Twelve athletes earn NMHSCA first-team berths

ALBUQUERQUE — Sixteen area football players were accorded first-team status in New Mexico High School Coaches Association all-state selections, released on Wednesday by the organization.

Three players were first-team choices twice — sophomores Tommy Lopez of Portales in Class 4A (slot receiver, secondary) and Taye Smith of Texico in Class 2A (offensive and defensive lines), and junior Jeremiah Woodruff of Elida in 6-man (defensive line, center).

In Class 6A, Clovis High was represented by senior running back Kash Roberts on the second team, and by seniors Braxton Masters (offensive line) and R.J. Nora (secondary) and junior Josh Mondragon (defensive end) on the honorable mention list.

Junior wide receiver Zane Mayberry also made the first team in Class 4A for Portales, while senior Abran Lopez (defensive line) and sophomore Manny Chavez (inside linebacker) represented the Rams on the second team.

Texico had 12 total selections in Class 2A, including junior Cade Figg (secondary) and sophomores Warren Schooley (defensive end) and Alex Fuentes (secondary) joining Smith on the first team. In 8-man, juniors Dathan Yeary (inside linebacker) and Michael Cardonita (secondary) and freshman Jaxon Odom (running back) were on the first team.

In 6-man, area first-team selections included senior Conner Rooney (defensive end), junior Cole Kircher (defensive ends) and sophomore Aaron Combs (outside linebacker) for Dora; juniors Teagan Norman (offensive line) and Klayton Nixon (secondary) for Elida, and eighth-grader Zander Ciancio (receiver) for Grady.

For a complete list of area honorees, go to “Local Scoreboard” for Dec. 18 at easternnewmexiconews.com