FREDDY GONZALEZ | Valley Morning Star
Much to no surprise the Lyford Bulldogs led the District 16-3A Division I All-District selections with 29 names on the list. Lyford was the only program to have four players named to the superlative list, including Bulldogs head coach Israel Gonzalez III who was also added to an already heavy Lyford-led superlative bunch.
One name on the list Bulldogs fans will remember is senior running back Frank Moreno. The lightning quick senior only knew one speed this season —fast— as he torched opposing defenses for 1,240 yards and 16 touchdowns in 10 games. His performances on the field earned Moreno his second consecutive all-district MVP award in as many years.
“This award means a lot to me because it means that all of the hard work that I have done these past few years is paying off,” said Moreno. “But the one game I will remember the most this year was the game against Santa Rosa when I scored six touchdowns and ran for about 240 yards.”
Another familiar name on the list the Lyford faithful will remember is senior quarterback Chase Hinojosa. Last season as a junior, Hinojosa was named Offensive MVP when he passed for an impressive 2,169 yards and 24 touchdowns leading the Bulldogs to the area round of the playoffs.
This year Hinojosa was again named the district’s Offensive MVP as the 5-foot-10 senior threw the ball for 1,462 yards and 10 touchdowns on 114 of 208 passing while leading the Bulldogs to their second consecutive area round appearance.
“It means a lot to know that other coaches thought I performed well enough to earn this honor two times in a row,” said Hinojosa. “But the one thing I will remember most is that icy shower that we gave coach after winning that district championship. It was his (Coach Gonzalez) first as a coach and our second straight district title and it was just such a tremendous feeling that I can’t put into words, you had to just be there in the moment to really experience what it was like.”
Rounding off the superlatives was Coach Gonzalez as Coach of the Year and Justin Garcia who was named Lineman of the Year.
“Since the day I arrived in Lyford these two guys have brought a consistant work ethic,” said Gonzalez III. “The talent that both Frank and Chase both bring to the table is something tremendous because they are the first guys here and the last guys to leave and they lead by example. Their commitment to the team is unmatched by other athleates that I have been around and I think that is what leads them to get some of these superlative awards.
“As for me it’s a tremendous honor and extremely humbling but it wouldn’t be able to be done without Jesus Christ by my side but definetly the people who do the hardwork like the coaches and the players. Individual awards are great but like I tell these kids nothing is achieved on your own and I couldn’t have done it without our kids and our coaches.”
The Santa Rosa Warriors also had an impressive outing landing 18 players to the list. Junior Ryan Mesa was named the District’s Newcomer of the Year and senior quarterback Alex Ayala was named to the second team.