Even though they struggled record-wise through most of the season, the Madill Wildcats managed to tally three first-team selections in the 4A-2 football All-District voting.
Junior Tobith Guevara and seniors Uziel Flores and Gilberto Grimaldo were the Madill choices on the prestigious squad from arguably the toughest league in the state. Bethany, which finished third in district, advanced allthewaytothestate semifinals before bowing out to district titleist Tuttle.
Guevarapavedthewayfor the Madill offensive unit with several standout efforts that made him one of the top linemen in a star-studded group.
Flores garnered first-team honors as wide receiver, although he was forced into action at quarterback for the final two and a half games of the year. He still managed solid numbers that added up to 42 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns. That equated to 12.2 yards per catch for the season.
Grimaldo meanwhile was a defensive stalwart as firstteam outside linebacker as he racked up 66 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. He also blocked four opposing extra point tries.
“Our district was incredibly talented, arguably the most competitive in the entire state,” head coach John Heavner commented. “I’m really happy for those guys that were selected to the first team. It’s a tribute to the work that those seniors also put in throughout their careers. To be selected to this unit in this district is just an incredible honor.
“Uziel did pretty much everything for us and I really admire his effort. He sacrificed when we had to have him at quarterback due to injury and stepped up and did everything we asked of him. Tobith and Gilberto were incredibly consistent on both sides of the football all season for us.”
Junior Deuce Glenn was a second team honoree on the offensive line with senior Misael Trevino an honorable mention choice after a solid campaign.
Trevinoaveraged34yards per kick with only seven of his 24 punts being returned. Eight of those kicks ended inside the opposing 20-yard line with three downed inside the 10.
Other honorable selections from Madill included freshman offensive lineman Landon Burgess, senior linebacker Joel Gonzalez and senior lineman Braelyn Pickens.
“Those seniors stuck through a lot of adversity and were anchors for us all through the season,” Heavner added. “I was glad to see Deuce make the second team, because from a leadership standpoint he was a standout for us.
“Landonalsomadeincredible improvementthroughout the season and held his own starting 10 games as a freshman. That’s a pretty rare accomplishment for a freshman, especially playing against the people we were facing on a weekly basis. He’s got a chance to be special over the next three years for us.”