Gilroy senior running back Brandon Boyd follows a convoy of blockers in last week’s game vs. Gonzales. Photo: Lora Schraft/Gilroy Dispatch.
We will lead off the State Stat Stars every week with the Northern California and Southern California Players of the Week, which were announced on Wednesday night on Time Warner Cable’s Varsity Roundup show. We will then present the stat stars each week according to performance and no longer simply alphabetical.
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 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.
Note: All football state records are in the process of being added to this web site. They will be part of our Gold Club membership. To join our Gold Club today, please CLICK HERE.
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. 26 to Sept. 28.
Northern California Player of the Week
Brandon Boyd (Gilroy)
Brandon is the top running back in the north for rushing yards with 1,204 so far and he’s only played four games compared to five for most. He had 10 carries for 304 yards and five TDs last week in a 70-0 romp past Gonzales, but it’s his overall season which is why he’s being singled out. It was his third 300-yard game of the season so far and in his only game below 300 he had 242. So far this season, Boyd also has scored 15 TDs although Gilroy has lost twice and is just 2-2. Boyd is the son of Gilroy head coach Brian Boyd.
Southern California Player of the Week
Trey Tinsley (El Toro, Lake Forest)
A 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior who is replacing graduated star Conner Manning (now at Utah) as the hub of the El Toro pass-crazy offense, Tinsley set two state records in a 42-35 win over Villa Park. He completed 50 of 75 passes for 504 yards and six touchdowns.
According to our own Cal-Hi Sports state record book, for most attempts in a game, his total of 75 breaks the previous record of 73 set in 2008 by James Boyd of L.A. Jordan. In a 49-32 loss to Mater Dei that year, Boyd went 36 of 73. For most completions in a game, Trey’s total of 50 breaks the previous record of 49 set in 2009 by Jason Lee from Downey of Modesto. He went 49 of 63 in a 41-35 loss to Johansen of Modesto.
Tinsley’s big game also pushed his season totals to 1,725 yards and 18 TDs. Last year, Manning went 44 of 58 in a 77-46 win over Valhalla of El Cajon and he also went 44 of 66 in a game against Huntington Beach.
PASSING
Sam Metcalf (Farmersville)
The junior quarterback set two school records and tied two CIF Central Section Section records (according to section historian Bob Barnett) by passing for seven touchdowns and rushed for one touchdown for a total of eight. He amassed 467 yards through the air on 19 completions in 39 attempts, which is 13th best in section history as Farmersville beat Minarets 58-41.
El Toro’s Trey Tinsley is making a name for himself as Chargers’ latest QB. Photo: Courtesy school.
Brandon Dawkins (Oaks Christian, Westlake Village)
Finding Chris Davis early and often during the Lions’ 45-35 win over Crenshaw of Los Angeles, he passed for 454 yards and five touchdowns. Davis caught 11 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns.
Nolan Merker (Sheldon, Sacramento)
After being shut out by Elk Grove the week before, the Huskies defeated Laguna Creek of Elk Grove 33-30. Merker completed 26 of his 39 pass attempts for 447 yards and five touchdowns. He had eight TD passes in a game earlier this season.
Joseph Muriel (Roosevelt, Eastvale)
While he didn’t throw as many passes as some others listed here, Muriel did complete 22 of his 33 pass attempts for 428 yards and six touchdowns as the Mustangs defeated La Quinta 51-29. Praise Obiezu was his leading target with seven catches for 214 yards and four touchdowns.
Jonathan Sturholm (Mt. Eden, Hayward)
It was a shootout in the Monarchs’ game against Mt. Diablo of Concord. Sturholm completed 27 of his 41 pass attempts for 420 yards and five touchdowns as the Monarchs were able to get the 48-40 win.
Marcus McMaryion (Dinuba)
It wasn’t 501 yards like he had in one game last year, but Marcus set a school record and tied a section record by passing for seven touchdowns in a 66-52 shootout loss to Porterville. McMaryion also finished 27 of 42 for 375 yards before an overflow crowd.
Jake Browning (Folsom)
Playing just one drive into the second half, Browning still finished with six touchdown passes and 361 yards in Folsom’s 49-21 win against Monterey Trail of Elk Grove. He also completed 23 of his 27 pass attempts and now had 30 TD passes in five games. Will McClure continued his huge season as well with four touchdown catches.
Jake Pruitt (Sierra, Manteca)
In a 44-7 win on homecoming night against Kimball of Tracy, Pruitt shined by hitting on 20 of 28 passes for 351 yards. It was his second State Stat Star effort of the season. He also scored once and threw four TD passes.
