Skip to main content
NMPreps

New Mexico High School Top Player Performers From Week 1

kZoAUGAx_400x400 (1)by: J Grine08/25/25nmpreps
NMPreps
NMPreps

The opening weekend of New Mexico high school football delivered exactly what we expected — standout performances from some of the state’s top players. NMPreps breaks down the best individual showings from Week 1.

Note: All performances highlighted come from games we attended, watched, or had statistics submitted by coaches or shared with us on X (formerly Twitter) @nmpreps. If you’d like to nominate a player for recognition, please contact our publisher, Joshua Grine, at 505-414-4313 or [email protected].

All-New Mexico Team Week 1

Jordan Hatch – Cleveland Storm – 2026 – QB

The reigning Mr. Football wasted no time showing why he’s still the most dangerous quarterback in New Mexico. In Cleveland’s 55-42 win over Centennial, Hatch went 18-of-24 for 292 yards, threw three touchdowns, added a rushing score, and finished with 314 total yards. Simply put, he remains the state’s ultimate offensive weapon.

Daniel Amaro – Las Cruces – 2026 – RB

If you want efficiency, look no further than Amaro. The Bulldawgs’ senior tailback had four touchdowns in the first half against Mayfield — rushing from 41, 3, and 2 yards while also hauling in an 88-yard receiving score. He finished with 200+ total yards and proved again why Las Cruces is dangerous.

Evan Nanez – Cleveland Storm – 2028 – ATH

The sophomore stole the show with one of the wildest sequences of the weekend. Nanez scored three different ways: a rushing TD, a short receiving TD, and an 81-yard kickoff return to flip momentum in a matter of seconds against Centennial. Add in over 100 yards of offense, and he’s already a breakout star.

Bryce Parra – Artesia – 2026 – RB

In the Eddy County War, Parra shredded Carlsbad with 192 rushing yards on just 12 carries. He broke free for scores of 40, 71, and 35 yards, then even added a 7-yard touchdown pass to Trent Egeland. His night was the definition of dominance, sparking Artesia’s 48-24 rivalry win.

Noah Estrada – Roswell – 2026 – WR

Roswell’s passing game clicked in their win over Los Lunas, with Estrada pulling down two touchdown grabs for nearly 100 yards. Paired with new QB Luke Lynn, Estrada looked like a top-tier target ready to power Roswell’s state title defense in 5A.

Shamus Wright – Hobbs – 2027 – RB

Hobbs leaned on its junior workhorse against Lovington, and Wright delivered with 230 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 14 carries. He’s already looking like one of the most complete backs in the state.

Curtis Flakes III – St. Pius X – 2027 – WR/DB

The Sartans’ star made his presence felt in all three phases in a 47-29 win over West Mesa. Flakes III caught three passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns, added 15 rushing yards, and made defensive plays with four tackles and a pass breakup. His explosiveness gave St. Pius the spark it needed.

Hershul Olloway Jr. – St. Pius X – 2027 – RB

It didn’t take long for Olloway Jr. to break the game open. On the very first snap, he raced 70 yards to the house. He finished with 151 rushing yards and two scores, setting the tone for the Sartans’ explosive night.

David Chavez – Santa Rosa – 2026 – RB/LB

In the 2A Game of the Week, Chavez powered Santa Rosa past defending champ Texico with 132 rushing yards, a touchdown, and 13 tackles. His two-way dominance was the difference in ending Texico’s 18-game winning streak.

Josh Cordova – Santa Rosa – 2026 – ATH

Alongside Chavez, Cordova was spectacular, running for 100 yards and two touchdowns, passing for 55 yards, and chipping in seven tackles. His versatility makes Santa Rosa the new No. 1 in Class 2A.

Isaiah Carpenter – St. Pius X – 2027 – QB

It was a stat sheet stuffer for Carpenter, who went 16-of-23 for 399 yards and five touchdowns in the Sartans’ opener. Even with two red-zone interceptions, Carpenter’s command of the offense was undeniable.

Joshua Gonzales – Pojoaque Valley – 2027 – QB

Few players filled the box score like Gonzales. He accounted for seven total touchdowns — four passing and three rushing — while compiling nearly 300 total yards. His dual-threat ability singlehandedly carried Pojoaque’s offense in Week 1.

Gunnar Guardiola – Las Cruces – 2026 – QB

The Bulldawgs’ junior quarterback looked sharp in Week 1, completing 5 of 9 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns in a 61-6 rout of rival Mayfield. Guardiola’s efficiency stood out, as he spread the ball around while showcasing his big-play arm. The 2026 prospect has already established himself as one of the premier passers in Class 6A, and his early-season command of the Las Cruces offense suggests the Bulldawgs will again contend deep into November.

