One of this week’s SoCal/NorCal players of the week, Saratoga QB Will Liddle, has been a varsity starter for the Falcons for three years. Photo: Hudl.com.
Saratoga QB goes big with 431 yards passing to nab NorCal player of the week honor, while our SoCal offensive choice scored six touchdowns for his second straight game. Others selected this week are from Norwalk, Riverside, Ukiah and Sacramento.
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 Southern California
Offensive Player of the Week
Nathan Tilford
(Colony, Ontario) Sr.
A player that we saw from Upland (his former school) three years ago as a freshman, Tilford has scored six touchdowns for two straight weeks in crazy games won by the Braves.
Two weeks ago, Tilford rushed for three TDs, caught two TD passes and returned a punt for a score in a 69-45 win vs. Ontario.
Then last week, he led a come-from-behind effort as the Titans beat Alta Loma 52-41. Colony trailed in that game by 14 at halftime and went on a 20-0 run in the fourth quarter.
Averaging 13 yards per carry, this Arizona-committed senior rushed for 260 yards and five touchdowns on 20 carries while also catching two passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. Tilford enters this week with 32 TDs this season and nearly 1,500 yards.
Cal-Hi Sports Southern California
Defensive Player of the Week
Jordan Thomas
(Norwalk) Sr.
He’s listed at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds but also plays fullback on offense for the Lancers.
While he had 19 carries for 151 yards and two TDs in a 40-28 triumph last Friday against Artesia of Lakewood, it’s what Thomas did on defense that earns this nod.
In addition to collecting 10 tackles and a pair of sacks, the senior defensive end also recovered a fumble and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown.
For the season, Thomas has 13 sacks and 55 tackles in helping Norwalk to a 6-3 record.
Cal-Hi Sports Southern California
Special Teams Player of the Week
Jon Garibay
(Rubidoux, Riverside) Sr.
Garibay’s strong leg has been one of the reasons the Falcons are sitting at 9-0 and considered among the top contenders for the CIF Southern Section Division X title.
In last week’s 45-0 win over Moreno Valley, Garibay booted all eight of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks and was credited on the team’s MaxPreps’ page with a state seasonal best 57-yard field goal. The only problem is that the game story in the Riverside Press-Enterprise listed it as a 50-yard field goal.
Although he had a 51-yard attempt blocked and missed on another attempt, making one from 57 would earn Garibay a listing in the Cal-Hi Sports state record book. The 50-yarder would not, but it’s still quite impressive. Rubidoux head coach Patrick Thompson couldn’t be reached in time to confirm the field goal length for this post.
It’s been a good year for Ukiah’s Eddie Holbrook. Eight interceptions so far on defense and was named Homecoming King. Photo: Ukiah Daily Journal.
Cal-Hi Sports Northern California
Offensive Player of the Week
William Liddle
(Saratoga) Sr.
Helping the Falcons snap a two-game losing streak, Liddle came up big by passing for a season-high 431 yards and four touchdowns during a 51-20 win on the road against Santa Clara.
Before watching the end of the game from the sideline, Liddle completed 39 of his 49 pass attempts without an interception while also rushing for 17 yards on three carries.
On the year, he has passed for 2,815 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing for 139 yards and one score.
Cal-Hi Sports Northern California
Defensive Player of the Week
Eddie Holbrook
(Ukiah) Sr.
While Eddie contributes on both sides of the ball it was his play on defense that earned him this honor as he intercepted two passes during a 41-31 win over Montgomery of Santa Rosa.
On offense, in the same game, he tied for the team lead with four catches that went for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Earlier this season, Holbrook had a three-interception game and now has eight interceptions for the season, which is one of the highest reported totals in the state. Eddie also has 29 receptions for 379 yards and four touchdowns.
[/caption]
Click on image to see video on why cleaning turf should be considered for every school.
Cal-Hi Sports Northern California
Special Teams Player of the Week
DaVon Owens
(Sacramento) Sr.
Starting from the opening kickoff, which he returned 85 yards for a score, it was a special day for this senior during a 62-19 win over Burbank of Sacramento.
Owens later contributed in every way possible on offense as he completed his lone pass attempt for a 34-yard touchdown, rushed for a touchdown and led the team in receiving with four receptions for 88 yards and a score. It’s a good thing he had the kickoff return so we could write him up for special teams.
On defense, Owens found the ball as well as he recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass.
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
