City Series: Top Wide Receivers in Southern NM for 20024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The calendar has turned to April and we're about 4-1/2 months from kickoff of the 2024 season. We continue our ‘City Series' by taking a look at the top wide receivers in southern New Mexico, including those on the rise:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TOP SIX</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118257' first='Ethan' last='Conn'], Artesia</strong>: Conn emerged as one of the top wide receivers in the state last season as he helped the Bulldogs capture another Class 5A championship. He had close to 60 receptions for nearly 900 yards. Even with a new quarterback in 2024, Conn likely won't miss a beat. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137096' first='Jay' last='Lee'], Socorro</strong>: In terms of number of receptions and total yardage, Lee was the No. 1 sophomore receiver in the state in 2023, finishing with 60 receptions for 944 yards and 13 TD. He'll be a key part of what should be a prolific Socorro offense in 2024. Also an outstanding pole vaulter. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615455' first='Nate' last='Libby'], Las Cruces</strong>: The duo of Libby and [player_tooltip player_id='1142363' first='Francisco' last='Winnikoff'] (see below) was one of the state's best in 2023. Both receivers along with starting QB [player_tooltip player_id='853029' first='Gunnar' last='Guardiola'] are back in 2024. Libby had 63 receptions for 1,089 yards last season, including 10 receptions for 150+ yards and 2 TD in the quarterfinal playoff win over rival Centennial. Offered last June by New Mexico Highlands.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='280925' first='Jordan' last='Lucas'], Centennial</strong>: AS we've said in the past, Lucas is a camp warrior who is constantly looking to perfect his craft. Those efforts are paying off&nbsp; as he had over 40 receptions in 2023 and college coaches are showing keen interest. He recently visited Davidson College in Charlotte, NC for Junior Day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137867' first='Elijah' last='Rivero'], Lovington</strong>: Rivero will have a new quarterback throwing him the ball in 2024,&nbsp; but he should build on an outstanding sophomore season in which he caught 54 passes for 823 yards and 8 TD. He earned First-Team All-District honors as a slot receiver and kick returner. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Francis Winnikoff, Las Cruces</strong>: A rising junior, Winnikoff has excellent size (6-1) and speed (4.6 in the 40). He used those attributes to catch 55 passes for 983 yards and 9 TD in 2023. Together, Winnikoff and [player_tooltip player_id='615455' first='Nate' last='Libby'] will be dynamic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ON THE RISE</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854307' first='Demarcus' last='Alaniz'], Hatch Valley</strong>: He was the Bears' leading receiver as a sophomore in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119114' first='Alex' last='Amaro'], Socorro</strong>: Between Amaro, [player_tooltip player_id='1137096' first='Jay' last='Lee'] (see above) and QB [player_tooltip player_id='613184' first='Isaiah' last='Ocampo'], the Warriors will have one of the most dangerous passing attacks in Class 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137066' first='Robert' last='Castaneda'], Carlsbad</strong>: Led the Cavemen with 39 receptions for 622 yards and 8 TD as a sophomore in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D'Shawn Franklin, Hobbs</strong>: 24 receptions for 394 yards and 5 TD in 2023. He could be Hobbs' No. 1 WR in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615685' first='Ashton' last='Garcia'], Hot Springs</strong>: Garcia led the Tigers in receiving in every major category in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119120' first='Kaesn' last='George'], Dexter</strong>: The Demons' leading receiver in 2023 is back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119224' first='Luis' last='Gomez'], Eunice</strong>: Gomez (39 receptions in 2023) and [player_tooltip player_id='613708' first='Maddox' last='Mata'] (42 receptions) will form a nice WR duo for prolific QB [player_tooltip player_id='854273' first='Elijah' last='Melancon'].  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Michael Gonzales, Alamogordo</strong>: Alamogordo's top returning WR with 26 receptions in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155065' first='Tyvin' last='Howard'], Chaparral</strong>: A 6-foot-2, 180-pound rising sophomore, Howard showed last season he has a bright future. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594674' first='Tommy' last='Lopez'], Portale</strong>s: The Rams' top 3 receivers graduate, so Lopez ascends to the No. 1 role for 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613708' first='Maddox' last='Mata'], Eunice</strong>: See [player_tooltip player_id='1119224' first='Luis' last='Gomez'] above.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119699' first='Zakk' last='Minjarez'], Gadsden</strong>: After leading the Panthers in receptions a season ago, Minjarez is primed for another big year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119692' first='Ulysses' last='Montes'], Santa Teresa</strong>: 38 receptions in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137875' first='Tristen' last='Onsurez'], Loving</strong>: Nearly 40 receptions as a sophomore in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christopher Orozco, Gadsden</strong>: Averaged almost 18 yards per reception in 2023. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavier Perez, Organ Mountain</strong>: He'll help spark the Organ Mountain passing game in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1750777' first='Kolby' last='Sanchez'], Roswell</strong>: An intriguing newcomer to the WR position for the Coyotes. Expectations are high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259007' first='Ian' last='Sandoval'], Carlsbad</strong>: Excellent intermedia range WR for the Cavemen in 2023. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137882' first='Ralph' last='Silva'], Centennial</strong>: A rising junior, Silva emerged last season as an outstanding receiver for the Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137119' first='Luke' last='Thompson'], Texico</strong>: One of the top young receivers in Eastern New Mexico. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Jordan_Lucas_07/status/1774207495042425135","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/Jordan_Lucas_07/status/1774207495042425135 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Sisco2x__/status/1732106312534700259","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/Sisco2x__/status/1732106312534700259 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/lvtwildcatsfb/status/1729376719448985849","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 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/natelibby_3/status/1732557596815741238","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/natelibby_3/status/1732557596815741238 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->