ALL-SOUTHERN ARIZONA

Let me talk a bit about six young men.

Salpointe receiver Cameron Denson and Canyon del Oro linebacker Blake Martinez have been getting a lot of exposure as two the best players in all of Arizona and, possibly, the best in Southern Arizona.

Martinez was the only player from Southern Arizona placed on the “Big 25″ by the Arizona Football Coaches Association (AZFCA). Martinez and Denson were the only two players placed on the All-Arizona team as selected by the Arizona Republic.

Both are obvious candidates for the top player award this fall. But, then, who threw all those passes to Denson?

Andrew Cota is the only quarterback from an 11-man team from Southern Arizona to throw for more than 2,000 yards at 2,128. (D-VI Player of the Year Tyler Davis threw for 2,041 yards in 8-man competition).

Cota threw for 252 yards and two TDs against Ironwood Ridge in the Lancers 27-13 victory over the Nighthawks.

Speaking of the Nighthawks, running back Mitch Fischer ran for 2,143 yards in his senior season. He ripped off 147 in the Salpointe loss and 242 in the semifinal loss to Cienega where he literally put his team on his back.

Fischer out gained Cienega running back Manny Vera by 126 yards this season (2,017) but he had 17 more carries in the process. The two are statistically equal except for one area: Vera led his team to the state title game. He also put in a working man’s 122 yards against Ironwood Ridge.

Martinez had his best defensive game of the year against Ironwood Ridge. He recorded 8 unassisted tackles and tacked on 10 more of the assisted variety to finish with 18. Martinez led Southern Arizona with 42 unassisted tackles and he also recorded 7.5 sacks.

Cienega linebacker Daniel Gonzales led Southern Arizona with 139 total tackles. He is, by far, the hardest-hitting player in our area and a major part of Cienega’s run to the final this year.

There are so many more players to mention but these six stand out by far. It’s not accident that all six play in the same division and the same section. I don’t care what they may say up north, D-II/S-II is the toughest section in the state.

They are my Six-Pack Players of the Year.

Cienega coach Nemer Hassey is the obvious “Coach of the Year” selection because he guided his team through the toughest section undefeated and made it to the final where they played a national power tough through the first half before coming up short.

The one game that never officially took place was a Salpointe/Cienega match. Despite an early scrimmage, we will never know what the outcome of that game would have been.

I have the All-Southern Arizona teams broken down into two teams with offense and defense. I have done the same with D-I and D-II. I have selected one All-Star team per division for D-III to D-VI.

Thanks to the more than two dozen coaches who sent me their ideas. If anyone disagrees then let me know.

Six-Pack Players of the Year
Andrew Cota, Salpointe
Mitch Fischer, Ironwood Ridge
Manny Vera, Cienega
Cameron Denson, Salpointe
Blake Martinez, Canyon del Oro
Daniel Gonzales, Cienega

Coach of the Year
Nemer Hassey, Cienega

First Team Offense
Andy Cota, Salpointe, QB
Mitch Fischer, Ironwood Ridge, RB
Manny Vera, Cienega, RB
Cameron Denson, Salpointe, WR
Edgar Poe, Cienega, WR
Niko Kitrell, Sahuaro, TE
C.J. Healey, Ironwood Ridge, OL
Travis Fister, Salpointe, OL
Jake Laird, Sabino, OL
Matt Fontes, Cienega, OL
Liam White, Sabino, OL
Jason Cox, Cienega, K
Tyler Williams, Ironwood Ridge, Utility

First Team Defense
Cedric Gonzalez, Sunnyside, LB
Daniel Gonzales, Cienega, LB
Carlos Carroll, Salpointe, LB
Blake Martinez, Canyon Del Oro, LB
Jalen Rodgers, Cienega, DB
Matt Brindley, Sabino, DB
Jay Williams, Salpointe, DB
Davierre Cummins, Salpointe, DL
CJ Healey, Ironwood Ridge, DL
Kevin Thompson, Cienega, DL
Nathan Delfs, Sabino, DL
Luke Holley, Cienega, P
Sunthi Danh, Sabino, Utility

