Class 4A: The One Player On Every Team You Need To Know (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The start of the 2026 New Mexico high school football season is just over two weeks away. In Part 2 of a series, here is the one key player to know for eight Class 4A teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manzano: [player_tooltip player_id='1613352' first='Broden' last='Price']</strong>. Price will likely be the Monarchs' No. 1 running back in a run-dominant offense. He rushed for close to 800 yards last season and led Manzano in receptions. When he's not lined up behind the QB, he'll be in the slot catching passes. Elite athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1st team all district (RB)<br>1st team all District (LB)<br>Metro Mention<br>1700 total yards <br>15 touchdowns <br>6'2 <br>180 lbs<a href="https://t.co/zhva2PXo51">https://t.co/zhva2PXo51</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1613352' first='Broden' last='Price'] (@broden23496) <a href="https://x.com/broden23496/status/1997385025936093363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Portales: [player_tooltip player_id='1613398' first='Slade' last='Segovia']</strong>. Just a junior, Segovia has already made himself one of the top two-way players in the state. He's been a major contributor for the Rams since he was a freshmen. He returns this season as the No. 1 running back and has 1,000-yard potential. Also an outstanding OLB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Soph season Highlights<br>✅158 carries 858 yards 9 TD&#039;s<br>✅22 catches 348 yards 5 TD&#039;s<br>✅1,206 all purpose yards<br>✅1st Team All District Rb- All State HM Rb<br><br>Check out my highlights🔽<br><br>Check out my Hudl Highlight - <a href="https://t.co/vFXVpQyDsQ">https://t.co/vFXVpQyDsQ</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/nmprepcosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmprepcosports</a> <a href="https://x.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1613398' first='Slade' last='Segovia'] (@slade_segovia) <a href="https://x.com/slade_segovia/status/2029072793564811460?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rio Grade: [player_tooltip player_id='1790803' first='Sammy' last='Padilla']</strong>. The heart and soul of the Ravens and the undisputed leader of Rio Grande's defense. Earned Second-Team All-District and Second-Team All-Metro honors in 2025. Flys well under the radar because of Rio Grande's struggles in football over the past several years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior year highlights (varsity) <a href="https://t.co/pRCa4uqW2h">pic.twitter.com/pRCa4uqW2h</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1790803' first='Sammy' last='Padilla'] (@SPadilla43) <a href="https://x.com/SPadilla43/status/2080827750253023419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Santa Teresa: [player_tooltip player_id='1787093' first='Hector' last='Alvarez']</strong>. Santa Teresa's top retuning rusher with 400+ yards from last season. The Desert Warriors (still the best nickname in New Mexico high school FB) have a new head coach and look to get back on track following a winless season in 2025. Alvarez will lead the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Pius X: [player_tooltip player_id='1248719' first='Chase' last='Nelson']</strong>. Surprise! Sure, QB [player_tooltip player_id='1154948' first='Isaiah' last='Carpenter'] or RB [player_tooltip player_id='1154954' first='Hershul' last='Olloway'] would have been good choices as well, but Nelson was described by St. Pius X head coach Curtis Flakes II as &nbsp;“the engine to our car” and “the reason the car is rolling.” How much do the St. Pius X players respect Nelson? He was just elected a Sartans' captain for the third consecutive year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I had a great time yesterday at the NAU mega camp winning all my 1 on 1 reps again. Thank you <a href="https://x.com/FouHoChing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FouHoChing</a> for all the incredible coaching and advice I'm looking forward to developing our relationship.<a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/thecoachflakes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thecoachflakes</a> <a href="https://x.com/CouchPSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CouchPSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/pqHzwwCkSd">pic.twitter.com/pqHzwwCkSd</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1248719' first='Chase' last='Nelson'] (@ChaseNelson58) <a href="https://x.com/ChaseNelson58/status/2068515306633601178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taos:&nbsp; Alejandro Ortega</strong>. Taos was one of the surprise teams in the state last season as the Tigers reached the semifinals of the 4A playoffs. But the Tigers were also a senior-leaden team, especially on offense. Ortega is the top returning receiver for the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valencia: [player_tooltip player_id='1604768' first='Santino' last='Mares']</strong>. Returns as the Jaguars' starting QB in 2026. He threw for over 500 yards and rushed for close to 650 yards and 9 touchdowns last season in Valencia's run-dominated attack. Head coach Darrius Cage believes Mares' experience could allow the Jaguars to open up the playbook more in 2026. Strong safety is his natural position and he'll return to that spot after not playing much on defense in 2025. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley:  [player_tooltip player_id='2233855' first='Gabriel' last='Gonzales']</strong>. One of the most dynamic receivers in the Albuquerque Metro Region. Very underrated, though, as Valley doesn't get a lot of attention from the mainstream media. He caught 66 passes for 1,058 yards and 4 TD. Possesses good speed, runs crisp routes and knows how to get open. Valley is a contender to make a deep run in the 4A playoffs after moving from 5A as a result of the NMAA's December reorganization.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Roswell, 7x7s <a href="https://t.co/qG44dT8PaQ">pic.twitter.com/qG44dT8PaQ</a></p>&mdash; babyg_17 (@GabeGonzal84370) <a href="https://x.com/GabeGonzal84370/status/2077193918756896839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>       </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->