Anthony Gordon (Terra Nova, Pacifica)
Being in “The Pit” at Salinas didn’t deter Gordon from qualifying for this feature a third time this season. The Tigers’ quarterback passed for 347 yards and three TDs in a 38-13 victory.
Anthony Lawrence (Grossmont, La Mesa)
The returning standout from last year was nearly perfect, but settled on going 16 of 18 through the air for 328 yards and five TDs to lead the Foothillers past Otay Ranch of Chula Vista 42-7.
Peyton Wilfey (Casa Roble, Orangevale)
To earn a spot as one of our finalists for NorCal player of the week, he completed 22 of his 25 pass attempts for 311 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 70 yards and two more scores during a 55-35 road win for the Rams over Roseville.
Cristian Solano (San Fernando)
He passed for 305 yards and five touchdowns in only one half of play as the unbeaten Tigers crushed Van Nuys 68-22 in a Valley Mission League opener. All-City wideout Charles Bell caught five passes for 139 yards with three of those going for scores. With the win, San Fernando also broke into this week’s CIF D2 South bowl game rankings.
Brian Gadsby (Crescenta Valley, La Crescenta)
In a 43-18 Pacific League victory over Pasadena, Gadsby passed for five TDs. The junior QB now has 18 touchdowns without an interception for the unbeaten Falcons, according to Gerry Gittleson of the L.A. Daily News.
RECEIVING
Dominic Collins (El Toro, Lake Forest)
As quarterback Trey Tinsley was putting up a record number of pass attempts and completions in El Toro’s 42-35 win over Villa Park, Collins was the leading target as he caught 18 passes for 226 yards and three scores.
Marc Ellis (Granite Bay)
The Grizzlies showed they can do more then just run the football in their 39-35 win over Pittsburg. Ellis caught 14 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns, which included the game-winner.
Carter Otte (Verdugo Hills, Tujunga)
While happy to catch 14 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns, he had to be dissapointed that it wasn’t enough for the Dons to get their first win of the season in a 52-34 final score against Village Christian of Sun Valley.
Brayden Shouse (Vista del Lago, Folsom)
They aren’t the most high-powered offense that’s in their own town but the Eagles are now 4-1 and throw the ball all over the place just like the Folsom Bulldogs. Shouse caught 14 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-19 win over El Dorado of Placerville. At the QB position, Matt Jimision passed for 434 yards and four touchdowns.
Trevor Wright (Upland)
He caught 14 passes for 205 yards from QB Tyler Hilinski (284 yards, 4 TDs), but more importantly hauled in the game-winning two-point conversion in a 43-42 victory over Santiago of Corona. Wright also caught a 9-yard touchdown pass in overtime, then the two-point conversion as Upland coach Tim Salter decided to go for the win.
Taron Johnson (Sheldon, Sacramento)
Johnson and the rest of the Huskies’ offense got going again after being shutout by Elk Grove the week before as he caught 13 passes for 277 yards and four touchdowns in a 33-30 win against Laguna Creek of Elk Grove 33-30.
Malik Kimbrough (San Jacinto)
Catching nine passes for 223 yards and three scores, Malik helped the Tigers move to 3-2 on the season with a 59-20 win over Palm Desert.
Brandon Presley (Great Oak, Temecula)
It was a pair of juniors that connected early and often against Chino Hills in Great Oak’s 47-42 loss. Laquan Williams passed for 437 yards and four touchdowns with Presley the leading target with seven catches for 263 yards and three touchdowns.
Jamie Stewart (El Segundo)
He had five catches, but four of them went for scores in Gundo’s 49-35 loss to Oak Park of Agoura Hills. Stewart finished with 159 yards receiving.
Lavan Alston (St. Bonaventure, Ventura)
Junior wideout had 235 yards receiving and touchdowns of 65 and 21 yards from sophomore Darius Vines in the Seraphs’ 38-24 loss to Alemany of Mission Hills.
Coach and trainer Chris Asher works with state stat stars of all ages, helping them to improve their speed, quickness and agility. He is based in Hollywood, also has a role with the UCLA track program and serves athletes within many miles of his location. For more about him, CLICK HERE. For more about his Gold Medal Excellence training program, CLICK HERE.
RUSHING
Dylan Alvarado (Calistoga)
The famous mineral and drinking waters of this resort town are no finer than the rushing of this 5-foot-8, but quick and strong 170-pound running back, who’s the biggest reason the Wildcats are 5-0 and out to one of their best starts in school history. The No. 6 reported rusher in the state went for 407 yards and seven touchdowns on 31 carries, in a 55-28 win over Emeryville Emery. That gives him 1,098 yards and 14 TDs this season, plus Alvarado also plays linebacker and punts.
