2024 Season Primer: Questions and Answers (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The start of the 2024 New Mexico high school football season is just days away. Here is Part 2 of your season primer to help get you ready for kickoff in Week 1, which begins Thursday night and continues Friday and Saturday with many fascinating non-district matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Who will compete with St. Michael's for the Class 3A title?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Michael's has appeared in the last three Class 3A state championship games and the Horsemen enter the 2024 season as the reigning title holders. Many of its many contributors from last season are back, again making St. Michael's one of the favorites to reach Thanksgiving weekend. The Horsemen have senior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119628' first='Reed' last='Bass']</strong>, who could split time with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600843' first='Kamal' last='Stith']</strong>, a deep RB corps, good receivers and a solid offensive line. Defensively, St. Michael's has next level talent at defensive end (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155019' first='Ryan' last='Hunt']</strong>) and linebacker (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137830' first='Pete' last='Johnson']</strong>). Their primary competition includes rival Robertson, which has exciting QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615560' first='Jesse' last='James Gonzales']</strong>, RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594850' first='Paul' last='Duran']</strong> and WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615590' first='Nathaniel' last='Gonzalez']</strong>. Don't count out West Las Vegas, either as the Dons have exceptionally talented QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615555' first='CJ' last='Perea']</strong>. Dexter comes into the season as one of the most intriguing 3A teams, especially offensively. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155032' first='CJ' last='Granados']</strong> and RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119136' first='Julian' last='Manzanares']</strong> are a dynamic duo. Cobre advanced to the semifinals last season but lose a lot of talent and face a rebuilding year. Socorro has dynamic dual threat QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613184' first='Isaiah' last='Ocampo']</strong> and a talented group of receivers. NMMI made the semifinals in 2023 and returns both its QB and #1 RB. The duo of RB/LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119512' first='Orrin' last='Russell']</strong> and WR/DB &nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854307' first='Demarcus' last='Alaniz']</strong> give Hatch Valley hope. Hope Christian moves into District 3A-2 and have enough talent to make things interesting. Pojoaque Valley and Hot Springs are improving. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Which player will score the most touchdowns in 2024?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just three of last season's Top 10 highest touchdown producers return in 2024. One of them is Artesia RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118283' first='Frankie' last='Galindo']</strong>, who was a TD machine for the Bulldogs last season with 30 total TD (25 rushing, 5 receiving). He'll get plenty of chances to find the end zone again this season. The second is La Cueva QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer']</strong>, who rushed for 23 TD, including two long runs in the 6A championship game. &nbsp;The third is Dexter RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119136' first='Julian' last='Manzanares']</strong>, who had 23 TD and scored five different ways. Albuquerque Academy RB/WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119328' first='Jett' last='Galles']</strong> is coming off a season in which he scored 22 TD. Deming QB [player_tooltip player_id='837197' first='Ryan' last='Alfaro'] had 19 rushing TD in 2023. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Is Texico destined to repeat as Class 2A champions?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Texico's could be dominant in the trenches, which is where everything starts in football. The Wolverines rolled to the Class 2A title in 2023. New QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1343408' first='Bennett' last='Wahlen']</strong> is a promising newcomer with good accuracy and a strong arm. If the HUGE O-Line protects him, he could have a big year. Eunice has played in five of the last six Class 2A championship games, and the Cardinals could return there behind prolific passing QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854273' first='Elijah' last='Melancon']</strong>, who has already thrown for over 4,700 yards and still has two years left to play. One thousand yard rusher [player_tooltip player_id='615650' first='Eljan' last='Woods'] is back as well. Jal won the Class 2A title in 2022 and should continue their recent surge (30-6 in last three season). Loving and Tularosa could challenge the Big Three in District 2A-3. Perhaps the most intriguing storyline in 2A this season is the addition of Raton, which competed well in 3A but declining enrollment numbers forced the move. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613159' first='Cannon' last='Walton']</strong>, younger brother of the state's all-time leading rusher, Cayden Walton, will be the Tigers QB. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Is this the Year of the Quarterback in Class 6A?