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Competing with the best of the best

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Miyamura senior to play in

the Red vs. Green All-Star game

Nikcolii “Nikki” Torres admits he didn’t always take football seriously — but he believes it was his hard work and dedication for the sport this past year that led to him earning a spot in the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Red vs. Green All-Star Game, which will take place on Dec. 7. He will play in the large school division in the Red Team, representing Miyamura High School.

 

THE LEAD UP TO SUCCESS

Unlike other kids his age, Nikcolii didn’t start his football career with flag football, instead jumping straight into tackle football when he was seven years old. He continued with the sport until middle school, where he decided to solely focus on baseball. Then, in high school, he tried out for the sport as a freshman, and made it on the JV team.

He got onto Miyamura’s varsity team as a sophomore, playing as a part of the special teams squad. During his junior year, he played both offense and defense for the varsity team, but he missed out on the first two games of the season.

Nikcolii said it was the summer before his senior year when he decided to change his approach to football.

“All my life I never really took football seriously, but after my junior year I really wanted to prove myself,” he said.

He started participating in the team’s summer workouts and practiced some drills with his brothers and friends.

In the first game of the 2024 football season, in which the Patriots played the Grants Pirates on Aug. 23, Nikcolii scored the team’s first touchdown. He hadn’t scored a touchdown in his high school career up until that point.

In his senior year he played on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball as a wide receiver and a cornerback.

“My favorite part about football is the bond that me and my teammates have because every day whether the practice was good or not — maybe we were getting yelled at — it was all just about having fun,” Nikcolii said. “Even through the serious parts, we all figure out a way to have fun.”

Nikcolii said one of the most important things he learned through the sport of football is how to lose.

“You fail more times than you succeed in football,” he said. “Sometimes you just have to learn from it and know that it’s O.K. You’ll play better the next time.”

Nikcolii said that outlook helped him a lot during his high school football career.

 

GETTING RECOGNIZED FOR HIS HARD WORK

Patriot head coach David Foley nominated six of his senior players for the All-Star game, with Nikcolii being the only one chosen. The committee, which is made up of coaches from across the state, looks at a multitude of players for each position, with some positions having more representation than others. They ultimately pick the best players from around the state for each position.

Foley entered Nikcolii as a cornerback, but he said he hopes to see the young man get some time on the offensive side as well.

Nikcolii said he’s excited for the opportunity to play with other students from the bigger schools in the state.

“I wouldn't say I’m nervous, but I know I’m going to have to show off what I have so I can play a lot,” he said.

Foley said that he sees Nikcolii as a well-rounded player.

“He’s got good speed and agility, but I think what really sets him apart for this season was his intensity and his aggression,” Foley said. “He was a very physical player for us. He has good football instincts.”

Foley said Nikcolii didn’t let his aggressive playing style only come out for games, but also showed it off during practices.

GMCS REPRESENTS AT ALL-STAR GAMES


Nikki isn’t the only student representing Gallup-McKinley County Schools in the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Red vs. Green All-Star Game.

Dayshaun Chee and Elam Smith will play on the Red team in the small school team game. Chee played for the Navajo Pine Warriors, and Smith played for the Thoreau Hawks. Another GMCS student will play on the opposite side of the field — Thoreau Hawk Ethyn Nosteen will play for the Green team.

Both games will take place at Bulldog Bowl Arena in Artesia, N.M. The small school game will start at 12 pm, and the large school game will start at 3 pm. Tickets cost $12, and can only be purchased online at https://gofan.co/event/1966883?schoolId=NM100401.

By Molly Ann Howell Managing Editor