Publisher’s note: These are the Del Rio’s defensive selections. A story about the offensive selectees tot eh All-District lists will be posted before 8 p.m. today.
Though none of the Del Rio Rams football players earned the top awards in District 30-6A, there was still plenty of reason to celebrate when the all-district teams were announced this weekend.
Eighteen Rams were recognized with spots on this year’s all-district lists. One player was named the most outstanding at this position, seven were named to the first team, six were named to the second team and four were named as honorable mentions.
The Rams “Blue Shield” defense led the way in terms of honors, garnering five first team selections, but the unit racked up the team’s only individual award as senior Jaden Talamantez was named the district’s Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman.
Though the 6’ 3” senior was listed as a linebacker on the Rams roster, Talamantez most often lined up in the hybrid linebacker/defensive end position, allowing him to serve as an edge rusher. His size and strength made him a disruptive force and his length allowed him to swallow up quarterbacks and ball carriers for big losses. Talamantez finished with four-and-a-half sacks in district play and recorded a safety.
Earning first team honors were senior Andrew Garza, senior Alejandro De Luna, senior Sergio Treviño, senior Orlando Guerrero and junior Jesus De Luna. Garza, both De Lunas and Guerrero were each unanimous selections.
Garza, a linebacker, was considered the quiet man on the Rams defense, but his play on the field was anything but silent. A second-team selection as a junior, Garza was the solid foundation of a defensive unit that was one of the best in the district. He also had four-and-a-half sacks and recovered two fumbles.
If Garza was the silent rock of the Rams defense, then Alejandro De Luna was the bullhorn that announced the defense’s arrival. Also a second-team selection last season, De Luna picked up where he left off in 2020. One of the team’s leaders in tackles and tackles for a loss, De Luna is probably best known for his blindside sack, strip and fumble recovery against Laredo United South for a touchdown that helped lead to the win over a team that eventually reached the third round of the playoffs. He finished district with five sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one touchdown.
Treviño, a safety, helped provide a steady presence for Del Rio’s secondary. Treviño made the most of his time on the field. Against Eagle Pass, Treviño recorded an interception early in the contest that helped keep the Rams in the hunt for a district title. He finished district with two interceptions.
Guerrero, a cornerback, was often tasked with shutting down the opposition’s top wide receiver, and it was a job he excelled at. His speed and coverage ability helped provide time for the front line to get to the quarterback and his ball hawking skills made offenses think twice before throwing to his side.
Jesus De Luna, an outside linebacker, was a solid tackler but also had some of the best hands among the defensive players. Against Laredo United, he picked off two passes and kept the Rams within striking distance of the eventual district runners-up Longhorns. He also had two sacks in district play.
Defensive lineman Luis Roberto Chavarria, linebacker Diego Piña and safety Marco Ojeda were named to the all-district second team. Chavarria was a unanimous selection.
Though not as heralded as some of his defensive teammates, Chavarria, a senior, made a name for himself as the anchor in the middle of the defensive line. He also had a nose for the ball, able to come out of the scrum with the ball and always ready to celebrate alongside his teammates. Chavarria had one sack, one forced fumble and recovered a fumble in district.
Piña, a junior, was a player who often found himself in the right spot at the right time. He scored a touchdown against Laredo Alexander, snaring a fumble out of the air and returning it 24 yards to the end zone.
Ojeda, a senior, was another member of the Rams steady secondary. Though he was the shortest member of the unit, according to the official roster, he often played bigger than he appeared and was a strong complement to his secondary mates.
Senior Ricky Cedillo was an honorable mention at cornerback. Though he rotated in and out of the secondary as a junior, he made the position his as a senior. He followed up a strong 2019 campaign with a more polished senior effort. His fourth down stop against Laredo Nixon helped keep the Mustangs out of the end zone.
