I know this was released in the paper Christmas Day, but for whatever reason it wasn’t placed online. So here is the all-Sun football team.
MVP – Thomas Carter, QB, Sr., Cajon
Carter was an unstoppable force in Cajon’s undefeated San Andreas League championship season, throwing for 2,121 yards and 25 touchdowns while running for another 709 yards and six TDs. SAL offensive MVP.
Coach of the Year – Rick Bray, Colton
The longtime Colton assistant took advantage of being the head man, leading the Yellowjackets to an 11-3 record and their first CIF-SS championship since 1978 with a 17-7 upset victory over top-seeded Moreno Valley Rancho Verde in the CIF-SS Central Division title game.
First Team
Offense
QB – Larry Cutbirth, Jr., Etiwanda
Cutbirth was the triggerman for an explosive Eagles offense, throwing for 2,996 yards and 32 touchodowns and completing 66.7 percent of his passes (234 for 350) while running for another three TDs.
RB – Sateki Finau, Sr., Rancho Cucamonga
The Baseline League’s offensive MVP served as a workhorse in the Cougars’ run to the Inland Division semifinals, running 319 times for 2,058 yards and 24 TDs and scoring another three TDs on 13 receptions.
RB – Burrell Handy, Jr, Aquinas
Handy showed a nose for the end zone in leading the Falcons to a fourth straight league title, rushing for 1,377 yards and 22 touchdowns and also intercepting three passes on defense.
RB – Taylor Ruize, Sr., Serrano
Ruize ran for 1,955 yards and 24 touchdowns on 264 carries to become the Mojave River League’s offensive MVP and help Serrano to the Eastern Division semifinals. Also recorded 79 tackles and four interceptions defensively.
WR – Donovan Harden, Sr., Rancho Cucamonga
Harden was a potent deep threat for the Baseline League champions, catching 60 passes for 1,135 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushing for another 60 yards.
WR – Quentin Pedroza, Sr., Chino
Pedroza was the deep threat in an explosive Cowboys offense, hauling in 54 passes for 1,078 yards and 16 touchdowns. Pedroza also picked off four passes on defense and averaged 31.9 yards per kickoff return.
TE – Rodney Hardrick, Sr., Colton
Hardrick, who has verbally committed to Oregon, was a two-way threat for the CIF champion Yellowjackets, catching 41 passes for 908 yards and 10 TDs and acculumating 98 tackles, six sacks and four forced fumbles.
OL – Jordan Becar, Sr., Cajon
The 6-foot-2, 265-pound captain was the leader of an offensive line that paved the way for 35.8 points per game en route to an undefeated San Andreas League title.
OL – Gary Dixon, Sr., Summit
The 6-5, 280-pound Dixon was a force on both lines for the SkyHawks in their run to the Eastern Division championship game, helping Summit average 33.8 points per game.
OL – Nick LeFay, Sr., Kaiser
The 6-0, 245-pound LeFay was the leader of a physical Kaiser offensive line that led the Cats to an undefeated Sunkist League title and 38.3 points per game.
OL – Paul Rodriguez, Sr., San Gorgonio
The 6-6, 240-pound Rodriguez, who has verbally committed to San Diego State, starred on both sides of the ball in helping lead the Spartans to a second-place finish in the SAL.
OL – Jordan Smith, Sr., Redlands
The 6-5, 255-pound Smith, who also has verbally committed to San Diego State, was the anchor of a Terriers line that paved the way for 176 yards rushing and 24.3 points per game.
Utility – Jimmy Awolesi, Sr., Kaiser
The explosive Awolesi was Kaiser’s big-play threat on both sides of the ball, rushing for 842 yards and 15 touchdowns en route to Sunkist League Offensive MVP honors and intercepting three passes, one of which he returned for a TD.
K – Neil Franklin, Sr., Apple Valley
Franklin showed off a booming leg in his first year of varsity football, making 7 of 11 field goals, including a 55-yarder, along with 29 extra points and 18 touchbacks on kickoffs.
Defense
DL – Xavier Evans, Sr., Kaiser
Evans was a key component on a bruising Kaiser defense that allowed only 91 points in 13 games, compiling 72 tackles and nine sacks for the undefeated Sunkist League champions.
DL – Ethan Hillyer, Sr., Serrano
Hillyer was an elite two-way performer for the Diamondbacks, racking up 107 tackles and four interceptions to earn the Mojave River League’s defensive MVP. Also had 21 receptions for 344 yard and three touchdowns.
DL – Auston Johnson, Sr., Chino Hills
Johnson was unstoppable for the Sierra League-champion Huskies, as his 21 sacks were good for sixth in the state. Johnson, the Sierra League MVP, also had 81 tackles and six forced fumbles.
DL – Devon Lewis, Sr., Redlands East Valley
Lewis was a terror at nose tackle for the undefeated Citrus Belt League champions, registering 48 tackles, four forced fumbles and a sack. The first-team all-CBL selection also played fullback, rushing for three touchdowns.
LB – Devan Hussey, Sr., Colton
Hussey was the San Andreas League’s Defensive MVP for the second straight year, registering 129 tackles and 16 sacks. Hussey also picked off two passes and had 530 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing.
LB – Tevita Kauvaka, Sr., Rancho Cucamonga
Kauvaka was a rock in the middle of a tough Cougars defense, racking up 78 tackles and a sack and forcing a fumble from the Baseline League champions. Named the Baseline League defensive MVP.
LB – Dennis Taylor, Sr., Kaiser
Taylor was a force at linebacker for a 12-1 Kaiser team, leading the Cats with 98 tackles and intercepting a pass and recovering four fumbles. Was named the Sunkist League’s co-Defensive MVP.
LB – Jamal Wilson, Sr., Miller
Wilson was a force for the Rebels in both run support and pass pressure, leading Miller with 119 tackles and recording six sacks and two forced fumbles. Wilson also caught a touchdown pass.
DB – Donte Deayon, Jr., Summit
Deayon became one of the top lockdown cornerbacks in the area this season, intercepting 10 passes en route to being named the Sunkist League’s co-Defensive MVP. Also caught 38 passes for 524 yards and five TDs while rushing for 294 yards and two more scores.
DB – Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Sr., Chino Hills
Ekpre-Olomu, who verbally committed to Oregon, was all over the place for the Huskies in winning the Sierra League MVP. He had 71 tackles and two interceptions on defense, rushed for 797 yards and eight TDs while catching 30 passes for 385 yards and four TDs.
DB – Damontae Kazee, Jr., Cajon
Kazee showed a nose for the ball for the San Andreas League-champion Cowboys, intercepting five passes and recovering four fumbles and compiling 37 tackles. Kazee also caught 32 passes for 670 yards and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.
DB – Hastens Roberts, Sr., Colton
Roberts was a ballhawk for the CIF champion Yellowjackets, intercepting eight passes and compiling 56 tackles defensively. He also caught 24 passes for 457 yards and four touchdowns.
Utility – Tyler Ervin, Sr, Colton
Ervin was a two-way force in the playoffs to help lead Colton to the Central Division title. He ran for 1,436 yards and 13 TDs on 243 carries and had 20 catches and a TD receiving. He also had 34 tackles and three interceptions on defense.
P – Jake Van Ginkel, Sr., Upland
Van Ginkel was a powerful weapon for the Highlanders’ special teams, averaging 37 yards per punt and recording 47 touchbacks on kickoffs along with 14 field goals and 45 extra points.
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