By Don Eskins
District 3/6A recently released its All-District football selections for 2024, and the Cavemen, 4-6 on the year and 2-4 in conference play, were represented well.
Overall, CHS had six offensive and five defensive players selected to this year’s All-District squad. Sophomore inside linebacker Colton McKibben, named to the All-District second-team defense, was also named the 2024 District 3/6A Newcomer of the Year.
Named to the 2024 District 3/6A First Team Offense was junior Bobby Castaneda. The CHS wide receiver hauled in 48 catches for 711 total yards in 2024 to finish the season as the state’s fourth-best receiver. He also set two school records for Most Touchdown receptions in a season (12) and Most Receiving yards in a game (220).
Receiving All-District second-team offensive honors were senior quarterback Kason Perez, junior slot receiver Eloy Lopez, junior guards Cowboy Vargas and Casten Sanders, and sophomore kicker Lennon Ananins.
Selected to the All-District second-team defense, along with Colton McKibben, were senior inside linebacker Diego Ramirez, senior outside linebacker Bubba Anderson, junior safety Ty Young, and junior corner Rio Sanchez.
CHS also had five players reel in Honorable Mention honors. They were sophomore running back Brock Wright, junior receivers RJ Hernandez and Eaven Leos, along with outside linebacker Simon Rubio and senior offensive lineman Jeremiah Sonora.
Caveman head football coach Cale Sanders was happy to see so many of his Cavemen receive All-District post-season honors, with some reservations.
“Bobby Castaneda had an incredible season this year. Everybody in our district knew who he was, and they all had a plan for him. His selection to the All-District first team was certainly deserving,” said Sanders. “As for Colton McKibben, his choice as the District Newcomer of the Year was awesome. I wasn’t expecting anything less for him. He’s a special athlete, and he’s going to be a great one for two more years here in the Cavemen Camp.
“Although we felt like we had a few kids who should have been moved up a spot, our coaching staff and I couldn’t be prouder of all the young men who gained All-District and Honorable Mention honors this year. They all worked very hard; they earned it,” said the Caveman head coach. “It was great to see our district honor eleven of the outstanding athletes we have playing Cavemen football here in Carlsbad.”
Cavemen All-District Team Stats:
Offensive Selections: Wide Receiver Bobby Castaneda (48 receptions-711 receiving yards-14.81 yards per catch-12 touchdowns); Quarterback Kason Perez (New Mexico’s top QB for total passing yards-2,173, connected on 62.27% of his passes, 170 of 273, set four school records, Most Passing Yards in a game-373, Most Touchdown Passes in a Season-27, Most Total Yards in a Game-408, and Most Touchdown Passes in a game-six); Slot-Receiver Eloy Lopez (35 receptions-400 receiving yards-11.43 Yards Per Catch-one Touchdown); Guard Cowboy Vargas (Three-year Vasitiy Starter, Anchored Guard for 2024 Record-Breaking Offense-186 Rushing and 2,273 Passing- 41 Pancake Blocks-11 Lumberjacks and only one Sack Allowed); Guard Casten Sanders (First-Year Varsity Starter, Anchored Center for Record-Breaking Offense-37 Pancake Blocks- 21 Lumberjacks-one Sack Allowed); Kicker Lennon Ananins (3-9 Field Goals-Longest 41 Yards-30-35 Extra Point Kicks-23 Touchbacks).
Defensive Selections: Colton McKibben (99 tackles, 50 solo, 49 assisted tackles, nine tackles for losses and one interception); Inside Linebacker Diego Ramirez (103 tackles-31 Solo-73 Assists-five Tackle For Losses-one Sack-one Safety-one forced fumble-one interception), Safety Ty Young (58 Tackles-18 Solo-40 Assists-one Interception), Outside Linebacker Bubba Anderson (67 Tackles-23 Solo-47 Assists-two Sacks-seven Tackle for Losses-one Forced Fumble), Corner Rio Sanchez (40 Tackles-24 Solo-16 Assists-two Interceptions-one Tackle for Loss).
All-District Team photos by Ara Sanders. Graphics by coach Charles Millar.
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