By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
The accolades keep coming as four Metro-area players have been named to the RGVSports.com All-Valley first team.
Rivera quarterback Danny Elizondo and tight end Edward Rubio, Brownsville Veterans Memorial center Jorge Montelongo and Los Fresnos safety Fabian Rodriguez made vast contributions for their teams during the season, enough to secure a nod among the Rio Grande Valley’s best players on the first team.
Each player was an all-District 32-6A first-team and All-Metro first-team selection except Elizondo, who was recognized as the most valuable player on each squad.
The Raiders’ senior duo was critical all season, but especially during Rivera’s seven-game winning streak that propelled the Raiders to a postseason berth after picking up a share of the District 32-6A crown.
Both players had set the goal coming into their final season with Rivera.
“It makes me feel accomplished,” Elizondo said. “I’m happy to go out and achieve my goal, my hard work paid off. I’m really proud of myself.”
Rubio, fellow classmate and favorite target, agreed the dedication during offseason workouts shows dividends.
“Just hearing I won this award means hard work does pay off,” he said.
The quarterback-receiver combination played an important role as Rivera advanced to the regional round for the second time — the first trip was in 1999 — before losing to San Antonio Northside Brandeis.
Elizondo completed 144 of 308 passes for 2,320 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also ran for 869 yards on 161 carries and scored 20 touchdowns. Rubio finished with 56 catches for 866 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season for the Raiders.
The pair had such chemistry that Rivera coach Tom Chavez was often impressed during the season.
“(Elizondo and Rubio) seemed like they read each others minds. You can’t teach that,” he said. “Rubio made a lot of catches that I don’t think a lot of receivers could have caught the ball. He was able to break routes if he saw someone there and Danny would find him. Reroute is what we call it. You see that in college and in the pros, but you don’t see it much in high schools.”
Rodriguez was the top defensive player for the Falcons and made a case for being one of the top players on special teams as well. He helped Los Fresnos reach the regional round of the postseason before the Falcons’ season ended against San Antonio Reagan.
The junior finished with 66 tackles (including four for a loss), two sacks, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He was also credited with blocking a pair of field goals and numerous extra points throughout the season.
“It’s tremendous. I’m very proud and happy for him,” Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley said. “Fabian probably had one of the best off seasons I’ve seen a kid go through, and he worked his tail off. He was very focused and very driven, all his hard work really paid off for him. He did a lot of the leading for us. He stepped up. We’re happy and very fortunate to have him coming back to play for us next year.”
Montelongo was the anchor of a Chargers offensive line that led District 32-6A in rushing. The junior center helped Brownsville Veterans amass 3,033 yards on the ground.
Montelongo had an 87 percent grade and finished with 75 pancake blocks for the Chargers this season. And he was even highly recognized among his coaches and teammates.
“He ended up being our most valuable offensive player (at our team awards). It’s the first time a lineman has received the award,” Brownsville Veterans coach David Cantu said. “He’s a leader, he’s not afraid to speak up. People listen, and he holds people accountable. We feel he has Division I talent intelligence and ability, so I’m extremely grateful that he’s being recognized.”
Metro-area players on the All-Valley offensive second team were Brownsville Veterans running back Derrik Rodriguez; Hanna wide receiver Lucas Olivares, Los Fresnos offensive lineman Michael Mendez and Rivera kicker Chelin Martinez.
Metro-area players on the All-Valley defensive second team were Los Fresnos defensive lineman JC Garcia and Rivera linebacker Christian Martinez.
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.
RGVSports 2014 All-Valley Football Team
Player of the year
Trevor Speights, McAllen Memorial, jr., RB
Offensive player of the year
Rene Presas, Mercedes, sr., QB
Defensive player of the year
Rudy Tornero, Sharyland, sr., MLB
Newcomer of the year
Marco Aguinaga, Edcouch-Elsa, soph., QB
All-purpose player of the year
Sean Landez, Sharyland High, sr., ATH
Coach of the year
Tom Chavez, Rivera
First-Team Offense
Quarterback: Danny Elizondo, Rivera, sr.
Running Back: Lupe Moron, Weslaco East, sr.; Miguel Tristan, Raymondville, sr.
Wide Receiver: Joshua Garza, Mercedes, sr.; Roman De Leon, Mission Veterans Memorial, so.
Tight End: Edward Rubio, Rivera, sr.
Offensive Line: Sergio Moralez, Weslaco East, sr.; Ruben Hinojosa, Roma, sr.*; Edward Pequeno, McAllen Memorial, sr.; Jorge Montelango, Brownsville Veterans Memorial, jr.; Brandon Cuellar, McAllen High, sr.
Kicker: Abraham Chan, Sharyland High, sr.
First-Team Defense
Defensive Line: Albert Magallanes, Rio Hondo, jr.; Ray Dinnall-Guerra, E-E, sr.; Aaron Serna, Sharyland High, sr.
Linebacker: Christian Sanchez, PSJA High, sr.; Roger Lozano, Roma, sr.*; Fabricio Quintanilla, Mercedes, jr.; Hugo Cabrera, Mission Veterans Memorial, jr.
Defensive Back: Kevin Liebano, Mission Veterans Memorial, jr.; Joey Benitez, Edinburg North, sr.*; Roel Garcia, Mercedes, sr.; Fabian Rodriguez, Los Fresnos, jr.
Punter: Robert Garza, Roma, sr.
Second-Team Offense
Quarterback: Ebher Lopez, Edinburg Vela, sr.
Running Back: Jesus Acosta, PSJA Southwest, jr.; Derrik Rodriguez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial, sr.
Wide Receiver: Jay Bocanegra, PSJA Memorial, sr.; DJ Johnson, McAllen Memorial, jr.; Lucas Olivarez, Hanna, sr.
Offensive Line: John Reyes, Rio Hondo, sr.; Michael Mendez, Los Fresnos, sr.; Troy Billman, Donna High, sr.; Keith Mora, Sharyland High, sr.; Fabian Ramirez, PSJA North, jr.
Kicker: Chelin Martinez, Rivera, sr.
Second-Team Defense
Defensive Line: Rene Perez, Weslaco High, sr.; Joe Gonzalez, Edinburg Vela, sr.; JC Garcia, Los Fresnos, sr.
Linebacker: Sammy Alaniz, Edcouch-Elsa, jr.; Brandon Torres, Weslaco High, sr.; Christian Martinez, Rivera, sr.; Amador Garcia, La Joya Palmview, sr.
Defensive Back: Felix Reyna, Harlingen High, sr.; Victor Valdez, Edcouch-Elsa, jr.; Diego Cantu, Roma, sr.; Michael Garza, McAllen Memorial, sr.
Punter: Michael Gonzalez, PSJA Memorial, jr.