Princeton senior linebacker Zaahir Brown (33) recently was named to the Texas High School Coaches Association academic all-state team. Photo by Jerry Winfrey / C&S Media

By David Wolman

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All of the hard work put in by cross country runners, football players and the student managers and trainers who worked with those student-athletes this fall was recently recognized by the Texas High School Coaches Association.

Princeton was among the schools that had students earn spots on the THSCA academic all-state team.

Princeton senior Henery Martinez earned honorable-mention recognition. Martinez, one of two varsity returners along with senior Jose Sanchez, finished 29th at the District 6-6A meet in a time of 17:36.

In football, Princeton’s Eric Hernandez and Elsie Maina earned second-team honors. Ashley Hart, Breylon Kelleher, Rahel Tadesee and Zaahir Brown were recognized on the honorable-mention team.

The Panthers’ football team finished 6-4 for its first winning season since 2015, when Princeton went 7-4 and earned a playoff berth.

Brown, a two-year varsity player, totaled 53 tackles from his defensive end position as a senior, along with one pass defended and one forced fumble. Kelleher, also a defensive end, finished with four tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and one pass defended in a season in which he appeared in seven games. Hernandez, a linebacker, finished with five tackles.