Casa Grande honors football players

“Cherish the moment while you are playing. This game goes by quicker than you could would imagine,” Thomas Kupelian told the Casa Grande High School football players at their awards dinner.

It was a reminder the Gaucho graduating seniors didn’t need as they recalled their season and careers at Casa Grande. But it was a needed admonishment to the young players who are following their dreams as they worked their way up from the freshmen and junior varsity teams.

Kupelian was the guest speaker at the awards dinner. He could relate to the student/athletes because it wasn’t that long ago that he stood in their cleats.

A three-year starter on the line for the Gauchos, he has gone on to play for Humboldt State, where he is now a junior. He said the lessons he learned about competition, dedication and teamwork while playing at Casa were lessons that have helped him be a success on the college level.

“Once you get by all the blood, sweat and tears, you are left with moments you will cherish forever,” he said.

Every player from freshman to varsity was noticed during the awards ceremony, starting with players who had been with the Casa program for four years, players Casa varsity coach Trent Herzog called “The heart and soul of our football program.”

The four-year players included Stephan Denis, Dylan Roberts, Kaleo Garrigan, JJ Anderson, Nic Petri, Alec Burdette, Tobias Mugia, Nick Jensen, Cody Clarke, Ryan Lowe, Andrew Floerke, Kameron Chase, Jorge Barajas, Pedro Lopez-Martinez and Elijah Chirco.

Chase was acknowledged for receiving a National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholarship, while Jensen was a finalist for the award.

Freshman coach Kimo Garrigan and his assistants acknowledged several of his team’s top players, presenting the Coach’s Award to Tannor McKinney, the Gaucho Award to Jeremy Bonner, the Lineman of the Year Award to Mathew Murphy and Andreas Soto, the Defensive Player of the Year Award to Braden Chadwick, the Offensive Player of the Year Award to Jadon Bosarge and Most Valuable Player Award to Jance Offerman.

Junior varsity awards, presented by head coach Jason Rivas and his assistants, went to Matthew Hart, Offensive Lineman of the Year; Jonathan Bland, Coach’s Award; Brandon Cota, Offensive Player of the Year; and John Dooley, Most Valuable Player.

On the varsity level, Herzog and his staff honored several players.

Holton Johnson was named Specialist of the Year.

Elijah Chrico was chosen Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Kameron Chase was chosen Lineman of the Year.

Quarterback JJ Anderson was named Back of the Year.

Kaleo Garrigan was named Offensive Player of the Year.

Andrew Floerke was selected Most Valuable Defensive Player.

Nic Petri was honored as Most Valuable Player.

Dylan Roberts received the first CJ Strength and Courage Award.

Spencer Torkelson was presented with the Ken Hahn Coach’s Award.

Nick Jensen was presented with the James Forni Gaucho Award.