State Stat Stars of the Week

Kaylor Sullivan of Fort Bragg didn’t play in the second half of lopsided game last week but it was enough for eight TD passes, which set a state record. Photo: Courtesy Fort Bragg H.S.

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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 Sept. 4 to Sept. 6.

PASSING

Kaylor Sullivan (Fort Bragg)
There were other QBs in the state last week who were reported with more yards than Sullivan, but neither of them set a state record. Sullivan, a junior, established one by throwing for eight TDs in one half of Fort Bragg’s 55-0 romp past Encina Prep of Sacramento. Sullivan broke the record of seven TD passes for one half first set in 1977 by Ron Cuccia from Wilson of Los Angeles. It was tied last year by Nolan Merker of Sacramento Sheldon and possibly some others. Sullivan threw for his eight TDs all in the first half and watched the second half from the sidelines. He also had 315 passing yards on 19 completions in 27 attempts. In his first game this season, Sullivan set a school record with 466 passing yards.

Zach Taylor (Buena Park)
According to OCSidelines, this junior has already set three school records during the first two games of the season. He piled up 517 yards and five touchdowns through the air last Friday night during a 53-6 win over Whittier of California.

Nick Brown (Rancho Alamitos, Garden Grove)
Passing for four touchdowns in the Vaqueros’ season opener, Brown did even better on Friday night during a 48-27 win over Savanna of Anaheim. He passed for 481 yards and seven touchdowns.

Terra Nova senior Anthony Gordon passed for more than 400 yards in his first game. Photo: Harold Abend.

Daniel Prieto (Newbury Park)
Involved in a 44-36 shootout win over Saugus, he passed for 412 yards and five touchdowns as the Panthers improved to 2-0 on the year and stayed No. 1 in this week’s Division III South state bowl game rankings.

K.J. Costello (Santa Margarita, Rancho Santa Margarita)
Our SoCal Offensive Player of the Week passed for 408 yards and four touchdowns as the Eagles set a reported school record for yards in a game with 618 during a 56-27 win over Santiago of Corona.

Caden Voges (Sacramento)
The 6-foot junior will be another QB in the Sacramento area putting up huge numbers this year in a Folsom-style offense and could play a lot of games if the Dragons go far in the SJS D3 playoffs. Voges started strong last week going 28 of 42 for 401 yards and four TDs plus three more TDs on short runs in a 53-13 win against El Camino of Sacramento.

Jared Redfield (Grossmont, El Cajon)
Despite passing for 395 yards and four touchdowns, he had to be a little disappointed after the game he didn’t do more to prevent a 42-31 loss to Otay Ranch of Chula Vista.

Sam Metcalf (Farmersville)
Starting the season at home with a 57-37 win over Granite Hills of Porterville, Metcalf passed for 366 yards and six touchdowns. The four-year starter has now thrown for 106 passing touchdowns in his high school career. He has a chance to finish his prep career No. 2 for both career yards and career TDs, but probably will be pretty far behind Folsom’s Jake Browning in both categories.

Nico Portillo (Corcoran)
According to CIF Central Section historian Bob Barnett, Portillo became just the third player in school history to pass for more than 300 yards in a game. He completed 27 of his 40 pass attempts for 333 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers defeated Hanford West of Hanford 41-34.

Adam Vance (Redwood, Visalia)
Needing every one of his five touchdown passes, the Rangers moved to 2-0 on the season with a 48-42 win on the road against Clovis East of Clovis. Vance passed for 327 yards and even rushed for a touchdown. Rickie Garcia was his leading target as he caught nine passes for 192 yards and three scores.

Mitch Daniels (Concord)
We’re sorry we missed getting Mitch listed in last week’s stat stars after he passed for 462 yards and three TDs when the Minutemen blitzed Benicia 48-13. Playing a Wood of Vacaville team in Week 2 that won its first game 63-49 against Vista del Lago, Daniels continued to shine with 303 yards and five TDs through the air. Teammate Malik Blackburn also rushed for 255 yards and two TDs on 38 carries.

Darreon Lockett (Pomona)
Exciting junior QB only completed nine passes in 16 attempts during the Red Devils’ 58-17 victory against Don Lugo of Chino, but they went for six TDs and 311 yards. Lockett also rushed 12 times for 51 yards and already has accounted for 10 TDs on the season.

Joshua Gaudet (Horizon Christian, San Diego)
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Gaudet hit on 28 of 58 passes for 381 yards and four TDs but it wasn’t enough in a 34-24 loss to Mission Bay of San Diego. He also had 277 yards passing in his first game even though Horizon got crushed 56-6 by Del Norte of Poway.

