Terri Jones eye-popping numbers helped him earn Player of the Year. Photo by Anne Cypress.
Staff-
We don’t choose a second team, third team or honorable mention. There is one team and one team only. So if you’re on it, you’re special. Because of that somebody will get left out. Some of our decisions were extremely difficult but after putting our heads together, contacting coaches and compiling stats and stories here is our all Southeast Division Team.
QB: Aaron Cantu – Schurr: Put on an aerial display the entire season that saw him finish with 28 touchdowns and 2,500 yards. For the Spartans they can look forward to another year of a vertical game next season.
RB: Adam Muema – Charter Oak: What can you say about a back that would run a defense into submission for four quarters? Muema was explosive once he found daylight.
RB: Terris Jones – California: Jones was a scoring machine for the Condors. He only scored 25 of 31 rushing touchdowns the team recorded.
WR: Carlos Arredondo – Schurr: Incredible target for Cantu and the “go-to” receiver in a potent offense. Arredondo ranked 21st in the state in receiving yards in case there is any doubt.
WR: Taylor Lagace – Arcadia: Talented sophomore receiver only led his team in receiving and scoring. In a season the Apaches would like to forget, Lagace was a very bright spot.
WR: Sam Bethany – Burbank: Sometimes numbers don’t tell the story and this is one case in point. Bethany was solid and made one of the best catches all season against Pasadena.
TE: Dakota Behr – South Hills: When the Huskies needed a play. Behr was able to provide it. Can block and has some great hands when the ball is thrown to him.
OL: Kevin Bocanegra – Charter Oak: Opened up some big holes for Muema and Golden and also protected quarterback Travis Santiago all season.
OL: Mike Williams – Burbank: The Bulldog running game averaged 281 yards a game and Williams was a big reason for that.
OL: Taylor Beyer – California: Beyer was able to give Jones enough room to maneuver his small frame for extra yardage.
OL: Albert Perez – Schurr: Perez made it easy for Cantu to get enough time to find Arredondo on several occasions. Add the fact that the Spartans had Nicholas Castillo run for 1,343 yards.
K: Tyler Hadden – California: Hadden was lethal on kickoffs with 51 of his 60 KO’s going for touchbacks. He also had 12 field goals.
Defense:
DL: Alec Griffin – South Hills: Griffin caused problems for the opposing offensive line all season with his 7.5 sacks.
DL: Mark Avila – Schurr: Avila was a tough customer on defense as he anchored a very stingy Spartan defensive unit. His eight sacks led the team.
DL: Garrett Clapper – Charter Oak: His stats may not jump out at you, but teams ran away from him most of the season. Clapper made the plays needed during the Southeast Division championship when he was called upon.
LB: Charlie Hosea – Burroughs: Hosea can flat out play. He single-handedly helped the undermanned Indians into the playoffs.
LB: Maurice Dupleasis – West Covina: Quietly amassed 89 tackles and four sacks for the Bulldogs this season. Made the big plays down the stretch that counted in key games.
LB: Keith Smith – Charter Oak: Smith helped lead the Chargers to one of the most impressive defensive performances in a season. His 132 tackles led all defensive players.
LB: Leon Youngblood – Charter Oak: Youngblood led a stellar defense with 11 sacks on the season. His three sacks against Diamond Ranch in the Championship game helped the Chargers hold the Panthers scoreless.
A.J. Powell... Mid Valley's MVP
DB: A.J. Powell – Charter Oak: Name another lockdown defensive player in the Southeast as good as him. Not many teams dared to challenge him by throwing in Powell’s direction.
DB: Elijah Henley – Diamond Ranch: Hard-hitting safety that made key plays down the stretch to help the Panthers march to another CIF Southeast Division.
DB: Jarron Williams – Muir: Was simply an athlete who carried the Mustangs when it counted the most. Williams helped lead the way to a fantastic run into the playoffs with his gritty defense.
DB: Brandon Golden – Charter Oak: Two big interceptions in the CIF Southeast Division helped the Chargers win back to back titles. Golden also led the secondary with six interceptions.
P: Evan Highly – Bonita: The Bearcats relied on his leg through a rough season that didn’t go according to plan. Highly was able to help the defense with his nicely placed punts.
MVP: A.J. Powell – Charter Oak: All everything. Talking to most of the coaching staff, they believed that Powell was the game changer on offense and defense. The Southeast Division Championship showed all of this in every facet. Powell’s heads up play after a missed field goal gave the Chargers great field position on their opening score. He then managed to shut down Brandon Taylor and Ryan Gibson on defense. On a crucial drive in the third quarter, Powell ran the “wildcat” to perfection.
Player of The Year: Terris Jones – California: It is clear that without Jones, the Condors would have had an average season. After starting 0-2 and being held to 75 per games, California went 9-1-1 and Jones averaged 143 yards per game. His contributions on defense were not lost on the Mid Valley staff as Terris had one interception that was returned for a touchdown. He also had seven passes defended. The most notable stat for the highly touted running back was scoring 31 of the teams 46 touchdowns.
Charter Oak Coach Lou Farrar is Coach of the Year. Photo by Anne Cypress.
Coach of The Year: Lou Farrar – Charter Oak: Winning back to back titles when many thought it was South Hills who would dethrone the Chargers speaks for itself. Farrar is the dean of the San Gabriel Valley coaches with five CIF titles.
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