Week 2: Players To Know Across Northern California

<em><strong>With so many games cancelled across the region either due to the fires and poor air quality or COVID related issues, the teams that were able to kick off and complete a entire game were very lucky and more fortunate than most. Below, we will look at some of the impressive performances put on by some of the Northern California athletes that were able to play under the lights over the weekend. </strong></em> <hr /> &nbsp; <em><strong>ATH Blake Nichelsen, Manteca HS</strong></em> Nichelsen is one of the best players across the region and exploded into the Fall season with 4 touchdowns over the weekend. He can play all over the field and is explosive with the ball in his hands while extremely physical and tough to bring down. A high tier FBS caliber prospect, he should start to see offers continue to roll in through the Fall and Spring and add to his list. &nbsp; <em><strong>RB Zeke Barber, De La Salle HS</strong></em> Barber is a compact and low to the ground back that runs through contact at the first two levels and went for over 100 yards against a tough Saint Marys-Stockton defense. He might be one of the most under-looked backs through the beginning of the Fall but should emerge onto the scene while collecting FCS+ interest from colleges. &nbsp; <strong>RB Ben Pfaf, Bellarmine </strong> Bellarmine had a big time win over the weekend against a tough Menlo Atherton team that has multiple Division I players rostered. The 2023 prospect went off for 200+ yards and 4 touchdowns while showing a strong initial burst, good contact balance and start/stop abilities while able to run through arm tackles and hit a third level gear. He will be one of the most impressive Bay Area backs this Fall. &nbsp; <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="187286" first="Jakson" last="Berman"], Valley Christian-San Jose HS</strong> Berman is a terrific overall athlete that can play all over the field, but had a strong showing at quarterback against Wilcox on Thursday night while helping lead his team to a win after falling behind. Although a natural runner, he is poised in the pocket while keeping his eyes locked downfield and showed he is a true dual-threat quarterback with very under-rated arm talent. &nbsp; <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="141943" first="Luke" last="Rossi"], Palma HS</strong> Rossi has been one of the best quarterbacks in the CCS for a few years now and might have his best season yet in 2021. In week 1 against Mitty, he seemingly ended the game after one half while rushing for over 100 yards and tossing a touchdown downfield with terrific velocity and ball placement. By the time it was all said and done, he ended with 4 rushing touchdowns and Palma roared up to a top 30 team in the state. &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Other Names To Note...</strong></em></span> <strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id="187297" first="Anthony" last="Parker"], Whitney HS</strong> <strong>WR Jordan Pierro, Clovis West HS</strong> <strong>RB Justin Guin, San Marin HS</strong> <strong>OL [player_tooltip player_id="187310" first="Elijah" last="Klock"], Campolindo HS</strong> <strong>OL Rayne Mayo Jr., Valley Christian-San Jose HS</strong> <strong>RB Tristan Risley, Clovis HS</strong> <strong>QB Chase Vehmeyer, Windsor HS</strong> <strong>RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id="141938" first="Logan" last="Bowers"], Garces Memorial HS</strong> <strong>WR Makhi Johnson, Windsor HS</strong> <strong>RB Darian Leon-Guerrero, Vacaville HS</strong> <strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id="186981" first="Dante" last="Antonini"], St. Vincent de Paul HS</strong> <strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id="25372" first="Jurrion" last="Dickey"], Valley Christian-San Jose HS</strong> <strong>TE/DE Jimmy Brear, Del Oro HS</strong> <strong>QB Trey Dimes, Vanden HS</strong> <strong>RB Jack Carner, Prioneer HS</strong> <strong>QB Matt Moore, Winters HS</strong> <strong>RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id="115422" first="Lamar" last="Radcliffe"], Sacramento HS</strong> <strong>QB Santana Munoz, Woodland HS</strong>