High school football: 4A Gila Region honors
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Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
- Updated
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
Updated
βThey definitely work really, really well together,β Walden Grove coach Corey Noble says of Alex, left, and Jordan Lopez.
Quarterback
- Alex Lopez, Walden Grove
Running backs
- Ethan Ross, Amphitheater
- Omar IbaΓ±ez, 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
Updated
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.
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
Updated
Pueblo High's Robert Jackson (1) cradles the ball after getting well behind Douglas High's Ernie Bernal (24) on a throw at the end of the second quarter that ended up scoring six for the Warriors at Pueblo High School, Friday September 28, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
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
Updated
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.
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
Updated
Pueblo's Ruben Rivera iv (7) dives into the end zone in the arms of Tucson's David Lopez (3) to get the Warrior's deficit down to 30-12 with seconds left in the fourth quarter of their game at Tucson High School, Saturday, August 25, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
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
Updated
Friedli Field, named for longtime coach Vern Friedli in 2001, is at 125 W. Yavapai Road on the cityβs north side.
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
UpdatedWG RED πΊπ 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
β Walden Grove High School Football (@FB_RedWolves) October 20, 2018
Offensive Player of the Year: Alex Lopez, Walden Grove
Updated2018 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
Updated2018 stats: 135 tackles, 36.5 TFL
Player of the Year: Jordan Lopez, Walden Grove
Updated2018 stats:Β 54 catches, 1,230 yards, 12 touchdowns
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
