High school football: 4A Gila Region honors
AIA announced its all-region teams earlier this month. Here are the first and second All-4A Gila Region teams along with Coach of the Year and individual honors.
First-Team Offense
Updated
Pueblo Warriors Julian Lopez (25) runs the ball passed the Tucson Badgers defensive line during a game at Pueblo High School Friday, Aug. 30, 2019.
Quarterback
- Alex Lopez, Walden Grove
Running backs
- Julian Lopez, Pueblo
- Isiah Hill, Amphitheater
Wide receivers/Tight ends
- Jordan Lopez, Walden Grove
- Hector Najar, Walden Grove
- Demier Nelson, Palo Verde
Offensive utility/Flex player
- Julian Campos, Amphitheater
Offensive line
- Orlando Burruel, Amphitheater
- Miguel Alday, Pueblo
- Grant Annett, Walden Grove
- Christian Karlinsey, Walden Grove
- Sergio Zazueta, Pueblo
First-Team Defense
Updated
Douglas High's Christian Estrella (11) can't stiff arm his way out of the grasp of Pueblo High's Hassan Aden (29) at Pueblo High School, Friday September 28, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Defensive backs
- Hassan Aden, Pueblo
- Guibran Berthely, Dougals
- Richmond Slan III, Walden Grove
Linebackers
- Joseph Jackson, Pueblo
- Rick Avelar III, Walden Grove
- Sebastian Adamski, Walden Grove
- Julian Encinas, Amphitheater
Defensive Utility/Flex player
- Robert Villegas, Rio Rico
Defensive line
- Miguel Mejia, Walden Grove
- Juan Rabago, Pueblo
- Julian Campos, Amphitheater
- Christian Peru, Pueblo
First-Team Special Teams
UpdatedPlacekicker
- Kiki Escalante, Douglas
Kickreturner
- Darius Johnson, Palo Verde
Punter
- Tristan Spalding, Palo Verde
Punt returner
- Marcell Kelly, Palo Verde
Long snapper
- Julian Campos, Amphitheater
Second-Team Offense
Updated
Christian Estrella says his style is “very aggressive.”
Quarterback
- Marcelino Vega, Pueblo
Running backs
- Cristian Vega, Rio Rico
- Sam Martinez, Walden Grove
Wide receivers/Tight ends
- Ty Mcdermott, Walden Grove
- Alejandro Molina, Douglas
- Jesus Prado, Pueblo
Offensive utility/Flex player
- Christian Estrella, Douglas
Offensive line
- Bryant Sosa, Rio Rico
- Christian Verdugo, Palo Verde
- Grabirl Watkins-Daigle, Walden Grove
- Juan Rabago, Pueblo
- Jose Gonzalez, Amphitheater
Second-Team Defense
Updated
Catalina Foothills senior Will Parker (44) gets tripped up by Pueblo senior Oscar Landry (1) during the Catalina Foothills Falcons 19-0 win over the Pueblo Warriors high school football game at Pueblo High School 3500 S. 12th Ave., Tucson, Ariz. on September 27th, 2019. The Falcons ended the Warriors undefeated the record.
Defensive backs
- Kevin Silva, Amphitheater
- Oscar Landry, Pueblo
- Ryan Brady, Walden Grove
Linebackers
- Zaid Gamez, Pueblo
- Isaiah Escalante, Amphitheater
- Brayan Martinez, Palo Verde
- Frank Gonzales, Rio Rico
Defensive utility/Flex player
- John Ballasteros, Douglas
Defensive line
- Ismael Gallardo, Walden Grove
- Amari Knotts, Palo Verde
- Sam Martinez, Walden Grove
- Josiah Medina, Rio Rico
Second-Team Special Teams
Updated
Wide receiver Jordan Lopez breaks off the line during a recent Walden Grove practice.
Placekicker
- Nathan Alvarenga, Walden Grove
Kick returner
- Jordan Lopez, Walden Grove
Punter
- Angel Taylor, Amphitheater
Punt returner
- Adrian Barrentine, Amphitheater
Long snapper
- Ismael Gallardo, Walden Grove
Coach of the Year: Corey Noble, Walden Grove
Updated
Walden Grove Coach Corey Noble directs his team's practice from the sidelines on August 7th, 2019. Sahuarita, Ariz.
2019 record: 9-2
Won the 4A Gila Region championship
Defensive Player of the Year: Sebastian Adamski, LB, Walden Grove
Updated2019 stats: 130 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 2 sacks
Offensive Player of the Year: Alex Lopez, QB, Walden Grove
Updated
Walden Grove's Alex Lopez (16) celebrates after scampering in for a touchdown against Nogale in the fourth quarter of their game at Walden Grove High School, Friday, September 29, 2017, Sahaurita, Ariz.
2019 stats: 141-223, 2,337 passing yards (212.5 YPG), 924 rushing yards, 35 touchdowns, 9 interceptions
Region Player of the Year: Rick Avelar III, LB, Walden Grove
Updated
Walden Grove LB Rick Avelar reads the offense during a full team practice drill on August 7th, 2019 in Sahuarita, Ariz.
2019 stats: 162 tackles, 17.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks
