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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 Corridor 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 Player of the Year – Steven Ybarra

AIA 1A East Region 1^st Team – Jesus Castellanos, Daniel Mcconnell, Cedric Mendoza, Steven Ybarra, Adam Navarrette, and Kale Major.

AIA 1A East Region 2^nd Team – Matthew Diaz-Gonzales, Daniel Mcconnell, Gabriel Castillo, Adam Navarrette, Kale Major, and Jesus Castellasnos.

AIA 1A East Region Honorable Mention – Jared Moreno and Gabriel Otero.

Ray

 AIA 1A East Region Defensive Player of the Year – Dyllin Lopez

AIA 1A East Region 1^st Team – Dakota Willis, Fabian Valenzuela, Dyllin Lopez, and Nathan Molar.

AIA 1A East Region 2^nd Team – Tino Barragan, Gabriel Schwartz, Eric Manriquez, Chandler Coleman, Bryen Lopez, Dakota Willis, and Jando Felix.

AIA 1A East Region Honorable Mention – Julian Becerra, Christian Day and Jaden Pace.

Hayden

AIA 1A East Region 1^st Team – Omar Lopez, Joel Rodriguez, Frankie Valencia, Jorge Rodriguez, Robert Bohrn, Gavin Torrez, and Gibby Carmelo.

AIA 1A East Region 2^nd Team – Noah Monroy, Gavin Torrez, Robert Bohrn, Mario Mariscal, and Frankie Valencia.

AIA 1A East Region Honorable Mention – Josiel Rodriguez.

San Manuel

AIA 2A South Region 1^st Team – Gabe Velasquez and Armando Estrada.

AIA 2A South Region 2^nd Team – Benny Laguna, Michael Ochoa, Luis Chavez, Bridger Davis, Armando Estrada, and Christian Velasquez.

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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