Thatcher's Bingham and Brown take 3A South Region Offensive and Defensive Player-of-the-Year

By Jon Johnson

THATCHER – The Thatcher Eagles (10-1 conference, 10-2 overall) are preparing to take on the unbeaten No. 2-ranked ALA – West Foothills Guardians (10-0 conference, 12-0 overall) in the 3A State Football Semifinal at Mesa High School on Saturday, starting at 2 p.m., and they will have the top offensive and defensive players in the region at their service.

Region awards were announced for the 3A South on Thursday, and Thatcher’s Kody Bingham was named Offensive Player-of-the-Year, and Tristun Brown was named Defensive Player-of-the-Year.

Pusch Ridge head coach Kent Middleton was named Region Coach-of-the-Year, and Pusch Ridge’s Jacob Newborn was named Region Player-of-the-Year. No. 4 Pusch Ridge is in the other semifinal against No. 1 Benjamin Franklin.

Offensive Player-of-the-Year – Kody Bingham

Raymundo Frasquillo File Photo/Gila Herald: Kody Bingham (34) appears surrounded by Bulldogs but cuts behind blockers to gain positive yards. The Thatcher senior running back was named 3A South Region Offensive Player-of-the-Year.

According to stats from MaxPreps, Bingham led his team in rushing and averaged 97.4 yards per game with 19 total touchdowns (15 rushing), which led the 3A South Region, along with 1,169 yards rushing and 116 points scored.

Defensive Player-of-the-Year – Tristun Brown

*Steve Carter Photo/Gila Herald: Tristun Brown leaps over a defender. Brown was named 3A South Region Defensive Player-of-the-Year.*

Tristun Brown is a hard-hitting, 5’9”, 165-pound outside linebacker. He led Thatcher in tackles in its quarterfinal game against Florence with 17 (8 solo, 9 assisted).

3A South All-Region 1^st Team

From Thatcher: Crew Farris – defensive back; Brigham Rasmussen – defensive lineman; Cade Winkler – kickoff returner; Brett Jones – linebacker; Ryan Jones – linebacker; Syler Romero – offensive lineman; Mccoy Carlton – offensive lineman; Chad Johnson – quarterback; Wyatt Nicholas – receiver.

From Safford: Carlos Arbizo – defensive back; Xavier Owens – defensive lineman.

From Morenci: Marcus Lucero – linebacker; Isiah Cook – offensive lineman; Chris Lopez – offensive utility/flex.

3A South All-Region 2^nd Team

From Thatcher: Madden MaGill – defensive back; Will Chidester – defensive lineman; Landon Robbins – defensive lineman; Cooper Conrad – offensive lineman; Travis Larson – offensive lineman; Luke Marble – placekicker; Patrick Nicholas – receiver.

From Safford: Cole Yentsch – defensive back; Zayden Sanchez – defensive lineman; Jace Jameson – linebacker; Collin Gunnett – linebacker; David Cruz – offensive lineman; Khristofer Lopez – offensive lineman; Cole Goodman – punter; Cole Goodman – receiver; Jarett Jurado – running back.

From Morenci: Kiano Torres – defensive utility/flex; Shane Seballos – long snapper; Chris Lopez – punt returner; Julian Aragon – running back.

3A South Region Honorable Mention

From Thatcher: Porter Conrad, Paxton Echols, and Smith Mangum.

From Safford: Teegan Baldwin, Adrien Casillas, Jevyn Elliott, and Nathaniel Rodriguez.

From Morenci: Dean Chee, Xavier Fernandez, Jaymz Guzzo, Diddy Lupita, and Gage Rodriguez.