Charles Williams of Marin Catholic (left) combined 11 interceptions on defense with being an elite three-year starter at running back on offense to earn multiple major honors already for the 2023 season. At right, Owen Long of CIF D2-AA state champion La Serna of Whittier (1) celebrates with a teammate after catching TD pass in state final. Photos: Bill Schneider / VarsityPix.com / SportStars & Scott Kurtz / Cal-Hi Sports.
It can be confusing what’s medium schools vs large schools, especially in the world of competitive equity playoff divisions in which schools don’t know what divisions they will be in until playoffs actually begin, but we rely on our experience of covering the state to keep the format working. CIF D2-AA finalists La Serna of Whittier and Grant of Sacramento lead the way with three honorees on this year’s medium schools first & second teams. We’re now down to working on our final group of all-state football teams — large schools and overall — to complete the 45th straight year of these honors.
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RELATED ALL-STATE FOOTBALL CONTENT: Small Schools | Juniors (Gold Club) | Sophomores (Gold Club)
FOR ARCHIVE OF ALL-TIME ALL-STATE MEDIUM SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS SINCE 1989, CLICK HERE.
To order a commemorative, official All-State Football patch for those who’ve been named to one of our all-state teams for the 2023 fall season, go to this link from our friends at Billy Tees, which has been the official merchandiser of the CIF for many years.
A good rule of thumb for the annual Cal-Hi Sports Medium Schools All-State Football Teams is that the two teams that are in the CIF D2-AA or CIF D2-A state championship games each season should generally have more than one and usually three medium schools all-state players. The D1-AA and D1-A teams are large schools in addition to almost all schools that are in the top playoff divisions of every CIF section.
For this year’s all-state medium schools teams, CIF D2-AA state champion La Serna of Whittier and runner-up Grant of Sacramento both lead the way with three players on first or second team.
The Aztecs, who topped the Pacers 21-19 by stopping a two-point conversion inches short of the goal line with 2:17 left in the game, were led all season by San Gabriel Valley Tribune Player of the Year Owen Long. He rushed for 1,461 yards, caught a touchdown pass in the state final and was one of La Serna’s leading tacklers. He will play next at the University of Nevada. The team’s leading tackler, multi-year starter Adrian Castro, also gained a first team all-state spot along with Long. La Serna’s quarterback down the stretch, C.J. Ceron, who transferred in after the first few games when the program at Cathedral of Los Angeles was put on probation by the CIF Southern Section, also was known for his hard-hitting play at safety. He was named all-state second team on multi-purpose.
Phillip Ocon from St. Francis of La Canada was voted MVP of the Angelus League, a rare accomplishment for a lineman and even rarer in a league that also includes Loyola, St. Paul & Paraclete. Photo: Twitter.com.
Grant, which advanced to the state final by winning in the NorCal regional final in a matchup of CIF Sac-Joaquin Section D3 and D2 champions vs Rocklin, also has two players on first team and one on second. Oregon recruit Kingston Lopa, a 6-foot-5, 190-pounder who was the team’s leading receiver, was named first team as a defensive back. That’s where he probably is going to play in college. Running back Wayshawn Parker, who was regarded by many as the best RB in the SJS this season and will play next at Washington State, also is on first team. The squad’s player on second team all-state is junior defensive lineman Jeremiah Tuiileila, who already has been on all-state juniors. He ranked among the reported state leaders with 23 sacks and he had 130 tackles in 15 games.
Running back Bryson Donelson of Visalia Central Valley Christian, already named as the Medium Schools State Player of the Year after leading the Cavaliers to the CIF D2-A state title, didn’t have any teammates on first team all-state, but there were one who was on second team, senior offensive lineman Caleb Noeske, and one on third team, senior quarterback Brent Kroeze.