Mason Duncan – Piedra Vista – 2026 – LB

In one of the biggest defensive performances of the opening weekend, Duncan was unstoppable in the Panthers’ upset win over Sandia. The junior linebacker finished with nine total tackles, including an eye-popping five tackles for loss and three sacks. Duncan’s disruptive presence not only set the tone for Piedra Vista’s defense but also provided the game-changing plays needed to knock off a Top-15 opponent. His ability to control the line of scrimmage makes him one of the breakout names of Week 1.

Aidan Gluhm – Hobbs – 2026 – LB

Hobbs leaned heavily on its defensive front in their 41-13 victory over Lovington, and Gluhm rose to the occasion. The junior linebacker racked up a Week 1 state-high 17 total tackles while also adding a sack. His motor and physicality anchored a defensive unit that limited Lovington’s playmakers after halftime. Gluhm’s Week 1 showing only solidifies his role as one of the Eagles’ defensive leaders in 2025.

Marco Soto – Artesia – 2026 – DE

The junior defensive end recovered two fumbles against Carlsbad, including a game-changing 86-yard return for a touchdown that swung momentum firmly toward the Bulldogs in the first half. Soto’s knack for finding the football and capitalizing on mistakes provided a spark that Artesia fed off en route to a dominant 48-24 victory.

Other Standouts

  • Collin Joyner – Cleveland – 2026 – DB: 4 tackles, 2 PBUs, including a critical 4th-down stop vs. Centennial.
  • William Anchondo – Highland – 2028 – RB: Rushed for 141 yards and two scores, helping Highland beat Manzano 20-12.
  • Kamaal Stith – St. Michael’s – 2026 – QB: Scored four total touchdowns (2 rushing, 2 passing) in a shutout of Taos.

Complete List: NMPreps Week 1 Top-50 Player Performers

Offensive Standouts

  • Daniel Amaro – Las Cruces – 2026 – RB: 4 TDs (3 rushing, 1 receiving) vs Mayfield.
  • Bryce Parra – Artesia – 2026 – RB: 192 rushing yards, 3 TDs, plus 1 passing TD.
  • Shamus Wright – Hobbs – 2027 – RB: 230 rushing yards, 3 TDs on 14 carries.
  • Isaiah Carpenter – St. Pius X – 2027 – QB: 399 yards passing, 5 TDs vs West Mesa.
  • Jordan Hatch – Cleveland – 2026 – QB: 292 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 rushing TD.
  • Gunnar Guardiola – Las Cruces – 2026 – QB: 201 yards passing, 3 TDs.
  • William Braun – Albuquerque Academy – 2027 – QB: 327 passing yards, 4 TDs.
  • Joshua Gonzales – Pojoaque Valley – 2027 – QB: 226 pass yds (4 TDs), 64 rush yds (3 TDs).
  • Eloy Lopez – Carlsbad – 2026 – QB: 114 pass yds, 1 TD + 2 rushing scores.
  • Derrick Warren – Artesia – 2026 – QB: 109 passing yards, 1 TD, added a TD toss to Trent Egeland.
  • Elijah Melancon – Eunice – 2026 – QB: 249 passing yds, 4 TDs.
  • Tristen Onsurez – Loving – 2026 – QB: 224 passing yds, 2 TDs.
  • Lorenzo Sedillo-Urban – Albuquerque – 2026 – QB: 245 passing yards, 2 TDs.
  • Nicholas Vierra – Santa Teresa – 2025 – QB/RB: 204 rushing yds, 3 TDs.
  • Noah Estrada – Roswell – 2026 – WR: 2 TDs, nearly 100 receiving yds vs Los Lunas.
  • Trent Egeland – Artesia – 2026 – WR: 2 receiving TDs in Eddy County War.
  • Curtis Flakes III – St. Pius X – 2027 – WR/DB: 162 yds receiving, 2 TDs.
  • Cayl Cox-Liggins – St. Pius X – 2027 – WR: 108 yds receiving, 1 TD.
  • Gage Conway – Albuquerque Academy – 2025 – WR: 188 yds receiving, 3 TDs.
  • Dyson Lord – Eunice – 2025 – WR: 142 yds receiving, 3 TDs.
  • Joaquin Baca – Pojoaque Valley – 2025 – WR: 143 yds receiving, 2 TDs.

