Who’s preparing for new quarterbacks in 2024?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even after consecutive Class 5A state championships, Artesia head coach Jeremy Maupin isn't afraid to try something new.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first time in about two decades, Artesia will employ a dual threat quarterback in 2024 after years of producing prolific pocket passers, including [player_tooltip player_id='590681' first='Nye' last='Estrada'], who graduates in May after throwing for over 6,000 yards and 76 TD passes in two years as the Bulldogs' starter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Artesia's new quarterback entering the offseason is rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119239' first='Izac' last='Cazares']</strong>, who displayed his versatile skills in 2023 by rushing and catching the football while also serving as Artesia's backup QB. Cazares had the second most carries of any Artesia RB behind <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118283' first='Frankie' last='Galindo']</strong> and had the second most receptions behind <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118257' first='Ethan' last='Conn']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Izac is going to be a very good quarterback for us next season,” Maupin told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “But he's a lot different from Nye. He played slot this year and we put him in the backfield for some different packages. But don't get fooled. He can sling the rock. He's definitely a dual threat guy. It's going to be fun to have him (playing QB) next season.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maupin said Cazares will be Artesia's first dual threat quarterback since about 2001.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's been a long time,” Maupin said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some other teams preparing for new quarterbacks in 2024:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LOVINGTON</strong>: Rising senior <strong>Mathew Prudencio</strong> and rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137475' first='Jayden' last='Gutierrez']</strong> will compete this offseason to replace [player_tooltip player_id='275459' first='Wyatt' last='Gomez'], who was sensational in his only year directing the Wildcats offense and led the Lovington to the 4A title with a near flawless performance in the playoffs. Gutierrez was a Second Team All-State safety for the Wildcats and also played slot receiver. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HOBBS</strong>: The new quarterback for the Eagles will likely be either this past season's backup <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119255' first='Brock' last='Beaty']</strong> (653 passing yards + 7 TD) or rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137893' first='Javen' last='Hernandez']</strong>, who played mostly defensive back in 2023 with 47 tackles and 3 INT. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ROSWELL</strong>: Coyotes coach Jeff Lynn said three players will compete to replace [player_tooltip player_id='425194' first='Manny' last='Fuentez'] at QB – rising senior <strong>Jacob Palomino</strong>, rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1750685' first='Luke' last='Lynn']</strong> and rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594254' first='Andrew' last='Padilla']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SANTA FE</strong>: Demons head coach Andrew Martinez that three quarterbacks will compete to replace Michael Abeyta – rising sophomore <strong>Izaiah Juarez</strong>, rising senior <strong>Jeremiah Larranga</strong> and rising junior <strong>Jose Rivera</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/artesiafootball/status/1728591758391672876?s=20","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/artesiafootball/status/1728591758391672876?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>     </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->