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  The recent conclusion of the football season means a myriad of media outlets will be honoring players for their performances this year.  The increasing success of the football teams in and around the Copper Corrido area has resulted in more recognition for local players.

  The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) is the first to release postseason honors, naming All-Region teams in each of the six divisions.

  The following is a list of players, by team, who received recognition for their efforts:

SUPERIOR

AIA 1A East Region Coach of the Year – Ryan Palmer

AIA 1A East Region Player of the Year – Nicolaus Cruz (QB)

AIA 1A East Region Offensive Player of the Year – Nicolaus Cruz (QB)

AIA 1A East Region Defensive Player of the Year – Jalon Murray (DL)

AIA 1A East Region First Team – Nicolaus Cruz (QB & DB), Daniel McConnell (DL), Jalon Murray (DL & Off Flex), Edgar Galindo (LB & PK), Austin Navarrette (Def Flex & WR), Steven Ybarra (LB & OL), and Marcos Bueno (WR).

AIA 1A East Region Second Team – Dominic Perea (DB & WR), Marco Bueno (DL & KR), Stevie Denogean (OL), and Edgar Galindo (RB).

AIA 1A East Honorable Mention – Joseph Diaz-Gonzalez

HAYDEN

AIA 1A East Region First Team – Devon Donovan (DL), Joel Rodriguez (LB), Robert Bohrn (LS), Jonathan Jimenez (OL), Brandon Cruz (RB & PR), and Ryan Donovan (P).

AIA 1A East Region Second Team – Omar Lopez (DB), Frankie Valencia (DL), Adrian Encinas (OL), Robert Bohrn (OL), and Michael Guererro (Off Flex).

AIA 1A East Region Honorable Mention – Ryan Donovan (RB), Noah Monroy (DL), and Joel Rodriguez (WR).

RAY

AIA 1A Region First Team – Anthony Acuna (OL).

AIA 1A Region Second Team – Anthony Acuna (DL) and Nathan Molar (LB).

AIA 1A Region Honorable Mention – Jaden Pace (Db & WR), Fabian Valenzuela (DB & QB), Paul Wormwood (RB), and Dyllin Lopez (DL).

Andy Luberda (1149 Posts)

Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.

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