By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Two Port Isabel football players have added an extra honor for their work on the football field this season.
Seniors defensive lineman Raul Villarreal and offensive lineman Stephen Martinez have been chosen as members of the 2015 Texas Associated Press Sports Editors Class 4A all-state football team.
Villarreal was a chosen as a part of the first-team defense. The senior finished the season with 90 tackles — including 12 for a loss — 12 sacks, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
“I thought Raul had his best year since he’s been here,” Port Isabel coach Monty Stumbaugh said. “I know in district people were running away from him, they were scheming away from him out of respect for what he had been doing. He’s very deserving. The kid played hard, he played as hard as you can play the game, did everything we asked him to do.
“He played full bore, he gave everything he had, was always hustling. Making plays behind the line, down the field, so he gave great effort. When you do those things, good things can happen.”
Martinez was chosen as a part of the second-team offense. The senior had a 95 percent grade, 15 downfield touchdown blocks, 50 pancake blocks and did not allow a sack on the season. Martinez played on both offense and defense this season after playing mostly on defense last year. He also was chosen for the academic all-state team.
“Stephen was our most consistent lineman, he graded the highest of anybody, he did a great job,” Stumbaugh said. “He’s an example of a kid that works his tail off. He was always lifting after school. He was in there during the summer, he lived in that weight room and got himself a lot stronger and quicker. He did the things to become a better athlete.
“He’s a prime example of what you’d want a student-athlete to be.”
The pair helped lead the Tarpons to a 6-3 record in District 16-4A Division II and a playoff berth this year.
“I am very happy for both of them,” Stumbaugh said. “It’s a great honor for them, and they’re both well-deserved.”
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.
THE TEAM
The 2015 Texas Associated Press Sports Editors Class 4A all-state high school football team, released Tuesday. Voting based on regular-season performance. Players are listed in alphabetical order at each position.
FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE
Linemen
CAGAN BALDREE, Carthage, Sr. — 96 percent grade, 55 pancakes, no sacks allowed in 340 pass attempts
ANDREW FLANAGAN, Kennedale, So. — 58 pancakes, 15 cut blocks, no sacks allowed, off. averaged 474 rush yds/gm
HADEN HAAS, Cuero, Jr. — 97 percent grade, 93 knockdowns, 31 pancakes.
BLAKE HICKEY, Godley, Sr. — 96 percent grade, 52 pancakes, no sacks allowed
DRE TENNISON, Gladewater, Jr. — 94 percent grade, 72 pancakes, 53 knockdowns, no sacks allowed, off. 3,147 rush yds
Receivers/ends
TREN’DAVION DICKSON, Navasota, Sr. — 66-1,191, 20 TDs
MICHAEL LAWRENCE, Sweetwater, Sr. — 73-1,154, 18 TDs
Quarterback
KÉMON FREEMAN, Texarkana Liberty-Eylau, Sr. — 169-1,407, 21 TDs rush; 162-263-2,813, 22 TDs passing, 5 INTs
Running backs
DAEQUAN JONES, La Marque, Sr. — 252-2,042, 16 TDs
QUARDRAIZ WADLEY, Kennedale, Sr. — 190-2,220, 43 TDs
Kicker
CALEB HOLT, Argyle, Sr. — 11-11 FGs, long of 45, 58-58 PATs
Offensive Player of the Year: Quardraiz Wadley, Kennedale
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
Linemen
LAGARYONN CARSON, Texarkana Liberty-Eylau, Jr. — 125 tackles, 12 sacks, 25 TFL, 2 blocked kicks, 2 PBU
KEYUNTEA KINNEY, Atlanta, Sr. — 84 solo tackles, 34 TFL, 12 sacks, 9 FF, 2 FR
BRADEN PRICE, Levelland, Jr. — 88 tackles, 23 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 FF, 2 PBU
RAUL VILLARREAL, Port Isabel, Sr. — 90 tackles, 12 sacks, 12 TFL, 5 FF, 1 FR
Linebackers
DARRIN BRADLEY, Houston Wheatley, Sr. — 152 tackles, 14 sacks, 7 FR
BARON BROWNING, Kennedale, Jr. — 55 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 FF, 2 PBU, 2 FR, 2 INTs, 2 defensive TDs
ROBERT CULBRETH, Madisonville, Sr. — 133 tackles, 5 sacks, 18 TFL, 3 FR, 3 FF, 3 PBU
Defensive backs
DEMARKUS ACY, Wilmer-Hutchins, Sr. — 146 tackles, 7 TFLS, 2 INTs, 29 PBU
MICHAEL GREEN, Sweetwater, Jr — 42 tackles, 7 INTs, 14 PBU
EDWIN HAYES, Coldspring Oakhurst, Sr. — 82 tackles, 8 INTs, 3 INT returns for TD, 2 FR, 3 punt returns for TDs
CAMERON WEISS, Mineral Wells, Jr. — 80 tackles, 5 INTs, 17 PBU, 2 TFL, 2 FF, 2 sacks
Punter
SCOTT DEAL, Longview Spring Hill, Sr. — Avg. 43 yards on 30 punts, long of 68, 9 punts of 50 or more
Defensive Player of the Year
Lagaryonn Carson, Texarkana Liberty-Eylau
SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE
Linemen
Ramon Flores, Monahans, Sr.; Stephen L. Martinez, Port Isabel, Sr.; Luke Melton, Celina, Jr.; Matt Naugle, Kennedale, Sr.; Landon Simmons, Atlanta, Sr.; Josh West, Athens, Sr.
Receivers/ends
Eddie Gabaldon, Andrews, Sr.; Jakeldric Jackson, Carthage, Sr.
Quarterback
Shelton Eppler, Navasota, Sr.
Running backs
Charles Oliver, Fairfield, Sr.; Jeremiah Robertson, Huntington, Sr.; Dailyn Wells, Kennedale, Sr.
Kicker
Jace Zeller, Kennedale, Sr.
SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
Linemen
Tyriq Burnett, Wills Point, Jr.; Gjemar Daniels, Kennedale, Sr.; Jack Hays, Graham, Jr.; Dustin Masner, Kennedale, Sr.; Jonathan Marshall, Shepherd, Sr.
Linebackers
Lorenzo Hicks, Dallas Madison, Sr.; Michael Landers, Kennedale, Jr.; Cole Vaughan, Decatur, Sr.
Defensive backs
Dexavious Hall, Wilmer-Hutchins, Sr.; Kollin Hurt, Gilmer, Sr.; Devan Mason, Kennedale, Soph.; Samuel Thompson, La Vernia, Sr.
Punter
Josh Nowell, Stephenville, Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE
LINEMEN: Ethan Azam, Andrews; Cal Bauer, Navasota; Devyn Billiott, La Marque; Nate Buck, Pittsburg; Dylan Cartwright, Huntington; Raul Cortez, Pampa; Chase Herrig, Sinton; Terry Lee Hogan, Decatur; Harrison Hubbert, Celina; Patrick Hudson, Silsbee; Gavin Jeziorske, Abilene Wylie; Leo Juarez, Geronimo Navarro; Jose Nuno, Devine; Johnny Perez, Gilmer; Blake Ray, Columbus; Tyler Reinhard, La Vernia; Erik Smith, Bushland; Franklin Smith, Texarkana Liberty-Eylau; Ty Smith, Argyle; Nic Stroud, Kennedale; Justin Wilson, Liberty Hill; Reid Zboril, El Campo.
RECEIVERS/ENDS: Tanar Castleman, Shepherd; Jordan Duckett, Mineral Wells; Drew Estrada, Argyle; Devon Fitzgerald, Andrews; Steven Gallardo, Burnet; Connor Howard, Brownwood; Gage McCook, Argyle; Thurman Morbley, Texarkana Liberty-Eylau; Jamarcus Polk, Diboll; Corey Smallwood, Bonham; Douglas Stevens, Mineral Wells; Jayson Thomas, Pampa.
QUARTERBACKS: Jarod Blissett, Carthage; Kameron Mathis, Bushland; Conner Pingleton, Celina; Alfred Robertson, Houston Worthing; Dontre’ Thomas, Silsbee; Tyler Ticknor, Decatur; Triston Williams, Andrews.
RUNNING BACKS: Kevin Dove, El Campo; Bowie Franks, Iowa Park; Logan Fuller, Athens; Tanner Law, Geronimo Navarro; Payton McAlister, Decatur; Brent McCallon, Vernon; Dillon McCormick, Nevada Community; Tyrell Phillips, Atlanta; Alyas Ramirez, Gonzales; Tray Walker, Pittsburg.
KICKER: Juan Esquival, Gilmer.
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
LINEMEN: Demarco Boyd, Gilmer; Rakeem Hatchett Cooper, Lubbock Estacado; Steven Field, China Spring; Johnathan Flores, Navasota; Marlon Ford, La Marque; Austin Geiger, Celina; Cedric Green, Shepherd; Jaylon Haynes, Wharton; Michael Hopkins, Cuero; Jabril Hunter, Navasota; Rob Knox, Sinton; Jarrod McLin, Carthage; Dion Novil, Abilene Wylie; Tristin Olivares, Gilmer; Chance Pierce, Bridgeport; Brandon Riley, CC West Oso; Silas Robinson, Yoakum; Josh Swopes, Midland Greenwood.
LINEBACKERS: Koby Bullard, La Vernia; Bohner Cottongame, Graham; Cooper Edmiston, Gatesville; Henry George, Texarkana Liberty-Eylau; Shane Gerths, Celina; Andrew Guerra, Pleasanton; De’Marco Guidry, La Marque; Drake Hargrove, Rockport-Fulton; DJ Harris, Navasota; Fre’Zarian Harrison, Pittsburg; Riley Hedge, Abilene Wylie; Jeremy Hernandez, Rockport-Fulton; Zech Hopkins, Cuero; Michael Johns, Wilmer-Hutchins; Taner Kemmerer, Aubrey; Hayden Lee, Fischer Canyon Lake; Hunter Mobley, Sweetwater; Tylor Morris, Krum; Christian Perez, Levelland; Dru Prox, Kaufman; Jake Rogers, Midland Greenwood; Stefon Sandoval, Mineral Wells; Tristan Seargeant, Mineral Wells; Deontae Skinner, Shepherd.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Preston Brooks, Krum; Tremayne Creeks, Navasota; Travon Fuller, Athens; Jon Clark Giddings, Stephenville; Denzel Green, Texarkana Liberty-Eylau; Gatlin Grisso, Aubrey; Keylan Herman, Liberty Hill; Connor Howard, Brownwood; Dylan Joiner, Liberty Hill; Tacorian Jones, Dallas Lincoln; Trent Lindblad, Celina; Michael Lopez, Levelland; Jordan Moore, Yoakum; Jack Patton, Rusk; Prinard Payne, Bay City; Jarred Reneau, Snyder; Ector Rivera, Kennedale; Justice Thompson, Midland Greenwood; Travis Tolbert, Celina; Carter Ware, Liberty Hill.
PUNTERS: Malcolm Cunningham, Bay City; Drew Estrada, Argyle; Colten Graham, Krum.