ONES TO WATCH
These promising preps players could lead their teams to gridiron glory
Will this be the year of Jordan Byrd? Who will emerge as the successors to the stellar running back class of 2016? Is there another David Cormier-type receiver waiting in the wings to punch his ticket to the next level?
While the teams will have their say in due course, it’s time for some personal introductions as we meet some of the metro area’s top players to watch for the 2017 season.
Quarterback
Two names immediately spring off the page: Byrd and Angelo Trujillo.
Manzano will use Byrd, the state’s three-time 100-meter state champion, almost exclusively at
QB this season (he started the final five games there last season), and defenses will be compelled to try to keep him between the tackles when he runs.
But remember, Manzano has all three of its varsity quarterbacks returning, which would permit the Monarchs the luxury of deploying Byrd (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) elsewhere on occasion.
Byrd has verbally committed to San Diego State, and he intimated last month that the Aztecs want to groom him as a running back.
Cleveland High’s Trujillo (6-1, 195) tore the ACL in his right knee as he made a cut on the Community Stadium turf last November in the regular-season finale against Volcano Vista.
That injury knocked him from the playoffs. But in a recent sit-down interview, he proclaimed himself fully healthy, and ahead of schedule on his rehab. He is an outstanding dual-threat QB.
Logan Bruere at Rio Rancho (6-3, 200) becomes the second Bruere to lead the potent Rams offense. And if he’s even half as productive as older brother Easton, Rio Rancho ought to be in excellent hands.
In Los Lunas, Nick Gaerlan (5-10, 170) threw for 21 TDs last year as a sophomore; like Cleveland’s Trujillo, he is a terrific dual threat athlete. But under new coach Jeremy Maupin, who comes in from Artesia, Gaerlan will spend more time in the shotgun and certainly will be going vertical a bit more now that O’maury Samuels is in Michigan gear.
Running back
There was serious turnover at this position with some thrilling athletes — Rio Rancho’s Josh Foley, Samuels, Volcano Vista’s Chris Streetz, Cleveland’s Niko Papadopoulos and Del Norte’s Avery See among them — having graduated.
Among the returners, arguably the best is muscular Manzano junior Xavier IveySaud (6-1, 195), who gained a shade over 1,000 yards last fall as a sophomore and should alleviate some of the pressure on Byrd, especially since almost all of Manzano’s O-line is back as well.
Two names that surely will be heard prominently are Zion Lopez and Isaac Torres. Lopez (5-8, 180) will step in for Foley as Rio Rancho’s primary back, while across town at Cleveland, Torres (5-7, 165) is the fastest Storm back since Romell Jordan, coach Heath Ridenour said.
Lopez — a “grinder,” was how Rio Rancho coach David Howes described him — will be more of a power back than Foley was, so expect fewer of those electrifying 70- and 80-yard touchdown breaks that were such a Foley trademark.
Cleveland actually lost its two best runners, and with a somewhat smaller O-line than it has had in recent memory, Torres’ speed will surely be an asset.
The 5-11, 190-pound Moses Young takes over for Streetz at Volcano Vista, and while he doesn’t possess the speed of Streetz, Young is a well-rounded talent.
La Cueva has a highly touted Texas transfer in 5-10, 170-pound junior D’Andre Williams. He was ineligible to play varsity last season due to transfer rules, but before he’s through could give the Bears their best run threat since Ronnie Daniels.
Receiver
St. Pius’ Ryan McGaha set school records last year for receptions and touchdowns, but it would not be surprising if his numbers fell off as Ortiz is no longer there to
deliver throws. But McGaha (5-9, 165) remains one of 5A’s most dangerous targets.
Valley has a similar situation with Jove Messenger (5-11, 155), the team’s best athlete. The Vikings also have a new QB, so Messenger’s production may hinge on the chemistry between the two.
Other teams have more established receivers, like Rio Rancho with Derrick Reyes (6-3, 225) and Austin Hise (5-11, 170). Both are in line for enormous seasons in that rapid-fire Ram offense. Justin Ainsworth (6-4, 175) at Cleveland is a tall , athletic receiver and will be a matchup problem for just about everyone. In the slot, the Storm’s Randy Nieto (5-6, 145) is expected to be a serious down-field threat.
Manzano has a great perimeter threat for Byrd: Andrew Erickson (6-1, 185), who had an outstanding junior campaign. And West Mesa’s Brandon Bouldin (6-3, 175) caught eight touchdown passes last year.
Defense
End Keshawn Banks of Rio Rancho (6-3, 255) already has given a verbal commitment to San Diego State; Howes’ brother-inlaw, Danny Gonzales, is an assistant coach for the Aztecs. Interestingly, Banks, even after his decision to go to SDSU, received another offer from Mountain West Conference rival Wyoming.
Volcano Vista’s Joren Dickey (6-3, 205) is one of New Mexico’s premier athletes and already has one offer from Sacramento State; his quickness and power are marvelous to behold. The Hawks will have the luxury of using him at outside linebacker or walking him up and having him either lend run support or rush the passer.
Is Dickey mobile? Well, he blocked five punts last season.
Ridenour at Cleveland effuses praise for Dion Hunter, matter-of-factly proclaiming the 6-3, 205-pound junior linebacker a future Division I player.
La Cueva also has one of Class 6A’s best playmaking linebackers in senior Derek Loidolt (5-11, 210), the Bears’ leading tackler from last season. Alejandro Vallejos (5-8, 195) is cut from the same cloth as Loidolt and is a sparkplug on the outstanding Manzano unit. Ditto for Rio Rancho’s Cailon Bailon (5-11, 206), an outside ’backer who led the state’s best defense in tackles as a junior.
Bailon, Vallejos and Loidolt all were second-team all-state selections last fall.
In the secondary, Atrisco Heritage expects a huge senior season from free safety Neil Smith (5-9, 160).