The voting for the large-school Athlete of the Week has closed.
This week’s candidates are, in alphabetical order:
Jacob DeJesus, Manteca: Normally a slot receiver, DeJesus was moved to tailback after record-setting running back Trabron Russell was scratched with a high ankle sprain. DeJesus responded with three touchdowns, 215 all-purpose yards and an interception as the Buffaloes snapped a two-game losing streak and smothered the high-octane Bulldogs. DeJesus, just 5-foot-6, scored on runs of 2 and 3 yards, and also had a 20-yard touchdown reception.
Ben Harless, Enochs: The Eagles quarterback engineered the most thrilling victory of the young season. Enochs trailed 22-8 early in the fourth quarter and scored 14 points in the final 19 seconds of regulation to escape Ceres High with a 28-22 victory over Central Valley. Harless, who rushed for a score and converted a pivotal two-point conversion to fuel the fourth-quarter charge, connected with Kameron Myers on a 20-yard touchdown as time expired.
Treyton Fair, Pitman: The senior turned in one of the top individual performances in school history. Fair was 6 of 9 for 227 yards and four touchdowns in the Pride’s 32-27 victory over Bullard. The four touchdown passes tied the mark set by Colin Kaepernick against Atwater in 2005, while the yardage was the third-most. In all, Fair is responsible for three of the top-5 passing performances, joining a list that also includes Sacramento State signal-caller Wyatt Clapper and Lincoln Clapper.
Daeveon Graves, Modesto: Graves played a big role in the Panthers’ 47-40 victory at No. 10 Patterson. He rushed rushed for 124 yards, including a highlight-reel 94-yard touchdown scamper, and he scored on an 86-yard pick-six. However, it was his touchdown reception from Alonzo Rodriguez on fourth-and-goal from inside the 10 that helped Modesto stave off hard-charging Patterson.
Max Moore, Oakdale: One of the top dual-sport athletes in the southern half of the Sac-Joaquin Section, Moore has developed quickly into the Mustangs’ most consistent offensive weapon. He had a team-high 141 yards on 23 carries in a victory over Chaparral of Colorado, including the game-winning touchdown on a 36-yard run with 6:41 remaining. Moore, a catcher for Oakdale’s baseball program, also had a 10-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Hayden Knittel. .
Ezra Morales, Merced: Morales’ sure hands and speed have been put to use in the first month of the season by coach Rob Scheidt and the Bears' two-headed monster under center, Dhameer Warren and Junior Garcia. The 6-foot senior has at least two touchdown receptions in three consecutive games, including six catches for 150 yards and two scores in Friday’s 63-35 victory over “Governor’s Hat” rival Madera.
Follow James Burns on Twitter @jburns1980, or email him at frontrowpreps@gmail.com.
