Elite Eighty Plus: Top Performers In Week 2 (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 2 of the New Mexico High School football season is complete. There were plenty of standout performances throughout the state, from opening kickoff on Thursday night to Saturday afternoon games. Here is Part 2 of the Elite Eighty for Week 2:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604919' first='Chance' last='Aspaas'], Kirtland Central</strong>: The Broncos' quarterback completed 10-of-16 passes for 210 yards and 1 TD while rushing for 70 yards and 2 TD on 13 carries to spark Kirtland Central to a win over Bayfield (CO). Totaled 280 yards. Also had an INT on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2246666' first='Lucas' last='Atkins'], Artesia</strong>: Completed 22-of-32 passes for 275 yards and 3 TD (including last second TD pass to bring the Bulldogs to within 1 point) in Artesia's close loss at Hobbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>David Ayala, Belen</strong>: Led the Eagles' defense with 11 tackles and 1.0 TFL in their win over Miyamura.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613495' first='Colt' last='Ayon'], Raton</strong>: Made 16 tackles + caught a pass for a 2-pt conversion in Raton's loss to Lamar (CO).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825979' first='Trey' last='Barta'], Carlsbad</strong>: Tied for the team high in tackles with 14 to help lead Carlsbad to a road win at Goddard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604925' first='Gonzalo' last='Cano'], Belen</strong>: Demonstrated his elite dual threat skills by passing for 191 yards and 1 TD and rushing for 101 yards and 3 TD in Belen's convincing road win at Miyamura.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680201' first='Luciano' last='Castillo'], Raton</strong>: Caught 7 passes for 137 yards in Raton's loss to Lamar (CO).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853757' first='Ulisses' last='Castro'], Bernalillo</strong>: Collected 4.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks in Bernalillo's hard-fought win over Albuquerque Academy. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leroy Chavez, Atrisco Heritage</strong>: Rushed for 181 yards on 15 carries in the Jaguars' win over Rio Grande.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dusty Debeer, Bernalillo</strong>: Led the Spartans ‘Goon Squad' defense against Albuquerque Academy with 11 tackles, 5.0 TFL and 4.0 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TreyBarta09/status/2094841411028094990","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TreyBarta09/status/2094841411028094990 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2181232' first='Michael' last='Denison'], Cleveland</strong>: Completed 14-of-21 passes for 291 yards and 3 TD in the Storm's win over Chatfield (CO). &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Logan DiGiacomo, Aztec</strong>: The freshman completed 10-of-16 passes for 129 yards and 4 TD in Aztec's mercy-rule win over Cuba.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2255876' first='Bradan' last='Dunlap'], Hobbs</strong>: The 6-foot-2 sophomore caught 5 passes for 117 yards and 1 TD in Hobbs' dramatic win over Artesia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1473331' first='Kaeleb' last='Escudero'], Cleveland</strong>: Had a 100+ yard Pick-6 interception + 4 tackles + 1 fumble recovery in the Storm's home win over Chatfield (CO).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155012' first='Curtis' last='Flakes III'], St. Pius X</strong>: 5 receptions for 102 yards in St. Pius X's road loss at Holtville (CA), including a spectacular leaping grab on a deep throw that made ESPN's Top 10 Plays of the Day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1790852' first='Devon' last='Garcia'], Bloomfield</strong>: Led the Bobcats with 13 tackles in their loss to Farmington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155256' first='Nathan' last='Gonzales'], Robertson</strong>: Rushed for 101 yards on 14 carries and threw for 92 yards + team-high 10 tackles on defense in Robertson's close loss to Santa Rosa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ty Gonzalez, Silver</strong>: Led the Colts' defense with 11 tackles, 1 TFL. 1 Sack and 1 Forced Fumble in Silver's win over Battle of 180 rival Deming.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605074' first='Logan' last='Hague'], Albuquerque Academy</strong>: Made 12 receptions for 159 yards + 1 INT on defense in Academy's loss to Bernalillo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nicholas Herrera, Valencia</strong>: Herrera had 9 receptions for 105 yards as the Jaguars won a tough defensive battle on the road against Grants.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MichaelD_2028_/status/2094212433649037691","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MichaelD_2028_/status/2094212433649037691 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2109033' first='Jude' last='Herrera'], Volcano Vista</strong>: Completed 21-of-33 passes for 288 yards and 3 TD as Volcano Vista blanked Cibola.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104442' first='Demarcus' last='Hill'], Hobbs</strong>: Rushed for 122 yards on 14 carries in Hobbs' win over Artesia. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1684748' first='Jermy' last='Jones'], Tucumcari</strong>: Jones totaled 218 yards and scored 4 TD, including a Pick-6, in the Rattlers' road win at Tohatchi.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680067' first='Rock' last='Kalcich'], Farmington</strong>: Threw for 2 TD and rushed for 2 TD in Farmington's win over 4A superpower Bloomfield, snapping the Bobcats' 12-game winning streak dating back to last season. The Scorpions rushed for nearly 300 yards and scored 5 TD in the second half. &nbsp;Kalcich finished with 150+ rushing yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keegan Kellar, Aztec</strong>: Another promising freshman for the Tigers. Kellar led Aztec in rushing with 63 yards on 7 carries, caught 4 passes for 61 yards and scored a TD. The future appears bright at Aztec.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daniel Lawler, Hobbs</strong>: Led the Eagles defense with 9 tackles and 3 QB hurries in the dramatic win over Artesia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114491' first='Kingston' last='Lee'], Silver</strong>: Totaled 200 yards (80 passing, 120 rushing) and accounted for 5 TD + 6 tackles and 2.0 TFL and 1 INT in Silver's convincing win over Deming in the Battle of 180 rivalry game. