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<p>For any quarterback, becoming a member of the 1,000 yard rushing-1,000 yard passing club is a prestigious honor. Last year, quarterbacks such as [player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'] (La Cueva) and [player_tooltip player_id='613184' first='Isaiah' last='Ocampo'] (Socorro) were two of the few QBs in the state to have 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards passing in the same season. Here are five candidates to join the club in 2024 (listed in alphabetical order):</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano'], Rio Rancho</strong>: When fully healthy, Arellano is very capable of joining the 1,000-1,000 club, especially when you combine his passing stats from 2023 (1,716) and his rushing stats from 2022 (610 yards in 9 games). Arellano will be the No. 1 guy in 2024, so the prediction here is he will join the club. New Mexico Highlands has offered.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='837197' first='Ryan' last='Alfaro'], Deming</strong>: Alfaro came THIS close to joining the 1,000-1,000 club with 944 yards rushing and 952 yards passing while accounting for 27 TD in 2023. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Alfaro is an easy choice.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613746' first='Zaiden' last='Davis'], Centennial</strong>: As the old saying does, when the door for one player closes due to injury, another one opens for another. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Davis replaced Hawks starter [player_tooltip player_id='340297' first='Daniel' last='Hernandez'] in mid-October and promptly threw for over 500 yards and rushed for over 800 in just four games. If he does that over the course of an entire season, his numbers will be electric. He's also a power lifter and runs track. Rare combination of size, speed and strength at the QB postion.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615560' first='Jesse' last='James Gonzales'], Robertson</strong>: The Cardinals' RB turned QB is another one who came close in 2023. He threw for almost 1,300 yards, so he surpassed one of the two numbers. He rushed for 917 yards. Another easy choice to get there in 2024. Hey, the guy with the coolest name in NM high school football has to do it, right?</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137846' first='Nicholas' last='Vierra'], Santa Teresa</strong>: Just a sophomore, Vierra is probably not well known outside of his hometown because Santa Teresa struggled last season with a very young team. But he was the third leading sophomore rusher in the entire state with 544 yards and the ninth leading sophomore passer with 790 yards. Santa Teresa should be improved in 2024, which could boost Vierra's numbers. Right now, Vierra is a hidden gem. </p>
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<p><strong>Received Consideration</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='853710' first='Evan' last='Salazar'] (Taos); [player_tooltip player_id='1137124' first='RJ' last='Montoya'] (Hope Christian); </p>
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