The Nifty Fifty: Top Performers In First Playoff Round

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who were some of the standout performers in the First Round of the 2024 high school football playoffs? We've listed them by alphabetical order:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137388' first='Daniel' last='Amaro'], Las Cruces</strong>: Scored 4 TD, including one on a 30-yard screen pass in the final seconds of the first half, to lead the Bulldawgs past West Mesa at Field of Dreams. Amaro's 4 Td cam from 1, 1, 8 and 30 yards out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Arellano is an elite dual threat QB and he showed off his skills against Sandia by throwing for 193 yards and 3 TD and rushing for 162 yards and 3 TD on just 8 carries. Accounted for 6 TD. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119255' first='Brock' last='Beaty'], Hobbs</strong>: The Eagles' QB threw for 154 yards and 2 TD while rushing for 125 yards on 9 carries to finish with 279 total yards as Hobbs beat Eldorado at Wilson Stadium. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615565' first='Ondalis' last='Cardenas'], Lovington</strong>: &nbsp;Rushed for 180 yards and 2 TD on 11 carries as Lovington stuck mainly to the ground in their home win over Goddard &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119266' first='Tristan' last='Davis'], Hobbs</strong>: Made 15 tackles with 1.0 TFL and 1 QB hurry in the Eagles' win over Eldorado. Davis has double digit tackles in 9 of Hobbs' 11 games this season, and currently has 148 tackles on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259079' first='Jacob' last='Diaz'], Hobbs</strong>: Sparked the Hobbs' defense with 12 tackles and a team-high 4.0 TFL as the Eagles beat Eldorado.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gustavo Diaz-Castro, Hobbs</strong>: Made 15 tackles with 1.0 TFL in Hobbs' win at Eldorado. He now has 136 tackles on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854303' first='Aaron' last='Eliserio'], Chaparral</strong>: Caught a 90-yard TD pass from QB Isaiah Nieto for the only TD of the game in Chapparal's impressive road shutout win at Portales.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119597' first='Kyle' last='Evenhus'], Los Alamos</strong>: Completed 17-of-22 passes for 186 yards and 1 TD in Los Almos' win over Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854297' first='Tristin' last='Fernandez'], Grants</strong>: In addition to passing for 115 yards and rushing for 45 yards, Fernandez made a team-high 10 tackles on defense with 3.0 TFL. He's been a two-way standout all season for the Pirates. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119224' first='Luis' last='Gomez'], Eunice</strong>: 60-yard punt return for TD in Eunice's mercy-rule win over Laguna-Acoma. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amasi Griego, Piedra Vista</strong>: Just a sophomore, he scored 2 TD in Piedra Vista's close loss at Los Lunas to go along with 100+ yards rushing and 50+ yards receiving. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Antonio Griffith, Los Alamos</strong>: Made 10 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 sack and 1 INT &nbsp;in the Hilltoppers' win over Valley. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853029' first='Gunnar' last='Guardiola'], Las Cruces</strong>: Completed 9-of-12 passes for 149 yards and 2 TD in the Bulldawgs' convincing win over West Mesa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615689' first='Trenton' last='Hall'], Ruidoso</strong>: Made 11 tackles and 1.0 TFL with 1 pass defended in Ruidoso's loss at West Las Vegas. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604744' first='Jordan' last='Herrera'], Los Alamos</strong>: Rushed for 138 yards and 2 TD on 23 carries as the Hilltoppers beat Valley for the second time this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>J'den Howard, Los Lunas</strong>: 5 receptions for 87 yards and 1 TD in the Tigers' win over Piedra Vista.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LeVaughn Jim, Navajo Prep</strong>: Caught 3 TD passes for the Eagles in their win over McCurdy in Farmington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853064' first='Devaughn' last='Kensey'], West Las Vegas</strong>: 5 receptions for 89 yards and 1 TD in WLV's win over Ruidoso.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caleb Lewis, Las Cruces</strong>: Scoop-and-score fumble return for a TD against West Mesa. Part of a swarming defense that didn't allow West Mesa to cross midfield until late in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1257289' first='Luke' last='Linnan'], Mayfield</strong>: The Trojans QB accounted for 3 TD in Mayfield's big win over Belen. He threw 2 TD passes and ran 35 yards for another score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Justin Madrid, Mayfield</strong>: Scored 3 TD in Mayfield's lopsided 53-7 victory over Belen – 2 rushing and 1 on Pick-6 interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604768' first='Santino' last='Mares'], Valencia</strong>: Made 2 interceptions in Valencia's one-point win over Moriarty in a high-scoring duel, including the game-clinching pick with less than a minute left. