2019 All-Region Football Teams: Who made the large- and small-school teams?

James Burns
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Large Schools

Quarterbacks

Bryce Gouker, Sr., Downey: There wasn’t a more prolific passer in the Sac-Joaquin Section. Gouker led the section with 3,127 yards, while completing 73 percent of his throws. He had 37 touchdown passes to just four interceptions.

Dalton Durossette, Sr., Central Catholic: Durossette shouldered a heavy load for the injury-ravaged Valley Oak League tri-champion. He threw for 1,773 yards and 17 touchdowns, despite playing a starring role on defense and special teams.

Running backs

Sierra running back Kimoni Stanley led the Sac-Joaquin Section in rushing with 2,112 yards and 33 touchdowns. (Samantha Schmidt)

Kimoni Stanley, Jr., Sierra: The 182-pound junior led the Sac-Joaquin Section in rushing with a school record 2,112 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns. Stanley fueled Sierra’s run to a Division IV section championship and Northern California regional bowl appearance.

Zeke Saffar, Jr., Oakdale: Another talented junior, Saffar rushed for 1,883 yards and 18 touchdowns as the Mustangs’ featured running back. Blessed with track speed, Saffar helped the Mustangs clinch a share of the Valley Oak League crown with 169 yards in a runaway victory over Central Catholic.

Trabron Russell, Sr., Manteca: The Buffaloes’ senior running back rushed for 200 yards in a  game three times, including a season-high 240 yards and seven touchdowns in a come-from-behind win over Oakdale at The Corral. Russell, a two-time All-Region running back, finished with 1,636 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Wide Receivers

Jacob DeJesus, Sr., Manteca: Though small in stature, the 5-foot-6 DeJesus was the Buffaloes’ ultimate weapon. DeJesus, the only two-time All-Region wide receiver, was named the Valley Oak League MVP after amassing 2,098 all-purpose yards, including: 1,139 receiving, 631 rushing, and 328 on returns.

Downey wide receiver Lawrence Harris had 1,050 yards and 16 touchdowns. (Dan Harris)

Lawrence Harris, Sr., Downey: Harris was Gouker’s top target in Downey’s “Air Raid” attack, finishing with 1,050 yards and 16 touchdowns on 48 receptions. He gashed Manteca for 264 yards and five touchdowns in a 54-48 victory.

Sithri Price, Sr., Central Catholic: A top two-way talent, Price pushed through pain and injury to earn first-team all-Valley Oak League honors. Price closed his prep career with 925 yards and eight touchdowns on 52 receptions.

Tight End

Xavier Williams, Sr., Atwater: The Sacramento State commit was an all-Central California Conference selection on both sides of the ball in his only season at Atwater. Williams, who will focus on defense in college, had 17 receptions for 285 yards and four touchdowns.

Offensive Linemen

Everett Johnson, Sr., Turlock: “Mt. Everett” was named the Central California Athletic League’s outstanding offensive lineman, providing time for quarterback Brock Paslay and running lanes for 1,000-yard back Anthony Frias. Johnson will begin his Cal career in earnest after graduating high school early.

Armando Palominos, Sr., Central Catholic: After missing most of his junior season with an injury, the 6-foot-3, 285-pound Palominos anchored the Raiders’ ground attack, opening holes for running backs Minaya Olivo and Lyon Colon.

Ralph Cordaway, Sr., Gregori: The 6-foot-2 Cordaway has been arguably the best offensive lineman in the city of Modesto the last two seasons. A two-time all-Central California Athletic League first-team selection, Cordaway paved the way for 1,000-yard running back Titus Rhiney.

Angel Pennenurri, Sr., Oakdale: With Pennenurri in the trenches, the Mustangs averaged 38 points, earned a share of the league title and reached the Division IV section final. Pennenurri was named to the all-VOL first team.

Omar Maxwell, Sr., Sierra: The 6-foot-1, 280-pound tackle paved the way for the section’s leading rusher, Kimoni Stanley, and an offense that rushed for more than 4,000 yards. For his efforts, Maxwell was rewarded with an all-Valley Oak League first-team selection.

All-Purpose

Elijah Diaz, Sr., Davis: The label “dual threat” doesn’t quite encompass Diaz’s role for the Spartans. He was the region’s only QB with at least 1,500 passing yards (1,627) and 1,000 rushing yards (1,224), and he led his team in tackles from the middle linebacker spot (74).

Minaya Olivo, Sr., Central Catholic: Though he missed a few games with injury, Olivo led the Raiders’ ground attack with 1,136 yards and 15 total touchdowns. His 126.2 yards-per-game average was second in the Valley Oak League only to Sierra’s Stanley.

Defense

Defensive Linemen

Tamirr Bullock, Sr., Turlock: A former Central California Athletic League Defensive Lineman of the Year, Bullock ranked among the team leaders in sacks and tackles for a loss. Like his counterpart on the offensive side of the ball, Bullock is a two-time All-Region selection.

Boss Foumai, Jr., Patterson: Though the Tigers struggled with consistency, Boss Foumai has been one of the steadiest performers in the region. A two-time All-Region defensive lineman, Boss Foumai was named to the all-Central California Conference first team on both sides of the ball.

