Josh Holman of Woodside tries to break loose on a kick return earlier this season against Dublin. He had three KO return TDs in one game last week. Photo: Woodside High School.
We will lead off the State Stat Stars every week with the Northern California and Southern California Players of the Week, which were announced on Wednesday night’s Varsity Roundup show on Time Warner Cable. Look for the show each week on Channel 354 in Los Angeles and Channel 825 in San Diego. We will then present the stat stars each week according to performance and no longer simply alphabetical.
As has been customary for many years, we collect the state stat stars in support of the Cal-Hi Sports State Record Book & Almanac. The book has been published seven times (the most recent, though, was 2009) and is as official as a state record book can be since no other exists. To report a State Stat Star of the Week of your own, please email details to markjtennis@gmail.com.
Note: All football state records are in the process of being added to this web site. They will be part of our Gold Club membership. To join our Gold Club today, please CLICK HERE.
Thanks to Paul Muyskens, Harold Abend, Ronnie Flores and CIF Central Section historian Bob Barnett for contributing items this week. This honor roll is for games played from Oct. 17 to Oct. 19.
Northern California Player of the Week
Josh Holman (Woodside)
A senior reported with 4.5 speed in the 40 tied a state record by returning three kickoffs for touchdowns in Woodside’s 58-24 triumph over Capuchino of San Bruno. His longest return was 95 yards. Holman also scored on a fumble return in the same game. There was some confusion on Monday regarding Holman’s returns because one came on a free kick following a safety. According to the NCAA stat manual, however, all free kicks are to be regarded as kickoff returns whether that kick is punted or not. “We took him out in the third quarter and before that he almost took a fourth one to the house,” said Woodside coach Josh Bowie. “We always knew he was capable of something special, but returning it three times for scores in one game was really special. He has D1 potential but just hasn’t been trained yet.” Holman tied the state record set in 2003 by Jerome Tarver of San Leandro, who believe it or not scored all three of his team’s touchdowns on kickoff returns in a 45-20 loss to Hayward.
Mater Dei running back Justin Allen has been on a roll in the last two weeks. Photo: Courtesy Student Sports.
Southern California Player of the Week
Justin Allen (Mater Dei, Santa Ana)
After he rushed for 244 yards in a big rivalry win against Servite of Anaheim at Anaheim Stadium, he came back to rack up 312 yards on 26 carries and scored four times to lead the Monarchs past JSerra of San Juan Capistrano 38-14. He has added the rushing balance to Mater Dei’s offense and will give St. John Bosco of Bellflower a lot to think about in two weeks when those two teams face off for what will likely decide the Trinity League title.
PASSING
Jake Browning (Folsom)
Playing a big part in ending any hopes that Jesuit of Carmichael had of an undefeated season, he completed 29 of his 36 pass attempts for 443 yards and five touchdowns as the Bulldogs defeated the Marauders 56-14. Now with 38 passing touchdowns this season, Browning also rushed for a touchdown.
Caden Voges (Sacramento)
Putting together a half of football to remember, this sophomore signal caller completed 24 of his 32 pass attempts for 425 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 98 yards and a touchdown on eight carries as the Dragons defeated Kennedy 63-0. He has now passed for a reported 2,278 yards and 26 touchdowns on the season.
Adan Salas (Hueneme, Oxnard)
Despite completing 30 of his 49 pass attempts for 414 yards and four touchdowns, it wasn’t enough to get the Vikings their second win of the season. They ended up the losing end of a 60-27 final score against Pacifica of Oxnard.
Brandon Jones (Bakersfield Christian)
It wasn’t nine touchdown passes like he had a two weeks ago but he did pass for six touchdowns and 393 yards during a 47-20 win over Wasco that moved the Eagles into the top 10 of our D4 South Bowl Game Rankings. It also avenged two losses to Wasco from last season.