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155336' first='Kade' last='Lockner'], Tularosa</strong>: The Wildcats' senior QB rushed for 137 yards on a workhorse 24 carries + 6 tackles on defense to fuel Tularosa's exciting one-point win over Ruidoso. Finished with 224 total yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2109801' first='Jeremiah' last='Lord'], Belen</strong>: Rushed for 159 yards and 3 TD on just 7 carries + 1 INT on defense in Belen's lopsided win over Miyamura.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606137' first='Noah' last='Lovato'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Keyed the Rams' defensive effort against Los Lunas with 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack and 8 QB hurries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/kingston_lee10/status/2094034507955642797","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kingston_lee10/status/2094034507955642797 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825989' first='Max' last='Marcum'], Volcano Vista</strong>: Key the Hawk's solid defensive effort in their shutout win over Cibola by making 9 tackles with 2.0 TFL, 1 sack and 1 QB hurry. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1826244' first='Malachi' last='McCoy'], Valencia</strong>: The Jaguars defense didn't allow a point to the Grants offense as McCoy headlined a fantastic defensive effort with 15 tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teo Martinez y Marr, Bernalillo</strong>: Returned a fumble 51 yards for a TD in the closing minutes to lift Bernalillo past Albuquerque Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben'], Carlsbad</strong>: Led the Cavemen's defense with 14 tackles and 2.0 TFL in their road win at Goddard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605057' first='Junior' last='Medrano'], Hobbs</strong>: Threw for 197 yards and 2 TD in Hobbs' thrilling win over Artesia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1183085' first='Monty' last='Melendez'], La Cueva</strong>: Melendez threw for 292 yards and 1 TD and rushed for 55 yards in the Bears' road loss at Monument (CO) Palmer Ridge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2109795' first='Hank' last='Moon'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Tied for the team-high in tackles with 7 + 2.0 TFL + 1 sack + 1 forced fumble and 4 QB hurries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605069' first='Preston' last='Muniz'], Santa Rosa</strong>: Rushed for 280 yards and 4 TD on a workhorse 27 carries in Santa Rosa's close win over Robertson. In two games, Muniz has 374 rushing yards and 6 TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2101127' first='Marley' last='Munoz'], Carlsbad</strong>: Ther Cavemen's dual threat QB rushed for 131 yards and 4 TD in their road win over Goddard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613490' first='Evan' last='Nanez'], Cleveland</strong>: The dynamic WR totaled 234 receiving yards and 306 all-purpose yards and scored 2 TD in Cleveland's win over Chatfield (CO). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/EvanNanez5245/status/2093754900522082590","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EvanNanez5245/status/2093754900522082590 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154954' first='Hershul' last='Olloway'], St. Pius X</strong>: Rushed for 194 yards and 4 TD on just 10 carries in the Sartans' road loss at Holtville (CA).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114808' first='Angelo' last='Ortiz'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Led the Rams defense with 7 tackles (tying for the team high) &nbsp;with 1 sack + 17-yard TD run from the Wildcat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2246139' first='Cristian' last='Pando'], Artesia</strong>: Rushed for 101 yards and 1 TD on 18 carries in the Bulldogs close loss at Hobbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787853' first='Trenton' last='Salt'], Kirtland Central</strong>: 3 receptions for 112 yards in the Broncos' win over Bayfield (CO).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josh Saunders, Tularosa</strong>: Made 11 tackles with 2.0 TF, 3 QB hurries and 1 forced fumble in the close win over Ruidoso.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604734' first='Jacari' last='Smith'], Cleveland</strong>: Had a Pick-6 in the end zone in Cleveland's win over Chatfield (CO).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Talon Stowell, Farmington</strong>: Rushed for 112 yards on 19 carries + scored two second-half touchdowns as Farmington dominated the final 24 minutes of their win over Bloomfield. His 65-yard run gave Farmington a 34-21 lead heading into the fourth quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Hersh_Olloway2/status/2094161259965120776","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Hersh_Olloway2/status/2094161259965120776 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Accounted for 5 TD (3 passing, 2 running) in Rio Rancho's victory over Los Lunas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2246575' first='Gilly' last='Terrazas'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Caught 3 TD passes (17, 29 and 64 yards) in Rio Rancho's win over Los Lunas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marcos Velasquez, Santa Rosa</strong>: Rushed for 116 yards on 14 carries to bolster the Santa Rosa's powerful ground game in the narrow win over Robertson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2069919' first='Wa'Qari' last='Walker'], Atrisco Heritage</strong>: Collected 2.0 TFL, 1 sack + 4 QB hurries in Atrisco Heritage's win over Rio Grande.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604784' first='Cael' last='Walton'], Raton</strong>: Rushed for 137 yards and 2 TD + 5 tackles on defense in Raton's loss to Lamar (CO).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608127' first='Aurelius' last='Wiley'], Volcano Vista</strong>: Caught 9 passes for 85 yards + 41 yards in punt returns for Volcano Vista in their shutout win over Cibola.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605005' first='Brock' last='Wright'], Carlsbad</strong>: Rushed for 118 yards on 20 carries to help lift Carlsbad to a road win at Goddard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/bdunlap2029/status/2093762129182474700","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/bdunlap2029/status/2093762129182474700 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KadeLockner/status/2094173976335712536","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KadeLockner/status/2094173976335712536 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MontyMelen/status/2094149227693924834","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MontyMelen/status/2094149227693924834 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AureliusWiley/status/2094094393599049943","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AureliusWiley/status/2094094393599049943 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->