Second Team Offense
Michael Archie, Cienega, QB
Johnny Pena, Salpointe, RB
D’Andre Williams, Tucson, RB
Jared Sires, Salpointe, WR
Samuel Bello, Douglas, WR
Loren Henry, Empire, TE
LJ Boutte, Buena, OL
Tony Rosales, Tucson, OL
Jeff Gerlach, Salpointe, OL
Adam Rojas, Douglas OL
Andrew Mike, Sabino, OL
David Novak, Tanque Verde, K
Dallas Brown, Sabino, Utility

Second Team Defense
Corbin Gouby, Mountain View, LB
Tyson Otuafi, Ironwood Ridge, LB
Dino Eidson, Cienega, LB
Taylor Powell, Salpointe, LB
Quentin Mendez, Buena, DB
Devon McPeek, Mountain View, DB
Nick Colgate, Nogales, DB
Tim Laverty, Sunnyside, DL
David Barba, Nogales, DL
Christian Gonzalez, Douglas, DL
Alex Jeffries, Empire, DL
Tanner Fanning, Sahuarita, P
Quincy Gause, Palo Verde, Utility

DIVISION I

Co-Players of the Year
D’Andre Williams, Tucson
Cedric Gonzalez, Sunnyside

Coach of the Year
Justin Argraves, Tucson

First Team

Offense
Cameron Volk, Tucson, QB
D’Andre Williams, Tucson, RB
Thomas Romack, Buena, RB
Steven Corral, Sunnyside, WR
Rayvean Moore, Tucson, WR
Alex Allen, Buena, WR
LJ Boutte, Buena, OL
Tony Rosales, Tucson, OL
Jeremy Franco, Tucson, OL
Tim Laverty, Sunnyside, OL
Robert Natividad, Sunnyside, OL
Jorge Castro, Sunnyside, K
Julian Jones, Sunnyside, Utility

Defense
Mark Morales, Tucson, LB
Rolando Parra, Tucson, LB
Cedric Gonzalez, Sunnyside, LB
Jose Morales, Sunnyside, LB
Steven Sainez, Sunnyside, DB
D’Andre Williams, Tucson, DB
Quentin Mendez, Buena, DB
Levi Wallace, Tucson, DB
Orlando Villalobos, Tucson, DL
JJ Tallbot, Buena, DL
Tim Laverty, Sunnyside, DL
William Davis, Tucson, P

Second Team

Offense
Kory Stilwell, Buena, QB
Domonic Martinez, Sunnyside, RB
Raedell Floyd, Tucson, RB
Chris Campas, Tucson, WR
Orr Cotrell, Buena, WR
Cedric Gonzalez, Sunnyside, WR
JJ Talbot, Buena, OL
David Reihle, Buena, OL
Victor Aguilar, Tucson, OL
Calum Wallace, Tucson, OL
Rey Acuna, Sunnyside, OL

Defense
Zack Hardwick, Buena, LB
Thomas Romack, Buena, LB
Matt Read, Tucson, LB
Chris Goss, Buena, DB
Anthony Jewitt, Sunnyside, DB
Aly Soro, Tucson, DB
Raphael Ortiz, Sunnyside, DB
Robert Natividad, Sunnyside, DL
Jonathan Long, Buena, DL
Andres Castro, Tucson, DL
LJ Boutte, Buena, DL

DIVISION II

Six-Pack Players of the Year
Andrew Cota, Salpointe
Mitch Fischer, Ironwood Ridge
Manny Vera, Cienega
Cameron Denson, Salpointe
Blake Martinez, Canyon del Oro
Daniel Gonzales, Cienega