Owen Long was part of a unique situation this year involving the multi-purpose positions on first team and that is that it was just too hard to try to cut one of seven players out to make it to the usual number of 30. Instead, all seven were selected for a 31-player group. The other six were:
Junior receiver-defensive back Shane Rosenthal of Newbury Park (L.A. Daily News Player of the Year)
Senior running back-linebacker Sire Gaines from Orange Vista of Perris (Riverside Press-Enterprise Player of the Year)
Senior running back-defensive back Charles Williams from Marin Catholic of Kentfield (San Francisco Chronicle Bay Area Player of the Year & SportStars Magazine NorCal Player of the Year)
Senior wide receiver-defensive back Peyton Waters from Birmingham of Lake Balboa (L.A. City Section Player of the Year for the second year in a row)
Senior wide receiver-defensive back Trevor Rogers from Acalanes of Lafayette (led team to CIF D3-AA state title)
Senior wide receiver-defensive back Jaylen Thomas of Los Gatos (Bay Area News Group Player of the Year)
This is the 45th year of the Cal-Hi Sports all-state football teams (began during 1979-80 school year) and we will conclude all of the selections in a few days with first team overall offense, first team overall defense, second team overall, and third team large schools seniors only.
Note: Schools broken down into large, medium and small based on section playoff divisions but also on where they’ve been traditionally. We also will not generally consider a school close to or above 1,500 enrollment small school at all no matter what section or state playoff division that school is placed. This means a school like Lincoln of San Francisco, which has won CIF state titles in lower divisions, can’t ever be a “small” school. Medium, yes. Small, no. Many of the CIF L.A. City Section playoff teams, including D2 and D3, can’t be small schools, either, for same reason.
All-State Football Patches will again be handled this year by our friends at BillyTees.com. For more information about Cal-Hi Sports merchandise at BillyTees.com, CLICK HERE. The patches for 2023 are available now.
Cal-Hi Sports All-State Football
Medium Schools
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
WR Ryan Pellum (Millikan, Long Beach) 5-11, 170, Sr.
WR Logan Saldate (Palma, Salinas) 5-11, 185, Sr.
OL Marsel Akins (El Diamante, Visalia) 6-5, 265, Sr.
OL Paki Finau (Oak Hills, Hesperia) 6-5, 270, Sr.
OL Justin Hylkema (Wilcox, Santa Clara) 6-8, 315, Sr.
OL Berlin Lillard (Bishop O’Dowd, Oakland) 6-4, 290, Sr.
OL Philip Ocon (St. Francis, La Canada) 6-3, 315, Sr.
QB Brady Smigiel (Newbury Park) 6-4, 190, Soph.
RB Bryson Donelson (Central Valley Christian, Visalia) 6-0, 205, Sr.
RB Wayshawn Parker (Grant, Sacramento) 6-0, 185, Sr.
RB Herschel Turner (Mt. Diablo, Concord) 5-10, 190, Sr.
PK Trey Coleman (Del Norte, San Diego) 6-2, 190, Sr.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Royce Mendoza just had to be on this all-state team after he had eight interceptions in six playoff games for a team that won the CIF D5-AA state title. He had 10 overall for the season and had four pick six TDs as well. Photo: Ramona HS Football / Facebook.com.
DL Jalonn Booth (Merced) 6-3, 230, Sr.
DL Mario Crocitto
(Marin Catholic, Kentfield) 6-2, 220, Sr.
DL Troy Hill (McClymonds, Oakland) 6-2, 210, Sr.
LB Adrian Castro (La Serna, Whittier) 5-11, 230, Sr.
LB Justice Crauel-Tebong (Soquel) 6-4, 225, Sr.
LB Noah Mikhail (Bonita, La Verne) 6-3, 220, Jr.
LB Jerry Misaalefua (Carson) 6-0, 210, Sr.
DB Dayday Aiupiu (Pacifica, Oxnard) 6-2, 170, Sr.
DB Kamani Jackson (El Cerrito) 6-0, 175, Sr.
DB Kingston Lopa (Grant, Sacramento) 6-5, 190, Sr.
DB Royce Mendoza (Ramona, Riverside) 5-5, 155, Sr.
P Talan Samosky (Poly, Riverside) 5-10, 155, Sr.
FIRST TEAM MULTI-PURPOSE
RB/LB Sire Gaines (Orange Vista, Perris) 6-0, 195, Sr.
RB/DB Owen Long (La Serna, Whittier) 6-2, 195, Sr.
WR/DB Trevor Rogers (Acalanes, Lafayette) 6-3, 195, Sr.
WR/DB Shane Rosenthal (Newbury Park) 5-11, 175, Jr.
WR/DB Jaylen Thomas (Los Gatos) 6-0, 175, Sr.
WR/DB Peyton Waters
(Birmingham, Lake Balboa) 6-2, 175, Sr.