Jalen Singleton (Eastside, Lancaster)
He set his school’s single-game passing record with 389 yards in a 55-14 victory over Lancaster. He completed 25 of 33 passes and threw five touchdown passes with Malcolm Goldston catching three of them on 10 receptions for 162 yards. Goldston also had a 52-yard punt return for a score.
Jake Wallace (Valencia)
He passed for 386 yards on 21 of 28 passing and four touchdowns in a 42-6 victory over crosstown West Ranch. Malik Townsend had eight catches for 156 yards and three touchdowns. Townsend is the son of former San Fernando all-L.A. City tailback LaKarlos Townsend.
Malik Henry (Westlake, Westlake Village)
He accounted for five touchdowns and completed 16 of 23 passes for 370 yards in a 33-21 Marmonte League victory over Newbury Park. Four of his touchdowns were passes and the main beneficiary was Andre Baccellia. He caught seven passes for 212 yards and two scores.
Casey Harrington (Acalanes, Lafayette)
The Dons’ junior quarterback had a career best 369 yards passing and four TDs in a 42-28 victory over San Ramon Dougherty Valley.
Josh Allen (Firebaugh)
The senior quarterback continued his hot hand for the season as he passed for 364 yards on 21 of 35 and had four touchdowns in a 52-28 by Firebaugh over Dos Palos. Allen has not been intercepted this season in 215 attempts. Quarterback/kicker Noah Croninger of Dos Palos set a new school record in the same game by making a 52-yard field goal.
Anthony Gordon (Terra Nova, Pacifica)
The Tigers’ signal-caller went over 300 yards for the fourth time this season in a 49-0 rout of South San Francisco. The 6-foor-2, 175-pound junior was a pinpoint 15 of 17 for 352 yards and five TDs. The No. 2 reported passer in the CCS now has his team off to a 6-0 start with 1,879 yards passing and 18 touchdowns.
Sam Metcalf (Farmersville)
According to CIF Central Section historian Bob Barnett, the junior QB is on his way of rewriting many of the passing records in that section. He passed for seven touchdowns for second time this season last week and was 18 of 28 for 339 yards in a 52-12 win against Laton. Metcalf also now has 31 TD passes for the season.
Mitch Daniels (Concord)
The 6-foot-2, 193-pound junior, who is starting to show up on college radar screens, makes this feature a second time after leading the Minutemen to a huge 30-28 victory over Walnut Creek Northgate. He passed for 332 yards and four TDs in a win that keeps Concord tied with NorCal D2 No. 1 crosstown Clayton Valley Charter in the Diablo Foothill Athletic League. Nine of those passes and 192 yards with three TDs went to fellow junior Mason Knight, the NCS reported leading receiver.
Coach and trainer Chris Asher works with state stat stars of all ages, helping them to improve their speed, quickness and agility. He is based in Hollywood, also has a role with the UCLA track program and serves athletes within many miles of his location. For more about him, CLICK HERE. For more about his Gold Medal Excellence training program, CLICK HERE.
RECEIVING
Donavin Washington (Charter Oak, Covina)
Chino Hills dropped just its second game of the season and Washington’s efforts sure helped cause that to happen. In the 24-17 win, he hauled in 14 receptions for 213 yards.
Chris Nichols (Hueneme, Oxnard)
With just one win this season, it has been a struggle for the Vikings but that didn’t stop Nichols from putting up big receiving numbers during their 60-27 road loss to Pacifica of Oxnard. He caught 12 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns from fellow junior and state stat star Adan Salas.
Jose Ochoa (La Puente)
He didn’t rack up his catches in “garbage time” as he caught 11 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-29 win over Duarte. With the win, the Warriors moved to 5-2.
Ryan Kean (El Modena, Orange)
Kean was a lean, mean fighting machine in the Vanguards’ 21-13 loss to Canyon of Anaheim. He caught 10 passes from QB Daniel Contreras that totaled 243 yards and two TDs.
Kyree Stephens (Sacramento)
As the leading target for Caden Voges during his first half aerial display, Stephens caught eight passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns as the Dragons defeated Kennedy 63-0.
