The Meadows dominates 2A all-state football team
When his team met for training camp in June, The Meadows football coach Frank DeSantis wasn’t sure how good it would be.
The Mustangs wound up winning their first Class 2A state championship since 2001. They capped an 11-2 season by winning their final six games, including a 46-30 rout of Pershing County in the title game.
Last week, The Meadows was rewarded with seven individuals on the 2A all-state team voted upon by coaches.
“It was special for the kids,” DeSantis said of the Mustangs’ season. “We started back in June, and I don’t think we found out how good we were until really late in the season.”
The Meadows senior running back/linebacker Pat Kenny shared co-Player of the Year with Needles (Calif.) senior running back/receiver/cornerback Darra Russell.
“He kind of led us through everything,” DeSantis said of Kenny.
DeSantis took Coach of the Year.
The Meadows freshman quarterback Gerard Martinez and sophomore receiver Austin Brown were first-team offensive picks.
Junior Dylan Lee was named a first-team defensive end and first-team kicker.
Second-team selections were junior receiver Nate Gord, senior offensive lineman Dylan Parr and Brown as a defensive back.
“They’re all great honors,” DeSantis said. “A lot of that is an extension of the team.”
Kenny and Martinez spearheaded an offense that averaged more than 33 points per game.
Kenny rushed for 1,245 yards and 22 touchdowns, and Martinez threw for 2,146 yards and 33 scores.
“He did a lot of things you don’t see junior quarterbacks doing,” DeSantis said of Martinez. “He’s really focused on the task at hand and a great competitor. I’m sure in years to come, he’ll be our leader.”
The leader for Needles was Russell, who starred on offense, defense and special teams. He won Player of the Year last season by unanimous vote.
“The way he went, we went, so he’s one heck of an athlete,” Needles coach Steve Price said of Russell, whose season statistics weren’t available.
Needles was unable to defend its state championship this season but finished 7-3 and tied for a third straight Southern League crown.
“That’s something I don’t think that’s ever happened in Needles history,” Price said of the three consecutive league titles. “So they have a lot to be proud of.”
Needles senior Stevie Kidd was named a first-team running back, defensive back and punter.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete,” Price said. “Another kid that is a real pleasure to be around.”
Offensive Player of the Year went to Whittell quarterback Roberto Concha-Foley.
Defensive Player of the Year was claimed by Mountain View senior middle linebacker Billy Paddack.
North Tahoe’s James Laughlin was named Lineman of the Year.
The first-team offense consists of: Martinez; running backs William Wolf (Battle Mountain), Kidd and Trent Tibbitts (Lincoln County); receivers Rio Delucia (Whittell), Andrew Barnett (Rite of Passage) and Brown; tight end Jake Schumacher (Lovelock); and linemen Cody Burgess (Lincoln County), Paddack, Randy Verbeck (Battle Mountain), Max Barclay (Lincoln County) and Gene Malay (Lovelock).
The first-team defense is comprised of: linemen Jordan Cronin (Incline), Matt Miller (Battle Mountain), Burgess, Dylan Martin (Mountain View) and Lee; linebackers Fritz Knight (Battle Mountain), Barclay, Miguel Salgado (Lovelock) and Deshone Burley (Independence); and defensive backs Tibbitts, Kidd, Mike Lake (Battle Mountain) and Udy Gonzalez (Lovelock).
First-team specialists were kicker Lee, punter Kidd and return man Andre Wright (Rite of Passage).