Top Storylines for 2025: Class 6A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been nearly four months since the 2024 state championship games were played Thanksgiving weekend. Some teams have already started offseason workouts. Here are 8 storylines in Class 6A for the 2025 season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who's The Best Quarterback?</strong> Right now, it's probably a two-man race between <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851873' first='Jordan' last='Kekoa Hatch']</strong> of Cleveland and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853029' first='Gunnar' last='Guardiola']</strong> of Las Cruces. Both are going into their third seasons as the starting QB for their respective schools. Hatch, of course, led Cleveland to the state title last November. He had a remarkable season under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Heath Ridenour, throwing for 2,271 yards, 29 TD and just 2 interceptions. His completion percentage improved by about seven points over 2023. Guardiola threw for 2,069 yards and 19 TD as a junior in 2024 and led the Bulldawgs to the 6A semifinals for the second straight year. Both Hatch and Guardiola are leading New Mexico Heisman contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who's the Best Running Back?</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137388' first='Daniel' last='Amaro']</strong> of Las Cruces rushed for 1,297 yards and 23 TD for the Bulldawgs in 2024, nicely complementing Guardiola's passing acumen. Amaro is stocky, strong and fearless. He runs through defenders. He's the clear No. 1 RB in 6A heading into the 2025 season. Looking for a darkhorse candidate? Cleveland RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600936' first='Samuel' last='Bustillos']</strong> could be your guy. With the Storm's top two rushers graduating, Bustillos will compete for the No. 1 RB job. He rushed for nearly 600 yards, 10 TD and averaged 11.6 yards per carry in 2024. Hobbs RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604984' first='Shamus' last='Wright']</strong> is a potential 1,000-yard rusher after carrying 95 times for 639 yards and 5 TD as a sophomore in 2024. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who's The Best Wide Receiver?</strong> Again, we have a battle between players from Cleveland and Las Cruces. Storm WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851903' first='Jacob' last='Maldonado']</strong> and Bulldawgs WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142363' first='Francisco' last='Winnikoff']</strong>&nbsp; are the top two returning pass catchers in Class 6A. Both are extremely athletic. Maldonado had 50 receptions for 918 yards and 11 TD in 2024, while Winnikoff had 51 receptions for 781 yards and 5 TD. Per MaxPreps, Maldonado and Winnikoff are the only two returning 6A receivers with 50 or more receptions last season. Close behind them is Carlsbad's underrated WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137066' first='Robert' last='Castaneda']</strong>, who had 48 receptions for 711 yards and 12 TD in just 10 games. However, because Carlsbad didn't make the playoffs, some folks probably overlooked him. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Breakout Player of the Year Contenders</strong>: Start with Rio Rancho QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi']</strong>, who emerged last season as a dynamic dual threat QB for the Rams, even starting several games in the middle and late portions of the season. He completed 63 percent of his passes, so he's accurate, and rushed for a team-high 735 yards. Takahashi will have talented WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266408' first='Parker' last='Miller']</strong>, another breakout contender, as a reliable passing target. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605033' first='Dailen' last='Ramirez']</strong> should take over as Centennial's No. 1 RB after gaining valuable experience as a sophomore in 2024. Los Lunas QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137088' first='Kaiden' last='Reese']</strong> emerged last season as another dynamic dual threat signal caller. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Which Teams Will Have New Quarterbacks?</strong> The list is long. In District 6A-1, Farmington, Piedra Vista and Volcano Vista will have new quarterbacks in 2025. In District 6A-2, La Cueva will have a new starting QB after Aiden Armenta and [player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'] set the bar extremely high during their stints with the Bears. Atrisco Heritage must replace [player_tooltip player_id='1021201' first='Landon' last='Griego'], the starter for the past two seasons. In District 6A-3, Centennial loses the incomparable [player_tooltip player_id='613746' first='Zaiden' last='Davis'], who signed with New Mexico State as a linebacker. Carlsbad, Hobbs and Organ Mountain are also looking for new quarterbacks.        </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who Are The Top Returning Defensive Players?</strong> The leading tackler in Class 6A last season was 6-foot-2 Las Cruces sophomore LB <strong>Denton Walter</strong>, who made 163 tackles, 14.0 TFL and 5.0 sacks. Walter is back to spearhead the Bulldawgs' defensive corps along with DL/LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600974' first='Carlos' last='Gamboa']</strong> (92 tackles). Farmington LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853018' first='Santiago' last='Gonzales']</strong> (89 tackles), Centennial LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594120' first='Joseph' last='Bitar']</strong> (86), Cibola LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1601052' first='Andrew' last='Lueras']</strong> (82) and Eldorado DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672553' first='Orlando' last='Cascante']</strong> (80) are also back. Six-foot-3 Las Cruces DE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672428' first='Collin' last='Bannister']</strong> terrorized opposing QBs in 2024 with 11.0 TFL, 8.0 sacks and 14 QB hurries. