November Madness: Top Performers In First Round of Playoffs

The First Round of the 2025 New Mexico High School Football playoffs is complete! Here are the standout performers from the 20 games in Classes 6A-2A played this past weekend:   [player_tooltip player_id='1604697' first='Brodie' last='Allen'], Loving: Rushed for 176 yards and 4 TD on 23 carries + 2 QB hurries on defense in Loving's wild win over Estancia.   [player_tooltip player_id='1688720' first='William' last='Anchondo'], Highland: Rushed for 156 yards and 3 TD (all in 1st half) + 3 tackles on defense in Highland's win over Mayfield.     [player_tooltip player_id='1613495' first='Colt' last='Ayon'], Raton: Made 15 tackles in Raton's win over Tularosa.   [player_tooltip player_id='1613430' first='Zaiden' last='Baker'], Hot Springs: Rushed for 73 yards and threw for 79 yards in Hot Springs' road win over Thoreau.   [player_tooltip player_id='1369761' first='William' last='Braun'], Albuquerque Academy: Completed 16-of-26 passes for 238 yards and 4 TD in Academy's shutout win over Valencia.   [player_tooltip player_id='1137066' first='Robert' last='Castaneda'], Carlsbad: 4 receptions for 108 yards and 2 TD + 80-yard Pick-6 on defense for 3 TD scored in Carlsbad's win at Rio Rancho.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Great way to start first round of playoffs. <a href="https://t.co/2UujYXy10L">pic.twitter.com/2UujYXy10L</a>— robertcastaneda (@Castaneda11111) <a href="https://twitter.com/Castaneda11111/status/1987367432814821549?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2025</a></blockquote>   [player_tooltip player_id='853757' first='Ulisses' last='Castro'], Bernalillo: Threw for 111 yards and 3 TD and rushed 17 times for 89 yards and 1 TD in Bernalillo's come-from-behind win over Manzano.   [player_tooltip player_id='854299' first='David' last='Chavez'], Santa Rosa: Six carries for 118 yards and 3 TD in the Lions' mercy-rule win over Tucumcari.   Deandre Chavez, Grants: Completed 13-of-23 passes for 149 yards and 2 TD in Grants' grinding 14-7 win over Silver.     [player_tooltip player_id='851894' first='Gary' last='Chavez'], Grants: Made 9 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks and 5 QB hurries in the Pirates' win over Silver.      [player_tooltip player_id='1787301' first='Luke' last='Cieremans'], Los Lunas: Ran for 1 TD and threw a 34-yard TD pass for another score in Los Lunas' hard-fought win over Piedra Vista.   [player_tooltip player_id='1605989' first='Aden' last='Clah'], Navajo Prep: Completed 11-of-18 passes for 197 yards and 3 TD in Navajo Preps' 9-point win over Jal.   Harlem Corley, Raton: Just a freshman, Corley rushed for 60 yards and 1 TD on 7 carries + 11 tackles on defense in Raton's win over Tularosa.      Antonio Devargas, Grants: The sophomore had a team-high 12 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks and 3 QB hurries in Grants' win over Silver.   [player_tooltip player_id='1791395' first='Caydin' last='Encinias'], West Las Vegas: The Dons QB rushed for 86 yards and 1 TD on 9 carries in WLV's loss to Ruidoso.   Tony Fisher, Highland: Made 7 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks and 1 forced fumble to spark the Highland defense in the win over Mayfield.   Justus Foutz, Volcano Vista: Rushed for 87 yards and 2 TD, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter, in Volcano Vista's close win over Cibola.   Miguel Garcia, NMMI: Rushed for 177 yards and 3 TD in NMMI's win over Wingate.   [player_tooltip player_id='1751689' first='Brady' last='Gibbs'], Goddard: Rushed for 100 yards on 18 carries in the Rockets' win over Deming.   [player_tooltip player_id='1137426' first='Logan' last='Gonzalez'], Belen: Rushed for 126 yards and 3 TD on 13 carries + 3 receptions for 83 yards and 1 TD + 4 tackles, 1 TFL and 1 sack on defense. Superb all-around performance.      [player_tooltip player_id='1751703' first='Mekhi' last='Grant'], Silver: 4 receptions for 77 yards in the Colts' loss to Grants.   [player_tooltip player_id='1556720' first='Amasi' last='Griego'], Piedra Vista: As Piedra Vista's QB, he rushed for 95 yards and 2 TD on 13 carries.   [player_tooltip player_id='1605074' first='Logan' last='Hague'], Albuquerque Academy: Caught 8 passes for 103 yards and 1 TD in the Chargers' win over Valencia.   [player_tooltip player_id='1826233' first='Joseph' last='Keita'], Portales: The sophomore caught 3 passes for 92 yards and 1 TD in the loss to Moriarty.   [player_tooltip player_id='1686972' first='Chris' last='Lopez'], La Cueva: Caught 2 TD passes in La Cueva's win over rival Eldorado.     [player_tooltip player_id='1606130' first='Francisco' last='Lopez'], Robertson: Made 16 tackles + 1 receiving TD in the Cardinals' win over Hatch Valley.   Grant Maloney, NMMI: Team-high 7 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in NMMI's win over Wingate.     [player_tooltip player_id='1155208' first='Mateo' last='Manley']-Griego, Moriarty: Rushed for 151 yards and 1 TD on 13 carries in Moriarty's big home win over Portales.   