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615687' first='Gage' last='Marquez'], Los Lunas</strong>: Scored 2 TD (including go ahead score midway through the 4Q) and blocked the potential game-winning FG with about a minute left to help the Tigers slip past Piedra Vista.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Johnny Martinez, Highland</strong>: Finished the road win at Miyamura with 7 tackles, 2.0 TFL and 1.5 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599942' first='Leonard' last='Martinez'], Espanola Valley</strong>: Rushed for the Sundevils' first TD of the game in their hard-fought victory over Manzano.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613708' first='Maddox' last='Mata'], Eunice</strong>: 6 receptions for 190 yards and 3 TD in Eunice's rout of Laguna-Acoma. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1258904' first='Samuel' last='McCargish'], NMMI</strong>: Had 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes defended and 1 forced fumble in NMMI's decisive win over Hot Springs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854273' first='Elijah' last='Melancon'], Eunice</strong>: Completed 12-of-18 passes for 295 yards and 4 TD as the Cardinals overwhelmed Laguna-Acoma. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594702' first='Boudy' last='Melonas'], Grants</strong>: Amassed 263 total yards in Grants' win over Silver, including a 97-yard kickoff return for a TD, plus FOUR interceptions and 6 passes defended on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615425' first='Amiri' last='Mumba'], Highland</strong>: Despite being slowed by injuries at times this season, Mumba has been fantastic for the Hornets. He rushed for 251 yards and 2 TD on a workhorse 31 carries to lift Highland past Miyamura on the road. ighland past Miyamura. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594603' first='Jaylon' last='Newburn'], Portales</strong>: Made 10 tackles, 3.0 TFL and 1 sack in loss to Chaparral.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119659' first='Xavier' last='Nez'], Navajo Prep</strong>: Leading Navajo Prep to its first playoff win in 11 years, Nez completed 18-of-20 passes for 262 yards and 5 TD as the Eagles rolled past McCurdy in a high-scoring affair in Farmington. Also rushed for 83 yards and 2 TD. Accounted for 7 TD as Navajo Prep put up 54 points. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615555' first='CJ' last='Perea'], West Las Vegas: </strong>Pera is now one of only 10 quarterbacks in state history to throw for 8,000+ yards in their careers. Pera was 12-of-18 passing for 145 yards and 1 TD in a win over Ruidoso, Perea now has 8,025 career passing yards. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259000' first='Jace' last='Pitt'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Caught 3 TD passes – one for 62 yards and another for 59 yards - from QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano']</strong> in Rio Rancho's convincing win over Sandia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137465' first='Kyler' last='Reaves'], Lovington</strong>: Had a 49-yard Pick-6 Interception return for a TD in Lovington's win over Goddard + 6 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853015' first='Alex' last='Rivera'], Lovington</strong>: The junior OL had 8 pancake blocks in Lovington's win over Goddard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marius Sanchez, McCurdy:</strong> Returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a TD to get McCurdy on the board quickly against Navajo Prep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118377' first='Patrick' last='Sanchez'], Lovington</strong>: &nbsp;Made 7 tackles with 3.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 QB hurry and 1 forced fumble in the Wildcats' win over Goddard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787798' first='Mario' last='Santiago'], Valencia</strong>: The sophomore DB made the tackle on Moriarty's two-point conversion try with about 3 minutes remaining to preserve Valencia's 1-point lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595788' first='Nehemiah' last='Simpson'], Navajo Prep</strong>: Rushed for 122 yards on 12 carries in the Eagles' win over McCurdy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599923' first='Michael' last='Storms III'], Valencia</strong>: Rushed for 3 TD as the Jaguars held off Moriarty for a thrilling win Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615662' first='Ethan' last='Tafoya'], West Las Vegas</strong>: Passed 69 yards for a TD on a flea flicker, rushed 12 times for 92 yards and caught 2 passes for 49 yards in WLV's win over Ruidoso. