City Series: Top Quarterbacks In Albuquerque Metro For 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We begin our annual City Series with a look at the top quarterbacks in the Albuquerque Metro Region for the upcoming 2026 season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369761' first='William' last='Braun'], Albuquerque Academy</strong>: The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Braun is entering his third season as Albuquerque Academy's starting quarterback. The Chargers hope that experience pays off in a big way in 2026. Braun was the top junior QB in the state last season with 2,486 passing yards and 30 TD with just nine INT. Those numbers reflect significant improvement over his sophomore season, so Braun is growing and developing nicely as a QB. He's certainly bigger, stronger and a better decision-maker than he was two years ago when he took over the Chargers starting job.&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 heads into the 2026 season holding the well-earned title of ‘Best Quarterback in the Albuquerque Metro Region.' In his first two seasons as the full-time starter, Carpenter has thrown for over 5,500 yards and led the Sartans to a pair of Class 4A state championship game appearances. When you add in the passing yardage from his freshman campaign in 2023, he has already eclipsed 6,200 career passing yards. He should zoom past 9,000 yards this coming season. He'll be the conductor of what should be one of the most prolific offenses in the state this coming season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis'], Sandia</strong>: Because Sandia didn't make the playoffs last fall, some folks have likely forgotten about Lewis. But he's got great size (6-3, 225 pounds), excellent mobility and a rocket throwing arm, an asset he has displayed in his many camp appearances. Another Albuquerque area QB going into his third season as Sandia's starter. Last season, he threw for 2,083 yards and 22 TD and rushed for nearly 400 yards. With Lewis and several other major contributors returning in 2026, Sandia should compete for a 6A playoff berth. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1183085' first='Monty' last='Melendez'], La Cueva</strong>: Melendez is the latest in a line of talented La Cueva QBs. As we've mentioned before, his two predecessors are both QBs at the FBS level. Melendez is a different type of quarterback than they were, but he was still very successful as a junior, leading the Bears to the semifinals of the 6A playoffs. He threw for 2,425 yards and 20 TD.  La Cueva will compete in District 6A-1 next season along with Cleveland and Rio Rancho. It should be quite a battle for the district crown.       </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Injuries hampered Takahashi late last season, but there's no question he's the most dynamic dual threat QB in the Albuquerque Metro Region for 2026. Last season he threw for 2,264 yards and 24 TD while rushing for 685 yards. Best example of Takahashi's abilities: his 96-yard TD gallop against Cibola last October (see below). Our prediction: Takahashi joins the prestigious 1,000-1,000 club in 2026. If Takahashi stays healthy, the Rams should advance deep into the 6A playoffs following last season's first-round elimination.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1826079' first='Nicholas' last='Archuleta'], Del Norte</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1684430' first='Jericho' last='Brody'], West Mesa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1604925' first='Gonzalo' last='Cano'], Belen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1362443' first='Izaiah' last='Casaus'], Atrisco Heritage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='853757' first='Ulisses' last='Castro'], Bernalillo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luke Cieremens, Los Lunas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1613357' first='Stellar' last='Kendrick'], Eldorado</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1684435' first='Terry' last='Maes'], Cibola</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1604768' first='Santino' last='Mares'], Valencia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2109032' first='George' last='Salzano'], Highland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1608127' first='Aurelius' last='Wiley'], Volcano Vista</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">End Of Junior Season Highlights❗️❗️<br>30 Passing TD&#039;s<br>2410 Yards Passing<br>1st Team All District<br>1st Team All Metro<a href="https://t.co/oCkxUL2aun">https://t.co/oCkxUL2aun</a><a href="https://twitter.com/mjgaynor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mjgaynor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mikeymarquardt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mikeymarquardt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LukeSchleusner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LukeSchleusner</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Waters21John?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Waters21John</a> <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/coachmcthompson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachmcthompson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachirishodea?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachirishodea</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/grayson_kline?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@grayson_kline</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coachrhud?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coachrhud</a>…</p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1369761' first='William' last='Braun'] (@WillBraun_9) <a href="https://twitter.com/WillBraun_9/status/1995260524263870969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season Highlights 🎥<br>2,467 Pass Yards, 32 TOT TDs | 4 rushing <br>1st Team All State QB <br>1st Team All District QB<br>1st Team All Metro QB<br>All Academic <a href="https://twitter.com/UNMLoboFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNMLoboFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AztecFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AztecFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MinesFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MinesFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NMStateFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMStateFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BigRed_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BigRed_Football</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CSUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSUFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TXSTATEFOOTBALL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TXSTATEFOOTBALL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RiceFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RiceFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UTSAFTBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UTSAFTBL</a> <a href="https://t.co/ddLaV0bD7b">pic.twitter.com/ddLaV0bD7b</a></p>&mdash; Isaiah.Carpenter (@Isaiah_3_C) <a href="https://twitter.com/Isaiah_3_C/status/2006185915341811816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Year Highlights <br>2083 Passing Yards<br>22 Passing TDs<br>358 Rushing Yards<br>7 Rushing TDs<br>7 ints<br>(2441 Total Yards &amp; 29 Total TDs)<a href="https://twitter.com/tony_mccoy3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tony_mccoy3</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachwilder0917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachwilder0917</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Avina?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Avina</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachCala?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCala</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_CoachElliott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_CoachElliott</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_CoachPowell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_CoachPowell</a> <a href="https://t.co/kRlHEieuJ3">pic.twitter.com/kRlHEieuJ3</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1594010' first='Jahleel' last='Lewis'] (@JahleelLewis1) <a href="https://twitter.com/JahleelLewis1/status/1987357536132194488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Year 3<br>2425 passing yards <br>20 passing tds<br>1 rushing td<br>District champs 🏆<br>Year 4 loading… <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LaCuevaFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaCuevaFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ley7HCuYLi">pic.twitter.com/Ley7HCuYLi</a></p>&mdash; MontyMelendez (@MontyMelen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MontyMelen/status/1993414088899412028?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rio Rancho QB [player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi'] with the backbreaking 96-yard scamper to give the Rams a 25-9 lead.<br><br>3:50 left. <a href="https://t.co/GQBqz4q5ug">pic.twitter.com/GQBqz4q5ug</a></p>&mdash; Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1974314112625803520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->