4 Shiprock grads make all-star team

Posted by Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | Jun 1, 2017 | Football |

FRUITLAND

The Shiprock High School football team is no longer just the boys of fall.

They are now the boys of all seasons as they left their marks on the minds of many New Mexico high school coaches long after the season ended. Four of the graduating seniors were selected for the 2017 New Mexico High School Coaches Association All-Star 3A/4A Football North team and will play in the all-star game on June 9 in Albuquerque. The game will begin at 7 p.m. at Nusenda Community Stadium.

Shiprock head coach Eric Stovall said selected seniors Adrian Gibson, Darren Harrison, Chance Harvey and Steve Lara will represent the entire team well.

“It’s the credit to the kids, they’ve earned it. It’s a credit to the assistant coaches, the work they put in this season,” he said. “They’ve worked hard, they keep trying to improve. I’m talking in relation to the whole team. Those young men, they’ve done well and they’re ready to go next weekend.”

Stovall said his team came a long way in the last couple of years and the all-star recognition is proof of their hard work.

He said the team did not just build football players but student-athletes who demonstrate good character.

“We’ve learned how to overcome obstacles and turn those (into) objectives that we wanted to meet; we’ve met them head on. I think we’ve shown mental toughness and awareness,” he said. “The first thing is we’ve understood the importance of the off season … then taking care of business in the classroom, and doing our best to mentor the younger ones and being positive role models for our school, and our kids, our future Chieftains as well. We also have really good community support and our parents are exceptional.”