2022 New Mexico Mr. Football Candidates
Every season since 2006 NMPreps and Rivals has named the New Mexico Mr. Football award winner. We continue that trend as we start to name potential candidates.
QUARTERBACKS
Aidan Armenta (La Cueva H.S./2023/QB)
Why: The top ranked quarterback who holds an offer from UNM has lived up to the ranking. Armenta has 1,173-passing yards and 11 touchdowns through four games. The Bears are sitting at 3-1 overall.
Nye Estrada (Artesia H.S./2023/QB)
Why: Estrada was named the quarterback entering the season and has been one of the best in the state passing for over 1,000-yards through four games. Estrada has passed for 15-touchdowns for the 3-1 Bulldogs.
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RUNNING BACKS
Cayden Walton (Raton H.S./2023/RB)
Why: Walton entered the season as one of the must-see running backs. What has he done through four games? 1,072-yards, and 16-rushing touchdowns. The Tigers are 4-0 entering week 5.
Layton Gillis (Hatch Valley H.S./2023/RB)
Why: The Bears are having one of their more successful seasons in a few years. Part of that is Gillis a 2023 RB with 731-yards and 10-touchdowns. Gillis has an opportunity to be on the final ten ballot with numbers like this.
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RECEIVERS
Branden Castillo (Cibola H.S./2023/WR)
Why: The Cibola Cougars are currently ranked 5th (6A) and sitting at 4-0 on the season. Castillo has been a top target on the outside leading the team in receiving yards with 508-yards. He also has 5 receiving touchdowns on the season.
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DEFENSE
Gabriel Pino (Volcano Vista H.S./2023/DB)
Why: Pino is quietly becoming one of the top defensive backs in New Mexico high school football this season. He currently leads the team in INT with 3 and his impact has been felt on defense.
Kenyon Singleton (Hobbs H.S./2023/LB)
Why: The Hobbs Eagles are off to a solid with a 4-0 record and ranked in the top portion of 6A football. Singleton has played a huge role in that success guiding the defense. He currently sits with 51-total tackles (24 solo), 1 sack, and 1 caused fumble.
NMPreps will continue to update the feature over the next two weeks. If you feel you have a player that should be considered. Either post below or send in stats to 505-414-4313.
2020: Luke Wysong, RB, Cleveland High School: 457 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in the short 3-game season.
2019: Dorian Lewis, RB, Cleveland High School: Rushed for 1,600 yards, 26 touchdowns.
2018: Cade Manzanares, LB, Roswell High School - 87 total tackles, 10 sacks, the team went a perfect 13-0 to win a state title.
2017: Gavin Hardison, QB, Hobbs High School - 5,347-yards passing and 59 touchdowns.
2016: Josh Foley, RB, Rio Rancho High School - 1,872-rushing yards, 352-receiving yards, and 35 total touchdowns (30 rushings).
2015: Gabe Ortega, QB, Cleveland High School - 3,398-yards and 34 touchdowns.
2014: Easton Breure, QB, Rio Rancho High School - 4,597-yards and 49 touchdowns.
2013: JJ Granados, RB, Las Cruces High School - 2,069-yards and 40 touchdowns.
2012: Adam Lucero, QB, Aztec High School - 3,423-yards and 36 touchdowns.
2011: Cole Guatsche, QB, Cleveland High School - 2,700-yards and 40 touchdowns.
2010: Jacob Jameson, QB, Lovington High School - 3,624-yards and 60 touchdowns.
2009: Ronnie Daniels, RB, La Cueva High School - 2,261-yards and 38 touchdowns.
2008: Dante Caro, RB, Las Cruces High School - 1,610-yards and 29 touchdowns.
2007: Landry Jones, QB, Artesia High School - 3,850-yards and 44 touchdowns.
2006: Landry Jones, QB, Artesia High School - 3,432-yards and 45 touchdowns.