Coach of the Year
Nemer Hassey, Cienega

First Team

Offense
Andy Cota, Salpointe, QB
Mitch Fischer, Ironwood Ridge, RB
Manny Vera, Cienega, RB
Cameron Denson, Salpointe, WR
Edgar Poe, Cienega, WR
Niko Kitrell, Sahuaro, WR
Travis Fister, Salpointe, OL
Matt Fontes, Cienega, OL
Jeff Gerlach, Salpointe, OL
CJ Healey, Ironwood Ridge, OL
Zach Carter, Mountain View, OL
Jason Cox, Cienega, K
Tyler Williams, Ironwood Ridge, Utility

Defense
Daniel Gonzales, Cienega, LB
Carlos Carroll, Salpointe, LB
Corbin Gouby, Mountain View, LB
Blake Martinez, Canyon Del Oro, LB
Jalen Rodgers, Cienega, DB
Jay Williams, Salpointe, DB
Devon McPeek, Mountain View, DB
Kevin Thompson, Cienega, DL
Robert Coleman, Ironwood Ridge, DL
Davierre Cummins, Salpointe, DL
CJ Healey, Ironwood Ridge, DL
Luke Holley, Cienega, P
Brandon Winkles, Cienega, Utility

Second Team

Offense
Michael Archie, Cienega, QB
Johnny Pena, Salpointe, RB
Robert Salcido, Flowing Wells, RB
Jared Sires, Salpointe, WR
Josh Brown, Canyon Del Oro, WR
Jake Matthews, Ironwood Ridge, WR
Garrett Kohnke, Sahuaro, OL
Vaughn Fontana, Cienega, OL
Max Anae, Canyon Del Oro, OL
Dylan Greenberg, Salpointe, OL
Alejandro Castillo, Flowing Wells, OL

Defense
Tyson Otuafi, Ironwood Ridge, LB
Dino Eidson, Cienega, LB
Taylor Powell, Salpointe, LB
Mike Martinez, Cienega, LB
Cameron Denson, Salpointe, DB
Dionte Simmons, Sahuaro, DB
Robert Metz, Canyon Del Oro, DB
Garrett Barraza, Salpointe, DL
Lauro Fierro, Sahuaro, DL
Daniel Butierez, Flowing Wells, DL
Dante Harrison, Canyon Del Oro, DL

DIVISION III

Player of the Year
Dallas Brown, Sabino

Coach of the Year
Vince Villanucci, Nogales

Offense
Dallas Brown, Sabino, QB
Cody Lloyd, Sabino, RB
Brian McCarty, Nogales, RB
Samuel Bello, Douglas, WR
Matt Bushman, Sabino, WR
Matt Harshman, Sabino, WR
Jake Laird, Sabino, OL
Liam White, Sabino, OL
Adam Rojas, Douglas OL
Austin Andrade, Amphitheater, OL
Andrew Mike, Sabino, OL
Alex Medina, Nogales, K
Nick Colgate, Nogales, Utility

Defense
Gilberto Duran, Nogales, LB
Jeremy Timpf, Sabino, LB
Edgar Coronado, Douglas, LB
Jessup Bliven, Sahuarita, LB
Nick Colgate, Nogales, DB
Matt Brindley, Sabino, DB
Samuel Bello, Douglas, DB
Nathan Delfs, Sabino, DL
David Barba, Nogales, DL
Eric Miller, Sahuarita, DL
Christian Gonzalez, Douglas, DL
Tanner Fanning, Sahuarita, P
Sunthi Danh, Sabino, Utility

DIVISION IV

Co-Players of the Year
Loren Henry, Empire
Chance Hatfield, Empire

Coach of the Year
Jorge Mendivil, Empire

Offense
Grayson Weeks, Empire, QB
Chance Hatfield, Empire, RB
Brad Downs, Empire, RB
Spencer Farar , Safford, WR
Loren Henry, Empire, WR
Adrian Hernandez, Safford, WR
Seth Ward, Safford, OL
Kyle Letarte, Empire, OL
Adam Nieto, Empire, OL
Rashaun Langford, Safford, OL
Alex Jeffries, Empire, OL
Ryan Poarch, Empire, K
Spencer Woody, Empire, Utility

