30 Las Cruces-area players to watch in the 2024 football season
Teams in and around Las Cruces are gearing up for the 2024 high school football season. As anticipation builds, the Las Cruces Sun-News has compiled a list of players to watch this season. These players will be instrumental in helping their respective teams reach their goals in 2024.
Here are 30 players to keep an eye on in the Las Cruces area
Gunnar Guardiola, QB, Las Cruces (Jr.)
Guardiola enters his second season as the Bulldawgs’ starting quarterback after throwing for 2,783 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2023.
Zaiden Davis, QB, Centennial (Sr.)
Davis was the Hawks’ leading runner last season with 805 yards and will be Centennial’s starting quarterback for the final four games of the 2023 season.
Adrian Munoz, QB, Gadsden (Sr.)
Munoz returns as the Panthers’ starting quarterback after throwing for 1,444 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions last season.
Daniel Amaro, RB, Las Cruces (Jr.)
Amaro was the Bulldawgs’ best offensive player last season, posting 2,075 all-purpose yards and 26 total touchdowns.
Alfredo Andrade, RB, Gadsden (Sr.)
Andrade ran for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, helping the Panthers reach the 5A playoffs.
Matthew Borde, RB, Mesilla Valley Christian (Sr.)
Borde was a dynamic playmaker for the SonBlazers last season and returns as one of their leading offensive leaders.
Anthony Nevarez, RB/DB, Mayfield (Sr.)
Nevarez was the Trojans’ leading runner last season with 494 rushing yards. He also scored three rushing touchdowns and 48 receiving yards.
Orrin Russell, RB/LB, Hatch Valley (Sr.)
Russell led all Bears players with 478 rushing yards last season and led all returning players with seven rushing touchdowns.
Jordan Lucas, WR, Centennial (Sr.)
Lucas led the Hawks in catches (43), receiving yards (455) and receiving touchdowns (three) last season.
Nate Libby, WR, Las Cruces (Sr.)
Libby led the Bulldawgs with 1,089 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns in 2023 and had three games with over 100 receiving yards.
Zakk Minjarez, WR, Gadsden (Mister)
Minjarez led the Panthers in both receiving yards (503) and receiving touchdowns (seven) last season.
Uly Montes, WR, Santa Teresa (Sr.)
Montes is the most notable of the Desert Warriors’ returning receivers after leading Santa Teresa with 522 receiving yards last season.
Peyton Darden, WR/LB, Mayfield (Sr.)
Darden led the Trojans with 58 tackles and recorded 3.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. He is expected to play a larger role in the offense this season.
Zaiden Salcido, WR/DB, Mayfield (Sr.)
Salcido was the Trojans’ leader in both receiving yards (394) and receiving touchdowns (5) and had 20 tackles on defense.
Demarcus Alaniz, WR/DB, Hatch Valley (Jr.)
As a sophomore, Alaniz was the team’s all-time leader in receiving yards (520) and receiving touchdowns (nine). He returns as Hatch Valley’s top pass catcher.
Andreas Garay, TE/DE, Mayfield (Sr.)
Garay recorded 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season and could play a bigger role in the offense this season.
Julian Gonzales, TE/LB, Organ Mountain (Sr.)
According to Organ Mountain coach Kenny Sanchez, Gonzales is expected to play a key role on both offense and defense this season.
Luke Matherly, TE/DL, Centennial (Jr.)
Matherly played for the Hawks as a sophomore last season and was selected to the NMHSCA second team all-state on the offensive line. He will move to tight end on offense this season.
Joaquin Wofford, OL, Las Cruces (Sr.)
Wofford returns after being named to the second team all-state by the New Mexico High School Coaches Association last season.
Riley Mendez, OL/DT/LB, Las Cruces (Sr.)
Mendez was selected to the NMHSCA All-State second team last season as an offensive lineman and linebacker. This season, he will play defensive tackle in addition to those positions.
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Abel Gonzalez, DT, Centennial (Sr.)
Gonzalez is one of the Hawks’ best returners and was named to the NMHSCA All-State first team last season after recording 40 tackles and three sacks.
Cody Burk, DT, Organ Mountain (Mister)
Burk is one of the Knights’ best defensive returners after recording 42 tackles and six tackles for loss last season.
Manny Rodriguez, DE, Chaparral (Mister)
Rodriguez is the Lobos’ top defensive returner after leading Chaparral with 141 tackles last season. He will also play running back at times.
Alex Lopez, DE, Gadsden (Jr.)
Lopez led the Panthers with six sacks last season and returns as Gadsden’s top defensive player this season.
Dalin Walter, LB, Las Cruces (Sr.)
Walter gave his all on defense last season, finishing second on the Bulldawgs in tackles, along with two sacks and two interceptions.
Daan Cano, LB, Gadsden (Mister)
Cano was the only Panther to record over 100 tackles last season and finished 2023 with 9.2 tackles per game.
Jacob Martinez, LB, Santa Teresa (Jr.)
Martinez is one of the Desert Warriors’ leading defensive players, recording 45 tackles last season.
Issac Gomez, CB, Las Cruces (Jr.)
Gomez started for the Bulldawgs as a sophomore last season and led Las Cruces with three interceptions.
Omar Terrones, CB, Centennial (Sr.)
Terrones led the Hawks with four interceptions last season and returns to Centennial as a cornerback alongside fellow senior Omar Sanchez.
Kendin Mangrum, DB, Organ Mountain (Sun.)
Mangrum started as a freshman for the Knights last season and, according to Sanchez, has the potential to become “one of the best defensive backs in (New Mexico).”