RB/DB Charles Williams (Marin Catholic, Kentfield) 6-1, 175, Sr.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
WR Shawn Irwin (Hart, Newhall) 6-0, 185, Sr.
WR Reese Leonard (Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach) 6-3, 185, Sr.
TE Ryner Swanson (Laguna Beach) 6-4, 240, Sr.
OL Caleb Noeske (Central Valley Christian, Visalia) 6-2, 265, Sr.
OL David Perez (Downey) 6-3, 275, Sr.
OL Jay Tauala-Harris (Lakewood) 6-3, 280, Sr.
OL Jett Thomas (La Jolla) 6-4, 300, Jr.
OL Jezniah Thurston (Citrus Valley, Redlands) 6-4, 280, Sr.
QB Dom Ingrassia (San Marin, Novato) 6-3, 200, Sr.
RB Zach Homan (Cardinal Newman, Santa Rosa) 5-11, 205, Sr.
RB Ardwon Morris (Orange) 5-10, 210, Sr.
PK Dawit Crain (Yucaipa) 6-6, 215, Sr.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Hayden Anderson made his first impressions as a freshman two years ago as a receiver. For the 2023 season, he was named Defensive Player of the Year by the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat so he fit best on this team on defense, too. Photo: Mark Tennis.
DL Lyndon Bailey (Los Gatos) 6-5, 220, Sr.
DL Gavin Garretson
(Pleasant Valley, Chico) 6-7, 240, Jr.
DL Kai Preisendorf (Redwood, Visalia) 6-3, 245, Sr.
DL Jeremiah Tuiileilua
(Grant, Sacramento) 6-3, 225, Jr.
LB J.R. Kirkwood (Culver City) 6-3, 215, Sr.
LB Jacob Reis (Palos Verdes, PV Estates) 6-0, 195, Sr.
LB Jake Silverman (Torrance) 6-1, 210, Jr.
DB Hayden Anderson (Windsor) 6-1, 180, Jr.
DB Kobe Green (Lemoore) 5-9, 170, Sr.
DB Brandon Lockhart
(Loyola, Los Angeles) 6-2, 170, Soph.
DB Loyall Mouzon (Millikan, Long Beach) 5-11, 170, Sr.
P Emiliano Salazar (Villa Park) 6-1, 180, Sr.
SECOND TEAM MULTI-PURPOSE
QB/DB C.J. Ceron (La Serna, Whittier) 5-11, 180, Sr.
WR/DB Dillon Gresham (San Jacinto) 6-0, 175, Sr.
WR/DB Matt Long
(Vista del Lago, Folsom) 6-0, 200, Sr.
QB/RB John Sanders (St. Francis, La Canada) 6-0, 180, Jr.
RB/LB John Stowers (Overfelt, San Jose) 6-3, 245, Sr.
RB/WR Jordan Washington (Jordan, Long Beach) 5-10, 170, Sr.
THIRD TEAM OFFENSE
WR Cory Hall (Cleveland, Reseda) 6-2, 200, Sr.
WR Gavin Hrynezuk (Don Lugo, Chino) 6-3, 175, Sr.
WR Ty Olsen (Del Norte, San Diego) 6-2, 190, Jr.
TE Decker DeGraff (Glendora) 6-4, 230, Sr.
TE Wyatt Hook (Homestead, Cupertino) 6-6, 235, Sr.
OL Hayden Frazier (Cypress) 6-4, 290, Sr.
OL Matt Hildren (Cardinal Newman, Santa Rosa) 6-6, 280, Sr.
OL Cole McGovern (Moorpark) 6-4, 285, Sr.
OL Landon Talo (Ramona) 6-2, 290, Sr.
OL Xavier Thorpe (Livermore) 6-5, 240, Sr.
QB Sully Bailey (Acalanes, Lafayette) 6-1, 185, Sr.
QB Matthew Barton (Mt. Miguel, Spring Valley) 5-11, 175, Sr.
QB Brent Kroeze (Central Valley Christian, Visalia) 6-0, 170, Sr.
QB Anthony Luna (Western, Anaheim) 6-0, 205, Sr.
QB Sammy Silvia (Culver City) 6-3, 195, Sr.
RB Luke Cochran (Moorpark) 5-10, 185, Sr.
RB Dion Coleman (Chico) 5-8, 185, Sr.
RB Karson Cox (Oak Hills, Hesperia) 6-0, 190, Jr.
