All‑Star Selections Highlight Senior Talent
The latest all‑star selections for Southern Arizona football spotlight a group of seniors whose impact stretched far beyond the stat sheet. From defensive playmakers to versatile offensive weapons, these athletes helped shape some of the most competitive teams in the 2A South region.
Defensive standouts such as Gus Brungardt of Palo Verde Magnet contributed 13 tackles while also showcasing his receiving skills, averaging 13.8 yards per game. Hank Moody from Tombstone, a senior who excelled at quarterback and defensive back, added four touchdowns last season, underscoring his all‑purpose value.
Xavier Lopez of Tombstone emerged as a dual‑threat, leading the team with five touchdowns while anchoring the middle linebacker spot. His ability to switch between running back and defense epitomized the modern high school athlete who can dominate in multiple roles.
On the offensive line, Kamaiu Ortiz and Cameron Lakeberg provided the size and execution needed for a ground‑heavy attack at Palo Verde Magnet, while Colton Roberts of Tanque Verde drew college interest from Ripon College for his protective presence. Jackson Tyson, also from Palo Verde Magnet, split quarterback duties and handled special teams, averaging 38.7 rushing yards per game.
Versatility defined several other honorees. Jaxxon Alvarez of Bisbee logged 37.3 total yards per game, handling punting duties in addition to his offensive contributions. Richard Reyes Jr. of Santa Cruz Valley anchored the defense with 32.8 all‑purpose yards per game, and Da’Marion Jackson of Willcox recorded 401 receiving yards, six touchdowns and 53 tackles, including 44 solo stops.
The offensive backfield saw explosive performances from Diego Ibarra of Santa Cruz Valley, who earned Offensive Player of the Year after amassing 1,282 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, and Kaleb Cooke of Willcox, who posted 1,577 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns and seven sacks while also contributing 7.8 tackles per game. Their achievements highlighted the depth of talent across the region.
Emerging underclassmen also made notable impacts. Layne James, a sophomore from Santa Cruz Valley, earned meaningful varsity reps as a defensive playmaker, while Alan Allred of Willcox provided disciplined run‑stuffing on the interior line. Tyson Kilpatrick of Benson set the edge with endurance and strength, and Francisco Hernandez of Santa Cruz Valley helped protect the Dust Devils' front line.
Finally, Guage Murray of Benson anchored the offensive line with lateral movement and size, rounding out a senior class that combined physicality, versatility and production. Collectively, these players not only earned individual accolades but also helped elevate their teams' performances, promising a competitive future for Southern Arizona football.