With a 4.40 in the 40, Savion Simms from Central of Fresno (left) is one of the state’s fastest players. One of the nation’s top defensive linemen, meanwhile, is Clovis North’s Jacob Daniel. Photos: Courtesy Student Sports.
Yes, the preseason all-section and all-area football teams will once again be compiled as part of our preview for the 2014 season. The CIF Southern Section will be broken up into several teams while the CIF North Coast Section will be broken up into two. For this first one, we take a look at the CIF Central Section.
Attention all CIF Central Section football fans: We will be posting the most complete, up-to-date all-time state football team records within the next week. It will be for Gold Club members only. This is the best time of the year to sign up for a one-year subscription so you can check out everything we do. To sign up, CLICK HERE.
Please check out and bookmark our new Cal-Hi Sports Insider Blog: CalHiSports.com/blog For simple updates and insights, check out our twitter page @CalHiSports and for other updates please visit our Facebook page.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
WR Darrien Owens (Clovis West, Fresno) 5-11, 180, Jr.
He was one of the most talented players among all wideouts (including seniors) at last spring’s Nike Football Training Camp held at Chabot College. He’s regarded as one of the top junior prospects in the state.
TE Ricky McCoy (Bullard, Fresno) 6-5, 235, Sr.
Elite tight end prospect who has committed to Arizona played last season at Roosevelt.
OL Anthony Fisher (Clovis West, Fresno) 6-1, 270, Sr.
He measured out well at Nike Football SPARQ Combine with 5.54 time in the 40 to go with 270-pound frame.
OL Ruben Guerra (Liberty, Bakersfield) 6-4, 280, Sr.
He’s the top returning offensive lineman, based on several factors, in the section.
OL Jamison Hale (San Joaquin Memorial, Fresno) 6-4, 245, Sr.
If he continues to add more weight and muscle to his frame, look out.
OL Jevaughn McPeters (Central, Fresno) 6-3, 340, Sr.
He could be a force up front this season for the Grizzlies.
OL John Ramirez (Sunnyside, Fresno) 6-1, 295, Sr.
Returning all-leaguer also will be a three-year starter and helped team rush for more than 2,500 yards last season.
QB Brandon Jones (Bakersfield Christian) 6-4, 225, Sr.
It’s too hard to leave off a player who passed for 4,365 yards and 54 TDs last season. Jones also rushed for 389 yards and eight scores.
RB Sheldon Croney (Ridgeview, Bakersfield) 6-0, 195, Sr.
It’s still unknown when Croney will be eligible to play for Ridgeview after his transfer from Garces, but he will play no later than Oct. 3 and he’s coming in with college offers and 3,800 yards in the last two seasons.
RB Romello Harris (Tulare) 5-9, 180, Jr.
Even before last season when Harris racked up 1,860 yards and 15 TDs as a sophomore, he was already getting known with nearly 1,000 yards as a freshman.
RB Bolu Olurunfunmi (Clovis North, Fresno) 6-1, 190, Sr.
The UCLA-bound Olurunfunmi was an all-state sophomore two seasons ago and was an all-state junior last year.
PK Nathan Dejager (Bakersfield Christian) 5-11, 160, Jr.
His MaxPreps stats are in error (one game’s PATs were put in the field goals category), but it was confirmed that in one game Nathan went 11-for-11 on PATs, which puts him into the state record book.
Clovis North’s Bolu Olorunfumi (a running back) and Hayden Haupt (a linebacker) have been getting noticed by us since they were sophomores. Photo: Ronnie Flores.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL Nigel Brooks (Bakersfield) 6-3, 275, Sr.
Brooks had a strong outing with seven tackles in the CIF Division I state bowl game.
DL Jacob Daniel (Clovis North, Fresno) 6-4, 300, Sr.
An elite national prospect, Daniel recently committed to USC with Alabama also strongly considered.
DL Bryson Young (Buchanan, Clovis) 6-5, 220, Jr.
A lot of the big boys – including Oregon and USC – are already involved with Young, who can play outside linebacker as well as defensive end.
LB Marcus Bruce (Bakersfield) 5-10, 195, Sr.
He also plays in the backfield on offense and could be the two-way leader for the Drillers this season.
LB Hayden Haupt (Clovis North, Fresno) 6-1, 210, Sr.
We remember him playing well when Broncos met Long Beach Poly two years ago in CIF SoCal D1 bowl game. He also has three solid D1 offers.
LB Caleb Kelly (Clovis West, Fresno) 6-3, 215, Jr.
He looks like one of the top three or four junior linebackers in the state for his class.
LB Darius Liles (El Diamante, Visalia) 6-1, 205, Sr.
He has been a tackle machine for the Miners over the last two seasons.
DB A.J. Greeley (Edison, Fresno) 6-2, 175, Sr.
A commitment to nearby Fresno State has the locals excited since Greeley also had offers from Colorado, Oregon State and others.
DB Tyler Horton (Edison, Fresno) 5-11, 180, Sr.
What else is new? Edison has more than one strong DB. Horton doesn’t have Pac-12 offers (at least none yet) but he’s a cinch for the Mountain West or WAC.
DB Anthony Mariscal (Liberty, Bakersfield) 6-2, 200, Sr
Returning standout has committed to Pac-12 school Arizona.
DB Dehlon Preston (Central, Fresno) 5-9, 185, Sr.
Central isn’t as loaded as last season, but Preston is more than solid as a corner and has committed to San Jose State.
P Rickie Garcia (Redwood, Visalia) 5-10, 165, Sr.
Solid all-around athlete who caught 52 passes on offense averaged 40.4 yards per punt last season with a long of 64.
Fullback/defensive end Matt Smith has been a force for Bakersfield Christian on both sides of the ball. Photo: Courtesy CentralValleyFootball.com
FIRST TEAM MULTI-PURPOSE
WR/DB Willie Fairman (Roosevelt, Fresno) 6-1, 175, Sr.
A legit receiving prospect, Fairman also ranks as the section’s top returnee for interceptions with seven.
WR/DB Le’Andre Jefferson (Mission Oaks, Tulare) 5-11, 180, Sr.
He takes over as the most dynamic playmaker for a team with RB Elijah Porcha graduating.
QB/DB Demarrea Joyce (Mt. Whitney, Visalia) 5-11, 175, Sr.
He took over as the Pioneers’ quarterback last season after already having established himself as one of the section’s top WR/DB combo athletes.
WR/DB Savion Simms (Central, Fresno) 5-8, 155, Sr.
He ranks as one of the state’s fastest players with 4.40 clocking in the 40 at NorCal Nike Sparq Combine.
RB/DL Matt Smith (Bakersfield Christian) 6-2, 215, Sr.
Unique combo player who was among the team leaders on defense for sacks and tackles also rushed for 1,694 yards and scored 21 TDs.
RB/WR Michael Wright (Dinuba) 5-10, 180, Sr.
In addition to rushing for 1,800 yards and 32 TDs, Wright caught four TD passes, played on defense and also has made it to the CIF state meet in wrestling.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE, DEFENSE & MULTI-PURPOSE
(12 who just missed)
QB/P Rolando Arrona (Kennedy, Delano) Jr.
RB Austin Cardoza (Exeter) Sr.
OL Zack Flores (Caruthers) Sr.
DL Jasad Haynes (San Joaquin Memorial, Fresno) Jr.
LB Brennan Medley (Kern Valley, Lake Isabella) Sr.
QB Sam Metcalf (Farmersville) Sr.
DB Drew Muller (Tulare Western, Tulare) Sr.
QB/RB J.C. Robles (El Diamante, Visalia) Sr.
RB Isaiah Sharpe (Frontier, Bakersfield) Sr.
DL Trevor Stephens (Liberty, Madera Ranchos) Sr.
WR Koby Tripp (Mission Oak, Tulare) Sr.
LB Ryan Wright (Kerman) Sr.
Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow Mark on the Cal-Hi Sports Twitter handle: @CalHiSports
