1A South: San Manuel
2020 record: 3-2, advanced to the state playoffs for the first time since 2011, when it played in the Division V playoffs which resembled teams in Class 3A now. The Miners lost in the first round of the 1A playoffs last season at Mogollon.
Head coach: Ernest Ivy, 7-8, third year at San Manuel and overall. Ivy was an All-State Class 3A honorable mention choice by the Arizona Republic as a quarterback in San Manuel following his senior season in 1993.
Key returners:
- QB/LB Nicolas Velasquez, 5-9, 190, Soph.
- RB/LB Mathias Medina, 5-7, 165, Jr.
- WR/DB Tony Guisa, 6-3, 175, Jr.
- WR/DB Isaiah Lopez, 5-8, 175, Sr.
- WR/DB Noah Huerta, 5-10, 190, Sr.
- DL/OL Justin Tafoya, 6-0, 195, Sr.
Coaching staff:
- Head coach: Ernest Ivy
- Offensive coordinator: Ernest Ivy
- Defensive coordinator: Kevin Waddell
- Offensive line: Luke Baldenegro
- Defensive line: Luke Baldenegro
- Assistant: Angel Lozaya
- Assistant: Earl Andrade
Notes: San Manuel is entering its second season at the 1A level after switching from 2A following the 2019-20 school year. The Miners were at one time at the 3A level but declining enrollment in the mining town has placed the program at 1A playing eight-man football. … Velasquez was one of the top freshman quarterbacks in the state throwing for 637 yards in five games (the season was shortened because of COVID-19 protocols). He completed 43 of 87 pass attempts with five touchdowns and four interceptions. … Medina comes from the heralded athletic Medina family at San Manuel. His older sisters Noelle and Felicia went on from San Manuel to play softball in college. Older brothers Cisco (wrestling) and Jacob (track and field) were also standout athletes at San Manuel. Mathias last year rushed for 275 yards, caught 20 passes for 312 yards, had 45 tackles and scored 46 points.
Schedule:
FOLLOW @JAVIERJMORALES ON TWITTER!
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator five years ago and is presently a special education teacher at Gallego Fine Arts Intermediate in the Sunnyside Unified School District
Recommended for you
