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Check out the Top 10 returning special teams players in the West Texas region

These punters, kickers, kickoff returners and punt returners are back for the 2022 season
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By Chuck Cox

Photo of Julian Melucci courtesy of Julian Melucci's Twitter page 

Often overlooked and undervalued, special teams players are as important as their teammates on offense or defense to the success of any football team.

With the new season underway, we continue our peek at the best returning players by position in the West Texas region. 

See if our list includes any of your choices for the top special teams standouts as these players and their teams make a push for the postseason. 

Top high school football players in West Texas for 2022

QB | WR | LB | DL | RB | TE | OL | DB

Julian Melucci, 5-7, 155, Sr., El Paso Eastlake

One of the most consistent and experienced kickers in the state, Melucci enters his senior season with three years of varsity experience under his belt.

Last year, he made 13-of-14 field goals, including a 47-yarder, to help the Falcons to a 10-2 season that included a bi-district victory over San Angelo Central.

He earned a first-team All-District 1-6A selection, his third straight time to land a postseason accolade.

Melucci also grabbed a second-team spot on the Texas Sports Writers Association's Class 6A All-State Team in 2021.

Malcolm Anderson, 5-10, 170, Sr., El Paso Andress

The only player to make two of our top 10 lists in West Texas, Anderson earned it. The defending District 2-5A Division II All-Purpose Athlete of the Year never stops making plays.

Andress went 9-3 with a bi-district win over El Paso Ysleta with heavy all-around contributions from Anderson last season. He rushed for 646 yards and 14 scores and made 40 receptions for 874 yards and another 10 TDs. On defense, he had 42 tackles and four picks.

Anderson is an Army West Point commit.

Anthony Rivera, 6-0, 183, Sr., El Paso Chapin

Rivera was a beast for the Huskies as a junior last season. On offense, he recorded 59 catches for 1,154 yards and 18 touchdowns, while making 72 tackles, seven interceptions and two forced fumbles from his strong safety position.

He helped Chapin to a 9-3 finish, a district championship and a 29-28 first-round playoff win over Amarillo Caprock. Rivera earned first-team All-District 1-5A Division I as a receiver and a kickoff returner in 2021. He has not yet committed to a college.

Owen Levesque, 6-2, 175, Jr., Lubbock Coronado

Levesque does a little bit of everything for the Thunderbirds at kicker, punter, defensive back and quarterback.

Coronado is coming off a rough one-win season, but alumnus Mike Pry takes over as head coach this season, hoping to turn things around with the help of Levesque.

Even though the team struggled in 2021, Levesque earned District 1-6A first-team punter. He is also an area champion pole vaulter who should continue to kick at the next level with two more seasons of varsity experience still to come.

Marcus Torres, 5-8, 155, Jr., El Paso Pebble Hills

A versatile player who is a big-time weapon for the Spartans, Torres is coming off of a strong sophomore campaign in which he excelled at both wide receiver and punt returner.

Pebble Hills finished 6-5 and earned a playoff berth in 2021, while Torres earned a first-team selection on the All-District 1-6A Team.

He, too, should benefit from two more years of experience to help take his game to the collegiate level.

Torres hopes to lead the Spartans to a deep playoff run this year as his recruiting stock rises for 2024.

Jordan Morales, 6-0, 200, Jr., El Paso Franklin

District 1-6A is loaded with special teams standouts. Add Morales to that - and this - list.

As a sophomore last year, he helped the Cougars finish 8-3 with a district championship and a trip to the playoffs with 72 rushing yards and two touchdowns, along with 102 return yards in his first varsity season. He also earned a first-team spot on the all-district squad.

This year should be bigger and better for Morales, who also plays linebacker.

Julian Aldana, 5-7, 165, Sr., Clint Mountain View

The speedy Aldana, who starts at cornerback and receiver for the Lobos, is also a dangerous kickoff returner. Last year, he helped Mountain View to a 5-6 record and a trip to the playoffs with 269 all-purpose yards to earn a first-team All-District 1-4A Division I nod.

Aldana is poised for a breakout 2022 season that could lead to an opportunity to continue his playing career at the college level when next fall rolls around.

Nathan White, 5-10, 165, Sr., Canyon Randall

In 2021, White was a weapon at punter for the Raiders, who finished 6-6 with a 63-21 bi-district win over Fort Worth O.D. Wyatt. Randall then gave Canutillo all it wanted in the area round before losing a tight 27-24 contest.

In the spirit of Dallas Cowboys' great Danny White, Nathan White is also the starting quarterback for the Raiders this season. As a junior, he was a first-team All-District 3-5A Division II selection.

White has not committed to play at the next level, but a big year at quarterback should turn some recruiting heads.

Ashton Galvan, 5-10, 180, Sr., Andrews

Although the Mustangs finished 5-7 last season, they notched a 73-0 playoff victory over Fabens before falling to Springtown in area.

Galvan, who is now the starting quarterback for Andrews, earned a first-team All-District 2-4A Division I utility/special teams selection.

Although he has not committed to play at the next level, Galvan is also a basketball standout for the Mustangs. He should have a big year on the football field.

Emiliano Hernandez, 6-0, 165, Jr., Canadian

As a sophomore last year, Hernandez was steady as a rock, hitting seven-of-nine field goal attempts, including a 46-yarder, and making 70-of-75 extra-point attempts to help the Wildcats finish 9-4 and notch postseason victories over Idalou and Sonora before falling to Abernathy in the third round of the state playoffs.

Hernandez earned a first-team selection on the All-District 3-3A Division II team. He should continue to improve as he gains more varsity experience.