Cleveland's Hatch wins Gatorade NM POTY, fourth Storm QB to earn title

RIO RANCHO — Gatorade’s newest flavor: “Hatch” Green Chile?

Jordan Hatch may not have his own picture on a Gatorade bottle (quite yet), but the Cleveland High School quarterback has made history. Announced Friday morning, Hatch was awarded the Gatorade Player of the Year title for New Mexico football.

This is the sixth time a Storm player has won the award, with Hatch becoming the fourth Cleveland quarterback to do so, capping off an illustrious high school career with another accolade for the resume.

Hatch is coming off a senior championship season where he threw for 2,888 yards and 40 touchdowns, with a passer rating of a state-best 146.

His 2025 season puts him at 6,841 passing yards and 90 touchdown passes in his Storm career, making him one of the best, if not the best, passers to come through Cleveland High.

“Jordan is so accurate,” Centennial High Head Coach Aaron Ocampo told Gatorade. “It’s like video game numbers. And most of his throws are down the field; he isn’t throwing a lot of screens.”

But while Hatch was a star on the field, earning the iconic orange lightning bolt by your name takes more than just your performance between the hashes.

Gatorade takes into account athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character when deciding their players state by state.

On top of football, Hatch maintained a 3.71 GPA in the classroom. Outside of school, he volunteers at the New Mexico School of the Deaf, immersing himself in sign language and deaf culture. He is also the president of the young men’s organization at his church.

“He didn’t just lead the Storm, he set the standard.” Cleveland Football Boosters’ official page said on Instagram, posting the announcement.

What is next for Hatch? He will be serving a Mormon mission upon graduation as his college decision remains up in the air.

Wherever Hatch ends up, whether on the field or off, one thing is for certain: He will be bringing his hard work ethic along with him.