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High school football: 4A Gila Region honors
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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

Douglas vs Pueblo

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.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

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

Tucson High vs Pueblo

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.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

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

Justin Spears

Sports Reporter

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