Two of this week’s NorCal/SoCal honorees are Brentt Schaeffer (left) of Vista del Lago and Matt Robinson of JSerra. Photos: accesslocal.tv & #D1BoundNation/Twitter.com.
Both Brent Schaefer of Vista del Lago and Matt Robinson of JSerra know how to throw for TDs, but Robinson also know how to catch them. This week’s honorees also are from Kennedy of Richmond, Kern Valley, Santa Monica and Loyola of Los Angeles.
We hope you enjoy this free story on Cal-Hi Sports.com. For our State Top 25 football rankings package plus weekly Inside the State Record Book column (with record updates) and more exclusive content, please check out our Gold Club membership today. For details, CLICK HERE.
Note: Stockton office assistant editor Paul Muyskens also wrote several of these player bios. For these honors, we consider CIF Central Section players for Northern California. To find out how your business could benefit by sponsoring these honors each week or to nominate your own favorite player, email markjtennis@gmail.com.
Cal-Hi Sports Northern California
Offensive Player of the Week
Brent Schaeffer
(Vista del Lago, Folsom) Sr.
After replacing a three-year starter last season, Schaeffer is the grizzled veteran this year and so far is making the most of his senior campaign.
Schaeffer, who already had a 451-yard passing game on Sept. 2, lit it up again when the Eagles smashed Placer of Auburn 56-14. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 418 yards with a NorCal season high of seven touchdowns. He also rushed for 57 yards and one TD on eight carries for total offense of 475 yards and eight TDs.
For the season, Schaeffer has passed for 1,730 yards and 21 TDs for the 3-2 Eagles. He’s also thrown just one interception.
The Juice has left a sour taste on opposing QBs so far this season. Photo: Hudl.com.
Cal-Hi Sports Northern California
Defensive Player of the Week
Ryan “Juice” Robinson
(Kennedy, Richmond) Sr.
The Eagles have soared to a 5-0 start this season after a 23-16 road win over Arroyo of San Lorenzo and the main reason is their defense, which is averaging just eight points allowed a game.
During the win over the Dons, Juice recorded his fourth three-sack game this season as he now has 14 sacks through five games.
Robinson also played quarterback for Kennedy for the first time this season in the win and completed 8 of 12 passes for 138 yards. He also rushed for one score.
Cal-Hi Sports Northern California
Special Teams Player of the Week
Zach Bushling
(Kern Valley, Lake Isabella) Sr.
The Broncs won back-to-back games for the first time this season, led by their quarterback who does more than just take snaps under center, after a 32-14 win vs. Granite Hills of Porterville.
On offense, the three-sport star was 9 for 15 for 93 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. While playing defense, he also had an interception.
He’s getting this recognition, however, for special teams. Against Granite Hills, Bushling did all the kickoffs and aveaged 50.8 yards per punt. He also went a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points and made a 49-yard field goal.
Cal-Hi Sports Southern California
Offensive Player of the Week
Matt Robinson
(JSerra, San Juan Capistrano) Jr.
One of the top junior QBs in Southern California and younger brother of recent JSerra grad Nick Robinson, Matt collects this honor not just for being a QB with TD passes but also a QB who caught them.
In the Lions’ 45-35 win over Los Alamitos, Robinson passed for 341 yards and four touchdowns but the team also executed some trick plays.
During the first half, Robinson handed the ball to Riley O’Brien who passed it back to him for a 30-yard touchdown and in the second half the two connected again on a 40-yard touchdown on a 4th and 2 play with under three minutes remaining for their final score of the game.
Last summer, Robinson was named the Class of 2018 quarterback MVP at the University of Oregon Football Camp.
Cal-Hi Sports Southern California
Defensive Player of the Week
Andrew Amaya
(Santa Monica) Sr.
At 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds, it’s probably very inviting for opposing quarterbacks and receivers to pick on Andrew. But so far this season, he’s the one doing the picking.
In last Friday’s 53-3 romp by the Vikings over South of Torrance, Amaya came up with three interceptions to lead the defense. He also increased his season total to six and now has gotten at least one interception in four games.
In the same game, Amaya also caught two passes for 55 yards, bringing his receiving totals so far to 11 for 189 and one TD.
Cal-Hi Sports Southern California
Special Teams Player of the Week
Diego Cacho-Sousa
(Loyola, Los Angeles) Sr.
With the game on the line, Diego lined up for a 50-yard field goal on the final play of the game and made it to give the Cubs a stunning 24-23 win over previous No. 18 state-ranked Bishop Amat of La Puente.
Loyola also trailed Bishop Amat 23-14 with less than 20 seconds left and another reason for the amazing comeback was Cacho-Sousa executing an onside kick that was recovered.
Cacho-Sousa was chosen for this same honor during one week last season, but we couldn’t resist doing it again. For the season so far, he is 9-for-9 on PATs and has made four field goals. He also handles punting for the Cubs.
Video of his game-winning field goal.
This may be my favorite tweet ever! Cubs Win! @LoyolaAthletics 51 yard winning field goal after a recovered insides kick. What a game!! pic.twitter.com/lkvLlq1X0p
— Deannarelli (@Deannarelli) September 24, 2016
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
