R.J. Ruiz named to 2013 District 29-5A Football All-District First Team in Offense & Defense, 40 EPISD Players honored

By: Ricardo E. Calderon
Copyright 2013 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

For the second consecutive year, Eagle Pass High School Eagles standout senior R.J. Ruiz has been named to the prestigious 2013 District 29-5A Football All-District Team in both Offense and Defense together with another 39 Eagle Pass Independent School District football players who received one or more All-District honors, announced Eagle Pass Eagles Head Football Coach Tom Gonzalez and C.C. Winn Mavericks Head Football Coach Eric Villasenor.

With the elimination of the two remaining District 29-5A football teams, Laredo United Longhorns and Laredo Alexander Bulldogs, last week from the 2013 U.I.L. 5-A Region IV semi-finals, the District 29-5A Head Football Coaches released the names of the players selected to the 2013 District 29-5A Football All-District Teams on Tuesday, December 3, 2013.

Laredo United Longhorn standout senior quarterback Derek Esparza was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player while Laredo United South Panther standout linebacker Rafael Rivas received the Defensive Most Valuable Player honors by the District 29-5A Head Football Coaches.

Joining Laredo United Longhorn Derek Esparza on the Offense All-District First Team include Longhorn sophomore offensive lineman Jesus Lopez as the Newcomer of the Year, Laredo Alexander Bulldog quarterback Aaron Swain, Laredo Alexander Bulldog running back Xavione Skaggs, Laredo United Longhorn running back Esayas Paulson, Laredo Alexander Bulldog wide receiver Mark Lozoya, Laredo United Longhorn wide receiver Eric Corona, Eagle Pass Eagle wide receiver R.J. Ruiz, Laredo United Longhorn slot receiver Zachary Williams, Laredo Alexander Bulldog slot receiver Danny Sanchez, Laredo United South Panther slot receiver Eric Oliva, Laredo LBJ Wolve tight-end Norman Madrigal, Laredo Alexander Bulldog tackle Randal Hinojosa, Laredo United Longhorn tackle Joey Leyva, Laredo United South Panther tackle Noe Gonzalez, Laredo United Longhorn guard Sammy Esparza, Laredo Alexander Bulldog guard Jorge Sifuentes, Laredo United South Panther Rudy Flores, Laredo United Longhorn center Jaime Quintanilla, Laredo United South Panther center Jose Lugo, C.C. Winn Maverick punter Randy Hernandez, and Laredo United Longhorn Head Football Coach David Sanchez as Coach of the Year.

Named with Laredo United South Panther Rafael Rivas on the Defense All-District First Team include Laredo United Longhorn linebacker Raul Guillen as Newcomer of the Year, Laredo United South Panther nose tackle Victor Ramos, Laredo United South Panther defensive tackle Agustin Lara, Laredo United Longhorn defensive tackle Jerry Villarreal, Laredo Alexander Bulldog defensive tackle Mauricio Gutierrez, Laredo Alexander Bulldog defensive end Eugenio Perez, Laredo United South defensive end Austin Solis, Laredo LBJ Wolve defensive end Hilario Mendoza, Laredo United Longhorn inside linebacker A.C. Martinez, Del Rio Ram inside linebacker Brian Rivera, C.C. Winn Maverick inside linebacker Steven Garcia, Laredo Alexander Bulldog outside linebacker Heriberto Elizondo, Eagle Pass Eagle outside linebacker R.J. Valdez, Laredo United South Panther outside linebacker Jorge Garza, Laredo Alexander Bulldog corner back Jesse Serna, Eagle Pass Eagle corner back R.J. Ruiz, Laredo United Longhorn corner back Joseph Vargas, Eagle Pass Eagle safety Kevin Chisum, Laredo Alexander Bulldog safety Rudy Leon, Laredo United South Panther safety Christopher Cabello, and Laredo United Longhorn kicker Cesar Guerrero.

Eagle Pass Eagles named to the Offense All-District Second Team include quarterback Ty Chisum, slot receiver Rich Gonzalez, tackle Alex Mason, and guard Iram Gaytan. Eagle Pass Eagles named to the Defense All-District Second Team include defensive tackle Rolando Fernandez, defensive end Alex Hinojosa, inside linebacker Mando Lopez, and safety Jesse Mata. Eagle Pass Eagles receiving Honorable Mention honors include Jesus Fernandez, Alex Martinez, Chris Flores, Saul Garcia, DeShawn Franklin, Jerry Gonzalez, Chris Perez, and Tito Sanchez. Eagles named to the elite All-Academic Team are R.J. Ruiz, Alex Martinez, Jesse Sanchez, and Leo Lopez.

C.C. Winn Mavericks named to the Offense All-District Second Team include running back Deion Alonso, tight end Emilio Hinojosa, tackle Adrian Botello, guard Rey Riza, and center Kevin Canizales. C.C. Winn Mavericks named to the Defense All-District Second Team include nose tackle Victor Miranda, defensive tackle Jose Luis Flores, outside linebacker Justin Diaz, and kicker Dante Valdez. Mavericks receiving Honorable Mention honors include Juan Elizondo, Jonathan Villarreal, Chris Aranda, Marco Ramirez, George Andrade, and Carlos Cerezo. Mavericks named to the elite All-Academic Team are Steven Garcia, George Andrade, Kevin Canizales, Marco Ramirez, Rodolfo Lara, and Esai Fuentes.