In hindsight, Portales football coach Andy Correll said he probably should have moved Michael Trujillo to quarterback a year earlier.

Trujillo spent his junior year as a wide receiver.

But after being moved to quarterback as senior, Trujillo set several school passing records to help the Rams to their first Class 3A title in 20 years.

For his efforts, Trujillo was one of two players in New Mexico to be named Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year on Tuesday.

“They only give out a hundred of these a year and he got it for the state of New Mexico,” Correll said. “He was always our backup quarterback and got a few reps the year before and as a sophomore. We adapted the offense around him last year due to the quickness we had on the perimeter.”

The Rams’ spread offense was geared more toward running the ball in the past, but Correll opened up the attack to take advantage of Trujillo’s strong arm, speed and decision-making.

Trujillo threw for 3,789 yards and completed 248 of 368 passes, 48 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 443 yards and five TDs.

“It takes all the pieces working together, he wasn’t the most outspoken, but he led by example,” Correll said.

Trujillo said the team worked hard all season to earn the award because it is an amazing achievement.

“I couldn’t have done it without the whole team, we all worked together,” Trujillo said. “It was funny how it worked out being starting quarterback. All our lives growing up our classes we had our own spots throughout the years. I always happen to be QB like Cody Creek was always linebacker. It was funny because we had everything sorted out for this year to who was starting where. It worked out perfect.”