Defensive Standouts

  • Collin Joyner – Cleveland – 2026 – DB: 4 tackles, 2 PBUs, 1 TFL (4th-down stop).
  • Chase Nelson – St. Pius X – 2027 – DT/T: 2 TFL, 3 tackles, no sacks or pressures allowed.
  • David Chavez – Santa Rosa – 2026 – LB/RB: 132 rush yds, 1 TD, 13 tackles.
  • Porter Thompson – Santa Rosa – 2026 – LB: 10 tackles in win over Texico.
  • Marco Soto – Artesia – 2026 – DE: 2 fumble recoveries, including 86-yard TD return.
  • Jeremiah Mackey – Hobbs – 2026 – DL: 12 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks.
  • Denton Walter – Las Cruces – 2026 – LB: 11 tackles, 5 sacks vs Mayfield.
  • Hunter Parmeter – Las Cruces – 2027 – LB: 12 tackles, 1 sack.
  • Devin Alba – Las Cruces – 2026 – DB: 12 tackles.
  • Michael Diaz – Las Cruces – 2026 – LB: 11 tackles.
  • Colton McKibben – Carlsbad – 2027 – DL: 7 tackles, 1 sack.
  • Mason Duncan – Piedra Vista – 2026 – LB: 9 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 sacks in upset win vs Sandia.
  • Edel Villa – Artesia – 2026 – DB: 11 tackles + interception in win over Carlsbad.
  • Adrian Mora – Hobbs – 2026 – DB/WR: 8 tackles.
  • Gavin McPherson – Hobbs – 2026 – LB: 15 tackles vs Lovington.
  • Aidan Gonzales – Volcano Vista – 2028 – DB: 11 tackles.

All-Purpose / Special Teams / More

  • Evan Nanez – Cleveland – 2028 – ATH: 3 TDs (rushing, receiving, kickoff return).
  • Gianluca “Luca” Ramirez – 2026 – ATH: 180 total yards, 1 receiving TD.
  • Josh Cordova – Santa Rosa – 2026 – ATH: 100 rushing yds, 2 TDs, 55 passing yds, 7 tackles.
  • William Anchondo – Highland – 2028 – RB: 141 rushing yds, 2 TDs vs Manzano.
  • Kamaal Stith – St. Michael’s – 2026 – QB: 2 rushing TDs, 2 passing TDs.
  • Zaiden Baker – Hot Springs – 2028 – QB/ATH: 213 passing yds, 3 TDs, 64 rushing yds.
  • Harlem Coley – Raton – 2029 – RB: 109 rushing yds, 1 TD as a freshman.
  • D’Marcus Rodriguez – Pojoaque Valley – 2026 – RB/ATH: 129 rushing yds, 1 TD, 38-yd catch, 23-yd pass.
  • Spirit Penn-Cook – Volcano Vista – 2026 – QB: 117 pass yds, 1 TD, 61 rushing yds, 1 TD before injury.
  • Rider Gonzalez – Loving – 2028 – WR: 149 yds receiving, 3 TDs.
  • Shamus Wright – Hobbs – 2027 – RB: 230 rushing yds, 3 TDs, also doubled as kick returner.
  • D’Angelo Mitchell – Volcano Vista – 2027 – RB: 112 rushing yds, 1 TD in win over La Cueva.
  • Jaxon Alba – Las Cruces – 2027 – RB: 288 rush yds, 6 TDs in 2024, opened 2025 with long TD run.
  • Jesus Navarette – Santa Fe – 2026 – WR: 6-yard TD + steady receiving night in 32-0 win.
  • Christian Morales – St. Pius X – 2026 – WR: TD catch in 47-29 win over West Mesa.

Join the Conversation

Comment Here: Top New Mexico High School Football Players

Position/Class Breakdowns

Senior Quarterbacks (2026)

  1. Elijah Melancon – Eunice | 249 yds, 4 TD, 19-34 (55.9%)
  2. Lorenzo Sedillo-Urban – Los Alamos (Albuquerque) | 245 yds, 2 TD, 10-24 (41.7%)
  3. Tristen Onsurez – Loving | 224 yds, 2 TD, 9-22 (40.9%)
  4. Gunnar Guardiola – Las Cruces | 201 yds, 3 TD, 5-9 (55.6%)
  5. Bodi True – Manzano (Albuquerque) | 196 yds, 2 TD, 16-30 (53.3%)
  6. Tristin Fernandez – Grants | 154 yds, 2 TD, 13-23 (56.5%)
  7. Salid Rashid – Miyamura (Gallup) | 150 yds, 2 TD, 9-25 (36.0%)
  8. Spirit Penn-Cook – Volcano Vista (Albuquerque) | 117 yds, 1 TD, 9-16 (56.2%)
  9. Eloy Lopez – Carlsbad | 114 yds, 1 TD, 7-14 (50.0%)
  10. Derrick Warren – Artesia | 109 yds, 1 TD, 9-14 (64.3%)

Junior Quarterbacks (2027)

