Santa Gertrudis Kingsville Academy’s varsity football team had numerous players recently voted into the All-District 32-A team.

“It is gratifying that you can nominate your own kids, but it is the other coaches who actually do the voting,” Head Coach Wally Moon said. “So the fact that our guys made some of those teams means that the other coaches in this district are recognizing their abilities.”

On offense, Junior Joel Obregon was selected for the first all-district team as a wide receiver. Senior Isidoro Camacho made the second all-district roster as a lineman.

“Obregon made the first team as a receiver and second team as a punter which I think is interesting because he only kicked in three games but still impressed the coaches,” Moon said. “Camacho was ‘Mr. Versatility’ this year. When we needed to plug up a hole somewhere - whether it was on offense or defense - we just moved Issy over there and him being named to the all-district team is a reward he greatly deserved for all of the contributions he made.”

Academy had four of their leather-heads picked for the all-district defensive team. Junior Emilio Martinez was named to the second alldistrict roster as a lineman. Junior Raul Garcia was picked for the second alldistrict team as a linebacker. Sophomore Conner DeLaney was selected for the second all-district squad as a cornerback. Freshman Uriah Luna made the second all-district team as a safety.

“Garcia made the alldistrict team for the second year in a row and is a graduating senior,” Moon said. “He has kind of been the heart of this football team since it has started and will be sorely missed.”

Luna turned a few heads this season with his scrappy play while covering opposing wide receivers.

“I thought Uriah was one of the biggest surprises we had this season,” Moon said. “When he came out for football, I thought he would make a good junior varsity player but he ended up starting every single varsity game for us.”

Martinez and DeLaney were also key figures in the Pride’s defense this season.

“DeLaney proved to be a very versatile player who led our team in interceptions,” Moon said. “Martinez is another one of our players who has been selected for the all-district team for the second year in a row. He is a sophomore this year so I imagine he will become one of the primary defensive players in this district next season and I think he is probably the best defensive prospect we have around here.”

Receiving Honorable Mention were Rigo Sigala (senior, cornerback), Michael Reyes (senior, running back) Gary Gonzales (senior, offensive line) and Chris Ainsworth (senior, linebacker).

Academy recently concluded its second varsity football season and third overall as a program. The past three years have been quite the learning experience for both Pride coaches and players.

“Naturally you need to get better from just having played and getting that experience,” Moon said. “Our first year entailed just showing guys how to put on a uniform if nothing else. Last year we jumped in and discovered what varsity football was going to be like.”

The Pride’s lone win this season came by forfeit when an opponent did not have enough players to field a team.

“This past season - although our record (1-9) is not what you really want to see - the guys in our program really began to understand what they have to do to compete,” Moon said. “So we have moved from a point of getting on the field and just playing games to being more competitive and what we have to do next year is learn to compete in every play during every game. It has been a learning process and while we will miss the six seniors who graduate this May we are still looking at the core of this year’s players coming back next year on a team I think will probably surprise some people; I am excited about getting ready for next year.”