FrontRowPreps.com Joe Cortez experienced the struggle of an NFL general manager sitting on the No. 1 pick. With the top overall selection in this week’s Fantasy Draft, Cortez couldn’t decide between quarterbacks.
Would he draft Modesto Christian starter Hayden Sauser, a steady and efficient signal-caller, or Central Catholic gunslinger Dalton Durossette? After some deliberation, Cortez chose Sauser, whose two touchdowns passes highlighted the Crusaders’ victory over Argonaut in the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI playoffs.
"I flip-flopped," Cortez said. "Didn't know who I was going to pick until I actually made the pick."
Durossette dropped to No. 2, where he was quickly snatched up by FrontRowPreps.com writer Ron Agostini. Durossette leads the Raiders against unbeaten Inderkum in the Division II playoffs. With the third pick, editor James Burns grabbed Ripon dual-threat quarterback Ryan Daggett, who looks to avenge a season-ending lost Bear River in Friday’s Division V semifinal.
"I think we all had the same three quarterbacks on our boards," Cortez said.
Cortez earned the No. 1 pick by winning the first installment of the FrontRowPreps.com Fantasy Draft. His team scored 95 points, four more than Team Agostini and five better than Team Burns.
This week, Cortez’s team has a distinct small-school feel. Along with Sauser, he drafted Modesto Christian teammates Isaac Schinmann (running back) and Johnny Williams (wide receiver), Denair running back Steffin Winston and the Coyotes’ defense, and Hilmar wide receiver Aiden Azevedo.
Agostini went back to the well with his second pick, selecting Ripon Christian running back and American Chevrolet Athlete of the Week Michael Kamps, the top fantasy performer during Week 2 of the postseason. Kamps had 158 yards and four touchdowns in a 28-0 win over Waterford.
Rounding out Agostini’s team are: Oakdale running back Max Moore, Ripon wide receiver Nico Ilardi, Central Catholic wide receiver Justin Traina and the Escalon defense.
Burns surrounded Daggett with Hilmar running back Isaac Sharp, Central Catholic's Sithri Price (wide receiver) and Minaya Olivo (running back), Ripon athlete Roland Davis and the Modesto Christian defense.
Scoring is simple: Players are awarded a point for every 10 yards of offense they produce and six points for every touchdown. They won't be penalized for turnovers and attempts, catches and completions don't count. Defensively, teams receive 20 points for allowing 10 points or less, 10 points for giving up 11 to 20 points, and five points for allowing 21 to 30 points. If a team gives up more than 30 points, they receive zero fantasy points. Defenses will receive five points for every turnover they create and six points for every touchdown scored.
Here’s a closer look at this week’s Fantasy Draft, round by round:
Joe: Hayden Sauser, QB, Modesto Christian
Ron: Dalton Durossette, QB, Central Catholic
James: Ryan Daggett, QB, Ripon
Joe: Steffin Winston, RB, Denair
Ron: Michael Kamps, RB, Ripon Christian
James: Isaac Sharp, RB, Hilmar
Joe: Isaac Schinmann, RB, Modesto Christian
Ron: Max Moore, RB, Oakdale
James: Sithri Price, WR, Central Catholic
Joe: Aiden Azevedo, WR, Hilmar
Ron: Nico Ilardi, WR, Ripon
James: Modesto Christian defense
Joe: Denair defense
Ron: Justin Traina, WR, Central Catholic
James: Minaya Olivo, RB, Central Catholic
Joe: Johnny Williams, WR, Modesto Christian
Ron: Escalon defense
James: Roland Davis, WR (athlete), Ripon
Follow James Burns on Twitter @jburns1980, or email him at frontrowpreps@gmail.com.