  1. Isaiah Carpenter – St. Pius X (Albuquerque) | 399 yds, 5 TD, 16-23 (69.6%)
  2. William Braun – Albuquerque Academy | 327 yds, 4 TD, 15-22 (68.2%)
  3. Ruiz Laborin – Centennial (Las Cruces) | 245 yds, 3 TD, 14-27 (51.9%)
  4. Joshua Gonzales – Pojoaque Valley | 226 yds, 4 TD, 4-9 (44.4%)
  5. Levi Shelton – Ruidoso | 195 yds, 1 TD, 13-24 (54.2%)
  6. Justin Allen – Lovington | 168 yds, 2 TD, 15-27 (55.6%)
  7. Reuban Marquez – Piedra Vista (Farmington) | 151 yds, 1 TD, 13-28 (46.4%)
  8. CJ Granados – Dexter | 129 yds, 2 TD, 10-13 (76.9%)
  9. Caydin Encinias – West Las Vegas | 92 yds, 1 TD, 5-9 (55.6%)

Sophomore Quarterback (2028)

  • Zaiden Baker – Hot Springs | 213 yds, 3 TD, 16-25 (64.0%)

Freshman Rushing (2029)

  • Harlem Coley – Raton | 109 yds, 1 TD

Sophomore Rushing Leaders (2028)

  1. William Anchondo – Highland (Albuquerque) | 141 yds, 2 TD
  2. Mason Fikany – Ruidoso | 123 yds
  3. Deion Torres – Gadsden (Anthony) | 82 yds, 2 TD
  4. Ezra Ocampo – St. Pius X (Albuquerque) | 71 yds
  5. Andres Acosta – Highland (Albuquerque) | 71 yds
  6. Aldo Gallegos – Las Cruces | 50 yds
  7. Chris Gomez – Las Cruces | 48 yds

Junior Rushing Leaders (2027)

  1. Shamus Wright – Hobbs | 238 yds, 3 TD
  2. Hershul Olloway Jr. – St. Pius X (Albuquerque) | 176 yds
  3. Brock Wright – Carlsbad | 130 yds
  4. Cael Walton – Raton | 126 yds, 2 TD
  5. D’Angelo Mitchell – Volcano Vista (Albuquerque) | 112 yds, 1 TD
  6. Jett Curtis – Texico | 109 yds, 1 TD
  7. Alexis Castro – Dexter | 99 yds
  8. Ruiz Laborin – Centennial (Las Cruces) | 94 yds, 2 TD
  9. Rigo Regalado – Dexter | 89 yds, 1 TD
  10. Junior Medrano – Hobbs | 87 yds, 1 TD

Senior Rushing Leaders (2026)

  1. Nicholas Vierra – Santa Teresa | 204 yds
  2. Bryce Parra – Artesia | 195 yds
  3. Tru Camejo – Ruidoso | 163 yds
  4. Juan Rios – Gadsden (Anthony) | 156 yds
  5. Elijah Melancon – Eunice | 143 yds, 1 TD
  6. David Chavez – Santa Rosa | 132 yds, 1 TD
  7. D’Marcus Rodriguez – Pojoaque Valley | 129 yds, 1 TD
  8. Daniel Amaro – Las Cruces | 126 yds, 3 TD
  9. Spirit Penn-Cook – Volcano Vista (Albuquerque) | 110 yds, 1 TD
  10. Greyson Meek – Eunice | 104 yds

Receiving Leaders – Seniors (2026)

  1. Gage Conway – Albuquerque Academy | 188 yds, 3 TD
  2. Joaquin Baca – Pojoaque Valley | 143 yds, 2 TD
  3. Dyson Lord – Eunice | 142 yds, 3 TD
  4. Daniel Amaro – Las Cruces | 105 yds, 1 TD
  5. Jay Lee – Los Alamos (Albuquerque) | 97 yds, 1 TD

Receiving Leaders – Juniors (2027)

  1. Curtis Flakes III – St. Pius X (Albuquerque) | 162 yds
  2. Cayl Cox-Liggins – St. Pius X (Albuquerque) | 108 yds
  3. Billy Baca – Hot Springs | 95 yds, 1 TD

Receiving Leaders – Sophomores (2028)

  1. Rider Gonzalez – Loving | 149 yds, 1 TD
  2. Mason Fikany – Ruidoso | 129 yds
  3. Ezequiel Garcia – Eunice | 78 yds

Defensive Tackles Leaders

  1. Aidan Gluhm – Hobbs | 17 tackles, 1 sack
  2. Gavin McPherson – Hobbs | 15 tackles
  3. Marco Soto Jr. – Artesia | 14 tackles
  4. David Chavez – Santa Rosa | 13 tackles, 1 TFL
  5. Jeremiah Mackey – Hobbs | 12 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks