Six locals are Golden in football

All-Golden West League footballFour Eagles and two Mustangs make the All-Golden West League team, as chosen by the league’s coaches.Estancia High seniors Ezequiel Villalvazo and Clayton Mills have earned All-Golden West League football honors for the second straight season.

Villalvazo and Mills were named first-team offense and defense, respectively, after earning second-team recognition in 2004.

The two Eagles standouts were joined on the first team by Costa Mesa senior Robert De La Cruz, Estancia senior Walter Echanique, Costa Mesa junior Cody Waldron and Estancia junior Matt Redding.

Costa Mesa seniors Tony Krikorian and Juan Diaz, as well as Estancia senior Ryan Watson, were second-team honorees, as chosen by league coaches.

Villalvazo and Redding were picked at receiver. Villalvazo caught 27 passes for 453 yards and two touchdowns and also led the Eagles with 110 rushing yards. Redding had 36 receptions for 409 yards and seven touchdowns. He caught nine passes for 89 yards and the team’s only touchdown in a CIF Southern Section Division VII first-round playoff loss. It was Estancia’s first trip to the playoffs since 2000.

De La Cruz sparkled on the offensive line for the Mustangs.

Echanique was a defensive end for the Eagles, while Mills stood out at linebacker.

Waldron earned distinction as a defensive back for Costa Mesa.

Watson, the Eagles’ quarterback, completed 119 of 243 passes for 1,453 yards. He threw 11 touchdown passes and seven interceptions.

Krikorian gained 417 yards on 79 rushing attempts and added 53 yards on four receptions.

Diaz, a two-way tackle, also earned second-team recognition as a junior.

Westminster High senior Mitchell Nhep was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. Orange senior Daniel Chairez was the league’s Offensive Player of the Year.

Santa Ana senior Javier Cardona and Westminster senior Patrick Tafua shared Defensive Player of the Year honors.