From the Stands (12-11-2017)

From the Stands (12-11-2017)

I know it has been a very long time since I have written a From the Stands editorial. Previously the Journal ran the All-District Football Team for District 1-3A Division I. I felt that the readers did not receive a proper explanation for why these young men were named to the these elite squads.

I hope by providing their individual statistics, you will understand why the coaches of the teams in District 1-3A Division I would vote for these athletes.

Retiring Mule head coach, David Wood, said many times during the season, “This is a fun team to coach. They are a special group of young men.” 

Michael Lozano was a unanimous selection at running back. Lozano carried the ball 197 times during the regular season for 1345 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. He also made seven receptions for 85 yards.

Lozano was also selected to the Second Team All-District Team defensive secondary. He made 111 tackles, with three being for a loss and made three special teams tackles. Lozano broke up three passes and intercepted two others.

Carlos Meza was a First Team selection on the offensive line. He was also a Second Team pick for defensive end. Defensive lineman typically does not make many tackles, but Meza recorded 53 stops, 11 being for a loss, three sacks, hurried the quarterback five times, and caused two fumbles.

Romeo Reyes was a unanimous First Team selection to the defensive secondary. He made 47 tackles, two special teams tackles, broke up a pass, caused a fumble, and intercepted one pass. R. Reyes was picked as a Second Team receiver. He led the Mules with 47 receptions for 462 yards and three touchdowns.

Yoel Reyes was chosen as a First Team receiver. He made 44 catches for 725 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Y. Reyes was a unanimous selection as an Honorable Mention in the secondary. He made 55 tackles, one special team tackle, broke up five passes, recovered one fumble, and intercepted two passes.

Isaac Mendoza was selected to the First Team defense as a linebacker. He led the Mules with 178 tackles, 12 special teams tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, made nine sacks, three quarterback hurries, caused three fumbles, and recovered one fumble.

Ryan Rodriguez was a Second Team running back. He rushed 70 times for 306 yards and scored two touchdowns. Rodriguez caught four passes for 33 yards. Rodriguez was also picked as the Second Team punter. He punted 11 times for 392 yards for a 35.6-yard average.

Jacob Kettner was named as the Second Team tightend. He caught seven passes for 92 yards and one touchdown. Kettner was ah Honorable Mention linebacker. He made 93 tackles, five being special teams tackles, two tackles for losses, five quarterback hurries, broke up one pass, and recovered two fumbles.

Brady Martinez was selected as the Second Team kicker. He booted 27 extra points and made one field goal. Martinez was an Honorable Mention receiver. He caught 21 passes for 187 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Corbin Hardwick was picked as a Second Team linebacker. He made 134 tackles, eight special teams tackles, ten tackles for losses, recorded four sacks, hurried the quarterback four times, caused one fumble, and recovered one fumble.

Moises was chosen to the Second Team offensive line. Leonel Camarena was an Honorable Mention offensive lineman. Julian Astorga was selected as an Honorable Mention defensive lineman. He made 109 tackles, ten were for losses, made eight sacks, had nine quarterback hurries, caused three fumbles and recovered two fumbles. 

If I had gotten to pick the All-District squad, there would have been a lot more Mules on the team. But I have to admit to being partial to the Black and White.