Font ResizeAztec seniors Adam Lucero and Brad Hardin both made First Team All-State on offense and defense after leading the Tigers to the state 4A semifinals.
The honors were a great way for Lucero and Hardin to close out their Aztec careers said Tiger head coach Matt Steinfeldt.
"We never want to see the football season end and these accolades are a way of remembering the year and keep it going just a week or two longer," he said.
Lucero was the top quarterback in 4A after throwing 3,096 yards and 36 touchdowns and was named Mr. Football for the state of New Mexico by NMpreps.com.
"He's been the heart and soul of the success that's been around here," Steinfeldt said. "We wouldn't have been anywhere this season without him."
Hardin was Lucero's primary target throughout the year, catching 70 passes for 1,149 yards and 14 touchdowns.
"Brad fashions himself as a defensive guy because he's such a great linebacker, but he stepped up offensively for us," Steinfeldt said. "We found some creative ways to get him the ball. He was that target that, if all else failed, Adam could just kind of close his eyes and throw it up to."
The Tiger senior also ran for 325 yards and nine more scores.
The Aztec duo were also recognized for their defense prowess as well, with Lucero
Piedra Vista had three players named to the first team in seniors Bryson Martinez and Dylan Terry and junior Beau Clafton as the Panthers finished 10-3 and advance to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2008.
"It feels great to see all the hard work we've put in together pay off," Martinez said.
Martinez made the offensive squad after being one of the state's top wide receivers.
Terry made First Team All-Defense as a defensive lineman, as well as Second-Team All-State on the offensive line.
"He was huge for sure," Martinez said of Terry's importance to the Panthers' success this season. "Our whole offensive line was a great unit."
Clafton was the first team all-state kicker and hit the game-winning field goal in the Panthers 24-21 win over Aztec on Nov. 2.
"He was a key component to our team," Martinez said of Clafton. "He is so versatile and is going to do great things next year."
Aztec's Joey Dotson was named to the second-team offense as a lineman.
Farmington had two players receive Second-Team All-State honors.
Sophomore Cody Dotson made the team on the defensive line, and junior Kyle Reynolds was placed on the team as a kick returner at they helped the Scorpions to a 7-4 record and a playoff appearance.
First Team All-Offense
Quarterback: Adam Lucero, Aztec
Running Back:Cody French, Goddard
Running Back:Jalen Chavez, Los Lunas
Running Back:Justin Manning, Moriarty
O-Lineman:Kullen Wooten, Goddard
O-Lineman:Alex Donaghe, Artesia
O-LIneman:Dakota Wood, Los Lunas
O-Lineman:Chris Chavez Goddard
O-Lineman: Chris Romero, Los Lunas
Wide Receiver:Bryson Martinez, Piedra Vista
Wide Receiver:Miguel Rodriguez, Artesia
Tight End/Slot: Brad Hardin, Aztec
Punter: David Sweet, Goddard
First Team All-Defense
Linebacker: Brad Hardin, Aztec
Linebacker: Fabain Soto, Goddard
Linebacker: Isaac Parra, Los Lunas
DE/OLB: David Sweet, Goddard
DE/OLB: Greg Wortman, Los Lunas
D-Lineman: Dylan Terry, Piedra Vista
D-Lineman: David Chavers, Goddard
D-Lineman: Tyler Hanson, Los Lunas
Secondary: Adam Lucero, Aztec
Secondary: Cody French, Goddard
Secondary: Chris Sanchez, Los Lunas
Secondary: Mikey Martinez, Los Lunas
Kicker: Beau Clafton, Piedra Vista
Kick Returner: Justin Manning, Moriarty