RB Bryson Davis (Manteca) 6-1, 210, Sr.
RB Eimesse Essis (Tustin) 5-8, 160, Jr.
RB Brice Hawkins (Simi Valley) 5-9, 170, Jr.
RB Jason Hong (South Pasadena) 5-9, 190, Sr.
RB J.J. Solis (Aquinas, San Bernardino) 6-0, 175, Jr.
RB Noah Taylor (Sobrato, Morgan Hill) 6-1, 190, Sr.
RB Carter Vargas (St. Joseph, Santa Maria) 6-0, 200, Sr.
PK Dylan Fingersh (Capistrano Valley, Mission Viejo) 5-10, 170, Sr.
THIRD TEAM DEFENSE
Sammy Silvia of Culver City will qualify for the all-time state career passing lists for yards (8,520) and touchdowns (89). He also scored 1320 on the SAT. Photo: George Laase / Culver City News.
DL Kodi Cornelius
(Casa Grande, Petaluma) 6-1, 290, Sr.
DL Tommy Ducker (Palma, Salinas) 6-3, 255, Sr.
DL William Matthew
(Orange Vista, Perris) 6-2, 290, Sr.
DL Carson Moore
(Palos Verdes, PV Estates) 6-4, 220, Sr.
DL Maynor Morales
(Birmingham, Lake Balboa) 6-1, 200, Sr.
DL Nehemiah Williams
(Mountain House) 6-4, 250, Sr.
LB Christian Brooks
(Corona del Mar, Newport Beach) 6-1, 210, Sr.
LB Shakir Collins (Adelanto) 6-2, 220, Sr.
LB Evan Combs
(Casa Roble, Orangvale) 5-11, 185, Sr.
LB Khalid Farah
(Del Norte, San Diego) 6-1, 200, Sr.
LB Reid Farrell (Valencia) 6-0, 215, Sr.
LB Wes Garton (San Marin, Novato) 6-1, 195, Sr.
LB Tyree McCowan (Lakewood) 6-1, 205, Sr.
DB Ahmad Chapman (Cajon, San Bernardino) 6-3, 170, Sr.
DB Jaylen Ephraim (Jurupa Hills, Fontana) 6-1, 175, Sr.
DB Tanner Fye (Hemet) 6-0, 195, Sr.
DB Scott Garwood (Los Gatos) 5-10, 170, Sr.
DB Jamil Kassab (Ramona) 6-0, 170, Sr.
P Lucas LeSieur (Northgate, Walnut Creek) 6-0, 185, Sr.
THIRD TEAM MULTI-PURPOSE
RB/QB/DB Brady Allen (Point Loma, San Diego) 6-3, 215, Sr.
QB/RB Judson Anderson (Windsor) 6-2, 215, Sr.
RB/LB Carter Christie (Villa Park) 5-11, 195, Sr.
WR/DB Adonyss Currie (Quartz Hill) 6-3, 175, Jr.
RB/DB Kourdey Glass (Hanford) 5-11, 190, Jr.
RB/DB Xavier Grant (Gardena) 5-10, 180, Jr.
RB/DB Devin Green (Grant, Sacramento) 5-11, 205, Sr.
QB/RB Robert Guerrero (Banning, Wilmington) 6-2, 185, Sr.
WR/DB Chance Harrison (Rio Mesa, Oxnard) 6-1, 175, Sr.
QB/RB David Herrera (Los Banos) 6-1, 190, Sr.
RB/WR Kenny Jackson (Mission Oak, Tulare) 5-11, 185, Sr.
TE/LB Preston Jernegan (St. Francis, La Canada) 6-2, 215, Sr.
WR/RB Josh Joyner (Pacifica, Oxnard) 5-10, 175, Sr.
WR/KR Paul Kuhner (Acalanes, Lafayette) 6-0, 185, Sr.
WR/DB Jordan McCord (Soquel) 5-11, 175, Sr.
RB/DB Marquis Monroe (Ayala, Chino Hills) 5-10, 170, Sr.
QB/RB Abel Renteria (Santa Barbara) 6-3, 220, Sr.
MEDIUM SCHOOLS STATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
(previously announced):
Bryson Donelson (Central Valley Christian, Visalia) Sr.
MEDIUM SCHOOLS & OVERALL STATE COACH OF THE YEAR
(previously announced):
Floyd Burnsed (Acalanes, Lafayette)
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