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes. Two quarterbacks have already committed to FBS schools: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'] </strong>(La Cueva) to Arizona State and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613746' first='Zaiden' last='Davis']</strong> (Centennial) to New Mexico State. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853029' first='Gunnar' last='Guardiola']</strong> (Las Cruces) has been offered by Western New Mexico. Several quarterbacks have firmly established themselves as their team's starter: <strong>Jordan Hatch</strong> (Cleveland), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano']</strong> (Rio Rancho), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119623' first='Ilijah' last='Hansen']</strong> (Volcano Vista), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1021201' first='Landon' last='Griego']</strong> (Atrisco Heritage) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119650' first='Kason' last='Perez']</strong> (Carlsbad). Six-foot-2, 195-pound <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119255' first='Brock' last='Beaty']</strong> gets the promotion from backup to starter at Hobbs. He showed during 7x7 season that he has a strong and accurate throwing arm, and should have a big senior season. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595714' first='Waylon' last='Schake']</strong> has been named Farmington's starting QB. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis']</strong> will start at QB for Sandia as they hope to again earn a top four seed. Several other teams are still deciding on starting QBs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Will we see a team from Las Cruces in the Class 6A state championship game for the first time since 2016?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you ranked the teams in Class 6A, Centennial and Las Cruces would both likely be in the top four. Both teams possess potentially explosive offenses led by QBs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613746' first='Zaiden' last='Davis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853029' first='Gunnar' last='Guardiola']</strong>. Both teams have exceptional receivers. Centennial's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='280925' first='Jordan' last='Lucas']</strong> and the Bulldawgs duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615455' first='Nate' last='Libby']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142363' first='Francisco' last='Winnikoff']</strong> are three of the best receivers in the state. Both teams have reliable and productive running backs. The Bulldawgs' tough, physical RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137388' first='Daniel' last='Amaro']</strong> is one of the top ball carriers in the state. Centennial's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='837060' first='Rudy' last='Rios']</strong> is coming off an injury but went into last season as the No. 1 RB for the Hawks. Both teams have excellent offensive lines. And both teams have solid defenses with plenty of elite athletes on that side of the ball. Circle Nov. 1 on your calendar. Las Cruces and Centennial battle in the final regular season game at Field of Dreams. The district title could be on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Who will make the most tackles in 2024?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Numerous defenders with 100+ tackles return in 2024 led by Portales LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613053' first='Manny' last='Chavez']</strong>, who had 151 tackles in 2023 to push his career total to 385. Portales' defense will again be nasty. Who's the second leading returning tackler? Goddard LB [player_tooltip player_id='1137457' first='Taylen' last='Payne'], who had 150 stops for the Rockets last season. He was impressive at the Prep Redzone Combine. Underrated Chaparral DL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120809' first='Manny' last='Rodriguez']</strong> had 141 tackles last season but few people seemingly noticed outside of his hometown because his team struggled. Incredibly, Rodriguez wasn't named to the All-State team despite his lofty numbers. Behind those two are linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119266' first='Tristan' last='Davis']</strong> (Hobbs), <strong>Zach Sander</strong> (Aztec), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854199' first='Hayes' last='Baum']</strong> (Cibola) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853756' first='Mario' last='Molinar']</strong> (Bernalillo). <strong>Zachary Waghorn</strong> made 120 tackles for Albuquerque Academy last season and will be the Chargers' defensive leader in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PeteJohnson44/status/1805268372604567592","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/PeteJohnson44/status/1805268372604567592 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/cj_granados10/status/1811975326123327511","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/cj_granados10/status/1811975326123327511 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/juicemanzanares/status/1726635843325182267","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/juicemanzanares/status/1726635843325182267 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/kasonperez18/status/1824179815571918962","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/kasonperez18/status/1824179815571918962 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->