Bossier multi-sport standout Mateo Guerrero topped 40 additional athletes from 41 Shreveport-Bossier City area high school football teams to win the 202 Times Fans' Choice Player of the Year recognition.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Guerrero and his supporters amassed 261,044 votes (57.53%) the 453,783 votes cast to garner the honor. Finishing second was Byrd’s Josh Vienne, who brought in an equally impressive 117,005 votes in the online-only voting.
Guerrero, who garnered voting assistance from the choir ladies at Airline Baptist Church, will be a three-year starter at tight end for the Bearkats when the Bossier Lions Club Jamboree kicks off Friday night at Airline’s M.D. Ray Field.
“Mateo will see an increased role in the offense this season and will provide the offense with another large target in the passing game and as a crucial blocker in the running game this fall,” Bossier offensive coordinator CJ Morgan said.
41 BEST: '24 Shreveport-area preseason fan’s choice football player of the year ballot - 41 nominees
XC WINNER: Caddo Magnet’s Jack Patillo wins Times preseason fans' choice cross country recognition
![https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4C6aWD_0v8HfMvt00](https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&url=4C6aWD_0v8HfMvt00)
CJ'S THE BEST: Former Mississippi State football, Parkway safety CJ Morgan moves from SEC to Bossier High
Guerrero will be presented a sports duffel bag with a Raising Cane’s boxed lunch gift card courtesy of Raising Cane’s, the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, Cosse and Silmon and The Times.
He’s also had grand start to his final season in green. He joined the Louisiana National Guard this week and will be an officer when he graduates college.
The senior will also play defensive end for defensive coordinator Marcus Hudson.
“Mateo is the most coachable player you’ll ever meet,” Hudson said. “He picks up on things very fast. He will consistently give you the same effort, energy and attention to detail for a full four quarters.”
Bossier football coach Gary Smith is glad to have the two-way starter on his roster.
“Mateo is a very hard worker who is well respected by coaches and players,” he said.
And he was a valuable sub off the bench for the Bearkats’ championship basketball team.
“Mateo played big minutes for us last season, even starting some games,” Bossier basketball coach Justin Collins said. “He’s a great student, great leader, great athlete and overall great person.”
Supporters of the schools and athletes visited shreveporttimes.com to vote through Thursday night.
Also on the ballot were Ben Taylor, Airline; Darrell Sneed, Arcadia; Myaun Carey, Benton; Brodie Savage, Captain Shreve; Montrevion Chatman, BTW; James Simon, Calvary; Bryce Martin, Cedar Creek; Xavier Rawls-Stromile, D’Arbonne Woods; Peyton Houston, Evangel; Daivari Jackson, Glenbrook; Tovoras Lee, Green Oaks; Andrew Markray, Haughton;
Isaiah Washington, Haynesville; Gregory Williams, Homer; Nyles Hullaby, Huntington; Dakota Knox, Jonesboro-Hodge; Eli Santelices, Lakeside; Lamarion Rushing, Lakeview; Dtavion Wright, Lincoln Prep; Tonashton Bland, Logansport; Jac Ebarb, Loyola; Travis Sanders, Magnolia Charter; Jaylen O’Neal, Mansfield; Jonas Hendrickson, Many; Brayden Britton, Minden;
Owen Smith, Natchitoches Central; Mason Jackson, North Caddo; JKobe Lawson, North Webster; Kyran Johnson, Northwood; Christian Harris, Parkway; Gage Aguilar, Plain Dealing; Jomello McDonald, Red River; Nicholas Plunkett, Ringgold; Josh Brantley, Ruston; Cornelius Martin, Southwood; John Paul Thibodaux, St. Mary’s; Tyquereis Wilson, Union Parish; Brandon Henderson, Woodlawn.
Huntington’s Jamarion Washington won the 2023 fan’s choice poll and Calvary’s Hutch Grace won in 2022.
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Here is who won the Shreveport-area preseason fans' choice for football player of the year
Comments / 0