The lion’s share of the loop’s postseason props went to heavyweights La Jara Centauri and Monte Vista.
The Bobcats’ share, following a difficult 1-8 season, was proportionally much smaller.
But nonetheless notable; senior quarterback/linebacker Adison Jones and junior wide receiver/defensive back Wyatt Hayes were chosen to represent Ignacio on the All-Southern Peaks Conference First Team for 2014.
Jones completed his last season under center with over 1,500 yards passing and ten touchdowns against eight interceptions. As the campaign progressed, he became a defensive fixture credited with 76 total tackles. Avoided as often as possible by enemies when lined up as a kick- or punt-returner, Hayes was Jones’ top target and pulled in just under 800 yards’ worth of catches, eight yielding six points a pop.
CHS led the circuit with six – all seniors, led by QB/DB K.C. Jarvies – selected, and MVHS had five.
Dolores senior Kellen Gatzke, whose reported 159 total tackles this fall left him four short of the school record, highlighted the Bears’ four First Team-ers. Sophomore running back Nabor Quintana led Center’s four honorees, and sophomore RB Evan Gonzales – whom IHS got to know well during a visit to Walsenburg – led first-year SPC member John Mall’s two.
Gatzke and Centauri senior Mitchell Wilson, also a First Team pick, were named the SoPeaks’ Defensive Players-of-the-Year, while Falcon senior James Richardson was the sole Offensive POY after gaining nearly 900 yards rushing for the conference champions – guided by Kyle Forster, named Coach-of-the-Year after CHS went 5-0 in conference, 7-4 overall, and reached the Class 1A State Playoffs’ quarterfinals.
Ignacio seniors Blaine Mickey and Mike Perez were named Second Team All-SPC, more so for their defensive exploits than for their overshadowed offensive capabilities running the pigskin. The pair amassed nearly 700 all-purpose yards, but denied foes as many as possible; Mickey was credited with 117 total stops and Perez 92.
Finally, juniors Austin McCaw and Tyler Beebe – the latter ascribed 96 total tackles – were named Honorable Mention All-SPC, having both seen extensive time in the trenches during the fall.
On paper, McCaw will go into the 2015 season as a leading candidate to replace Jones, despite both he and fellow backup Zach Weinreich (also a junior) having been used primarily as offensive linemen when numbers pressed head coach Lupe Huerta to take the clipboards from their hands.
ALL-SPC FIRST TEAM
Centauri – K.C. Jarvies, sr., QB/DB; Mitchell Wilson, sr., WR/LB; James Richardson, sr., RB/LB; Jareb Aziz, sr., RB/LB; R.J. Ruybal, sr., OL/DL; Nathan Tailleur, sr., OL/DL. Monte Vista – Michael Valdez, jr., QB/RB/LB; Allan Ochoa, jr., OL/DL; Jacob Vance, sr., RB/LB; Dillon Martinez, sr., TE/LB; Matt Barnes, sr., OL/LB.
Center – Nabor Quintana, soph., RB/DB/P; Jose Mariscal, jr., OL/DL; Christian Espinosa, sr., OL/LB; Josh Jones, soph., QB/DB. Dolores – Kellen Gatzke, sr., OL/LB; Kacee Davis, sr., OL/DL; Branden Donaldson, jr., RB/DB; Eli Brown, sr., ATH. IGNACIO – Adison Jones, sr., QB/LB; Wyatt Hayes, jr., WR/DB. John Mall – Andrew Vigil, jr., OL/DL; Evan Gonzales, soph., RB/CB.
ALL-SPC SECOND TEAM
Centauri – Mason Barrows, soph., RB/CB; Devon Barrows, sr., WR/LB; Jensen Hamilton, sr., OL/DL; Devon Chacon, jr., OL/DL. Monte Vista – Daniel Borunda, sr., WR/DB; Presley Garcia, jr., RB/DB. Center – Jorge Venzor, soph., QB/DB/WR; Will Weatherford, sr., OL/DL. Dolores – Guy Wallace, sr., RB/DB/LB; Wyatt Jones, sr., OL/LB. IGNACIO – Mike Perez, sr., RB/LB; Blaine Mickey, sr., RB/LB. John Mall – Garrett Quintana, jr., LB.
ALL-SPC HONORABLE MENTION: Monte Vista – Isaiah Duran, sr., OL/DL; Center – Marcus Torrez, jr., WR/DB; Kristopher Donaldson, sr., WR/LB. Dolores – Riley Syra, soph., OL/LB; Mikeal Ford, sr., RB/DB. IGNACIO – Austin McCaw, jr., QB/OL/DL; Tyler Beebe, jr., OL/LB. John Mall – Destry Crockett, jr., TE/DL/LB.