High school football: 3A South Region honors
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Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
- Updated
The AIA is recognizing the top football players and coaches in the Class 3A South Region. Here are first and second All-Region teams, including Player and Coach of the Year honors.
First-Team Offense
Updated
Sabino's Jimmy Hamilton, middle, was named to the First-Team All-3A South.
Quarterback
- Colin Fanning, Sahuarita
Running backs
- Bryce Williams, Sahuarita
- Evan Lovett, Pusch Ridge Christian
Receivers/Tight ends
- Jimmy Hamilton, Sabino
- Cristian Gonzalez, Sahuarita
- Taibel Crucella, Catalina
Offensive Utility/Flex Player
- Leon Hayes, Catalina
Offensive line
- Anthony Garcia, Sahuarita
- Alex Borbon, Tanque Verde
- Eric Aguilar, Safford
- Caden Wechsler, Sabino
- R.J. Ahumada, Sahuarita
First-Team Defense
Updated
Defensive end Jose Lugo cleans up in the weight room prior to taking the field for some practice at Catalina High School in Tucson, AZ. on July 16, 2018.
Defensive backs
- Jerick Arbizo, Safford
- Leon Hayes, Catalina
- Jonathan Stanton, Pusch Ridge Christian
Defensive line
- Jose Lugo, Catalina
- Ezra Boughner, Safford
- Jayson Petty, Sabino
- Casey Way, Pusch Ridge Christian
Defensive Utility/Flex Player
- Logan Szarek, Sabino
Linebackers
- William Moody, Pusch Ridge Christian
- Robert White, Safford
- Richie Piña, Sabino
- Tucker Leinen, Sahuarita
First-Team Special Teams
Updated
A few Mustang logos on the north field goals at Burton Tingle Field at Sahuarita High School, Tuesday, July 28, 2015, Sahuarita, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Placekicker
- Justin Torrio, Safford
Kickoff Return
- Evan Lovett, Pusch Ridge Christian
Long Snapper
- Anthony Garcia, Sahuarita
Punter
- Justin Torrio, Safford
Punt return
- Cristian Gonzalez, Sahuarita
Second-Team Defense
Updated
Head coach Ryan McBrayer, center, looks for pads that will fit senior lineman Caden Wechsler as the Sabino High School Sabercats get fitted for helmets and pads. Wechsler amassed 28 solo tackled a year ago and can play on both sides of the ball.
Defensive backs
- Justin Torrio, Safford
- Oscar Martinez, Sahuarita
- Cristian Felix, Sahuarita
Defensive line
- Caden Wechsler, Sabino
- R.J. Ahumada, Sahuarita
- Cameron Austin, Tanque Verde
- Dylan Murray, Tanque Verde
Defensive Utility/Flex Player
- Diego Armijo, Sabino
Linebackers
- Gabriel Aguilar, Sabino
- Taibel Crucella, Catalina
- Jacob Terrell, Sahuarita
- Samuel Tobias, Safford
Second-Team Offense
Updated
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy’s football stadium, right at the base of Pusch Ridge, at the school in Tucson, Ariz., Wednesday, July 15, 2015. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Quarterback
- A.J. Skaggs, Sabino
Running backs
- Jamel Brown, Sabino
- C.J. Scrivner, Safford
Receivers/Tight ends
- Jayson Petty, Sabino
- Philippe Kijina, Catalina
- Oscar Martinez, Sahuarita
Offensive Utility/Flex Player
- Jerick Arbizo, Safford
Offensive line
- Brad Hoge, Sabino
- Braeden Cole, Pusch Ridge Christian
- Franky Brito, Sahuarita
- Colton Karulski, Tanque Verde
- Josh Martinez, Safford
Second-Team Special Teams
Updated
Sabino’s Diego Armijo, left, played free safety and linebacker in 2018.
Placekicker
- John Atnip, Sabino
Kickoff Return
- Jerick Arbizo, Safford
Long Snapper
- Max Rabich, Sabino
Punter
- Diego Armijo, Sabino
Punt return
- Jimmy Hamilton, Sabino
Coach of the Year: Ryan McBrayer, Sabino
Updated
Sabino's head coach Ryan McBrayer celebrates with Sabino's Gabriel Aguiar (18) after Aguiar recovered a Sahuaro fumble in the first quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Friday, August 31, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Offensive Player of the Year: Leon Hayes, Catalina
Updated
Receivers Philippe Kijana, left, and Leon Hayes share a moment as practice gets heated at Catalina High School in Tucson, AZ. on July 16, 2018.
2018 stats (Per MaxPreps):
15 catches, 280 yards, 1 touchdown
72 carries, 600 yards, 9 touchdowns
Defensive Player of the Year: Richie Piña, Sabino
Updated
Sahuaro's Izaiah Davis (1) drags Sabino's Richie Piña (46) a few steps closer to the goal line during a run in the first quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Friday, August 31, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
2018 stats (Per MaxPreps):
136 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception
Player of the Year: Richie Piña, Sabino
UpdatedJustin Spears
Sports Reporter
