Almost two months after their seasons wrapped up, several local football players are still collecting accolades for their on-field excellence. A pair of M-CHS Panthers, two Mancos Bluejays, and a Dove Creek Bulldog caught the attention of the selection committee to wrap up their 2018 season with the state’s highest honors.
Montezuma-Cortez seniors Matthew Broughton and Swayde Noyes earned nominations on the 2A all-state team, and Broughton took a spot on the second team, while Noyes earned an honorable mention.
Both Broughton and Noyes played offense and defense, and Broughton ranked among state leaders in tackles as a linebacker. Noyes anchored a stout offensive line that paved the way for one of the most prolific offensive seasons in school history, en route to the program’s first postseason appearance since 2014.
After their first undefeated regular season since 1978, Mancos also garnered a pair of all-state nods. Senior Chance Garcia paced the high-powered Bluejay offense with over 1,000 yards rushing, earning himself a place on the eight-man all-state second team.
Junior quarterback Breccen Morelli landed an honorable mention for his dual-threat leadership of the Mancos offense, finishing just behind Garcia for team-high honors in total yards.
Dove Creek senior Austin Green took on a leadership role for a young core of backfield talent, as the lineman set the tone for an offense that averaged nearly 300 yards rushing per contest. Green earned an eight-man all-state honorable mention selection for helping the Bulldogs to their first winning season since 2015.
All-state selections were based on nominations from each of the leagues in Colorado’s seven football classifications. From this list of nominees, Colorado high school football coaches voted to establish classification as first team, second team or honorable mention.