Weight Watchers: Who Are The Strongest Players For 2025?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Mexico held the Powerlifting State Championships last Saturday at the Rio Rancho Events Center. Many of the lifters are also football players. Here are some of the strongest players in the state heading into the 2025 season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679754' first='Jesus' last='Ortiz'], Hobbs</strong> (1,485 pounds): Ortiz is still a sophomore and has seen limited varsity action. But he could be an DL anchor for the Eagles in 2025 after lifting the second most total weight at Saturday's meet. He won the 275-pound title. His Hudl page lists his height and weight at 6-foot-0, 265 pounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853015' first='Alex' last='Rivera'], Lovington</strong> (1,345 pounds): The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Fresno State commitment was one of Saturday's top lifters. Credited with 33 pancake blocks in 2024 as he earned Second-Team All-State honors. He'll anchor the Lovington O-Line in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851894' first='Gary' last='Chavez'], Grants</strong> (1,315 pounds): Chavez's strength was on display at January's Prep Redzone Stock Up Showcase in Grants. Saturday, he quantified it by lifting a total of 1,315 pounds in the 242-pound class. He won the &nbsp;title by nearly 100 pounds. Chavez utilized his enormous strength to make 87 tackles, 27.0 TFL, 6 sacks and 13 QB hurries in 2024. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594179' first='Jesus' last='Olvera'], Deming</strong> (1,305 pounds): Deming has produced some strong offensive and defensive linemen, and Olvera looks to be the latest one. He won the 220-pound class title by a whopping 145 pounds. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853023' first='Luke' last='Matherly'], Centennial</strong> (1,270 pounds): The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Matherly has enjoyed an outstanding career at Centennial. This past season, he earned Second Team All-State honors at Tight End and Honorable Mention All-District honors at Defensive Tackle. One of the strongest players in Centennial's 13-year history. Combined weight of 1,270 pounds on Saturday. Finished second in the 275-pound class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672495' first='Reenson' last='Akwiembi'], Carlsbad</strong> (1,240 pounds): Listed as a defensive back, Akwiembi is a strong dude. He won the 181-pound class with a combined lift of 1,240 pounds. Made 31 tackles with 1 interception last season for the Cavemen.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1749127' first='Nicholas' last='Alderete'], Atrisco Heritage </strong>(1,235 pounds): Alderete is a linebacker for the Jaguars. He finished with over 30 tackles in 2024. Fourth in the 198-pound class with a total weight of 1,235 pounds.,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zac Chavez, Capital</strong> (1,235 pounds): Chavez packs a wallop for the Jaguars. Credited with 17 tackles, 2.0 TFL and 9 QB hurries in 2024. Fifth in the packed 198-pound class with combined weight of 1,235 pounds. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672411' first='Julian' last='Chavez-Lopez'], Las Cruces </strong>(1,235 pounds): Chavez-Lopez is a 5-foot-11, 230-pound rising senior offensive linemen for the Bulldawgs. Credited with 7 pancake blocks in 2024. Finished third in the 242 pound class with a combined lift of 1,235 pounds. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1268759' first='Diego' last='Ortega'], Alamogordo</strong> (1,230 pounds): The 6-foot-4, 300 pound Ortega is one of the top offensive linemen in the 2026 class. Second-Team All-State honors in 2024. Finished third in the Super Heavyweight class with a combined 1,30 pounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben'], Carlsbad</strong> (1,230 pounds): Our #1 prospect in the 2027 class is fast, strong and talented. McKibben is one of the most heavily recruited players in the state even though he still has two more years of prep eligibility left. Saturday, his combined weight of 1,230 pounds was good for third place in the 220-pound class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594119' first='Brody' last='Clark'], La Cueva</strong> (1,225 pounds): Clark is a rising senior LB for La Cueva. Tied for 4^th in the 220-pound class with a total weight of 1,225 pounds. Recently visited Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO for Junior Day. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great day at state!<br>2025 Class 5A State Runner-Up 275 lbs Weight Class<br><br>Squat: 440<br>Bench: 305<br>Deadlift: 525<br><br>Total: 1270<a href="https://twitter.com/Angrybirdfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Angrybirdfb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_NMAA</a> <a href="https://t.co/CDv6MxdF0Q">pic.twitter.com/CDv6MxdF0Q</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='853023' first='Luke' last='Matherly'] (@luke_matherly) <a href="https://twitter.com/luke_matherly/status/1909033175302455369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out my Junior year highlights <br>Alamogordo high school<br>Offensive tackle <br>HT:6'4 <br>WT:300 <br>2nd team all district <br>2nd team all state<a href="https://t.co/pBpFpp9Ez3">https://t.co/pBpFpp9Ez3</a><a href="https://twitter.com/AlamoFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlamoFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachCiscoAHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCiscoAHS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDrefs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDrefs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1268759' first='Diego' last='Ortega'] (@Diego139171) <a href="https://twitter.com/Diego139171/status/1877044850274566427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Best plays from my junior season at la Cueva school. Current gpa 3.7. 5'9” and 210 lbs. <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTaufaasau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTaufaasau</a><a href="https://twitter.com/TimRoschmann?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TimRoschmann</a><a href="https://twitter.com/LoboRecruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LoboRecruiting</a><a href="https://twitter.com/DCobb27?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DCobb27</a><a href="https://twitter.com/JGonzo_24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JGonzo_24</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Mac51?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Mac51</a><br>@TTUCoachBook<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDiedrick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDiedrick</a><a href="https://twitter.com/UTSAFTBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UTSAFTBL</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SocratesVergar1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SocratesVergar1</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Coachrhud?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coachrhud</a><a href="https://twitter.com/TimRoschmann?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TimRoschmann</a> <a href="https://t.co/GciXYNZz1k">pic.twitter.com/GciXYNZz1k</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1594119' first='Brody' last='Clark'] (@BrodyJClark11) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrodyJClark11/status/1890892372168294429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out my junior year highlights! <a href="https://t.co/McCWPg1gNE">https://t.co/McCWPg1gNE</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CoachFort_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachFort_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachjoshbailey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachjoshbailey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachfaith45?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachfaith45</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='853015' first='Alex' last='Rivera'] (@nmriveraalex) <a href="https://twitter.com/nmriveraalex/status/1862197266775249227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->