MEEKER I Three Meeker High School Cowboy football players were recently honored by the Colorado High School Activities Association, being named to the 1A Colorado all-state teams, including two selected to the first team.
Meeker senior T.J. Shelton and junior Tyler Ilgen were named to the 1A Colorado all-state first team and Cowboy senior Devon Pontine made the second team.
“This is quite an honor for them,” Meeker head coach Shane Phelan said of his all-state selections.
Coach Phelan said players selected were all first-team all-conference selections from across the state, from which all 1A coaches voted for the all-state teams.
Shelton led the Cowboys in rushing, carrying the ball 94 times for 1,728 yards and 25 touchdowns, averaging 157.1 yards per game and nine yards per carry. Shelton also scored 22 two-point conversions and caught 12 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. He also played defense, where he had three interceptions and was in on 64 tackles.
Ilgen, a 6-foot-2 270-pound lineman, also played on both sides of the ball, blocking on offense from the guard position and on the defensive line for the Cowboys. Ilgen recorded 40 tackles, including two sacks and he had one fumble recovery.
Pontine, like his all-state teammates, played on both sides of the ball too. Pontine carried the ball 22 times for 296 yards and three touchdowns as well as having caught 20 passes for 255 yards, two touchdowns and he scored six two-point conversions. On defense, Pontine was in on 80 tackles, he had one sack and he blocked a field goal attempt.
“I’m excited these young men are getting the accolades they deserve,” Coach Phelan said.
This was the second year for Shelton to be named to the CHSAA first team, all-state team. Shelton, along with Meeker High School graduates Jake Phelan and Raul Lopez were named to the all-state first team last year.
“I don’t remember the last time Meeker has had so many high caliber, all-state players,” coach Phelan said.
