IHS junior did a little of everything in ’20
Spread about as thinly as a football player can be, Shawn Campbell seldom went to the sideline to steal a breather during the shortened fall – otherwise known as ‘Season A’ on the Colorado High School Activities Association’s altered athletic calendar – football season.
Like graduated brother Clay before him, the Bobcat junior was utilized as a wide receiver, defensive back, punter and kicker and recently had his four-way contribution to a winning season – something head coach Alfonso ‘Ponch’ Garcia had known from the get-go would be essential – adequately recognized in the form of Honorable Mention All-1A distinction.
“So as long as he doesn’t lose his legs, I think he’s going to be o.k.,” joked Garcia. “He’s a fun kid to watch…all over the place. Punting and kicking, I’m pretty happy so far with how he’s doing…taking the jobs’ duties.”
Presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps, every 2020 All-State football roster was created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a vote of head coaches across the state. Players were named either First Team, Second Team or Honorable Mention based upon the number of votes received.
In Classes 1A-5A, spots were reserved for linemen and one kicker/punter, and linemen also had reserved places in 1A 8-man. CHSAA does not determine who does or doesn’t make the team; they are created from the results of the coaches’ vote.
Other Southern Peaks Conference gridders named Honorable Mention All-1A were Center senior TE/DT Carlos Almeida, Centauri junior WR/CB Baron Holman, Monte Vista junior TE/DE Dusty Duran and senior WR/CB/FS Tyrese Otero, plus Del Norte seniors Isaac Peerman and Fletcher Madrid.
Second Team All-1A nods went to MVHS senior RB/LB Cobi Garcia and Centauri junior RB/LB Zach Buhr, while First Team All-1A went to Centauri junior RB/CB Mason Claunch and junior WR/QB/DE Byron Shawcroft.
Limon senior RB/LB Kory Tacha was named Class 1A Player-of-the-Year, while longtime Badger boss Mike O’Dwyer was chosen Coach-of-the-Year after LHS (7-0) earned a third State Championship in as many seasons, 28-0 over Strasburg (8-1).
Because there will be two football seasons during the 2020-21 school year, there will be separate All-State rosters released following Season C action.
Able to play – and even complete – a conference-only schedule during the COVID-disrupted fall, Ignacio’s 3-2 overall record also earned third place in the SPC behind loop leaders Centauri (7-1, 4-0 SPC) and Monte Vista (5-2, 4-1).
FINGERS CROSSED
Ignacio senior RB/LB Joe Garcia will still get one much-needed last dose of prep-level football at the upcoming Hawaii Tiki Bowl … should everything on that event itinerary remain a “go.”
Due to pandemic-caused restrictions on group travel to the String of Pearls, however, the postseason showcase has been relocated stateside to Orlando, Fla., and the schedule shows players leaving for the Sunshine State on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. First practice for Garcia and his one-off teammates is presently slated for the morning of the 5th, with the long-awaited games (with eight select squads now set to attend, four contests will be played) kicking off Thurs., Jan. 7.
Garcia’s return – which IHS supporters hope will be a victorious one – to La Plata County begins the next day.