San Manuel Junior High Miners won the CJHL 8-man football championship. Photo by Izzy Jones
By Nathaniel A. Lopez
Even in junior high sports, it all comes down to two teams facing off for the title of champions. This year, the two teams rising to the top of the Central Junior High League were two Copper Corridor teams.
On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the San Manuel Junior High football team hosted the Hayden Junior High football team in the Central Junior High League 8 Man Football Championship.
Both teams worked hard to get to the championship game, but in the end, the final score was 42-16, with the San Manuel Miners claiming the win. The Miners are now the 2024 Central Junior High League 8 Man Football champions.
Coaching the Miners this year were Clay Bathrick and Larry Duke. The players were: Branden Amparano, Caleb Bathrick, Ryan Damian, Yanuel Herrera, Elija Gurrero, Dillion Loya, Noah McDermott, Ashton Rodriguez, Gabriel Valenzuela, Isaac Zazueta, Mikael Zazuta, Jackson Arbizo, Izrael Boisvine, Julian Garcia Jr., Easton Garcia, David Laguna, Julian Maestas, Mace Taylor Jr., Nicholas Yonkin and Joshua Zazueta.
The Hayden Lobos Junior High team is this year’s Central Junior High League 8 Man Football runner-ups.
The Lobos were coached by Robert Gallego, Pete Gallego and Diego Garcia. The players were: Michael Felix, Roberto Gallego, Michael Garcia, Rodolfo Quisada, Blake Webber, Aiden Islava, Juanico Lopez, Mario Pacheco, Octavious Baeza, Dante Franco, Cody Vargas, Jade Aguirre, Dominic Adkins, Naveen Gomez, Asher Clark, Anthony Espinoza, Caleb Ochoa, Anthony Padilla, Kolton Pool, Andrino Carmelo, Orlando Aguirre, Jack Alvarez, Roman Casteneda and Ricky Herrera.
Congratulations to both Junior High teams on a season well played.
The Hayden Jr. Lobos were named Runners-Up in the CJHL 8-man football tournament. Photo by Izzy Jones