Scorps, Tigers dominate All-District teams

• Farmington's Yosmar Ruiz and Aztec's Riley Barber were named co-players of the year in District 1-5A.
• The Scorps landed 11 players on the All-District teams, six making first team.
• In its first year back at the varsity level, KC earned eight All-District nods.

FARMINGTON — The Farmington boys soccer team was well represented on this year’s All-District teams for District 1-5A.

The Scorps took six of the 13 first-team slots, along with four second-team and one honorable mention.

“Going from last year and graduating 12 seniors and basically rebuilding, this really shows how great of a group of guys they are and the work they put in during the offseason,” Farmington coach Byron Farnsworth said. “This is probably one of the most talented groups I’ve ever had. Offensively we were the top scoring team in the entire state, and it’s not one or two guys doing it, it was the entire group. They’re a very, very special group.”

Keeper James, Schryver, defender Luke Stoltzfus, midfielders Carlos Medina and Hugo Gutierrez, and forwards Ned Merrion and Yosmar Ruiz were Farmington’s representatives on the first-team roster.

Ruiz also shared co-district player of the year with Aztec’s Riley Barber.

“The only word you can use (to describe) Yosmar is special,” Farnsworth said. “He’s very humble and selfless in the way that he practices and the way he plays. He’s been such a big part of this program, and sometimes it’s frustrating to watch him because he makes it look so easy and effortless.”

Ruiz led the state in assists (23) and points (87), and was second in goals (32).

Barber, Aztec’s team captain and five-year varsity player, finished the year with 21 goals and 17 assists, but more importantly he was the unquestioned leader for the Tigers.

“I don’t know if you can replace a kid like Riley,” Aztec coach Stephen Parks said. “You’ll have guys who come in and fill those shoes, and I think we’ll have good leaders next year, but Riley is just a special player. He’s been playing varsity soccer since he was in the eighth grade. He’s a class act and a good kid, and hopefully the kids who are left will follow his example.”

Barber, a first-team selection as a midfielder, was one of three Tigers to make the first team. Defender Ruben Teasyatwho and forward Sam Parks were the other two selections.

The Tigers also landed four players on the second team and had three players named as honorable mentions.

“As a coach, I’m super proud that we got that many players on the All-District team,” Parks said. “They had to overcome so much adversity this season and they really pulled through and pulled together to become a really good team.”

After spending several years without a boys soccer program Kirtland Central returned in 2016 and landed two players on the first-team roster, three on the second team and had three honorable mentions.

Defender Zachary Burrell and midfielder Marco Camacho earned first-team selections for the Broncos.

Kirtland Central coach Noel Camacho was named the district’s coach of the year after leading the Broncos to a 9-8 overall record while going 5-5 in district play.

Bloomfield earned one second-team nod, going to defender Cameron Rhames, and two honorable mentions.

In District 1-6A, Peidra Vista midfielder Angel Flores and forward Max Eisenfeld earned second-team selections. They were the only Panthers to earn post-season honors.

Karl Schneider is the sports editor for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4648.