Staff Reports
GRAHAM AND GREENLEE COUNTIES – The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) has released the 2025-26 2A East football all-region selections, and the Pima Roughriders and Morenci Wildcats once again proved they belong among the elite in one of the state’s toughest small-school regions. Between first-team, second-team, major award winners, and honorable mentions, Pima and Morenci athletes claimed a significant share of the recognition.
2A East Major Awards
- Region Offensive Player of the Year: Julien Aragon (Morenci)
- Region Defensive Player of the Year: Joe Palmer (Pima) & Trace Nielsen (St. Johns)
- Region Player of the Year: Sam Winters (St. Johns)
- Region Coach of the Year: Lon Dimbatt (St. Johns)
Pima Roughriders – Balanced excellence on both sides of the ball
The Roughriders placed multiple athletes on both the first and second teams while producing one of the region’s top defensive honors.
First-Team Selections
- Keegan Corona – Defensive Back & Receiver/Tight End (also Kickoff Returner)
- Charles Richardson – Defensive Lineman
- Rooster Alder – Linebacker
- Joe Palmer – Linebacker
- Hollen Hoopes – Offensive Lineman
- Dante McCray – Offensive Lineman
Second-Team Selections
- Emmet Mcbiles – Defensive Back
- Hollen Hoopes – Defensive Lineman (earned honors on both lines)
- Brett Flowers – Defensive Lineman
- Jax Haws – Defensive Lineman
- Adam Bryce – Linebacker
- Wade Peterson – Receiver/Tight End
- Rooster Alder – Receiver/Tight End (earned honors at two positions)
Major Award
- Joe Palmer – Co-Region Defensive Player of the Year
Honorable Mention
Gilbert Bryce, Kaden Davis, Keegan Espinoza, Cedrick Grimes, Garth Lunt, Ryett Mcbiles, Mason Skinner
Keegan Corona and Rooster Alder stood out as two-way threats, while the Roughrider defensive front and linebacker corps dominated voting. Joe Palmer’s selection as co-Defensive Player of the Year caps an outstanding season for the Pima linebacker.
Morenci Wildcats – Explosive playmakers and trench warriors
Morenci’s speed and physicality were on full display with a strong contingent of honorees, highlighted by the region’s Offensive Player of the Year.
First-Team Selections
- Aundre Mccauley – Defensive Back
- Jaymz Guzzo – Defensive Back
- Dean Chee – Defensive Lineman
- Kiano Torres – Defensive Utility/Flex Player
- Anthony Rogers – Linebacker
- Isaiah Cook – Offensive Lineman
- Julien Aragon – Receiver/Tight End
- Derick Lytle – Running Back
Second-Team Selections
- James Davis – Defensive Lineman
- Isaiah Cook – Defensive Lineman (both lines)
- Joshwa Sandoval – Linebacker
- Derick Lytle – Linebacker (both sides of the ball)
- Dean Chee – Offensive Lineman (both lines)
- James Davis – Offensive Lineman (both lines)
- Keaston Armstrong – Placekicker
Major Award
- Julien Aragon – Region Offensive Player of the Year
Honorable Mention
Zach Biggs, Micheal Chavez, Jeremya Cruz, Deegan Miller, Richard Rodriguez
Julien Aragon’s dynamic season as a receiver earned him the top offensive honor in the region, while Derick Lytle, Isaiah Cook, James Davis, and Dean Chee all pulled double duty with recognition on both offense and defense. The Wildcats’ secondary and pass rush also earned heavy praise.
