Prep Redzone New Mexico: X-Factors In The 6A State Semifinals!
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With half of the 6A State Playoffs complete, we have completed the First Round and the Quarterfinals. This 6A Playoff Bracket started with twelve teams and we are down to the final four in the 6A State Semifinals. We have…
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Continue ReadingWith half of the 6A State Playoffs complete, we have completed the First Round and the Quarterfinals. This 6A Playoff Bracket started with twelve teams and we are down to the final four in the 6A State Semifinals. We have two matchups; #1 Cleveland vs #5 Volcano Vista on Friday Night and #2 La Cueva vs #3 Centennial early Saturday afternoon. We take a look at the biggest X-Factors in the Semifinals with a trip to the State Championship on the line.
#1 Cleveland vs #5 Volcano Vista
Quarterback Battle: Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM vs Elliot Paskett-Bell Elliot Paskett-Bell 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Volcano Vista | 2023 State NM .
Both Senior Quarterbacks come into this game having played great seasons up to this point. This is a rare matchup between two of the top four quarterbacks in New Mexico. Both QB’s are very similar in their styles of play passing and running the football. This could be a potential shootout with a trip to the State Championship on the line. Elliot Paskett Bell ranks second in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns in New Mexico. Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM ranks 15th in passing yards and tied for 8th in passing touchdowns. Elliot Paskett-Bell Elliot Paskett-Bell 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Volcano Vista | 2023 State NM has rushed for 900 yards while Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM is not that far behind with his rushing total at 861 this season. A lot of these numbers were could’ve been higher considering both sat many second halves and fourth quarters during blowout victories. Whichever quarterback that outplays the other could impact the outcome the most in this game.
Wide Receiver Battle: Nic Trujillo Nic Trujillo 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NM vs Tristan Cordova.
Nic Trujillo Nic Trujillo 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NM is Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM ‘s favorite target down the field and Tristan Cordova is Elliot Paskett-Bell Elliot Paskett-Bell 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Volcano Vista | 2023 State NM ‘s number one target. These are two of the states best Wide Receivers coming into this game. Tristan Cordova ranks third in terms of receiving yardage with 1,101 yards and Nic Trujillo Nic Trujillo 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NM ranks 8th with 965 receiving yards this season. Both wideouts were inside the top 10 in terms of receiving touchdowns this year. Whichever player can take more pressure off their quarterback will put their team in the best chance to win this playoff showdown.
Running Back Battle: Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM vs Alijah Gonzales Alijah Gonzales 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM .
Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM from Cleveland is the states top running back and Alijah Gonzales Alijah Gonzales 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM has emerged as one of the best at the position this year. Both players are very important to their teams. Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM comes into this game with over 1,500 rushing yards this season which is sixth in New Mexico. Alijah Gonzales Alijah Gonzales 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM comes into this game with three 100+ rushing games this season and is equally as important in the teams passing game as a receiving back. In a game that should get really cold tonight, expect both player to be workhorses for their respective teams.
Linebacker Battle: Stratton Shufelt Stratton Shufelt 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Cleveland | 2024 State NM vs Nathan Wallin Nathan Wallin 5'10" | 185 lbs | LB Volcano Vista | 2023 State NM .
Stratton Shufelt Stratton Shufelt 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Cleveland | 2024 State NM and Nathan Wallin Nathan Wallin 5'10" | 185 lbs | LB Volcano Vista | 2023 State NM are both the leaders of their respective defenses. They both come into this game being game planned by the opposing coaches. These players can both take over a game by themselves and make their play contagious to their teammates. Stratton and Nathan can read where the football is going and have great instincts on the field. Don’t be surprised if either one of these two make a game-changing play in this game.
Free Safety Battle: Devonte Shendo Devonte Shendo 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Cleveland | 2023 State NM vs Gabriel Pino.
Devonte Shendo Devonte Shendo 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Cleveland | 2023 State NM and Gabriel Pino are the heartbeat’s of the secondary’s for each defense. They are both considered lockdown defensive specialists and can change the momentum of a game in a heart beat. Devonte Shendo Devonte Shendo 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Cleveland | 2023 State NM comes into this game with three defensive interceptions this season while Gabriel Pino ranked tied for third in New Mexico with seven defensive interceptions. They will make each opposing quarterback think twice before throwing their way down the field.
#2 La Cueva vs #3 Centennial
Quarterback Battle: Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM vs Daniel Hernandez Daniel Hernandez QB Centennial | 2024 State NM .
Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM and Daniel Hernandez Daniel Hernandez QB Centennial | 2024 State NM squared off against each other back in early September in week three of the young season. The Bears defeated Centennial 28-21 at Wilson Stadium. Both Quarterbacks can make some damage in different ways. Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM the UNM Lobos Commit; leads the state in passing yards (3,283) and passing touchdowns (40). Whereas Daniel Hernandez Daniel Hernandez QB Centennial | 2024 State NM is dangerous on his feet running the football and passing the football. Which ever quarterback can finish and execute more drives will be in the drivers seat in this game.
Wide Receiver Battle: Ian Sanchez Ian Sanchez 5'10" | 160 lbs | WR La Cueva | 2023 State NM vs Isaiah Abeyta Isaiah Abeyta 5'10" | 155 lbs | WR Centennial | 2023 State NM .
Ian Sanchez Ian Sanchez 5'10" | 160 lbs | WR La Cueva | 2023 State NM is the states leading Wide Receiver in all three major receiving categories in terms of receptions, yards and receptions. He has accumulated 1,376 receiving yards, 20 receiving touchdowns and 79 receptions going into this playoff matchup. For Isaiah Abeyta Isaiah Abeyta 5'10" | 155 lbs | WR Centennial | 2023 State NM , we don’t have his official stats (via. MaxPreps) but, he has been a problem all season for opposing defenses. Him and Quarterback Daniel Hernandez Daniel Hernandez QB Centennial | 2024 State NM are a solid QB-WR tandem.
Running Back Battle: Gabriel Buie Gabriel Buie 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB La Cueva | 2023 State NM , Miyuh Robertson and Cameron Dyer vs Mikah Gutierrez Mikah Gutierrez 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Centennial | 2023 State NM .
The La Cueva Bears primary running back is Gabriel Buie Gabriel Buie 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB La Cueva | 2023 State NM who averaged 102 rushing yards per game in the regular season but they have a trio of players in their backfield. Miyuh Robertson and Cameron Dyer keep each other fresh and the Bears have multiple weapons on the ground. Centennial’s leading back is Mikah Gutierrez Mikah Gutierrez 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Centennial | 2023 State NM who is one of the states top backs. Unofficially, he has run for an estimated 1,600 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. Whichever team that controls the tempo of the game will come out victorious.