Freedom New Mexico

Portales Junior High School seventh-grade football team finished undefeated for the second season in a row.

The 6-0 team of 41 players used their size to manhandle teams from Ruidoso, Yucca and Marshall middle school of Clovis.

“Coach (John) Chavez made us play hard as we can to win,” quarterback Jake Weringa said.

Wide receiver Anthony Salaz led the team in receptions and Marcos Guzman lead in interceptions. Defensive lineman Jonathan Montiel had 40 tackles.

“Weringa couldn’t have done it without his offensive linemen and the receivers,” Salaz said. “Our offensive line is the best out of all the other teams.”

PJHS coach John Chavez said his seventh-grade teams are 16-1-1 the last three seasons. Chavez has been coaching for 32 years.

Yucca, Marshall and Ruidoso each field two seventh-grade teams.

“They are such good kids,” Chavez said. “Last year’s team had some speed and the year before they were fast. We had big offensive linemen (this year) and that make a huge difference when you don’t have a lot of speed.”