It was an eventful day for Mingus football as many players and first year coach Robert Ortiz were recognized
by the 4A All-Region Grand Canyon section.
Ortiz earned coach of the year after leading Mingus to a 9-3 record and a section title this season.
“I was a little surprised when I learned I had won because I believe Coach Mike Moran at Coconino did a great job this season,” Ortiz said. “He turned that program around in his first season as they improved from two wins to seven.”
The Marauders advanced to the elite eight in 2018 and defeated Bradshaw Mountain 21-17 in the first round of the playoffs.
“We all wanted to win state but we made it to the quarterfinals and surprised a lot of people,” Mingus linebacker Kendrew Streck said.
Ortiz gives all the credit for winning coach of the year to his players and the Marauders coaching staff.
“I would not get recognized for something like that if they do not buy into my philosophies,” Ortiz said.
After Ortiz took over the football team in May, the Marauders only had two full months to prepare for the upcoming regular season.
Seven Marauders players earned first team all-region recognition, up from six Mingus players in 2017.
“It feels pretty good, footballis a team sport but it is nice to see the guys who had a large impact on the team get recognized,” Ortiz said.
Mingus quarterback Antoine Zabala earned region offensive player of the year after throwing for 2,237 yards and 29 touchdowns.
“We all know he is the best quarterback in the region so I think it speaks volumes to who he is and what he has done this year,” Ortiz said.
Despite playing quarterback, Zabala’s favorite play this season was a block he threw for running back Alex Nelson.
“My teammates told me not to block or take any contact but I ended up taking out two guys and Alex made the first down,” Zabala said. “I told him I had his back and that we needed to win this game and we did.”
Chaz Taylor earned first-team all-region on both sides of the ball, as Taylor earned spots at defensive back and wide receiver.
Taylor posted 54 catches for 949 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense and 98 tackles, seven interceptions and two sacks on defense.
“For me, the biggest thing was that this team was the first Marauders team to make it past the first round since 2012,” Taylor said.
Streck also earned recognition both ways with 40 catches and eight touchdowns on offense along with 170 tackles.
Gabe Meyers, Zach Moreno and Alex Nelson rounded out Mingus’ first-team appearances.
Three Mingus players earned second-team recognition with Zabala, Colby Fanning and Joe Machado all earning spots.
The Marauders earned four spots on honorable mention as Ryan Griffin, Fabian Jiminez, Chris Mathe and Mardquez Mestas earned recognition.
For Mingus’ departing seniors, their brotherhood on and off the field is its parting legacy.
“Even when we gave up 50 points, we did not quit. I believe this group had a connection that many classes do not,” Streck said.
“We all started playing together when we were six years old and have stuck together through all the rough times,” Fanning said.
For the seniors, beating Bradshaw again in the playoffs was the Marauders’ signature win this season.
“I was kind of upset at first, but we had so many fans travel to Bradshaw, and to beat them again was great,” Fanning said.
While Mingus is losing many starters on offense and defense, the departing seniors believe next year’s team will not suffer a setback.
“We can only hope that we did well enough that kids under us will learn from what we accomplished
this season,” Zabala said.