Josiah Deguara (Folsom)
It was his turn to lead the Bulldogs in receptions as he caught nine passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns in a 56-14 win over previously undefeated Jesuit of Carmichael.
RUSHING
D.J. Payne (Boron)
Riverside Prep of Oro Grande had to deal with too much Payne during the game as he carried the ball 19 times for 367 yards and five touchdowns during a 52-34 win for the Bobcats, who improved to 5-2 on the year.
Jamie Taylor (Rim of the World, Lake Arrowhead)
Back here for the second week in a row, Jamie rushed for a season-high 335 yards on 35 carries while scoring four touchdowns as the Fighting Scots defeated Notre Dame of Riverside 47-13.
Trevor Bearden (Live Oak, Morgan Hill)
A workhorse for the Acorns, he scored all three of their touchdowns while rushing for 316 yards on 39 carries in a 21-14 triumph over Westmont of Campbell 21-14. He has now rushed for 1,523 yards and 15 touchdowns and is on pace to pass last season’s total that saw him rush for 2,176 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Javin Harrison (Washington Union, Easton)
In a 42-18 triumph over Chowchilla, Harrison rushed for 313 yards on 28 carries, including a 61-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. That’s also the third time in his career that he has rushed for 300 yards in one game.
Vince Volpatti (Valley Christian, Dublin)
You know Vince’s linemen are blocking because they play for retired NFL defensive tackle and Valley Christian head coach John Parella, however last week in a big 40-14 win over Vallejo St. Patrick St. Vincent it was Volpatti that vaulted himself up the list of NCS top rushers. The senior rushed for a career-high 311 yards with four TDs on 28 carries. He also shined at linebacker where he had an interception and a deflected pass.
T.J. Williams (Kennedy, La Palma)
With the Fighting Irish having two weeks to prepare for their game against Western of Anaheim, the game plan seemed to be simply hand T.J. the ball. He finished with 34 carries for 304 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-17 win.
Justin Cena (Monta Vista, Cupertino)
Justin showed up just in time, after the Matadors’ senior running back ran for all four of his team’s touchdowns, and a career-best 302 yards on 27 carries, in a 28-14 victory over Cupertino.
Nathan Lancaster (Laguna Beach)
Handed the ball 20 times, he ran for 300 yards and four touchdowns as the Breakers moved to 2-0 in the Orange Coast League with a 59-14 win over Estancia of Costa Mesa. A good outing, yes, but not as good as the 335 yards and five TDs that Lancaster had in his previous outing.
Ty’Jon Delancy (Garfield, Los Angeles)
One of the L.A. City Section’s leading rushers, Delancy carried the ball 27 times for 296 yards and six touchdowns in a 57-33 Eastern League victory over South Gate. The diminutive Delancy has rushed for 1,077 yards and 15 touchdowns on 154 carries for the 4-3 Bulldogs. His performance overshadowed another outstanding outing from South Gate’s Lavell Thompson, who rushed for 215 yards and three scores. The South Gate star has rushed for 1,323 yards on 95 carries.
Watch the Varsity Roundup TV show from Time Warner Cable at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays on Channel 354 in L.A. and on Channel 825 in San Diego.
Alex Hernandez (Santa Ana Valley, Santa Ana)
Coach Larry Mohr’s Falcons are now 2-0 in the Orange League following a 41-20 win over Anaheim. In that game, this senior running back carried 30 times for 285 yards and one TD in a 41-20 victory.
Chad Woolsey (Rancho Buena Vista, Vista)
With Woolsey leading the way, the Longhorns opened Avocado East League action with a 42-24 win over Escondido. He had 35 carries for 280 yards and three TDs.
Oronde Crenshaw (Costa Mesa)
With one of his best games all season, Crenshaw ran for 278 yards and six touchdowns on 24 carries to lead the Mustangs past Godinez of Santa Ana 64-39.
