8-man all-state team announced

SANTA ROSA — Just like the New Mexico 8-man football season, the postseason all-state football team was dominated by the Melrose Buffaloes and Tatum Coyotes.

Melrose senior Clint Barnard was named the offensive and defensive player of the year, and the two-time state champion Buffaloes had six of the 16 selections on the first teams, as voted on by coaches. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.

The Buffaloes, the state runnerup Coyotes (7) and Clovis Christian (2) accounted for all but one of the first-team selections (the other being Mountainair freshman Cimarron Zamora on the offensive squad).

Joining Barnard on the first team offense are senior Sammy Lawrence and junior Hayden Moore. Barnard and Lawrence were also selected to the defensive team, and were joined by senior Mitchum Rush.

Mike Urioste, a Clovis Christian junior, received offensive and defensive selections. His teammate, sophomore Kevin Naceanceno, was selected for second-team offense, and Floyd senior Chet Chenault received a second-team nod on defense.

8-man all-state
First team
Offense: Clint Barnard, Sr., Melrose; Logan Medlin, Sr., Tatum; Hunter Ray, Sr., Tatum; Sammy Lawrence, Sr., Melrose; Hayden Moore, Jr., Melrose; Mike Urioste, Jr., Clovis Christian; Cimarron Zamora, Fr., Mountainair; Juan Cardenas, Sr., Tatum.
Defense:  Clint Barnard, Sr., Melrose; Logan Medlin, Sr., Tatum; Hunter Ray, Sr., Tatum; Sammy Lawrence, Sr., Melrose; Hayden Moore, Jr.,; Ryan Clenn, Sr., Tatum; Mitchum Rush, Sr. Melrose; Colter Smith, Sr., Tatum; Mike Urioste, Jr., Clovis Christian.
Second team
Offense: Nolen Snyder, Sr., Reserve; Kevin Naceanceno, So., Clovis Christian; Ryan Glenn, Sr., Tatum; Gabe Hernandez, Jr., Animas; Joshua Gonzales, Sr., Mountainair; Allyn Snyder, Sr., Reserve; Josh Ruda, Sr., Logan; Jerry Reyes, Sr., Animas.
Defense: Erik Romo, So., Animas; Patrick Romero, Sr., Mountainair; Allyn Snyder, Sr., Reserve; Truitt Frost, Sr., Logan; Garyn Anaya, Sr., Mountainair; Leonard Arias, So., Springer; Joshua Gonzales, Sr., Mountainair; Chet Chenault, Sr., Floyd.
Offensive player of the year: Clint Barnard, Melrose.
Defensive player of the year: Clint Barnard, Melrose.