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams on the Rise</strong>: Eldorado (7-4) hosted a playoff home game as the No. 8 seed last November after missing the playoffs the previous two seasons. QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248671' first='Giovanni' last='Evans']</strong> returns along with a pair of dynamic rising juniors: RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605043' first='Isaiah' last='Quintana']</strong> and WR/KR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155116' first='Jahari' last='Morehead']</strong>. Head coach Charlie Dotson's decision to hire Art Abreu as offensive coordinator looks like it was the right move. Organ Mountain won four games in 2024 under second-year head coach Kenneth Sanchez, tying their single season high for most wins since 2016. The Knights have a promising corps of young players led by rising sophomore RB [player_tooltip player_id='1613370' first='Romeo' last='Jones'] (751 rushing yards in 2024) and rising junior DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606054' first='Alejandro' last='Guerra']</strong>. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Coaches</strong>: Former Rio Rancho head coach and New Mexico Lobos assistant David Howes takes over Cibola after serving as the Cougars' defensive coordinator in 2024. His first task: Fix an ailing offense that was shutout in the final five games last season. Tylon Wilder takes over Sandia after three successful seasons at 4A Espanola Valley. Wilder utilized a power rushing attack at EVHS and rarely threw the ball, but he now has promising (and strong-armed) rising junior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis']</strong> at his disposal, so a change in philosophy is likely forthcoming. Santa Fe promoted offensive coordinator Adrian Gonzales to head coach. Gonzales was the head coach at 3A West Las Vegas before joining the Demons coaching staff in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A few clips from 7s in AZ <a href="https://twitter.com/NickRolovich?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NickRolovich</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachHen_1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachHen_1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LukeSchleusner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LukeSchleusner</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Avina?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Avina</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachLucasGovan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachLucasGovan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBobbyJay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachBobbyJay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachKelleyLee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKelleyLee</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TARIKEMBRACK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TARIKEMBRACK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTwelveGage?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTwelveGage</a> <a href="https://t.co/GD5gqWJYpD">pic.twitter.com/GD5gqWJYpD</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='851873' first='Jordan' last='Kekoa Hatch'] (@Kekoa1_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kekoa1_/status/1893869425511563670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Every accomplishment and accolade is a direct reflection of my coaches and teammates. Excited to start preparing for the last chapter with my brothers! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BannerChasing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BannerChasing</a><br>Junior Year: <a href="https://t.co/o2jg9A9Aw2">https://t.co/o2jg9A9Aw2</a><br>Sophomore Year:<a href="https://t.co/3dltgfqEI6">https://t.co/3dltgfqEI6</a><br>Freshman Year:… <a href="https://t.co/M2NV6r21ce">pic.twitter.com/M2NV6r21ce</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='853029' first='Gunnar' last='Guardiola'] (@GunnarGuardiola) <a href="https://twitter.com/GunnarGuardiola/status/1866890072995532883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='851903' first='Jacob' last='Maldonado'] Junior Highlights<br>V. Sue Cleveland High<br>5'10 175<br>WR/RB<br>3.75 Cumulative GPA 📖 <a href="https://t.co/YJlu0ySKfW">pic.twitter.com/YJlu0ySKfW</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='851903' first='Jacob' last='Maldonado'] (@jakemaldonado08) <a href="https://twitter.com/jakemaldonado08/status/1900250595791167787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out my highlight - <a href="https://t.co/B5uZCA9RSn">https://t.co/B5uZCA9RSn</a><br><br>2024 Regular Season Highlights🏈<br>- 21 Total tds-<br>-134 carries, 1066 rushing yards-<br>-271 receiving yds-<br>-377 special teams yds-<br>-1,714 all purpose yds-<br>⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/mjlopezdawgs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mjlopezdawgs</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/renetorres05?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@renetorres05</a>⁩</p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1137388' first='Daniel' last='Amaro'] (@AmaroDaniel22) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmaroDaniel22/status/1858946910767202719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sophomore Year ✅<br>1373 Passing Yards<br>14 Passing TD<br>272 Rushing Yards<br>3 Rushing TD<br>10 Games Played <br><br>⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/tony_mccoy3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tony_mccoy3</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachAdcox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachAdcox</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a>⁩ <br><br>Check out my highlight - <a href="https://t.co/xicEagBXL7">https://t.co/xicEagBXL7</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis'] (@JahleelLewis1) <a href="https://twitter.com/JahleelLewis1/status/1858349669010882664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->