Area students earn all-state honors

Tucumcari senior Khobie Salvador was named to the second team as a defensive lineman to the New Mexico High School Coaches Association’s Class 3A all-state football selections last week.

Also, Logan’s Park Strong was named to the first team at two positions in eight man-football by the association.

Salvador, who played offensive and defensive tackle for the 1-9 Rattlers, also was a first-team selection at those positions in the Class 3A-4 district.

Listed as 5-foot-11 and 280 pounds, Salvador played in the annual Red vs. Green All-Star Football Game in Roswell earlier this month.

Strong made it to the first team as an inside linebacker and a slot back. He also made the second team as a punter and place-kicker.

Strong, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound junior, also was named all-District 6 as an inside linebacker, offensive lineman, tight end, kicker and punter for a Longhorns team that finished 8-4 and advanced to the state semifinals.

Other Logan players who made it to the all-state second team were: Brock Burns, quarterback; Zack Byrd, defensive lineman; Skyler Deluca, center and defensive line; Haden Judd, defensive secondary; Izaiah Kneitz, slot back; and Kaeden Stoner, receiver and defensive secondary.

Honorable mentions from Logan were: Byrd, offensive lineman; Burns, defensive end; Christian Kotara, defensive secondary; and Payson Nials, outside linebacker;

All-state athletes are chosen by through a process that includes nominations by head coaches, ranking of nominations through a coach's ballot and a final selection committee chosen by the association’s board of directors.