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594258' first='Chase' last='Terrell'], Lovington</strong>: Helped spark the Wildcats' defense with 2.5 TFL and 1 sacks in the win over Goddard. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119319' first='Cohen' last='Tomasits'], NMMI</strong>: Rushed for 97 yards and 2 TD on 7 carries in NMMI's win over Hot Springs. Also caught a 43-yard pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600859' first='Sean' last='Torres'], Miyamura</strong>: Rushed for 140 yards on 25 carries in Miyamura's loss to Highland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854298' first='Ashdyn' last='Urban'], Ruidoso</strong>: Made 14 tackles with1.0 TFL and 1 forced fumble in Ruidoso's loss at West Las Vegas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672745' first='Juan' last='Urquizo'], Chaparral</strong>: 10 carries for 91 yards in Chaparral's road win at Portales.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613159' first='Cannon' last='Walton'], Raton</strong>: Walton, the younger brother of Cayden Walton, the state's all-time leading rusher, had one of the best games of his career Monday as Raton beat Jal, 41-12. Walton raced 65 yards for a TD early in the game before adding a 77-yard TD run later in the first quarter. He had a 30-yard TD run in the second quarter to give Raton a 21-6 halftime lead. In the second half, he scored on a 2-yard run and threw a 39-yard TD pass to [player_tooltip player_id='1119115' first='Wyatt' last='Berry'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">Playoff win vs Miyamura<a href="https://t.co/tzWiCooHUP">https://t.co/tzWiCooHUP</a><br>251 rushing yds<br>2 tds<a href="https://twitter.com/HHS_HornetsFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HHS_HornetsFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachLovato?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachLovato</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a></p>&mdash; amiri mumba (@kklyps) <a href="https://twitter.com/kklyps/status/1855438614085120051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First week of Playoffs Highlights✅<br>7/13 193 Passing Yards 3 Tds<br>162 Rushing Yards 8 Att 3 Tds <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/natemp83?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@natemp83</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_SRamirez?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_SRamirez</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SR_GriegoV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SR_GriegoV</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DrudikJd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrudikJd</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/thatchercoach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thatchercoach</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachKelleyLee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKelleyLee</a> <a href="https://t.co/ldn0M65wCY">https://t.co/ldn0M65wCY</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano'] (@j1arellano) <a href="https://twitter.com/j1arellano/status/1855362041193828440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/yvs8uWnSBv">https://t.co/yvs8uWnSBv</a><br>Junior Season Highlights 2024 <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LCHSFOOTBALL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LCHSFOOTBALL</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='853029' first='Gunnar' last='Guardiola'] (@GunnarGuardiola) <a href="https://twitter.com/GunnarGuardiola/status/1856108447252492647?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SIGHTS &amp; SOUNDS: Recap and extensive video from Saturday&#039;s Class 4A 1st Round Playoff game between Manzano and Espanola Valley. It was a tough, physical contest. Also have video from other games (thank you NMAA!) and Best of Social Media.<br> <a href="https://t.co/4w6wgJ5kh2">https://t.co/4w6wgJ5kh2</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EVHSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EVHSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/R97hiAi4M0">pic.twitter.com/R97hiAi4M0</a></p>&mdash; Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1855465964264886477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Playoffs week 1 highlight💪🏼🙏🏼<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AGTG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AGTG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/natemp83?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@natemp83</a> <a href="https://t.co/ssQFGXo5G4">https://t.co/ssQFGXo5G4</a></p>&mdash; Jack Warble (@Fb78Warble) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fb78Warble/status/1855343685799494077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->