Updated 2026 Rankings: New Additions (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We released our updated 2026 Rankings on Monday. In the first of a series, Here are 10 New Additions (listed in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137388' first='Daniel' last='Amaro'], Las Cruces</strong>: If you saw Amaro run the football against La Cueva in the Class 6A semifinals, you understand why he's ranked as the #1 running back in our updated 2026 rankings. He's fearless, tough and physical. He scored on a 42-yard run out of the Wildcat against the Bears. Between Amaro and QB [player_tooltip player_id='853029' first='Gunnar' last='Guardiola'], the Bulldawgs are set at QB and RB for the next two years. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137075' first='Lucas' last='Basile'], Hot Springs</strong>: As one of the defensive leaders for improving Hot Springs, Basile had a team-high 60 tackles for the Tigers as a sophomore. All four of the Tigers' leading tacklers are back in 2024, so Hot Springs has the pieces for significant improvement. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137066' first='Robert' last='Castaneda'], Carlsbad</strong>: Transitioning to more of a balanced attack under first-year head coach Cale Sanders, the Cavemen threw the ball a lot more in 2023 compared to the previous season. Castaneda benefitted from the new strategy, catching 39 passes for 622 yards and 8 TD. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137830' first='Pete' last='Johnson'], St. Michael's</strong>: St. Michael's, the reigning Class 3A champion, is renowned for its physical style of play on both sides of the ball. Defensively, the Horsemen get after you. Johnson led St. Michael's with 76 tackles, 10.0 TFL and 3 INT. Johnson could be the Class 3A Preseason Defensive Player of Year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137096' first='Jay' last='Lee'], Socorro</strong>: Lee and Warriors QB [player_tooltip player_id='613184' first='Isaiah' last='Ocampo'] formed one of the most dynamic QB-WR duos in Class 3A this past season with Lee recording a team-high 60 receptions for 944 yards and 13 TD. Lee, Ocampo and 2^nd leading receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1119114' first='Alex' last='Amaro'] all return in 2024. Socorro's offense will be dynamite in 2024. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137088' first='Kaiden' last='Reese'], Los Lunas</strong>: Reese served as the Tigers backup QB and No. 2 RB this past season, throwing for 218 yards and 4 TD while rushing for 465 yards on 44 carries. Reese will likely have a larger role in the Los Lunas offense in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137867' first='Elijah' last='Rivero'], Lovington</strong>: Lovington had arguably the most prolific passing attack in southern New Mexico in 2023 and Rivero played a large role as a sophomore with 54 receptions for 823 yards and 8 TD. He also served as one of Lovington's primary kick returners. He earned First-Team All-District honors as a WR and KR.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137829' first='Enrique' last='Sena'], Dexter</strong>: Sena was one of the best players in Class 3A in 2023 in terms of wreaking havoc in the offensive backfield. He had over 20 tackles for loss. Nearly one-half of his total tackles resulted in lost yardage. He also had almost 20 QB hurries. Sena is already an elite defender with two years ahead of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137084' first='Daymion' last='Urioste'], Tucumcari</strong>: Urioste is probably one of the most underrated offensive talents in the entire state. He had 44 receptions &nbsp;and 5 TD in 2023. Tucumcari showed significant improvement in 2023 and with so many key players returning next season the Rattlers could compete for the District 2A-2 crown. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137080' first='Ryan' last='Williams'], Albuquerque Academy</strong>: Williams played both sides of the football for the Chargers in 2023, rushing for 165 yards, catching 3 passes and playing linebacker. Academy will be counting on Williams to take his game to the next level in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/lvtwildcatsfb/status/1729376719448985849?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/lvtwildcatsfb/status/1729376719448985849?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->