Norcal Championships: Sac-Joaquin Top Players

During the 2022 season, the Sac-Joaquin section was well represented, having multiple state champions within the section with Grant winning the 3-AA Championship, Hughson winning the 5-AA Championship and Escalon being the state 4-AA Champion along with the California State Small School Team of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports.   DE [player_tooltip player_id='1645775' first='Max' last='Mankins'], Hughson   Mankins has been a staple on the defensive side of the ball all season for Huskies, and the game that mattered most was no different. He was unblock-able off the edge, disruptive both in the run and pass game leading the Huskies to their first state title.   OL Navi Arretchi, Hughson   Due to the horrible weather, Hughson was forced to run the ball the entire game behind their massive offensive line and Navi helped lead the way pushing vertically and being a physical presence from his right tackle position against a tough Muir front four.   FB/LB Liam Bridgford, Hughson HS   The Senior was a two-way stud all season for Hughson and punched it in for the games first and only score. He was a tough and physical presence on both sides, making tackles in the box and pounding the rock all night in the downpour weather and muddy conditions.   QB Joseph McCray, Grant HS   McCray was one of the top passers across California in 2022, and went out with a bang helping lead the Pacers to a state title against a very good San Jacinto team with multiple Division I players of their own. He passed for 2 scores putting him at the 50 total TD pass mark and showed great poise and toughness through out the entire game. He is no doubt a next level player that has been very under-recruited this cycle and can make a big impact at the college level.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='25405' first='Dubee' last='Lopa'], Grant HS   Lopa has been one of the top defenders in all of Norcal over the last few seasons and has established himself as a top uncommitted player across the region. He flies around, can pass rush and is extremely violent at the POA while sniffing out plays quickly and a very high IQ/explosive kid.   S/WR [player_tooltip player_id='195546' first='Kingston' last='Lopa'], Grant HS   The 2024 National Recruit is one of the top players in the state and due to his length and long speed, has some crazy upside at the next level. Another big time hitter on this fast and physical defense, Lopa proved that he can cover elite receivers, while a missile in the run game when coming downhill and providing run support in the box and outside the tackles.   DL Marque Green, Grant HS   Green had a solid night in the trenches and was very active against the run while adding a scoop and score from inside the ten that was a game winning touchdown by the end of the night as the Pacers needed all the points they could get against this explosive San Jacinto offense.   WR Kyrell Goss-Pruit, Grant HS   Like he has all season, the Senior came through when it mattered most running the ball in from inside the 5 with just under 5 minutes to go in the contest.   DB Hakim Reynold, Grant HS   Reynold had a game sealing pick as time was winding down and helped seal the deal for the state champion Pacers.   RB Ryker Peters, Escalon HS   Peters has been one of the post productive backs across the state all season, and under the conditions needed to put the Cougars on his back and carry the load. He rushed 33 times for 157 yards and a score while running tough the entire night.   WR Owen Nash, Escalon HS   Nash was taken out of the game a bit because of the weather, and the explosive receiver was still able to make an impact. He had a couple key pass breakups and an impressive pick-six showing his position versatility and natural ball skills. He is another very under-recruited kid that is one of the best players available in Norcal.   RB Logan Anderson, Escalon HS   Anderson with Peters, helped carry the load for Escalon and rumbled his way to 8 carries for 79 yards and a score. He has been a tough and physical runner all season, and they relied heavily on him during the final minutes of their historic season.   TE/DL [player_tooltip player_id='282731' first='Ryan' last='Lewis'], Escalon HS   Lewis caught a TD pass along with providing a nice pass rush and setting the edge from his defensive end spot in the title game. He will be one of the top returners coming back across the section next Fall and is in line for a monster Junior season.

During the 2022 season, the Sac-Joaquin section was well represented, having multiple state champions within the section with Grant winning the 3-AA Championship, Hughson winning the 5-AA Championship and Escalon being the state 4-AA Champion along with the California State Small School Team of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports.