Top 5 Running Backs in Class 4A
The spring promises yet another wide-open Class 4A football season with several teams competing for the state championship. Here are the top five running backs in Class 4A: Bracxton Hall, Ruidoso: An uncommon first name and an uncommon talent. A…
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Continue ReadingThe spring promises yet another wide-open Class 4A football season with several teams competing for the state championship. Here are the top five running backs in Class 4A:
Bracxton Hall, Ruidoso: An uncommon first name and an uncommon talent. A key part of one of Class 4A’s best offensive combinations, Hall rushed for 635 yards on 151 carries (12.6 per game) in 12 games last season. Together with 6-foot-3 TE Grant Oberheu Grant Oberheu 6'3" | LB Ruidoso | 2021 State NM , who will play at the next level, Hall looks to help Ruidoso improve on a 5-7 record and quarterfinal loss to Bloomfield in last fall’s 4A playoffs.
Cayden Dunn, Moriarty: Moriarty finished with a 2-9 record last season, which explains why Dunn, a rising junior, is practically unknown outside of his hometown heading into the spring season. Dunn rushed for 791 yards and averaged 7.1 yards per carry in 2019. If Moriarty climbs the 4A ladder in the spring, Dunn will carry them there, especially in the wake of the tragic passing of Pedro Sandoval in an automobile accident a few months ago.
Terrell (TJ) Hocker, Grants: Hocker served faithfully as Grants’ No. 2 running back behind 2,000-yard rusher Isaiah Johnson last season, gaining 536 yards and scoring 7 touchdowns on 50 carries. If Hocker averages 10.7 yards per carry again in the spring, he’ll lead Class 4A in rushing just as Johnson did in 2019. Grants has arguably 4A’s best QB in Brandon Furbee Brandon Furbee 6'3" | QB Farmington | 2022 State NM , so the offense could be very explosive.
Ayden Madrid Ayden Madrid 5'11" | LB Bernalillo | 2021 State NM , Bernalillo: Bernalillo lives in the shadow of next-door neighbors Cleveland and Rio Rancho, and the school’s football history isn’t the best, but the Spartans reached the 4A playoffs last season with a 6-4 record and Madrid was a big reason why, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards (5 100+ rushing games) and 17 touchdowns.
Matthew Suazo, Taos: Suazo got his feet wet on the varsity level as a freshman in 2018 when Taos stormed to the Class 4A title with a 12-1 record, and followed up with a solid sophomore campaign in 2019 when he rushed for 469 yards on 97 carries with four touchdowns. If Suazo takes his game to the next level, Taos could again compete for the title.
Honorable Mention: Ethan Conrow (Portales); Marco Ybarra Marco Ybarra 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB St. Pius X | 2022 State NM (St. Pius X); Zakk Thomas Zakk Thomas 5'10" | RB Kirtland Central | 2022 State NM (Kirtland Central).