Prep Notes 1-11

Clovis, Texico and Fort Sumner will be well represented in the New Mexico North-South high school all-star football games.

Four players from the Class 5A runner-up Wildcats were selected for the South squad. Running back Phillip Williams, quarterback John Props, defensive end Jason Burns and defensive back Jacob Jones were invited to play in the Class 4A-5A game July 29 at Albuqueque’s University Stadium.

The Class A state champion Wolverines had six make the South squad in the 15th annual Class1A-2A game, the most of any Class A school. Center Bryan Vannetta, wide receiver Tony Clements, quarterback Braden Vaughan, running back Johnny Serrano, defensive lineman Leo Muniz and linebacker Logan Brown made the team.

Fort Sumner placed five on the North team, including four on the offensive line. Center Lance Wood, guards Jesse and Ross Cortese, tackle Adrian Collaso and defensive end Tim Segura were chosen.

The A-AA game is June 11 at Western New Mexico University’s Ben Altamirano Stadium.

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The two biggest surprises in the EPAC tournament were the Melrose girls and Grady boys.

The Lady Buffaloes were 3-7 and seeded fifth in one of the pools, but went 2-1 in the tournament to finish fifth. Melrose beat Logan by 21 in the first round. After getting roughed-up 45-19 to eventual champion Fort Sumner in the semifinals, Melrose bounced back to beat Dora 55-42 for fifth place.

Dora was the fourth seed in Melrose’s pool.

Grady entered the tournament 4-5.

Grady rallied to beat Floyd 56-53 in its tournament opener. The Broncos beat top-seeded Fort Sumner 66-41 to reach the championship game. Grady lost to Texico 74-67 in the championship.

“We weren't even supposed to win any games and our kids played so well,” Grady coach Jim Kneipp said.

Grady relied on a balanced attack as Jarrod Lindsey, Colt Grau, Robert Windham, Domingo Diaz and Brian Blackburn all scored in double-figures at least once in the tournament. Kneipp said he likes having lots of different scorers.

“That way you never know who to stop,” he said.

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The Muleshoe girls continued their season-long trend of waering down teams in the fourth quarter into district play. In their District 2-3A opener Friday at Littlefield, the Lady Mules outscored the the home team 21-6 in the last period en route to a 55-41 win.

The Lady Mules (15-7, 1-0) press most of the game, which Muleshoe coach Shana Simms said wears teams down as the game goes on.

Simms said she expects Littlefield to contend for the playoffs.

Top area scorers of the week based on information reported to the CNJ:

Boys

33 — Caleb Dodd, Melrose, vs. Texico, Friday

27 — Tigg Bunton, Clovis, vs. Coronado, Friday

26 — Logan Brown, Texico, vs. Grady, Saturday

22 — Jeremy Guana, Fort Sumner, vs. Logan, Wednesday

22 — Jarrod Lindsey, Grady, vs. Floyd, Tuesday

Girls

33 — Lindsey Lee, House, vs. San Jon, Friday

26 — Lee vs. Elida, Tuesday

25 — Lee vs. Floyd, Saturday

24 — Audrey Hemminger, Melrose, vs. Dora, Thursday

21 — Hemminger vs. Logan, Tuesday

CNJ sports writer John Eisel can be reached at 763-6991 ext. 322 or by e-mail at: [email protected]