Every season since 2006 NMPreps and Rivals has named the New Mexico Mr. Football award winner. We continue that trend as we start to name potential candidates.
QUARTERBACKS
Aidan Armenta (La Cueva H.S./2023/QB)
Why: The top ranked quarterback who holds an offer from UNM has lived up to the ranking. Armenta has 1,173-passing yards and 11 touchdowns through four games. The Bears are sitting at 3-1 overall.
Nye Estrada (Artesia H.S./2023/QB)
Why: Estrada was named the quarterback entering the season and has been one of the best in the state passing for over 1,000-yards through four games. Estrada has passed for 15-touchdowns for the 3-1 Bulldogs.
-
RUNNING BACKS
Cayden Walton (Raton H.S./2023/RB)
Why: Walton entered the season as one of the must-see running backs. What has he done through four games? 1,072-yards, and 16-rushing touchdowns. The Tigers are 4-0 entering week 5.
Layton Gillis (Hatch Valley H.S./2023/RB)
Why: The Bears are having one of their more successful seasons in a few years. Part of that is Gillis a 2023 RB with 731-yards and 10-touchdowns. Gillis has an opportunity to be on the final ten ballot with numbers like this.
-
RECEIVERS
Branden Castillo (Cibola H.S./2023/WR)
Why: The Cibola Cougars are currently ranked 5th (6A) and sitting at 4-0 on the season. Castillo has been a top target on the outside leading the team in receiving yards with 508-yards. He also has 5 receiving touchdowns on the season.
-
DEFENSE
Gabriel Pino (Volcano Vista H.S./2023/DB)
Why: Pino is quietly becoming one of the top defensive backs in New Mexico high school football this season. He currently leads the team in INT with 3 and his impact has been felt on defense.
Kenyon Singleton (Hobbs H.S./2023/LB)
Why: The Hobbs Eagles are off to a solid with a 4-0 record and ranked in the top portion of 6A football. Singleton has played a huge role in that success guiding the defense. He currently sits with 51-total tackles (24 solo), 1 sack, and 1 caused fumble.
NMPreps will continue to update the feature over the next two weeks. If you feel you have a player that should be considered. Either post below or send in stats to 505-414-4313.
Previous Winners
2021: Zach Vigil, RB, Rio Rancho High School: Rushed for 1,553-yards and 26-touchdowns.2020: Luke Wysong, RB, Cleveland High School: 457 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in the short 3-game season.
2019: Dorian Lewis, RB, Cleveland High School: Rushed for 1,600 yards, 26 touchdowns.
2018: Cade Manzanares, LB, Roswell High School - 87 total tackles, 10 sacks, the team went a perfect 13-0 to win a state title.
2017: Gavin Hardison, QB, Hobbs High School - 5,347-yards passing and 59 touchdowns.
2016: Josh Foley, RB, Rio Rancho High School - 1,872-rushing yards, 352-receiving yards, and 35 total touchdowns (30 rushings).
2015: Gabe Ortega, QB, Cleveland High School - 3,398-yards and 34 touchdowns.
2014: Easton Breure, QB, Rio Rancho High School - 4,597-yards and 49 touchdowns.
2013: JJ Granados, RB, Las Cruces High School - 2,069-yards and 40 touchdowns.
2012: Adam Lucero, QB, Aztec High School - 3,423-yards and 36 touchdowns.
2011: Cole Guatsche, QB, Cleveland High School - 2,700-yards and 40 touchdowns.
2010: Jacob Jameson, QB, Lovington High School - 3,624-yards and 60 touchdowns.
2009: Ronnie Daniels, RB, La Cueva High School - 2,261-yards and 38 touchdowns.
2008: Dante Caro, RB, Las Cruces High School - 1,610-yards and 29 touchdowns.
2007: Landry Jones, QB, Artesia High School - 3,850-yards and 44 touchdowns.
2006: Landry Jones, QB, Artesia High School - 3,432-yards and 45 touchdowns.
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