As we collected info for the six SoCal/NorCal Players of the Week in football, here’s a few others from last week’s games that put up totals that caught our attention. Note: Prep Notes With a Twist column just taking this week off.
Cooper Barkate (St. Margaret’s, SJ Capistrano)
Had one of the best all-around outings of the season that included 10 catches for 119 yards and two TDs in team’s 49-16 win vs. El Toro of Lake Forest. In same game, Cooper threw a 10-yard TD pass, came up with an interception on defense and he scored on a 80-yard kickoff return.
Stephen Britton (Santa Fe Christian, Solana Beach)
In a 51-28 win over La Jolla Country Day (which was 4-0 coming in), Britton was great running the ball with 26 carries for 310 yards and five touchdowns. LJCD still looks like the team to beat in the CIF San Diego D4 playoffs (so it would be small schools for our rankings). SFC is in a much higher playoff bracket (so it would be medium schools).
Jesse Carmona (Ganesha, Pomona)
The sophomore quarterback ran and passed the Giants to a 60-36 win against Montclair. He had 261 yards passing with four TDs. As a rusher, Carmona shined with 26 carries for 228 yards and two other scores
Youlas Dickson (Buhach Colony, Atwater)
The senior speedster ripped off a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown during the Thunder’s 37-21 victory over Patterson. His returns have been a big reason why Buhach has started 5-0. Dickson scored on his sixth kick return (punts or kickoffs) this season and is getting close to being in the state record book.
Zevi Eckhaus & Chris Miller (Culver City)
We’re not sure what the official final numbers are because Culver City hasn’t used MaxPreps this season, but one report had Eckaus 36 of 53 for 577 yards passing and seven touchdowns in the Centaurs’ wild-and-wacky 55-52 win in double-overtime last week over Palos Verdes. Another had him with 548. Either total makes the all-time state list. Miller moved into a tie for third on the all-time state list with six TD catches. He had more than 300 yards (makes state record list) but again official final totals are not in yet. The one we saw had him at 19 catches for 325 yards.
Kannon Gibson (Mariposa County, Mariposa)
Not only did he come up with three interceptions for the Grizzlies in their matchup with Orestimba of Newman, but one of them was for a touchdown and that was the only touchdown of the game in Mariposa’s 7-6 triumph.
Ben Gulbranson (Newbury Park)
THe 6-foot-3, 210-pound Oregon State-committed quarterback connected on 25 of 39 passes for 446 yards and six TDs in a 63-56 victory vs. Venice. Facing a D1 college-bound QB on the other team, Gulbranson also dove in for a pair of rushing TDs. Tyson Lundring was Newbury’s top receiver with six grabs for 2-6 yards and three TDs. Luca Diamont led Venice with 185 yards passing (four TDs) plus 149 yards rushing (two TDs).
Jared Haywood (Inglewood)
THe Sentinels have an explosive lineup this year with Haywood at the helm and put everything on display last week during 46-3 romp past Victor Valley of Victorville. Haywood hit on 17 of 21 passes for 417 yards and seven TDs. He now has 19 TD passes on the season.
Michael Knight (Brookside Christian, Stockton)
At this point of the season, Knight may be the state rushing leader. He moved to 1,249 yards this year after going for 318 yards on 19 carries with four TDs as Brookside outlasted Millennium of Tracy 44-32.
J.D. Laverdiere (Mt. Miguel, Spring Valley)
A junior to watch, Laverdiere accounted for seven touchdowns in team’s 46-28 win vs. Valhalla of El Cajon. Laverdiere passed for 355 yards and three TDs and scored four times on the ground.
Shamar Oliver (Mira Monte, Bakersfield) &
Kaden Preston (Kern Valley, Lake Isabella)
Oliver rushed for a career high of 305 yards on 34 carries and scored two touchdowns in a 32-29 win over Kern Valley. Junior quarterback Preston did all he could by passing for a career high of 397 yards on 21-44-1 and two touchdowns, rushed for 154 yards on 8 carries and one score.
Aramel Villa (Liberty, Madera Ranchos)
He kicked three field goals of 42, 50 & 32 yards, plus one extra point for 10 kicking points for the game as Liberty edged visiting Templeton 23-20.