Logan Foumai, Jr., Patterson: Logan Foumai took the mantle of the Central California Conference’s “Best Defensive Lineman” away from his brother, Boss Foumai, while also earning his first All-Region selection.

Peyton Bradford, Sr., Oakdale: One of the most decorated players in the region, Bradford closed his prep career with all-VOL first-team selections on both sides of the ball, including Valley Oak League Defensive Player of the Year, and a league championship.

Linebackers

Jayden Jackson, Sr., Turlock: A rangy, high-motor 6-foot middle linebacker, Jackson was named the Central California Athletic League’s Defensive Player of the Year after serving as the general on the region’s top defensive unit.

Nate Ruiz, Jr., Buhach Colony: An outside linebacker, Ruiz was the Central California Conference’s Defensive MVP after the Thunder ripped through the regular season undefeated. Ruiz had 69 tackles, including 10 for a loss, and five sacks.

Cameron Snow, Sr., Oakdale: Snow set the tone for the Mustangs, defensively. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior was named to the all-Valley Oak League first team for the second consecutive season.

Adrian Atangan, Sr., Los Banos: The Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year had a league-best 111 tackles, including 80 solo stops, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.

Defensive Backs

Buhach Colony's Youlas Dickson, a versatile talent, was named the Central California Conference's MVP. (Andrew Kuhn/Merced Sun-Star)

Kyle Jackson, Sr., Central Catholic: A former starting quarterback for the Raiders, Jackson developed into one of the team’s top defenders. He was named to the all-Valley Oak League first-team as a safety after amassing 48 tackles.

Youlas Dickson, Sr., Buhach Colony: A dangerous weapon in all three phases, Dickson, the Central California Conference MVP, capped his prep career with 1,531 all-purpose yards; 18 touchdowns, including seven on punt and kickoff returns; and five pass deflections.

Trey Paster, Sr., Buhach Colony: Before signing with Cal, the 6-foot-2 Paster shut down one side of the field for the Thunder. Like Dickson, Paster was a versatile talent. He had two interceptions, eight touchdowns and 33 tackles.

Rios Rogers, Sr., Turlock: Rogers is listed as a free safety, but plays more like a down-hill linebacker. Rogers joins a loaded All-Region secondary after ranking among the team leaders in sacks and tackles for a loss and earning all-Central California Athletic League first-team honors.  

Kicker

Adrian Melesio, Jr., Patterson: Melesio returns to the All-Region team after leading the section in field goals with 14, including a long of 49 yards, and making all 56 of his extra-point kicks. Over the last two seasons, he’s connected on a region-best 23 field goals.


Small Schools

Quarterbacks

Nico Ilardi, Sr., Ripon: Ilardi made this list last fall as an all-purpose player, but emerged as the region’s top small-school QB despite missing time with a tweaked knee. His brilliance was on full display through the postseason, guiding the Indians to their first-ever CIF State Bowl win. Ilardi passed for 2,006 yards and 21 touchdowns against just three picks.

Nolan Lingley, Sr., Ripon Christian: One of the region’s top baseball players, Lingley excelled in his first and only season as the Knights starter. He threw for 2,055 yards and 18 touchdowns, completing nearly 65 percent of his passes for the Southern League champions.

Running Backs

Luke Anderson, Jr., Escalon: Anderson, a bull-dozing fullback, led the Trans-Valley League in rush attempts with 183, while finishing second in touchdowns (17) and yards (1,154). He was at his best in the biggest wins: 210 yards and two TDs in a stunning victory over large-school foe Downey; and 192 yards and three touchdowns in the state final against La Jolla.

Ripon Christian's Sean McGovern is a two-time All-Region selection. In 2018, he was named to the honor roll as a defensive back. This fall, the Southern League MVP joins the list as a running back.

Sean McGovern, Sr., Ripon Christian: Despite playing out of position, McGovern, an All-Region defensive back in 2018, proved he was one of the region’s most versatile and talented players. He finished with 2,012 all-purpose yards, including a Southern League-best 1,374 rushing yards. McGovern also scored 33 touchdowns in 11 games.

Logan Donati, Sr., Mariposa: Donati rushed for more than 100 yards in four of the final six games of the season, according to stats reported to MaxPreps.com, catapulting the Grizzlies to an upset of Denair in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII final. Donati finished with more than 1,100 rushing yards.

Wide Receivers

Gus Gedney, Sr., Amador: With sure hands and an innate ability to get open, Gedney was one one of the top playmakers in the Mother Lode League. He was a first-team all-MLL selection after guiding the Buffaloes to a share of the league title.

Cooper Winton, Sr., Livingston: Winton blossomed into quarterback Rocklin Bautista’s favorite target. Winton led the Trans-Valley League in receiving with 986 yards on 53 receptions.

Aiden Azevedo, Sr., Hilmar: Azevedo averaged nearly 20 yards per catch and led the Trans-Valley League in touchdown receptions with 14, earning the conference’s Outstanding Receiver award.

