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Ignacio quarterback Zane Pontine (1) airs out a pass during the Bobcats' non-conference game at Cedaredge.  Pontine earned First Team All-South Central Conference for his work offensively and defensively, and also garnered Honorable Mention All-1A.
Ignacio's Aven Bourriague (11) greets his most devout four-legged fan prior to IHS' home game versus South Central Conference foe Trinidad.  Always poised to receive or repel passes in 2025 as a wide receiver and defensive back, Bourriague earned First Team All-SCC for his efforts.
Ignacio's Gabe Archuleta (21) absorbs IHS Field's energy while stepping onto it prior to the Bobcats' 2025 opener against Denver Manual.  Lost to injury in the team's third game this fall, Archuleta's offensive and defensive impact was still enough to earn him First Team All-South Central Conference.
Seen getting a needed breather during road action this fall at non-conference Cedaredge, Ignacio's Lincoln deKay (44) certainly took his lumps during the 2025 football season but also distributed plenty as an offensive and defensive standout.  He earned First Team All-South Central Conference for his work, as well as Honorable Mention All-1A.
Photo Credit: Zuriah Baker
Photo Credit: Zuriah Baker
Photo Credit: Zuriah Baker
Photo Credit: Zuriah Baker
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Four fall in with Football Finest

Friday - January 9, 2026 by Joel Priest

Four fall in with football finest

Seniors lead IHS’ All-Conference picks

 

By Joel Priest

Gabe Archuleta’s influence was felt on the field.

And fortunately for South Central foes, long before conference clashes commenced.

Due to an unfortunate injury suffered during Ignacio’s third game of the 2025 season, in full view of the IHS Field faithful after he hauled in a long bomb deep in opposing Olathe’s territory, the senior wide receiver’s impact ended up being greatest as a co-captain, a sidelined vocal supporter and mentor to those hoping to fill his cleats next fall.

And when the All-SCC roster was released at season’s end, Archuleta was still voted First Team for not only what was but what might have been as the ’Cats finished 2-3 in conference and 2-7 overall. Quarterback Zane Pontine’s favorite deep threat, Archuleta’s absence hurt in close contests; including a 20-16 loss to non-conference OHS, Ignacio won only one of four games decided by two or fewer touchdowns.

Often found scrambling out of the pocket in hopes of evading pursuers, senior quarterback Pontine took more than his share of sacks but also willingly dished out punishment to would-be tacklers trying to bring him down on designed carries. Also vital on the defensive side of the ball, he was also voted First Team All-South Central.

With Archuleta out, senior receiver Aven Bourriague quickly became Pontine’s go-to and ultimately became a First Teamer. And if all else failed, senior running back Lincoln deKay—probably the most clear-cut First Team pick of the four honored ’Cats—relished all his frequent chances to push the pile, move the chains and/or crash into the end zone.

Junior William Mendoza-Lechuga was called upon to fill multiple roles including receiver, defensive back, punter, kicker and backup quarterback, and in the process of doing so earned Second Team All-SCC status. His own importance on IHS’ interior lines magnified by the loss of sophomore Miguel Red to injury, junior offensive guard/defensive tackle Dillon Witt’s on-the-job development was also worth a Second Team All-SCC nod, and sophomore fullback/linebacker Jayden Scott was an Honorable Mention recipient.

Seven players from South Central champ Centauri were voted First Team All-Conference, including Offensive Player-of-the-Year Carson Shawcroft, a senior who typically played receiver on offense and doubled as a safety on defense. Also named First Team were senior Marcos Atencio, junior Leland Chacon, senior Cole Jackson, junior Dallyn King and senior Spencer Smith.

After clipping Monte Vista 20-18 in the SCC championship, played Halloween night, the Falcons began their Class 1A State Playoffs run the following weekend by eliminating Hotchkiss-based, 13th-seeded North Fork 35-21 and then blanking No. 12 Highland 26-0 up in Ault. Pit next against top-seeded Buena Vista in the semifinals, No. 4 Centauri’s season came to an end with a 27-12 loss leaving CHS—guided by SCC Coach-of-the-Year Kyle Forster—standing 10-2 overall.

Senior Sean Jarvies ended up a Second Team All-SCC pick along with junior Blake Johnson and junior Donovan Jarvies.

Runner-up in the South Central with a 4-1 mark (Centauri went 5-0), Monte Vista also qualified for postseason play and, as the Playoffs’ No. 10 seed, began work in the 16-team bracket by crushing 7-seed Colorado Springs Christian 21-0. Rewarded for the upset win with a home game in the quarterfinal phase, boss Manny Wasinger’s Pirates had the misfortune of welcoming Limon to Harvey Sullivan Field, and suffered a 50-14 loss to the second-seeded Badgers—who went on to best BVHS 14-10 in the State Championship, played November 29 at CSU-Pueblo’s ThunderBowl.

Senior Azariah Hurtado was named First Team All-Conference and also SCC Defensive Player-of-the-Year. Senior Chayse Bouet, senior Zach Gallegos, senior Kelby Mondragon and sophomore Manny Jiron also represented MVHS (7-4 overall) on the First Team; senior Jon Enderle and sophomore Mason Mondragon were Second Team selections.

Victorious over Ignacio in the teams’ season finale, Del Norte (2-4 overall, 2-3 conference) had four All-SCC First Teamers in junior Morgan Howell plus freshmen Brendan Hemmerling, Asher Albright and Liam Kreutzer, while seniors Wyatt Vanzalinge and Landan Velasquez were Second Team.

Though defeated by IHS, Trinidad also ended up 2-3 in SCC play and 2-7 overall. Junior Conner Knezel, senior Matthew Garduno, junior Andrew East and sophomore C.J. Sandoval were all First Team All-Conference picks, while senior Xavier Garcia and junior Isaiah Moreno received Second Team recognition.

Representing Center (0-9, 0-5 SCC) on the First Team were senior DT/LB Ivan Guaderrama and sophomore QB/defensive end Devan Garcia; sophomore RB/LB Jaiden Martinez was Second Team.

ADDITIONAL HONORABLE MENTION ALL-CONFERENCE: Centauri—Drake Gallardo, sr.; Monte Vista—Domyon Naranjo, sr.; Trinidad—Curtis Bueno, jr.; Del Norte—Trenton Woolf, sr.; Center—Mario Mendoza, soph.

EXTRA CREDIT: When the Colorado High School Activities Association released its All-State Teams in mid-December, Ignacio’s deKay was named Honorable Mention All-1A for his efforts not only as a ball-carrier but also a ball-stopping linebacker. Pontine also received Honorable Mention All-1A.

Centauri’s Shawcroft was the only South Central player earning First Team All-1A. Monte Vista’s Gallegos and Kelby Mondragon were Second Team picks, along with Centauri’s Smith. Atencio, Chacon, Jackson and King were Honorable Mention choices, along with MVHS’ Hurtado, Bouet and Jiron, plus THS’ Garduno and Knezel.

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