City Series: Top Running Backs In Albuquerque Metro For 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue our ‘City Series' by taking a look at the top running backs in the Albuquerque Metro Region, including those on the rise:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TOP FIVE</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615425' first='Amiri' last='Mumba'], Highland</strong>: After rushing for 1,847 yards in 2023, Mumba enters the new season as the established No. 1 RB in the Albuquerque Metro Area. He's a physical back with the speed to get around the corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119328' first='Jett' last='Galles'], Albuquerque Academy</strong>: The most appropriately named RB in the Albuquerque Metro area. Galles' speed allowed him to rush for over 1,000 yards in just 9 games for the Chargers in 2023. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1258989' first='Caedon' last='Kamplain'], Moriarty</strong>: When you're the leading rusher on a team that prides itself on getting as many RBs involved as possible, you know you're pretty good. The Pintos look to bounce back in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cheeto Lumbrera, La Cueva</strong>: Lumbrera is arguably the most fun RB to watch in the Albuquerque Metro area. He took over as the Bears' No. 1 RB in the middle of the season and quickly grabbed the opportunity. He should be dynamic with a full season as the starter. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611120' first='Juan' last='Munoz'], Cleveland</strong>: Munoz transferred to Cleveland from Capital prior to last season and played mostly on defense before an injury ended his season. He was an outstanding ball carrier for Capital in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ON THE RISE</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118277' first='Damian' last='Avila'], Belen</strong>: With leading rusher Derian Rodriguez graduating, Avila gets his opportunity to be the No. 1 RB for the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1258916' first='Jonathan' last='Chavez'], Albuquerque High</strong>: He had the most carries of any Bulldog in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emi De La Torre, Los Lunas</strong>: The Tigers' leading rusher in 2023, he could become a 1,000-yard rusher in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854302' first='Justin' last='Duran'], Manzano</strong>: Duran will be a junior in the fall and he looks to take on a larger role in the Monarchs' offense. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cyruize Galbreath, Sandia</strong>: second most carries for the Matadors in 2023. Can they repeat the magic of 2023?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1257357' first='Mason' last='Gurule'], Volcano Vista</strong>: Looks to be the successor to [player_tooltip player_id='274709' first='Alijah' last='Gonzales'] at RB for the Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595752' first='Aidan' last='Harrington'], Valenci</strong>a: He looks to replace a 1,000-yard rusher – [player_tooltip player_id='1103800' first='Daniel' last='Villegas'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615452' first='Mason' last='Hohsfield'], Hope Christian</strong>: Hopes to become the Huskies' No. 1 rusher with Elijah Saiz graduating. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266534' first='Alberto' last='Landeros'], Albuquerque High</strong>: Landeros and Chavez should prove to be a very productive RB duo for the Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154954' first='Hershul' last='Olloway Jr.'], St. Pius X</strong>: Just a rising sophomore, Olloway is a player to watch over the next three years. The St. Pius program is on the rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605046' first='Zachary' last='Perez']-Verdeja, Valley</strong>: Another promising rising sophomore. One to watch for the Vikings, who must replace ENMU signee [player_tooltip player_id='590712' first='Charles' last='Lopez-Burton'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1237979' first='Daniel' last='Quinones'], Eldorado</strong>: Recruiting-wise, Quinones is enjoying a fantastic off-season. He should be Eldorado's No. 1 RB in 2023. Also a very good receiver. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590582' first='Isaiah' last='Quintana'], Eldorado</strong>: The third promising rising sophomore on this list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Rolon, Rio Rancho</strong>: Rolon succeeds [player_tooltip player_id='590563' first='Rayce' last='Ramirez'] as the Rams' #1 RB. QB [player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano'] and Rolon gives Rio Rancho a potentially dynamic offensive backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155069' first='Kevin' last='Yescas'], Albuquerque High</strong>: Yes, Albuquerque High has a bunch of young, talented RBs. Yescas had 35 carries as a freshman in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/kklyps/status/1735137638573830414?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/kklyps/status/1735137638573830414?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/hot_cheeto_abq/status/1732065432348016834?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/hot_cheeto_abq/status/1732065432348016834?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/vvhsfootball/status/1727143835795681755?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/vvhsfootball/status/1727143835795681755?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/25DanielQ/status/1738759633463091456?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/25DanielQ/status/1738759633463091456?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->