City Series: Top Quarterbacks In Albuquerque Metro Region

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We begin our popular City Series by taking a look at the top quarterbacks in the Albuquerque Metro Region for the 2025 season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369761' first='William' last='Braun'], Albuquerque Academy</strong>: The 6-foot-3 Braun had a better season individually than most people know since Albuquerque Academy didn't make the Class 4A playoffs. He threw for 2,374 yards and 19 TD in 10 games. Clearly, one of his top goals for 2025 is to reduce the number of interceptions. If he does that, Braun and the Chargers offense could have a big season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154948' first='Isaiah' last='Carpenter'], St. Pius X</strong>: The 6-foot-5 Carpenter emerged last season as one of the top young signal callers in the state. He led St. Pius X to the Class 4A state championship game by throwing for 3,114 yards and 34 TD. He was one of only three QBs to throw for over 3,000 yards in 2024. Carpenter and the Sartans face higher expectations in 2025. In fact, they could be the favorites in Class 4A with their explosive offensive talent. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851873' first='Jordan' last='Kekoa Hatch'], Cleveland</strong>: After posting impressive numbers and leading Cleveland to the Class 6A state championship, the 6-foot-4 Hatch enters his senior campaign (and his third as the Storm's starting QB) as one of the favorites to win the New Mexico Heisman. That's no surprise considering his statistics from a season ago: 2,271 passing yards, 64.0 completion percentage, 29 TD passes and 2 interceptions. He makes few mistakes. Yeah, coaches really like those 14.5-to-1 TD Pass-to-INT ratios. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600815' first='Jose' last='Jaramillo'], Valley</strong>: Jaramillo might be the most underrated quarterback in the Albuquerque Metro Region. He shared snaps last season with a senior, which is why he threw for ‘only' 1,759 yards and 15 TD while completing 61 percent of his passes. Like many other young quarterbacks, he has to reduce the number of interceptions. If he does that, Jaramillo and the Valley offense could enjoy a prolific season. The Vikings have impressive talent at all the offensive skill positions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>R.J. Montoya, Hope Christian</strong>: Another highly underrated QB with impressive numbers. A rising senior, Montoya threw 23 TD passes with just 2 INT in 2024, totaling over 1,800 passing yards and completing 64 percent of his passes. Montoya, a dynamic athlete, also carried about 8 times per game in 2024. And he plays defense &nbsp;for the Huskies as well. Montoya and the Hope Christian offense will be tested against this season with contests against Legacy Academy, Albuquerque Academy, St. Michael's and Robertson. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi'] (Rio Rancho); [player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis'] (Sandia); [player_tooltip player_id='1137088' first='Kaiden' last='Reese'] (Los Lunas); [player_tooltip player_id='1600087' first='Lorenzo' last='Sedillo-Urban'] (Legacy Academy); [player_tooltip player_id='1248671' first='Giovanni' last='Evans'] (Eldorado); [player_tooltip player_id='1604925' first='Gonzalo' last='Cano'] (Belen); [player_tooltip player_id='1183085' first='Monty' last='Melendez'] (La Cueva).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sophomore Season 2024 Highlights C/O 2027<br>2374 yards in 10 games<br>22 Total Touchdowns<br>237 passing yards per game<a href="https://t.co/ciJHlj5B7W">https://t.co/ciJHlj5B7W</a><a href="https://twitter.com/1209dlee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@1209dlee</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachGehres?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachGehres</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1369761' first='William' last='Braun'] (@WillBraun_9) <a href="https://twitter.com/WillBraun_9/status/1881080852592902593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/Isaiah_3_C?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Isaiah_3_C</a> is a standout QB with a rare mix of talent. His strong arm, elite accuracy, and advanced football IQ make him a true field general. Add in his pocket presence and ability to extend plays, and you have a top-tier prospect. <br><br>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/EvrZBbBxeS">https://t.co/EvrZBbBxeS</a> <a href="https://t.co/DYWQeCLlmk">pic.twitter.com/DYWQeCLlmk</a></p>&mdash; Quarterback Magazine (@quarterbackmag) <a href="https://twitter.com/quarterbackmag/status/1881609234493939724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2024 full season highlight<br>2271 pass yards<br>29TD/2INT<br>64% completions<a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/franks_coach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@franks_coach</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Avina?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Avina</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Ena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Ena</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachKelleyLee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKelleyLee</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTwelveGage?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTwelveGage</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Waters21John?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Waters21John</a> <a href="https://t.co/vXtZdCVy28">pic.twitter.com/vXtZdCVy28</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='851873' first='Jordan' last='Kekoa Hatch'] (@Kekoa1_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kekoa1_/status/1878816354758963570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RJ MONTOYA #14 (Junior Year) Highlights - <a href="https://t.co/a4oqcnRmEf">https://t.co/a4oqcnRmEf</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ArturoCafeSeven?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArturoCafeSeven</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachsalinas_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachsalinas_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/zekeprado?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@zekeprado</a></p>&mdash; Roman Montoya (@RJ_Montoya_) <a href="https://twitter.com/RJ_Montoya_/status/1862668303258526036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->