The Texas Sports Writers Association released its Class 6A All-State Football teams Friday which featured 13 players from schools across the Rio Grande Valley.
Edinburg Vela senior left tackle Ronnie Garza was the RGV’s lone representative on the TSWA’s Class 6A All-State Football first, second or third teams after receiving a third-team selection.
Garza, a UTSA football signee, was also named The Monitor’s All-Area Football Lineman of the Year award recipient after leading the SaberCats to a District 31-6A championship without trailing for a single second during the regular season.
The Valley garnered a dozen TSWA 6A All-State honorable mention picks in a list dotted with dominant defenders.
Five linebackers earned honorable mention selections leading all position groups on a star-studded list that includes Mission High’s Luis Balderas and Edinburg North’s Justin Cappadona, both of whom led their teams in tackles, PSJA North senior defensive captain Micah Lopez, Harlingen High’s Ezvyn Zuniga and Weslaco High’s Ethan Zamora, one of two Co-Defensive Players of the Year for District 32-6A.
Three defensive linemen also made the cut from Harlingen High’s Nathan Huerta, 32-6A’s other Co-Defensive Player of the Year, to Mission High’s Dante Lopez, The Monitor’s All-Area Defensive Player of the Year and 31-6A’s Defensive MVP, and Brownsville Hanna’s Humberto Garcia.
Weslaco High senior running back Jesse Perez led the RGV’s offensive contingent after rushing for 100 yards or more in each of the Panthers’ five games this season.
He was joined by Edinburg North guard Jacob Paez and Harlingen High offensive tackle Hayden Mann, as well as McAllen High senior wide receiver Quin Canada, even though the Bulldogs competed at the Class 5A level this season.
The Harlingen Cardinals led all RGV Class 6A teams with three TSWA All-State selections. Brownsville Hanna, Edinburg North, Mission High and Weslaco High each placed two players on the TSWA’s All-State teams.
TSWA Class 6A All-State Third Team:
Ronnie Garza, Edinburg Vela, OT.
TSWA Class 6A All-State Honorable Mention:
Jacob Paez, Edinburg North, OG; Hayden Mann, Harlingen High, OT; Quin Canada, McAllen High, WR; Jesse Hernandez, Weslaco High, RB; Humberto Garcia, Brownsville Hanna, DT; Nathan Huerta, Harlingen High, DE; Dante Lopez, Mission High, DT; Luis Balderas, Mission High, LB; Justin Cappadona, Edinburg North, LB; Micah Lopez, PSJA North, LB; Ethan Zamora, Weslaco High, LB; Ezvyn Zuniga, Harlingen High, LB; Anthony Ambriz, Brownsville Hanna, DB.
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