Jonah Marez, Valley: Threw for 178 yards and 2 TD in Valley's loss to Belen.   [player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben'], Carlsbad: Made 9 tackles with 1.0 TFL to help spark the Carlsbad defense in the win over Rio Rancho.     [player_tooltip player_id='1183085' first='Monty' last='Melendez'], La Cueva: Threw for 218 yards and 3 TD in La Cueva's win over Eldorado.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Great 41-7 playoff win proud of this team but there is still more work to be done 3 passing TDS 218 yds<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TARIKEMBRACK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TARIKEMBRACK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDaPrato?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDaPrato</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDavis04?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDavis04</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachKelleyLee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKelleyLee</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coachrhud?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coachrhud</a> <a href="https://t.co/0A7NCf6LMI">pic.twitter.com/0A7NCf6LMI</a>— MontyMelendez (@MontyMelen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MontyMelen/status/1987221398071509214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2025</a></blockquote>   Marley Munoz, Carlsbad: Threw for 152 yards and 2 TD + 79 yards and 1 TD rushing in Carlsbad's win over Rio Rancho.      Aidan Nieto, Manzano: Just a freshman, Nieto had 7 tackles, 1 INT and 1 fumble recovery and return for a TD in Manzano's close loss to Bernalillo.   [player_tooltip player_id='1137875' first='Tristen' last='Onsurez'], Loving: Completed 11-of-14 passes for 128 yards and 1 TD + 56 yards rushing in Loving's shootout win over Estancia.      [player_tooltip player_id='1600830' first='Daniel' last='Ornelas'], Jal: Rushed for 90 yards and 1 TD on 13 carries in Jal's loss to Navajo Prep.   [player_tooltip player_id='1266408' first='Parker' last='Miller'], Rio Rancho: Caught season-high 12 passes for 121 yards and 2 TD in Rio Rancho's loss to Carlsbad.   [player_tooltip player_id='1613262' first='Devin' last='Ortiz'], Moriarty: Rushed for 3 TD in Moriarty's win over Portales.   Daryn Pacheco, Santa Rosa: Rushed for 114 yards and 3 TD on just 6 carries in Santa Rosa's mercy-rule win over Tucumcari.   [player_tooltip player_id='1155087' first='Anthony' last='Palomares'], Gadsden: 4 receptions for 143 yards in Gadsden's lopsided win over Capital.   [player_tooltip player_id='1613352' first='Broden' last='Price'], Manzano: Rushed for 103 yards on 8 carries + 4 receptions in Manzano's close loss to Bernalillo.   [player_tooltip player_id='1751254' first='Joan' last='Ramirez'], Deming: Caught 9 passes for 87 yards and 1 TD in Deming's loss to Goddard.           Guilherme Ramone, Thoreau: Just a freshman, Ramone rushed for 73 yards on 11 carries in his first varsity action of the season against Hot Springs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1357130' first='Juan' last='Rios'], Gadsden: Rushed for 80 yards and 3 TD in Gadsden's rout of Capital.   [player_tooltip player_id='853021' first='Isaiah' last='Rivera'], Albuquerque Academy: Excelled in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Four pancake blocks on offense and 11 tackles on defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1751399' first='Rocky' last='Rodriguez'], Gadsden: Led the Panthers defense with 10 tackles in the mercy-rule win over Capital.     Lachlan Ross, Santa Rosa: 2 interceptions + 30-yard punt return in Santa Rosa's lopsided win over Tucumcari.     Juan Rubio, Carlsbad: Made a team-high 16 tackles in Carlsbad's road win at Rio Rancho.   [player_tooltip player_id='1599971' first='Kenneth' last='Saiz'], Bernalillo: Caught 2 TD passes in Bernalillo's close win over Manzano.   [player_tooltip player_id='1672753' first='Andres' last='Sanchez'], Robertson: Made 12 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1 sack and 1 QB hurry in the win over Hatch Valley.     Nehemiah Sanchez, Belen: Made 7 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 5 QB hurries and 1 fumble recovery in Belen's win over Valley.   Elijah Schaffino-Vallejo, Belen: Rushed for 159 yards and 1 TD + 4 tackles and 1 TFL on defense in Belen's win over Valley.   Jonathan Silva, Valley: Made 14 tackles and 1 fumble recovery in Valley's loss to Belen.   [player_tooltip player_id='1137423' first='Jose' last='Tapia'], Highland: 220 rushing yards and 2 TD on workhorse 33 carries in Highland's win over Mayfield.        [player_tooltip player_id='854298' first='Ashdyn' last='Urban'], Ruidoso: Rushed for 93 yards on 17 carries in Ruidoso's road win over West Las Vegas.      [player_tooltip player_id='1224569' first='Kaleb' last='Vander Wilt'], Volcano Vista: Made 8 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks and 2 passes defended in Volcano Vista's win over Cibola.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Check out my first round of playoff highlights against Cibola! 7 Solo tackles 1 Assisted tackle 3 TFLs 3 Sacks 2 Pass deflections<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachWallin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachWallin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachList13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachList13</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachSitdikov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSitdikov</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/vvhsfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vvhsfootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/55vltRlCJg">https://t.co/55vltRlCJg</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1224569' first='Kaleb' last='Vander Wilt'] (@Kaleb_vw) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kaleb_vw/status/1987692006555128022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote>   [player_tooltip player_id='1599529' first='Braven' last='Vasquez'], Loving: Made a team-high 12 tackles in Loving's high-scoring win over Estancia.   Nate Vasquez, Goddard: The sophomore QB threw for a TD, rushed for 2 TD + 5-for-5 on PAT in Goddard's win over Deming.   Crew Victor, Rio Rancho: Despite being thrown into the fire as an 8th-grader, Victor completed 25-of-33 passes for 206 yards and 2 TD in Rio Rancho's loss to Carlsbad.   [player_tooltip player_id='854309' first='Zachary' last='Waghorn'], Albuquerque Academy: Made 11 tackles, tying for the team high, in Albuquerque Academy's win over Valencia.   [player_tooltip player_id='1604784' first='Cael' last='Walton'], Raton: Rushed for 245 yards and 5 TD on just 12 carries in Raton's convincing home win over Tularosa.     Andrew Wood, Piedra Vista: Made a team-high 14 tackles in the Panthers' close loss to Los Lunas.   [player_tooltip player_id='1605005' first='Brock' last='Wright'], Carlsbad: Rushed for 121 yards and 1 TD on 19 carries in the Cavemen's win at Rio Rancho.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">FIRST ROUND WHIPAROUND: We tell you everything that happened in the 1st round of the playoffs & tell you the quarterfinal schedule. 2,000 words of HS Football Bliss! 👇CLICK HERE👇<a href="https://t.co/YMYcldphah">https://t.co/YMYcldphah</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CavemenFBall?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CavemenFBall</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Robcast70?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Robcast70</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/will_anchondo10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@will_anchondo10</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WillBraun_9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WillBraun_9</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HHS_HornetsFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HHS_HornetsFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/XMRNHTaj5c">pic.twitter.com/XMRNHTaj5c</a>— Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1987687715299905906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">1st round win vs Eldorado !! Big shout out to my defense for playing snap to whistle all game<a href="https://twitter.com/LaCuevaFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaCuevaFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FBCoachHurley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBCoachHurley</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LoniFangupo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LoniFangupo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachPgonz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachPgonz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachLanceo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachLanceo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDubin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDubin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JabrilFrazier?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JabrilFrazier</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJFrank?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJFrank</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachNua?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachNua</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/iNKRGzqM9D">pic.twitter.com/iNKRGzqM9D</a>— Manase Soakai DE/LB (@manase10soakai) <a href="https://twitter.com/manase10soakai/status/1987899949712044357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote>

The First Round of the 2025 New Mexico High School Football playoffs is complete! Here are the standout performers from the 20 games in Classes 6A-2A played this past weekend: