JaQuan Gardner from Central Valley of Ceres, who was snapped while standing in line at the NorCal Nike Football Sparq Combine last spring, rushed for 380 yards to conclude an outstanding high school career in a wild 69-55 playoff loss to Manteca. Photo: Mark Tennis.
We will lead off the State Stat Stars every week with the Northern California and Southern California Players of the Week. This week’s duo also were featured this week on Time Warner Cable’s Varsity Roundup Show on Wednesday night throughout Southern California.
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. To join our Gold Club today, please CLICK HERE.
Writeups by Paul Muyskens, Harold Abend, Ronnie Flores, Mark Tennis and CIF Central Section historian Bob Barnett. This honor roll is for games played from Nov. 14 to Nov. 16.
Northern California Player of the Week
Joe Mixon (Freedom, Oakley)
PrimeTime Joe is widely regarded as one of the top college running back prospects in the nation and he had a career-best game last weekend.
In leading Freedom past Foothill of Pleasanton in the first-round of the CIF North Coast Section Division I playoffs 55-17, Mixon had 22 carries for 281 yards and scored seven touchdowns. The win also avenged an earlier loss this season to Foothill.
Mixon upped his season totals to 1,515 yards and 22 TDs with more to come in at least one more playoff game. He has taken official visits to Cal, Florida State, Washington, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.
Southern California Player of the Week
Anthony Lawrence (Grossmont, La Mesa)
The returning first-team All-San Diego Section quarterback from last season with 3,424 yards and 36 TDs is in the midst of another strong season.
Lawrence completed 23 of 31 for 359 yards and four TDs last weekend in a 35-0 win over Otay Ranch of Chula Vista.
For the season in 11 games, he now has 3,039 yards with 39 TDs and just six interceptions. Lawrence will lead 9-2 Grossmont against Carlsbad in this week’s CIF San Diego Section Division I quarterfinals.
Watch Varsity Roundup at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays on Channel 354 in L.A. and on Channel 825 in San Diego.
PASSING
Nathaniel Nelson (Madera)
Teamed with junior teammate Alec Gamboa to set school records and one section record in a high scoring affair at Hanford that Madera won 73-35. Nathan had the game of his life: 28 completions…school record; 555 yards…school record and second in Central Section history; 7 TD passes…school record. Alec had 13 receptions…school record; 360 receiving yards….school record & second in section history; and six TD catches-….new section record. Both teams had a combined passing yardage of 928 yards for another new section record. Hanford’s Jake Young, meanwhile, finished his high school career with 7,054 yards, sixth-best in section history (all according to section historian Bob Barnett).
Austin Caldron (Brookside Christian, Stockton)
The hottest QB in the Sac-Joaquin Section last week outside of Folsom was this senior, who burned up the Foresthill Wildfires to the tune of 473 yards passing and eight TDs in a 52-0 win. Caldron’s eight TD passes gets him into the state record book, but is short of the Brookside school record of nine by Tony Rodriguez from 2009. Caldron completed 19 of 32 passes and will look for more in an underdog role when the Knights play Bradshaw Christian in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI semifinals. R.J. Oliver Jr. was Caldron’s top receiver with five catches for 226 yards and four scores.
Wayne Brooks (Stagg, Stockton)
In a 32-14 triumph over Beyer of Modesto that advanced the 10-1 Delta Kings into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section D1 quarterfinals against Pleasant Grove, Brooks came through with 19 completions in 27 attempts for 304 yards and four TDs. He had to do it without two key players who were suspended. If he doesn’t turn it over, Stagg will have a chance to beat the Eagles.
Jake Browning (Folsom)
Nearing the state record for touchdown passes in a season, he completed 36 of his 42 pass attempts for 430 yards and six touchdowns as the Bulldogs opened the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs with a 50-13 win over Lincoln of Stockton. He also surpassed 4,000 yards for the season and should start to close in on 10,000 yards for his career after this week.
Jake Pruitt (Sierra, Manteca)
He did his best to pass the Timberwolves back into the game against Colfax in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs but his completing 26 of 40 pass attempts for 453 yards and five touchdowns wasn’t enough to prevent a 42-37 loss. Junior Hunter Johnson caught seven passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns while senior Lucas Widmer caught seven passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
Bradley Mowbray (Arrowhead Christian, Redlands)
While his high school career isn’t over since he is just a junior, Mowbray’s season is over despite his completing 24 of his 52 pass attempts for 421 yards and six touchdowns as the Eagles lost to Jurupa Hills of Fontana 55-41 in the CIF-SS East Valley Division playoffs. His cousin, Isaac Mowbray, was Bradley’s leading target as he caught 10 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns while soph Matthew Thompson caught 12 passes for 198 yards and three scores.
Anthony Gordon (Terra Nova, Pacifica)
He was nearly perfect throwing the football as the Tigers ended the regular season with a 56-0 win over Half Moon Bay. Gordon completed 19 of his 23 pass attempts for 411 yards and seven touchdowns. Jaylen Jones caught seven passes for 140 yards and three scores.
Nathan Coto (Schurr, Montebello)
Senior signal-caller racked up 363 yards passing and three touchdowns in Schurr’s 29-7 victory over Viewpoint of Calabasas in the first round of the CIFSS Mid-Valley Division playoffs. He added 130 yards rushing and another score for good measure.
Jake Wallace (Valencia)
He passed for 362 yards in the Vikings’ 38-17 victory over Redondo Union to open the CIFSS Northern Division playoffs. He completed 20 of 34 passes with seven of those going to Nick Jones, who finished with 163 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Tristian Hernandez (Roosevelt, Fresno)
The senior quarterback passed for 342 yards and two touchdowns on 24 of 28 and now as 3,675 yards for a new school record in Roosevelt’s 37-30 win over Fowler. Not forgotten is outstanding wide receiver Kurtis McCoy, who had 10 receptions and 151 yards.
James Harwell (San Marcos)
The Knights could be a force in the San Diego Division III playoffs based on their 42-14 win from last week over Fallbrook. Harwell shined by completing 19 of 29 passes for 281 yards and five TDs. Teammate Isaiah Hennie also did well with nine catches for 141 yards and two scores.
Andrew Trahan (San Joaquin Memorial, Fresno)
He had a fine game by passing for 260 yards on a nearly perfect 13 of 14 and had five touchdowns that tied a school record in a surprise score 49-21 win over host Sunnyside.
Connor Wynn (Mission Hills, San Marcos)
Completing 15 of 24 pass attempts for 237 yards and five touchdowns, he also ran for a score as the Grizzlies defeated Steele Canyon of Spring Valley 56-35 in the opening round of the CIF San Diego Section Open Division playoffs.
Quarterback Nsimba Webster has been starring at Deer Valley of Antioch the past two seasons. Photo: Harold Abend.
RECEIVING
Shay Fields (St. John Bosco, Bellflower)
USC commit had four touchdown catches — on four catches — and racked up 224 receiving yards in Bosco’s rout of Agoura of Agoura Hills. His touchdowns measured 78, 71, 44, 30 yards and the yardage total was one shy of the school mark. Josh Rosen completed 8 of 11 pass attempts for 270 yards and five touchdowns.
Thomas Spanos (Carmel)
One of the two youngest grandsons of San Diego Chargers’ owner Alex Spanos on the Padres’ roster, Thomas helped Carmel avoid becoming a Cal-Hi Sports Upset Alert victim as he caught nine passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns in a 40-35 triumph on the road against arch-rival Pacific Grove.
Brandon Scott (Yucaipa)
If there was a high school fantasy football league that gave you a point per reception, he would have won you the week as he caught 16 passes for 215 yards and five touchdowns in a 55-33 loss to Charter Oak of Covina in the CIFSS Inland Division playoffs. Scott will play next for the University of Nevada.
Corey Cox (North, Torrance)
Despite his team losing 34-0 to CIF Division IV bowl contender Bishop Diego of Santa Barbara, Cox hauled in 16 catches for 136 yards. His receiving total is the highest reported mark we’ve seen so far this season until last week that saw one other player also catch 16 passes.
Hamilton Anoa’i (Serra, San Mateo)
Not only did he catch three touchdown passes but he also had an interception as the Padres defeated Archbishop Mitty of San Jose 31-7 for a piece of the WCAL championship.