Rashaad Penny (Norwalk)
All-state candidate spoiled Bellflower’s homecoming festivities by rushing for 274 yards on only 15 carries. In the 64-14 victory at Ron Yary Stadium, Penny scored on touchdown runs of 82, 35, 40 and 29 yards for his 7-0 club and also had an interception on defense. He now has 21 overall touchdowns this season.
Royce Freeman (Imperial)
His streak of rushing for at least 200 yards and five touchdowns came to an end in the previous game against Southwest of El Centro, but he now has a new streak going. Freeman ran for 267 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries in a 29-10 win over Brawley.
Sheldon Arnold (Santee, Los Angeles)
He churned for 264 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries in Santee’s 37-6 victory over Diego Rivera of Los Angeles. So far this season, Arnold has 1,308 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing on 96 carries. He’s scored 20 total touchdowns.
Christian Williams (Morningside, Inglewood)
Went for 254 yards rushing and a touchdown on 21 carries in a 42-21 victory over Hawthorne.
T.J. Ashmeade (Katella, Anaheim)
Leaving dust and ashes in his rearview mirror, Ashmeade ran for 250 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries as the Knights picked up their first Orange League win of the season with a 49-8 victory over Century of Santa Ana.
Jose Olvera (Los Amigos, Fountain Valley)
The Lobos won their fifth straight game last week with a 70-14 romp past Rancho Alamitos of Garden Grove. Olvera was the main reason for that with 17 carries for 249 yards and five touchdowns on 17 carries.
Austin Brown (Del Campo, Fair Oaks)
He nearly outscored Oakmontof Roseville on his own as he ran for 237 yards and four touchdowns in the 42-26 win for the Cougars.
Alijah Lee (Venice)
All-L.A City performer rushed for 221 yards in Venice’s Western League 48-0 shutout victory over University of Los Angeles.
Brandon Boyd (Gilroy)
After a bye week, the CIF Central Coast Section leading reported rusher had his lowest output in six games with 212 yards rushing, but tied his TD high after going for five for the third time this season, in a 54-14 win over Watsonville Pajaro Valley. Despite having at least one and in one case two less games than the state’s top four rushers, No. 5 Boyd, a previous NorCal Player of the Week, has ran for 1,731 yards and 23 scores.
Justice Shelton-Mosely (Capital Christian, Sacramento)
With three touchdown runs of at least 60 yards or longer, Shelton-Mosely finished with five rushing touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass as the Cougars defeated Marysville 40-34.
Javon Hogan (Turlock)
While this happened two weeks ago, we wanted to make sure we got this listed for Cal-Hi Sports State Record Book. Purposes. In a 48-12 loss to Merced, Hogan was a hero as he ran 99 yards on a rushing play for a touchdown.
Trevor Sprung (College Park, Pleasant Hill)
Sprung was one of three running backs to spring for over 100 yards in a total of 502 yards rushing the Falcons rolled up in a 47-7 win over Concord Mt. Diablo. However, the biggest highlight was the game’s longest run, when Sprung sprang 93 yards for a score.
ALL-PURPOSE
Daniel Belton (South East, South Gate)
It hard to top what this all-L.A. City linebacker did during a 38-27 victory over previously unbeaten Roosevelt of Los Angeles. The middle ‘backer had 16 tackles, including nine solos, two sacks, and two blocked kicks to lead the 7-1 Jaguars. He also rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries and caught five passes for 115 yards and another score.
Ryan Araujo (El Rancho, Pico Rivera)
He accounted for 370 yards in The Ranch’s 62-21 victory over Pioneer of Whittier. He completed 12 of 18 passes for two touchdowns and also had 11 carries for a whopping 196 yards rushing and an additional three TDs.
