Four Taos Tigers helped the North take down the South, 26-3, in the annual AA-AAA all-star football showdown Friday (June 6) in Albuquerque.
“They earned another 48 minutes (of football),” THS head coach Flavio López said. “I think it’s a great honor and a good chance to represent our school, community and our family.”
Michael Landgraf (defensive end) and Jonathon Córdova (corner) both started for the North. Landgraf not only got in the backfield a bunch to hurry the South, he also caused one fumble and recovered another fumble.
Córdova, meanwhile, broke up multiple pass attempts. “They couldn’t really throw to his side,” coach López said.
Joaquin Medina, who led the state in tackles this year, got to the ball as quick as he did all season. On one play, coach López said Medina was in pass coverage and got to the receiver just as the ball did. Medina laid him out and the ball fell to the ground.
Abdiel Galindo, who played offensive guard, switched positions and played defensive end for the North. “He quietly did his job,” coach López said.
Isaac Gonzales was also selected to play for the North, but ran in the Great Southwest track meet instead.
South baseball wins series, 2-1
Questa’s Marcus Chávez and Taos’ Larry Martínez both played for the North in the B-AAA all-star baseball series.
“It was a good series,” QHS head coach, and North assistant coach, Cruz Chávez said. “Both teams were evenly matched.”
Chávez pitched the last two innings in the North’s 18-8 win in game one. He also caught and went 3-5 at the plate. Martínez, meanwhile, played exclusively in the outfield for the North.
“A lot of the kids (there) are going to play at the next level,” coach Chávez said. “It was a great experience for them to know that they’re capable at playing at that next level too.”
The South won games two and three, 18-8 and 6-5, to win the series.
South softball sweeps North
Niikky Sanders represented Taos High on North’s A-AAA all-star softball team. During the three games, Sanders played 18 innings.
“It’s a great step for our program for her to have made it there,” THS head softball coach Dominick Martínez said. “She was really excited.”
The South all stars, however, won all three of the games to take the series.