RUSHING
Jason Hinton (Moreau Catholic, Hayward)
According to Stephanie Hammon of the Bay Area News Group, Jason set a North Coast Section record as he carried the ball 51 times for 473 yards and five touchdowns during a 54-50 loss to Piedmont in the first round of the Division IV playoffs. The previous record of 464 was set just a few weeks ago by Harris Ross of Pittsburg.
D.J. Payne (Boron)
The regular season may be over but he is still bringing the pain to Boron’s opponents. He carried the ball 43 times for 396 yards and four touchdowns in a 60-42 win over Capistrano Valley Christian of San Juan Capistrano in the CIF-SS Northeast Division playoffs.
Ja’Quan Gardner (Central Valley, Ceres)
It will be a game this senior will never forget as his high school career came to an end despite rushing for 378 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries during a 69-55 loss to Manteca in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs. Teammate Kendel Johnson also had a big night running the ball as he rushed for 221 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. Gardner is the all-time career rushing leader for the Stanislaus District of the Sac-Joaquin Section.
Khalil Montgomery (Immanuel, Reedley)
The Eagles may have gone 4-6 during the regular season but they made the CIF Central Section Division V playoffs as the No. 11 seed and they will play more after he rushed for 353 yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries during a 33-20 win over Woodlake.
Jacob Guglielmana (Elsinore, Wildomar)
Just the second quarter alone would have earned him a spot on this list as he had three touchdown runs of over 50 yards in the second quarter while rushing for 316 yards on 17 carries for the game as the Tigers defeated Palm Desert 55-40 in a CIFSS Central Division playoff opener.
Frank Saucedo (Jurupa Hills, Fontana)
Carrying the ball 19 times for 311 yards and three touchdowns, the D3 South bowl-ranked Spartans opened the CIFSS East Valley Division playoffs with a 55-41 win over Arrowhead Christian of Redlands.
Connor Wingenroth (Hart, Newhall)
Hart is a passing program so when Conner Wingenroth racked up 308 yards rushing on 26 carries in the Indians’ 56-35 victory over Paso Robles in the opening round of the CIFSS Northern Division playoffs, it set a single-game school mark.
Trevor Bearden (Live Oak, Morgan Hill)
As reported last Saturday, Bearden earned the regular season state rushing title by rushing for 300 yards on 27 carries and scoring four times in a 35-26 win over Evergreen Valley of San Jose 35-26.
Tyler Brown (Diamond Bar)
This D-1 back dashed for a career-high 298 yards and scored four touchdowns on 19 carries in the Brahmas’ 63-29 win over Downey to open the CIFSS Southeast Division playoffs. Brown scored on runs of 61,49,43 and 76 yards against the defending division champions.
Benji Jones (Burbank, Sacramento)
In a game that featured several state stat star worthy peformances, he rushed for 278 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries as the Titans defeated Wood of Vacaville 61-28.
Alex Laurel (Manteca)
It’s not often can you rush for 258 yards and it not be a game-high but that was the case in the Buffs’ 69-55 win over Central Valley of Ceres. In the win, Laurel carried the ball 25 times and ran for five touchdowns.
Patrick Laird (Mission Prep, San Luis Obispo)
One of the state’s top rushers during the regular season, he had a solid start to the postseason as he rushed for 258 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries during the Royals’ 49-12 win over Santa Clarita Christian of Canyon Country in the CIFSS Northeast Division playoffs.
Jon Rivera (Tesoro, Las Flores)
He rushed for 257 yards and five touchdowns on 30 lugs in Tesoro’s 49-32 victory over Long Beach Cabrillo in the opening round of the CIFSS Pac-Five Division playoffs.
Justin Santos (Chatsworth)
He rushed for 254 yards in the Chancellors’ 28-10 win over L.A. University in the opening round of the L.A. City Section Division II playoffs.
Jamie Taylor (Rim of the World, Lake Arrowhead)
Not only did he carry the ball 40 times for 240 yards and three touchdowns but he scored the touchdown in overtime and then the game-winning two-point conversion right after that as the Scots opened up the CIFSS East Valley Division playoffs with a 38-37 overtime win against Linfield Christian of Temecula.
Lavell Thompson (South Gate)
Dashed for 215 yards in the Rams’ 62-22 victor over Lincoln of Los Angeles in the first round of the L.A. City Section Division II playoffs. So far this season, Thompson has 1,893 yards and 29 touchdowns. He could break the school record of 1,979 yards rushing held by all-state back Ivan Wilson set in 1988 when the Rams went 14-0.
Marcus Chambers (St. Bonaventure, Ventura)
Earning Athlete of the Week honors from the Ventura County Star, he ran for 202 yards and two touchdowns as the Seraphs defeated Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks 35-21 in the opening round of the CIFSS Pac-5 playoffs.
MULTI PURPOSE
Cristian Solano (San Fernando)
This young man is a campus leader, has a glowing GPA and is also the leader of the Tigers’ 11-0 club. What more can coach Robert Garcia ask for? How about accounting for 548 yards and nine touchdowns in San Fernando’s 76-44 victory over Verdugo Hills of Tujunga to open the L.A. City Section Division II playoffs. Solano completed 13 of 16 passes for 373 yards and six touchdowns. On the ground, he added 175 yards and three more scores on 11 carries. His touchdown accounted for total sets a new school mark. So far this season, he’s completed 165 of 236 passes for 3,394 yards and 42 touchdowns against five interceptions and rushed for 1,052 yards and scores. Receiver Charles Bell has 34 receptions for 949 yards and 15 touchdowns while Jose Camargo has 67 receptions for 1,227 yards and 10 touchdowns. The late Bill Frazier put together the San Fernando school record book for many years and after the season is complete we’ll run down Cristian’s marks and compare them to the best quarterback in school history — former USC All-American running back Anthony Davis.
Jason Elenberger (Jesuit, Carmichael)
Not only did he pass for 266 yards and three touchdowns but he also rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns as the Marauders opened the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs with a 49-39 win at Merced.
Mark Powell (Verdugo Hills, Tujunga)
Even though his team lost 76-44 to San Fernando in the opening round of the L.A. City Section Division II playoffs, Powell’s performance deserves recognition. He passed for 382 yards, completing 24-of-45, and four touchdowns while adding 159 yards rushing on 22 carries and two more scores in the playoff shootout against San Fernando’s own gunslinger – Christian Solano.
Harrison Anderson (Burbank, Sacramento)
Having a great opening game of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs he caught two touchdown passes, ran for two touchdowns and intercepted two passes as the Titans defeated Wood of Vacaville 61-28.
Atu Ohuafi (Piedmont)
Scoring a touchdown in four different ways ,he ran for two touchdowns, caught a touchdown pass, returned an interception for six points and he returned a kickoff for a score as the Highlanders defeated Moreau Catholic of Hayward 54-50.
Willie Fairman (Roosevelt, Fresno)
This junior also had a stupendous night along with QB Christian Hernandez (see above) for the Roughriders in their 37-30 win over Fowler. Fairman set a career high by rushing for 240 yards on 29 carries and scored three touchdowns and he also had five receptions for 101 yards and one score.
Nsimba Webster (Deer Valley, Antioch)
Making sure his high school career would last at least another week, he passed for 160 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 111 yards and three scores as the Wolverines defeated Castro Valley 49-21 in the first round of the CIF NCS Division I playoffs.
Jace Whitaker (Oceanside)
Before he heads to Arizona next year, he is doing all he can to make sure his high school career doesn’t end anytime soon as he ran for a touchdown, returned a fumble for a touchdown and returned a punt 57 yards for six points all in the first half as the Pirates defeated Torrey Pines of San Diego 35-0 in the first round of the CIF San Diego Section Open Division playoffs.
Rashaad Penny (Norwalk)
In the opening round of the CIFSS Southeast Division playoffs, this uncommitted senior accounted for 352 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-27 win over West Covina. He carried 24 times for 188 yards and three scored while catching four passes for 164 yards and an additional two touchdowns. Penny is the Southern Section’s reported leader in points (246) and touchdowns (41), having rushed for 1,936 yards while averaging 13.9 yards per carry.
DEFENSE
Dillon Chaney (Crenshaw, Los Angeles)
In the opening round of the LA City Section Division I playoffs, The Shaw must have been ticked from not getting the top seed and took it out on Jefferson of Los Angeles. The Demos were outclassed, as Crenshaw beat them 83-0, as Chaney racked up six sacks from his defensive end position.
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
One Comment
Nathan Coto play’s for Arroyo not Shurr