City Series: Top Quarterbacks In Northern NM for 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue our annual City Series with a look at the top quarterbacks in Northern New Mexico for the upcoming 2026 season (listed in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604910' first='Tristan' last='Begay'], Tohatchi</strong>: Through two seasons as Tohatchi's starting quarterback, Begay has thrown for over 3,500 yards and 44 TD. Last season, he passed for 1,733 yards and 20 TD. If he is able to reduce his number of interceptions in 2026, the Cougars will be a legitimate contender for the District 2A-1 title. &nbsp;Good size at 6-foot-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605989' first='Aden' last='Clah'], Navajo Prep</strong>: Clah led the Eagles to nine wins and the Class 2A quarterfinals in 2025 by passing for over 1,500 yards and 16 TD. He can also run the football when he has to as seen by his five rushing TDs, Certainly one of the most underrated QBs in the Four Corners. Navajo Prep returns many of its major offensive contributors in 2026. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1791395' first='Caydin' last='Encinias'], West Las Vegas</strong>: Another talented dual threat QB. Encinias helped the Dons transition from the C.J. Perea Era by passing for over 1,100 yards and rushing for 442 yards. Three of WLV's top four rushers return in 2026 along with the top two receivers. Thus, WLV's offense should be improved. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248677' first='Joshua' last='Gonzales'], Pojoaque Valley</strong>: Largely due to the efforts of Gonzales and other standout players, Pojoaque Valley hosted its first ever home playoff game in 2025. Gonzales threw for over 1,200 yards and rushed for nearly 600 yards. Dynamic dual threat QB. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155256' first='Nathan' last='Gonzales'], Robertson</strong>: The decision to move the 6-foot-5 two-sport standout to quarterback in 2025 worked out well for the Cardinals. Gonzales passed for nearly 1,600 yards and rushed for almost 500, accounting for 21 TD in 12 games. As Gonzales showed during the recently completed hoops season, he has fantastic mobility and speed. Elite athlete. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention (Listed In Alphabetical Order)</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1604919' first='Chance' last='Aspaas'], Kirtland Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2114514' first='Wyatt' last='Babcock'], Bloomfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1604951' first='Ace' last='Bachicha'], Capital</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blake Begay, Shiprock</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LeDanion Begay, Wingate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tristin Garcia, Gallup</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1606066' first='Kory' last='Harvey'], Crownpoint</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2114506' first='Logan' last='Ignacio-Vigil'], Cuba</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rocky Kalcich, Farmington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reuban Marque, Piedra Vista</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2104435' first='Julian' last='Nino'], McCurdy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manuel Pena, Santa Fe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1826103' first='Caleb' last='Taylor'], Los Aamos</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1715054' first='Cody' last='Trujillo'], Espanola Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2114495' first='Braylon' last='Walton'], Raton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1613756' first='Aiden' last='Woody'], Thoreau</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->