Derick Okpaise (Royal, Simi Valley)
Earning Athlete of the Week honors from the Ventura County Star, he did it all during the Highlanders’ 50-49 double overtime win against Simi Valley. He caught 10 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns, including an 87-yard touchdown catch in the final minute to force overtime, while also returning the opening kickoff of the second half 99 yards for a score. Okpaise’s big score came just after a fan won $20,000 by booting a 40-yard field goal at halftime.
Travis Waller (Servite, Anaheim)
Earning Athlete of the Week honors from OCVarsity, he completed 12 of his 19 pass attempts for 124 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 187 yards and two more scores in leading the Friars to a 30-14 win over Santa Margarita of Rancho Santa Margarita.
Isaiah Justice (Bullard, Fresno)
He led the Knights to a 56-13 win over San Joaquin Memorial with his passing and running. He accounted for six touchdowns and 319 total yards for the game. He passed for 167 yards to go along with four touchdowns and rushed for 152 yards and scored two times on runs of 27 and 39 yards.
Jack Shank (Irvington, Fremont)
Shank probably gets kidded about how he hits the little white ball when he’s playing golf, but on the gridiron last Friday night he couldn’t have been more accurate with the pigskin, nor in more places at the right time. In a 47-26 victory over crosstown Kennedy that kept the Vikings in the hunt for the Mission Valley Athletic League title, the senior quarterback and defensive back was 9 for 11 passing for 170 yards and four TDs, plus he ran for two scores. On defense, he had nine tackles, seven solo.
Tyrel Anderon (Center, Antelope)
He didn’t have the biggest game throwing the ball as he completed just six of his 10 pass attempts for 127 yards but he also rushed for 126 yards and two TDs while also going 85 yards on a kickoff return during a 45-28 win over previously undefeated Colfax.
Clayton Bowler (Holtville)
If this was bowling, he would not have had 12 strikes in a row but Bowler did throw a perfect seven strikes in Holtville’s 33-12 win over Mountain Empire. He completed 7 of 7 for 141 yards and one TD passing while also rushing for 144 yards and one TD on 11 carries.
Mique Juarez (North, Torrance)
A sophomore QB, Mique was a standout for the Saxons in their 42-21 win against Lawndale. According to South Bay Daily Breeze correspondent Nick Ingram, Jaurez passed for 98 yards and two TDs, rushed 17 times for 197 yards and two more scores, and he scored on a 88-yard kickoff return.
DEFENSE
Boss Tagaloa (De La Salle, Concord)
Over the next three years you are going to be hearing a lot about this young man. De La Salle doesn’t inflate stats or keep guys in the game to pile them up, and while offensive Spartans sometimes make this feature, rarely does a defensive star, including 2012 Mr. Football State Player of the Year Michael Hutchings. So when the 6-foot-2, 286-pound sophomore two-way lineman, who was impressive at the Nike Camp at Laney College this summer, not only blew open holes on offense for the seventh straight week, he also had 2.5 sacks and eight tackles, in less than three quarters of work, in a 49-7 victory over a very solid James Logan of Union City.
Christian Nielsen (Prospect, Saratoga)
This linebacker and leader of the Panthers’ defense was instrumental in helping limit San Jose Overfelt to 121 yards of offense in a 37-12 victory. He finished with 14 tackles, two for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
RECORD WATCH
Golden Valley of Santa Clarita was penalized 13 times for 165 yards in a 48-7 loss at Canyon of Canyon Country last week, but that was nothing. The host Cowboys were flagged 25 times for an incredible 230 yards.
“I’m telling you right now, I have never seen anything like it,” Canyon coach Rich Gutierrez said. “It was crazy. It was insane. Some of the calls, I have no excuses, but a few of them, I have never heard of these things in my life.
“They called one penalty because they said we intentionally tried to make them snap the ball. But all we were doing was just lining up in a blitz. It was weird.”
There is a listing in the state record book with Kennedy of Granada Hills getting penalized 23 times in a 44-44 tie with Palmdale in 2000. Canyon’s total is higher and thus also will go into the record book.
Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter: @CalHiSports
