Class 6A: One Player You Need To Know On Every Team (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The start of the 2026 New Mexico high school football season is seven days away. In Part 1 of a series, here is the one key player to know for eight Class 6A teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Albuquerque High: [player_tooltip player_id='2104709' first='Nijion' last='Bokor']</strong>. The six-foot-3 Bokor emerged last season as one of the most promising defensive end prospects in the Albuquerque Metro Region. Freakish athlete. He's attracting plenty of recruiting interest. Western New Mexico has offered. New Mexico State and NMMI have expressed interest. If the Bulldogs are able to snap their long playoff drought, Bokor will likely have a huge role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NAMMI football challenge 1on1 REPS 🧪<a href="https://x.com/CoachDezAnaya?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDezAnaya</a> <br>@tony_mccoy3 <a href="https://x.com/CouchPSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CouchPSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/tem8vbNqY5">pic.twitter.com/tem8vbNqY5</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2104709' first='Nijion' last='Bokor'] ⭐ (@x_bokor) <a href="https://x.com/x_bokor/status/2075778297368355065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Atrisco Heritage: [player_tooltip player_id='1362443' first='Izaiah' last='Casaus']</strong>. After several Jaguar players transferred to Sandia, more of the burden of carrying Atrisco Heritage now falls on Casaus. He'll need to have a big season for the Jaguars to have the season they expect. Casaus is doing his part. He was a camp warrior all spring and summer. High Football IQ and the arm strength to match. Able to needle passes into tight windows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sophomore season highlights.<br>Passing yards514<br>Passing td's:6<br>6 quarters played <a href="https://x.com/CoachCasaus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCasaus</a> @tony_mccoy3 <a href="https://x.com/BryantWill757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BryantWill757</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzone</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachmccraw?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachmccraw</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachJBWells?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJBWells</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachKelleyLee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKelleyLee</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachDavis04?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDavis04</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachD_Delgado?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachD_Delgado</a> <a href="https://x.com/coach_watkins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Watkins</a><a href="https://t.co/Zbrf5AqAcX">https://t.co/Zbrf5AqAcX</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1362443' first='Izaiah' last='Casaus'] (@IzaiahCasaus) <a href="https://x.com/IzaiahCasaus/status/1984483782842597699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carlsbad: [player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben']</strong>. Did you expect someone else? McKibben is a superstar for good reason. He's big (6-3, 225 pounds), strong (5th in the 242-pound class at the state powerlifting championships), extremely fast (4.5 in the 40; Cavemen's fastest player), a playmaker (111 tackles in 2025) and highly intelligent. He's committed to UCLA of the Big Ten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/WBlqE5lHse">https://t.co/WBlqE5lHse</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben'] (@COLTONMCKIBBEN9) <a href="https://x.com/COLTONMCKIBBEN9/status/1994828471261085789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centennial: [player_tooltip player_id='1604943' first='Ruiz' last='Laborin']</strong>. The Hawks could potentially have one of the most dynamic offenses in the state this upcoming season and it all begins with the&nbsp; cannon-armed Laborin. Great size at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. He threw for close to 2,000 yards in 2025 but also showed impressive mobility. New Mexico Highlands has offered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior season highlights . Looking forward to basketball and the offseason! <br>15 throwing touchdowns <br>(1992 passing yards) <br>11 rushing touchdowns<br> (501 rushing yards) <a href="https://x.com/Angrybirdfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Angrybirdfb</a> <a href="https://x.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachYost?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachYost</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachCala?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCala</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach_TSanchez?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_TSanchez</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachDoege?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDoege</a> <a href="https://x.com/SeanDillonSDSU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SeanDillonSDSU</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coachbwright4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coachbwright4</a> <a href="https://t.co/3sQmi8zQw1">pic.twitter.com/3sQmi8zQw1</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1604943' first='Ruiz' last='Laborin'] (@Ruiz_J_Laborin) <a href="https://x.com/Ruiz_J_Laborin/status/1996307128026341745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cleveland: [player_tooltip player_id='1613490' first='Evan' last='Nanez']</strong>. Cleveland provides so many players to choose from, it's sometimes difficult to choose. But Nanez is the logical choice because of his elite athleticism. Few prep players can say they have D1 offers in multiple sports, but Nanez is one of the rare exceptions. He is Prep Redzone's No. 1 prospect for the 2028 class after catching 51 passes for 996 yards and 16 TD in 2025. He had FIVE touchdown receptions against Hobbs in the 6A semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">🏈?🏀? @DarielShepherd <a href="https://x.com/_teamgoi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_teamgoi</a> <a href="https://x.com/CHSStormFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CHSStormFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/qLnhntIqcj">pic.twitter.com/qLnhntIqcj</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1613490' first='Evan' last='Nanez'] (@EvanNanez5245) <a href="https://x.com/EvanNanez5245/status/2066215979584287174?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clovis: [player_tooltip player_id='2246466' first='Ethan' last='Gutierrez']</strong>. He is Clovis' best and most dynamic athlete. In fact, there are fewer better athletes in the entire state. Very underrated due to Clovis' struggles to win games the past two seasons. Gutierrez will serve as the backup QB and the No. 1 WR. Gutierrez is very strong, enabling him to outduel defensive backs for passes. Eastern New Mexico has offered.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Highlights from my junior season. Still got a lot to prove. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/trustthegrind?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#trustthegrind</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/football?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#football</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/footballrecruiting?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#footballrecruiting</a> <a href="https://x.com/ENMUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ENMUFootball</a> <a href="https://x.com/NMHUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMHUFootball</a> <a href="https://x.com/NMStateFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMStateFootball</a> <a href="https://x.com/nmmibroncos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmmibroncos</a> <a href="https://t.co/ntBLDtbM1r">https://t.co/ntBLDtbM1r</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2246466' first='Ethan' last='Gutierrez'] (@gutierrez_24374) <a href="https://x.com/gutierrez_24374/status/1988328777223680261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eldorado: [player_tooltip player_id='1613434' first='Nolan' last='Romero-Williams']</strong>. Eldorado will have a promising young gunslinger at QB and a very dynamic WR corps ready to catch his throws. What is a young QB's best friend? A reliable run game. That's where Romero-Williams comes in. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2025. If the Eagles stay two-dimensional on offense, they could put a ton of points on the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Co of 2028<br>Sophomore season<br>Rb<br>1,006 rushing yards<br>111 receiving yards<br>12 tds<br>11 games played<a href="https://x.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/CouchPSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CouchPSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/oHaeWQUiXv">https://t.co/oHaeWQUiXv</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1613434' first='Nolan' last='Romero-Williams'] (@RomeroWNolan) <a href="https://x.com/RomeroWNolan/status/2026139064538472617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Farmington: [player_tooltip player_id='1680067' first='Rock' last='Kalcich']</strong>. Kalcich returns for his second season as Farmington's starting QB. The Scorpions need him to have a big season if they hope to rebound from a disappointing 2025 campaign. Kalcich has good size at 6-foot-2, but is very athletic. He can tuck it and run when he has to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->