10 Players Proving Worthy Of Greater Attention

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After 3 weeks of action, here are 10 players who were flying under the radar when the season started but have proven worthy of greater attention:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nicholas Angelley, St. Michael's</strong>: The Horsemen, defending 3A champions, have usually had a solid defense and 2024 is no different as they have allowed just 3 points in 3 games. Angelley didn't garner a lot of preseason publicity but he's tied for the team lead in tackles with 35 along with 4.0 TFL, 1 INT and 1 fumble recovery. St. Michael's will be tested this week by Albuquerque Academy's potent passing attack. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600876' first='Braddock' last='Beaty'], Hobbs</strong>: The younger brother of Hobbs QB [player_tooltip player_id='1119255' first='Brock' last='Beaty'], Braddock is beginning to turn heads with his pass-catching abilities. After 3 games, he leads the Eagles in receiving yards (185) and yards per&nbsp; reception (14.2) and is tied for most TD receptions with 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369761' first='William' last='Braun'], Albuquerque Academy</strong>: If you haven't heard of Albuquerque Academy's new sophomore QB, you will soon. Braun won the job over the summer and he's off to a scorching start with 934 passing yards and 9 TD while completing 68.5 percent of his throws in 3 games. He has yet to throw an interception. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599893' first='Joseph' last='Duran'], Bernalillo</strong>: Duran transferred to Bernalillo prior to the 2023-24 academic year but he wasn't allowed to play varsity last year due to transfer rules. As a result, we didn't know much about him beyond 7x7 season. He's been one of the Spartans' top receivers in the first three games with 8 receptions for 145 yards and 3 TD, an average of 18.1 yards per catch. He stretches defenses with his speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600953' first='Zach' last='Friberg'], Ruidoso</strong>: It's been a difficult year for Ruidoso on and off the field. Friberg, although largely unheralded, has been the leader of the Warriors defense with 31 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in 3 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266996' first='Carlos' last='Garcia'], Miyamura</strong>: The Patriots suffered a major blow before the season started when [player_tooltip player_id='851890' first='Taye' last='Silversmith'] suffered a season-ending knee injury. But Garcia has tried to fill the void, amassing 18 tackles, 4 sacks and 2.5 TFL in 3 games. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brig Keiser, Piedra Vista</strong>: Keiser entered the season as one of the most underrated running backs in the state. He enjoyed a slid 2023 campaign but went largely unnoticed. This season, he has 456 rushing yards and 4 TD in just three games, putting him on pace for a 1,500-yard rushing season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595671' first='Landon' last='Noble'], Newcomb</strong>: The Skyhawks are 3-0 and appear to be the team to beat in District 2A-1. Noble has been front and center in Newcomb's power rushing attack with 544 rushing yards and 7 TD on 106 carries, most in the state by a wide margin. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594033' first='Jamari' last='Phillips-Woods'], West Mesa</strong>: The Mustangs are 2-0 in the post-Elijah Brody Era with a strong ground game and a massive and much improved offensive line deserving of the credit. We didn't hear much about Phillips-Woods in the offseason but through 2 games he has 291 rushing yards and 3 TD. West Mesa's next 3 games are against Volcano Vista, Los Lunas and La Cueva. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Probably the best example so far this season of the ‘Where Did This Guy Come From?' player. Takahashi began the season as Rio Rancho's backup QB, but injuries at the RB position soon thrust him into that role. Through 3 games, he's the Rams leading rusher. Solid outing against Las Cruces last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->