025 State NM , Kirtland Central: The Broncos traveled to Albuquerque on Saturday and trounced Rio Grande, 57-6. Matthews had 6 carries for 83 yards, 2 receptions for 63 yards and scored 3 TD. He totaled 173 yards on 9 touches. Matthews has scored 10 TD this season, tying him for 4th most in the state.
Zane Mayberry Zane Mayberry 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Portales | 2024 State NM , Portales: Portales is a very good football team on both sides of the ball. In a 41-0 victory over St. Pius X, Mayberry had 135 receiving yards, an 88-yard kickoff return for a TD and 233 all-purpose yards.
Jacob Mattorano Jacob Mattorano 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Raton | 2024 State NM , Raton: The Tigers cruised past Escalante, 33-8, as Mattorano threw for 244 yards and 2 TD, both to WR Matthew Munoz.
Elijah Melancon Elijah Melancon 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Eunice | 2026 State NM , Eunice: Melancon surpassed 1,000 yards passing for the season by throwing for 250 yards and 3 TD in a wild 44-43 loss to Dexter. It was Eunice’s first loss of the season.
Adrian Munoz Adrian Munoz 5'9" | 150 lbs | QB Gadsden | 2025 State NM , Gadsden: The Panthers rolled to their fourth victory of the season as they defeated Organ Mountain, 40-7. Munoz passed for 251 yards and 3 TD in support of a strong running game with a pair of 100-yard rushers.
Amiri Mumba Amiri Mumba 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Highland | 2025 State NM , Highland: Highland posted its first win of the season in Week 5as Mumba rushed for 210 yards on 21 carries in a 54-32 victory over Del Norte. He added 4 tackles on defense.
Isaiah Ocampo Isaiah Ocampo 5'10" | 150 lbs | QB Socorro | 2025 State NM , Socorro: A coach’s son, Ocampo is the Warriors quarterback. He had 200 yards passing and 94 yards rushing in Socorro’s close 28-27 victory at Miyamura.
Brandon Olivas Brandon Olivas 5'10" | 160 lbs | QB Eldorado | 2024 State NM , Eldorado: Olivas led one of the greatest comebacks in recent memory as Eldorado trailed by 29 points at halftime before rallying for a 64-56 shootout win over Clovis. Olivas passed for 318 yards and 4 TD to spark the comeback.
Kash Roberts Kash Roberts 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Clovis | 2024 State NM , Clovis: The Wildcats lost a wild 64-56 shootout to Eldorado on Saturday but Roberts and Jett Stone Jett Stone 5'8" | DB Clovis | 2024 State NM had spectacular performances. Roberts rushed for 220 yards and 3 TD as Clovis totaled 439 yards on the ground on 50 rushing attempts. Stone had 180 rushing yards.
Kaleb Rodriguez Kaleb Rodriguez 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Loving | 2024 State NM , Loving: Rodriguez carved up the Mescalero Apache defense by completing 17-of-23 passes for 216 yards and 3 TD with zero interceptions in the Falcons’ 53-6 win.
Bryce Sanchez Bryce Sanchez 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Roswell | 2024 State NM , Roswell: Roswell’s rushing attack ranks among the best in the state. Sanchez rushed for 242 yards on a workhorse 29 carries in Roswell’s 41-7 win over Carlsbad.
Marcus Sharp Marcus Sharp 6'2" | 205 lbs | RB West Mesa | 2024 State NM , West Mesa: Sharp had a key role in West Mesa’s impressive ground game display against Atrisco Heritage with 208 rushing yards on 17 carries. Sharp and Elijah Brody Elijah Brody 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB West Mesa | 2024 State NM combined for 438 rushing yards and 9 TD on 33 carries.
Demarcus Thompson, Lovington: Thompson had an outstanding all-around game in Lovington’s 51-48 road win at Denver City (TX). Offensively, he caught 7 passes for 157 yards and 3 TD. Defensively, he made 10 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 forced fumble and 1 blocked punt.
Cohen Tomasits Cohen Tomasits 6'0" | 160 lbs | RB NMMI | 2025 State NM , NMMI: Tomasits rushed for a season-high 156 yards in NMMI’s 41-8 victory over Hot Springs.
Tydon Tsosie Tydon Tsosie 5'9" | RB Crownpoint | 2024 State NM , Crownpoint: Rushed for 117 yards and 1 TD in Crownpoint’s 12-6 win over Newcomb. He finished with 140 total yards.
Daniel Villegas Daniel Villegas 5'8" | RB Valencia | 2024 State NM , Valencia: After winning just four games a season ago, the Jaguars are 3-1 and Villegas has been the sparkplug. He rushed for 172 yards and 2 TD on 22 carries in Valencia’s 51-13 win at Santa Teresa.
Cannon Walton Cannon Walton 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Raton | 2025 State NM , Raton: Just like his older brother Cayden (now with New Mexico Highlands), Walton is an outstanding two-way player for the Tigers. Against Escalante, he had 61 yards rushing, 1 reception and 11 tackles on defense with an interception and forced fumble.
Brody Whitaker Brody Whitaker 5'11" | 235 lbs | LB Albuquerque Academy | 2024 State NM , Albuq. Academy: Whitaker had 10 tackles, 4 TFL and 1 sack in the Chargers’ 20-14 home victory over Capital. Through 5 games, Whitaker has 62 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 4 sacks and 1 fumble recovery.
Eljan Woods Eljan Woods 5'7" | 145 lbs | RB Eunice | 2025 State NM , Eunice: Woods is tracking to eclipse 1,300 rushing yards during the regular season. He had 178 yards rushing (2nd most this season) and 3 TD in the 44-43 loss to Dexter.
Kyler Young Kyler Young 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Los Alamos | 2024 State NM , Los Alamos: The Hilltoppers defense is the major reason Los Alamos is undefeated after 5 games. Young had 12 tackles and 2 forced fumbles in a 45-7 victory over local rival Pojoaque Valley.