Defense
Steven Jones, Safford, LB
Albert Phillips, Empire, LB
Luke Stangl, Empire, LB
Loren Henry, Empire, LB
Brad Downs, Empire, DB
Chris Garrobo, Safford, DB
Luke Ornelas, Safford, DB
Rashaun Langford, Safford, DL
Alex Jeffries, Empire, DL
Nick Laborin, Empire, DL
Adam Nieto, Empire, DL
Cole Claridge, Safford, P
Chance Hatfield, Empire, Utility

DIVISION V

Player of the Year
Gabe Valenzuela, Bisbee

Coach of the Year
Steve Elmore, San Manuel

Offense
Anthoney Prestly, Tombstone, QB
Gabe Valenzuela, Bisbee, RB
Jackson Drumgoole, Tombstone, RB
Tyler Prestly, Tombstone, WR
Trevor White, Thatcher, WR
Javier Urrea, Bisbee, WR
Spencer Ferrin, Thatcher, OL
Tevin Clonts, Thatcher, OL
Manuel Lebron, Bisbee, OL
Setero Guzman, Willcox, OL
Brendon Benton, Benson, OL
David Novak, Tanque Verde, K
Joseph Escalante, Bisbee, Utility

Defense
Damon Malone, Tombstone, LB
David Contreras, Bisbee, LB
Anthony Gomez, Willcox, LB
Daniel Perez, San Manuel, LB
Tyler Prestly, Tombstone, DB
Derrick Hedges, Willcox, DB
Ki-hod Thomas, Baboquivari, DB
Ethan Bryce, Thatcher, DL
Gordy Humiston, Bisbee, DL
William Braswell, Tombstone, DL
Carlos Saavedra, Santa Cruz, DL
Presley Motes, Thatcher, P
Garet Kartchner, Thatcher, Utility

DIVISION VI

Player of the Year
Tyler Davis, St. David

Coach of the Year
Brett Davis, St. David

Offense
Tyler Davis, St. David, QB
Jace Luzania, Valley Union, RB
Cale Merrell, Duncan, RB
Myka Campbell, St. David, WR
Braden Murray, St. David, WR
Rafael Martinez, Valley Union, WR
Juan Igelcias, Duncan, OL
Patrick Bejarano, Duncan, OL
Jose Valenzuela, Ajo, OL
David Villela, Duncan, OL
Tyler Essary, Valley Union, OL
Tyler Davis, St. David, K
Jerry Contreras, Duncan, Utility

Defense
Cale Merrell, Duncan, LB
Frankie Soto, Patagonia, LB
John Haviland, Patagonia, LB
Dillon Hancock, St. David, LB
Joel Gallego, Valley Union, DB
Chance Hamilton, Duncan, DB
Jace Luzania, Valley Union, DB
Brandon Landwerlen, Valley Union, DL
Tanner Strain, Duncan, DL
Ricky Schofield, St. David, DL
Taylon Judd, St. David, DL
Frankie Soto, Patagonia, P
Shane Bradford, St. David, UT

SOUTHERN ARIZONA FALL ALL-STARS:

SWIM
http://tucsoncitizen.com/highschoolsports/2011/11/19/2011-boys-swim-dive-all-stars/

http://tucsoncitizen.com/highschoolsports/2011/11/19/2011-girls-swim-dive-all-stars/

CROSS COUNTRY
http://tucsoncitizen.com/highschoolsports/2011/11/16/2011-girls-cross-country-all-stars/

http://tucsoncitizen.com/highschoolsports/2011/11/14/2011-boys-cross-country-all-stars/

GOLF
http://tucsoncitizen.com/highschoolsports/2011/11/13/2011-12-southern-arizona-golf-all-stars/

SOCCER
http://tucsoncitizen.com/highschoolsports/2011/12/01/2011-d-iv-soccer-all-stars/

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