Tight End

Ripon multi-sport athlete Troy Brogan was an all-TVL performer on both sides of the ball.

Troy Brogan, Sr., Ripon: An all-Trans-Valley League first-team selection at tight end and defensive line, the 6-foot-3 Brogan finished with 321 yards and seven touchdowns on 21 receptions. He also had sevens sacks, 13 tackles for a loss, and 50 tackles.

Offensive Linemen

Caleb Delgado, Sr., Ripon: The Trans-Valley League’s Outstanding Offensive Lineman set protection for an offense that produced more than 5,100 yards and scored 71 touchdowns.

Damien Tom, Sr., Escalon: What’s a more stunning result -- that Escalon produced three 1,000-yard rushers en route to Trans-Valley League and CIF State titles, or that Tom was the only Cougar lineman to make the all-Trans-Valley League first team?

Inigo Baxter, Jr., Amador: Baxter was the Mother Lode League’s Lineman of the Year and validated that award with a 28-yard scoop-and-score as the Buffaloes became the first to ever beat powerhouse Sonora in conference play.

Tyler Peoples, Sr., Calaveras: After missing the first five games, Peoples’ return to the field sparked Calaveras to a share of the Mother Lode League title. The 6-foot-3, 283-pound center paved the way for junior Clayton Moore (1,280 yards, 15 TDs).  

Carlo Morales, Sr., Denair: A two-time All-Southern League selection, Morales was the anchor for much of the Wolves’ success over the last two years. Denair reached back-to-back Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII finals largely because of Morales’ blocking.

All-Purpose

Grant Wiebe, Sr., Ripon: Wiebe missed a few games with a shoulder injury, but it hardly diminished his impact on the Indians’ historic season. He rushed for 827 yards and 10 touchdowns and registered 49 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

Defensive Linemen

Gabe Milbourn, Jr., Sonora: The 6-foot-5 Milbourn is one of the region’s top prospects, regardless of enrollment. The Mother Lode’s co-Defensive Player of the Year commanded double teams and forced teams to run the other way. He was also a threat offensively as a wideout.

Jacob Walden, Sr., Escalon: After racking up 14.5 sacks, Walden was named the Trans-Valley League’s Outstanding Defensive Lineman. In two full seasons in the varsity trenches, Walden had 28.5 sacks.  

David Camacho, sr., Escalon: The 6-foot, 220-pound defensive tackle was named the Trans-Valley League’s Defensive Player of the Year after amassing 95 tackles, second best in the league, and eight sacks.

Garret Bryan, Sr., Ripon Christian: The Southern League’s Defensive Lineman of the Year had 94 tackles, including 27 for a loss, and seven sacks.

Linebackers

Nash Wylie, Sr., Amador: A slimmed-down former offensive lineman, Wylie transformed himself into the Mother Lode League’s MVP after starring as a TD-grabbing tight end and menacing middle linebacker.

Colton Panero, Sr., Escalon: The Trans-Valley League’s Outstanding Linebacker, Panero doled out 94 tackles. He was also one of three Cougar players to rush for more than 1,000 yards, joining teammates Kaden Christensen and Luke Anderson.

Wyatt Van Vliet, Sr., Ripon Christian: Van Vliet was named the Southern League’s Defensive Player of the Year after setting up camp in the opposition’s backfield. He paced the league in tackles for a loss with 30, while finishing third in total stops with 119.

Donivan Giangregorio, Sr., Calaveras: Giangregorio shared the Mother Lode League’s Defensive Player of the Year award with Sonora’s Milbourn despite missing parts of three games to end the season. An accomplished wrestler, Giangregorio brought that same tenacity and wit to the Calaveras defense.

Defensive Backs

Danny Hernandez, Sr., Ripon: An MVP candidate, Hernandez steadied the Indians while Nico Ilardi (knee) and Grant Wiebe (shoulder) missed time at the start of Trans-Valley League play. Hernandez scored 21 touchdowns in five different ways, while recording 84 tackles, 1,233 rushing yards and three interceptions.

Will Gilbert, Jr., Ripon Christian: A multi-sport standout, Gilbert specialized in the takeaway-to-touchdown. Of his team-leading five interceptions, he returned two for touchdowns. He also recovered a fumble and had 156 yards and three touchdowns on 11 catches.

Kannon Gibson, Jr., Mariposa: Gibson was responsible for 10 turnovers, including a regional-best eight interceptions (second in the Sac-Joaquin Section). He helped preserved a 7-6 win over Orestimba with three interceptions.

Kaidence Trejo, Sr., Escalon: An impact player on both sides of the ball, Trejo occupied the vertical spaces of the field for the Cougars. Defensively, he had four interceptions and 36 tackles. Offensively, he paced Escalon with 789 receiving yards and seven TDs.

Kicker

Nathan Valdez, Sr., Ripon: Valdez may not get the chances other kickers in the area receive -- or the rest -- but the two-way starters is clutch when it counts. His 36-yard field goal to win a CIF State Bowl was the stuff of legend. He drove the kick through the uprights in a soft rain with only seconds to spare.