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High school football: 3A South Region honors
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High school football: 3A South Region honors

  • Justin Spears
  • Dec 3, 2018
  • Dec 3, 2018 Updated Dec 7, 2019
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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

Sabino vs Sahuaro (copy)

Sabino's Jimmy Hamilton, middle, was named to the First-Team All-3A South. 

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

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

Catalina High School football 2018

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.

Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

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

Sahuarita's football stadium

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

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

Sabino High School football

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.

Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

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

Pusch Ridge's football stadium

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

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

Sabino vs Fountain Hills

Sabino’s Diego Armijo, left, played free safety and linebacker in 2018.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

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

Sabino vs Sahuaro

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.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Offensive Player of the Year: Leon Hayes, Catalina

Catalina High School football 2018

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.

Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

2018 stats (Per MaxPreps):

15 catches, 280 yards, 1 touchdown

72 carries, 600 yards, 9 touchdowns

Defensive Player of the Year: Richie Piña, Sabino

Sabino vs Sahuaro

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.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

2018 stats (Per MaxPreps):

136 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception

Player of the Year: Richie Piña, Sabino

Justin Spears

Justin Spears

Sports Reporter

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