High school football: 4A Gila Region honors

Justin Spears
Dec 12, 2018
Dec 12, 2018 Updated Jul 9, 2019

The AIA is recognizing the top football players and coaches in the Class 4A Gila Region. Here are first and second All-Region teams, including Player and Coach of the Year honors.

First-Team Offense

Walden Grove twins Alex and Jordan Lopez — “They definitely work really, really well together,” Walden Grove coach Corey Noble says of Alex, left, and Jordan Lopez.
Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

Quarterback

Alex Lopez, Walden Grove

Running backs

Ethan Ross, Amphitheater
Omar Ibañez, Pueblo
Christian Estrella, Douglas

Receivers/Tight ends

Jordan Lopez, Walden Grove
Demier Nelson, Palo Verde
Robert Jackson, Pueblo
Blaze Haynes, Amphitheater
Ernie Bernal, Douglas

Offensive Utility/Flex Player

J.Q. Hale, Palo Verde

Offensive line

Flavio Gonzalez, Pueblo
Sergio Zazueta, Pueblo
Andres Moreno, Douglas
Grant Annett, Walden Grove
Seamus Button, Walden Grove

First-Team Defense

Douglas vs Pueblo — Pueblo High's Julio Carino (9) nearly strips Douglas High's Trey Rose III (10) of the ball in the second quarter of their game at Pueblo High School, Friday September 28, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Defensive backs

Alex Moreno, Douglas
Ruben Rivera IV, Pueblo
Robert Jackson, Pueblo

Defensive line

Brandon Terrell, Walden Grove
Juan Ramirez, Walden Grove
Flavio Gonzalez, Pueblo
Julian Campos, Amphitheater

Defensive Utility/Flex Player

Ethan Ross, Amphitheater

Linebackers

Rick Avelar, Walden Grove
Bradley Capen, Walden Grove
Julio Carino, Pueblo
Kevin Chavez, Douglas

First-Team Special Teams

Placekicker

Kiki Escalante, Douglas

Kickoff Return

Jordan Lopez, Walden Grove

Long Snapper

Armando Montano, Palo Verde

Punter

Nathan Alvarenga, Walden Grove

Punt return

Robert Jackson, Pueblo

Second-Team Defense

Tucson High vs Pueblo — Pueblo's Omar Ibanez (34) slams face-first into Tucson's Cesar Sanchez (21) stopping his run up the middle in the second quarter of their game at Tucson High School, Saturday, August 25, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Defensive backs

Jonny Jeffery, Walden Grove
Perrison Williams, Amphitheater
Kevin Silva, Amphitheater

Defensive line

Orlando Burruel, Amphitheater
Kevin A. Lopez-Barriguete, Pueblo
David Grajeda, Douglas
Bryant Sosa, Rio Rico
Juan Rabago, Pueblo
Carmine Leon, Walden Grove

Defensive Utility/Flex Player

Elian Villasenor, Douglas

Linebackers

Omar Ibanez, Pueblo
Mason Young, Walden Grove
Blaze Haynes, Amphitheater
Kenneth S. Lilley, Rio Rico

Second-Team Offense

Quarterback

Marcelino Vega, Pueblo

Running backs

Bradley Capen, Walden Grove
Manny Mejia, Douglas
Joshua Garcia, Pueblo

Receivers/Tight ends

Ruben Rivera IV, Pueblo
John Ballasteros, Douglas
Hector Najar, Walden Grove
Sergio Romero, Rio Rico
Jayson Allison, Walden Grove

Offensive Utility/Flex Player

Fernando Medina, Pueblo

Offensive line

Adam Alvarenga, Walden Grove
Orlando Burruel, Amphitheater
Armando Montano, Palo Verde
Mario Estrada, Douglas
Jose Rivera, Rio Rico

Second-Team Special Teams

Friedli Field at Amphitheater High School — Friedli Field, named for longtime coach Vern Friedli in 2001, is at 125 W. Yavapai Road on the city’s north side.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

Placekicker

Nathan Alvarenga, Walden Grove

Kickoff Return

Elian Villasenor, Douglas

Long Snapper

Ismael Gallardo, Walden Grove

Punter

Angel Taylor, Amphitheater

Punt return

Bradley Capen, Walden Grove

Coach of the Year: Corey Noble, Walden Grove

WG RED 🐺🏈 punched their playoff tickets with a win over Amphi HS as well as winning 4A Gila Region Championship for the first time in schools history! And this is how players celebrated #Wolfpack #waldengrovefootball2018 #waldengrovefootballdynasty #4AGilaRegion pic.twitter.com/fkC7fKH72u
— Walden Grove High School Football (@FB_RedWolves) October 20, 2018

Offensive Player of the Year: Alex Lopez, Walden Grove

2018 stats:

Passing: 157 of 269 (58.4%), 2,655 yards, 29 touchdowns, 11 interceptions

Rushing: 624 yards, 6 touchdowns

Defensive Player of the Year: Rick Avelar III, Walden Grove

2018 stats: 135 tackles, 36.5 TFL

Player of the Year: Jordan Lopez, Walden Grove

2018 stats: 54 catches, 1,230 yards, 12 touchdowns

Justin Spears

Sports Reporter

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First-Team Offense

Quarterback

Running backs

Receivers/Tight ends

Offensive Utility/Flex Player

Offensive line

First-Team Defense

Defensive backs

Defensive line

Defensive Utility/Flex Player

Linebackers

First-Team Special Teams

Placekicker

Kickoff Return

Long Snapper

Punter

Punt return

Second-Team Defense

Defensive backs

Defensive line

Defensive Utility/Flex Player

Linebackers

Second-Team Offense

Quarterback

Running backs

Receivers/Tight ends

Offensive Utility/Flex Player

Offensive line

Second-Team Special Teams

Placekicker

Kickoff Return

Long Snapper

Punter

Punt return

Coach of the Year: Corey Noble, Walden Grove

Offensive Player of the Year: Alex Lopez, Walden Grove

Defensive Player of the Year: Rick Avelar III, Walden Grove

Player of the Year: Jordan Lopez, Walden Grove

Justin Spears

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