Jake Browning (Folsom)
Playing just the first half, this Washington-bound senior passed for 254 yards and six touchdowns while also scoring on a one-yard QB sneak. In the 49-13 home win over Clovis North of Fresno, he became the state’s all time career touchdown record holder. He will no doubt be among the finalists for our Mr. Football State Player of the Year honor at the end of the season as long as he stays healthy, continues to put up the numbers and the Bulldogs continue to win and potentially win a state championship this season.

Jarrell Brown (Citrus Hill, Perris)
The QB at Citrus Hill has tended to be quite productive in recent years and this season is Brown’s turn. One week after the Hawks lost 34-31 to Rancho Verde, Brown led the way in a 30-20 win against Murrieta Valley. He completed 16 of 26 passes for 248 yards and one TD and rushed for 100 yards and two more scores.

RECEIVING

Trent Irwin (Hart, Newhall)
If there was high school fantasy football, Irwin would likely be among the first wide receivers selected as he caught 13 passes from longtime teammate Brady White for 239 yards and two touchdowns during their 44-21 loss on the road against Chaminade of West Hills. White also passed for 304 yards with both of his touchdown passes going to Irwin.

Kyron Basped (Sacramento)
There were some big passing numbers put up in the Sacramento area from more then just Jake Browning and one of those on the receiving end was this senior. Basped caught 13 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns from junior Caden Voges in a 53-13 triumph against El Camino of Sacramento. Voges also passed for 401 yards and four touchdowns.

Josh Bist (Ponderosa, Shingle Springs)
Helping a rally in the 4th quarter, he caught 13 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns as the Bruins moved to 2-0 with a 43-42 win over Vista del Lago of Folsom.

Jaylinn Hawkins (Buena Park)
While it wasn’t quite the eight catches for 294 yards and four touchdowns that he did in the season opener to be our SoCal Offensive Player of the Week, it was still an impressive performance for this playmaker. Hawkins caught eight passes for 281 yards and two scores in a 53-6 win over California of Whittier.

Carlos Espinoza (Coachella Valley, Thermal)
With the ball in the air, he had the hot hands to bring it down for catches in Coachella’s 41-14 win over Desert Hot Springs, Espinoza caught nine passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns. Teammate Darius Hulsey also passed for 414 yards and the three scores that all went to Espinoza.

Sedrick Thomas (Pleasant Grove, Elk Grove)
Before they head to take on Folsom this week, the Eagles were able to work on their passing game and get their first win of the season with a 49-21 over Nevada Union of Grass Valley. Thomas, replacing standout Wyatt Demps (now at Nevada), caught seven passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns.

Taylor Dodds (El Toro, Lake Forest)
When teammate Kaleb Fossum wasn’t returning punts for touchdowns, it was Dodds on the receiving end for scores as he caught seven passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns in the Chargers’ 34-28 win over Capistano Valley of Mission Viejo.

With alternating QBs, No. 1 RB J.J. Taylor could be a stat star regular this season from Corona Centennial. Photo: Mark Tennis.

Noah Magana (Santa Paula)
In a battle of two schools from cities that start with Santa, it was the Cardinals who came away with the 41-30 win over Santa Maria in large part because of this workhorse running back. Magana carried the ball 30 times and rushed for 367 yards and six touchdowns.

Zach Orman (Galt)
Running from Galt to Sacramento might be a bit far for anyone, but Orman ran all over Kennedy of Sacramento as the Warriors defeated the Cougars 46-14. Orman gained 351 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns.

Sheldon Croney (Ridgeview, Bakersfield)
After being held to just 99 yards rushing in the first game of the season, our Cal-Hi Sports NorCal Offensive Player of the Week rushed for 288 yards and two touchdowns during a 42-21 win over Liberty of Bakersfield.

J.J. Taylor (Centennial, Corona)
Although he’s not as big as Tre Watson, the all-state running back from last year’s team, Taylor showed during the U-T Honor Bowl that he might be similarly effective in the Corona Centennial offense. The 5-foot-7 junior had 22 carries for 266 yards and two TDs in leading the Huskies past Orange Lutheran. Taylor had a 63-yard TD in the third quarter and took a lateral 79 yards with 2:50 left as Orange Lutheran was threatening to take the lead.

Andrew Dean (Golden Valley, Bakersfield)
He may not be in charge of the school but this Dean had a big part in the Bulldogs moving to 2-0 on the year as he rushed for 263 yards and four touchdowns on just 12 carries, all in the first half, during their 66-0 win over Mira Monte of Bakersfield. On the season, he has rushed for 398 yards and five touchdowns on just 23 carries.

Jamari Bright (Highlands, North Highlands)
Shining bright as a quarterback who does must of his damage running the football, Bright carried the ball 13 times for 261 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-0 shellacking of Sacramento Mira Loma. Bright also played on defense and recorded five tackles as the Scots picked up their first win of the season.

Beau Bisharat (Jesuit, Carmichael)
With lots more room to run than in their season opener against De La Salle, Bisharat rushed for 253 yards and three touchdowns as the Marauders improved to 1-1 with a 35-14 win on the road over Yuba City.

Marcel Dancy (West, Tracy)
Listed as a state stat star for the second week in a row, it was a 99-yard interception return that got him listed last week but this week it’s his rushing. Dancy ran for 242 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries during a 48-7 win over Kimball of Tracy.

Erik Hillman & Chris Brooks (Calabasas)
For the second week in a row, the Coyotes scored 53 points as they went on the road and defeated Burroughs of Burbank 53-31 led by this terrific running tandem. Junior Erik Hillman rushed for 230 yards and one touchdown while Brooks, just a sophomore, rushed for 197 yards and five touchdowns.

Kirk Johnson (Valley Christian, San Jose)
Making the most of his 12 carries during a 55-0 win over Pioneer of San Jose, this Texas-bound senior rushed for 223 yards and scored four touchdowns.

MacIntyre Garbani (Central Valley Christian, Visalia)
Not only did he rush for 222 yards and three touchdowns, but he did it against the defending SoCal Division IV champions as the Cavaliers defeated Bakersfield Christian of Bakersfield 49-19.

Mark Paule Jr. (Sierra, Manteca)
Now with 10 rushing touchdowns on the year, this junior followed up his seven-touchdown performance from the week before by rushing for 216 yards and three scores during a 56-0 win over Central Valley of Ceres.

Leo Lambert III (Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks)
Following up his 306-yard and three-TD performance in the Knights’ opening game, Lambert rushed for 161 yards and five touchdowns on 19 carries as the Knights defeated Birmingham of Lake Balboa 56-6.

DEFENSE/MULTI-PURPOSE

Curt Calomeni (Bellarmine Prep, San Jose)
This active linebacker burned a lot of calories in helping the Bells past Franklin of Elk Grove 42-28. Calomeni scored once on a 58-yard run, scored as well on a fumble recovery in the end zone and stopped another Wildcat drive with an interception.

Nate Phillips (Modesto)
In a high-scoring 32-27 triumph over Stagg of Stockton that improved the Panthers’ record to 2-0, Phillips completed 17 of 21 passes for 350 yards and four TDs. He also rushed for 100 yards and one more TD.

Andrew Isaia (Overfelt, San Jose)
Getting the call to start in his first ever varsity game, this junior stood out on both sides of the ball as he completed 11 of his 14 pass attempts for 289 yards and four touchdowns while recording nine tackles and intercepting a pass on defense as the Royals defeated Harker of San Jose 38-21.

Elijah Thompson (Los Angeles)
The Romans opened up the season with a 34-12 win over Washington as this junior passed for 102 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns and on defense he recorded an interception.

Zeke Noa (Helix, La Mesa)
The 6-foot, 210-pound sophomore LB made a name for himself during Helix’s 34-10 triumph over Del Oro of Loomis at the U-T Honor Bowl. Already known by teammates and Zeke the Freak, he showed others why on a seven-yard fumble return TD and on a 60-yard interception return (also for a score).

Kaleb Fossum (El Toro, Lake Forest)
He returned two punts for touchdowns while also catching five passes on offense as the Chargers defeated Capistrano Valley 34-28.

Ben Schrider (St. Mary’s, Berkeley)
Last week, it was Joseph Wicker from Long Beach Poly who had six sacks in a game and Schrider nearly matched that this past Friday night. He recorded 5.5 sacks during a 17-6 win over Miramonte of Orinda.

Joseph Wicker (Long Beach Poly, Long Beach)
While it wasn’t six sacks like he had in the Jackrabbits’ season opener, he did record four sacks on Friday night in their 34-21 win over Narbonne and now has 10 sacks on the season. Wicker is ahead of the pace to set the state record for sacks in a season, which currently is 34 by Ben Viramontes of South Gate back in 2004 while at South Gate.

Line Latu (San Mateo)
Lining up all over the field, Latu was a big-time weapon as the Bearcats opened the season with a 27-20 win over Gunn of Palo Alto. Latu passed for 95 yards, rushed for 120 yards, recorded nine tackles and had an interception.

Jalen Cole (Mater Dei, Santa Ana)
Not only did he intercept two passes but he returned them both for touchdowns as the Monarchs moved to 2-0 on the season with a 28-7 win over Villa Park.

Troy Cassidy (Carlsbad)
Named as our SoCal Defensive Player of the Week, Cassidy had 15 tackles, one sack and forced a fumble as the Lancers defeated Lincoln of San Diego 45-0.

Devaun Crittle (Homestead, Cupertino)
Not coming up little during the Mustangs’ 44-7 win over Evergreen Valley of San Jose, Crittle had 15 tackles and three sacks for the Mustangs’ defense.

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.

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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