Jasper Andrade (Nuview Bridge, Nuevo)
He wasn’t Casper the friendly ghost for Bloomington Christian last week as he carried the ball 27 times for 390 yards and two touchdowns in a 68-28 triumph by the Knights. They also got their third win of the season.
Jacob Larue (Verbum Dei, Los Angeles)
He rushed for 386 yards and three touchdowns on only 19 carries as Verb walloped Don Bosco Tech of Rosemead 52-0.
Edgar Segura (Mendota)
The Man from Mendota raced for 375 yards on 18 carries and scored seven touchdowns as the Aztecs ran away from Yosemite of Oakhurst 65-28. Edgar also now has 97 career touchdowns. He also has rushed for 1,078 yards so far this season.
De Zhontaey Flecher (Oak Hills, Hesperia)
The D2 South ranked Bulldogs are now 5-0 after a 41-0 win over A.B. Miller of Fontana that saw Fletcher rush for 323 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries.
Isaiah Figueroa (Gustine)
Despite only finding the end zone twice for scores, Figueroa did gain 308 yards on his 28 carries during a 71-21 win for the Redskins against Turlock Christian of Turlock.
Harris Ross (Pittsburg)
Granite Bay may have won the game 39-35, but the Grizzlies couldn’t stop this 6-1, 205-pound Hawaii-committed running back from continuing to rack up big yards against top-notch competition. Ross rumbled for 302 yards and four TDs on only 22 carries, and now is tops in NorCal and No. 2 in the state with 1,271 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Brandon Alexander (San Pasqual Academy, Escondido)
Outscoring Cornerstone Christian of Wildomar on his own, Alexander scored four touchdowns while also gaining 302 yards on 15 carries as the Dragons roared their way to the 54-18 win.
Dylan Easterling (Lowell, San Francisco)
He had 295 yards rushing and four touchdowns to lead visiting Lowell to a 57-21 victory over Daly City Jefferson.
Royce Freeman (Imperial)
No stranger to this list, Freeman sparked the Tigers to their fifth win of the year 58-17 over Olympian of Chula Vista. He carried 22 times for 291 yards and five touchdowns.
Andrew Brown (Ripon Christian)
Making sure the Knights would open Southern League play with a win, he rushed for 287 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries in a 27-21 win over Mariposa County.
Nico Evans (Loyola, Los Angeles)
He scampered for 245 yards and hit paydirt four times in the Cubbies’ 49-29 win over Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach. Sebastian Franck-Love rushed for 291 yards on 27 carries and a touchdown in a losing cause for the Mustangs.
DeAngello Torres (El Diamante, Visalia)
Torres rushed for a career high of 260 yards on 19 carries and scored four touchdowns (20, 7, 7, and 15 yards) in a 49-10 win against Mt. Whitney of Visalia in the opening game of the West Yosemite League.
Sheldon Arnold (Santee, Los Angeles)
Churned for 229 yards and four scores as Santee topped Belmont of Los Angeles, 27-7. This junior tailback has 982 yards and 14 touchdowns through four games.
Lavell Thompson (South Gate)
The Rams’ top running back since Marco Vasquez in 2003 (1,891 yards), this junior rushed for 228 yards on only 10 carries in a 50-6 Eastern League win over Jordan of Los Angeles. His touchdowns covered 40, 30, 35, 45 and 45 yards. Teammate Alex Flatos got into the act with 170 yards rushing and two touchdowns on only six carries. According to Ron Guild of the L.A. Wave, Thompson has rushed for 867 yards and is averaging 14.2 yards per carry.
Demario Richard (Palmdale)
Highly-recruited running back ranked as the No. 3 prospect at his position in the state by Cal-Hi Sports rushed for 225 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries in a 35-0 win over Eastside of
Lancaster.
ALL-PURPOSE
Ajene Harris (Crenshaw, Los Angeles)
This major dual-threat is also a good safetyman for the Cougars. Under center, Harris passed for 213 yards and rushed for an additional 151 yards, but it wasn’t enough as Crenshaw lost to state-ranked Oaks Christian 45-35 (see Brandon Dawkins). His rushing yardage came on 11 carries and he hit paydirt twice while his passing mark came on 19 of 36 attempts.
Jorge Reyna (Downey)
He accounted for a whopping 445 yards, but it wasn’t enough as the Vikings fell to Huntington Beach 37-29. He passed for 301 yards on 19 of 30 attempts and added 144 yards on the ground on 17 rushes.
Anthony Carswell (Millikan, Long Beach)
Returned two punts for touchdowns against hapless Compton during the Rams’ 54-0 victory. He also scored a rushing touchdown for a team that won its first Moore League game since 2009.
DEFENSE
Dechaun Holiday (Mission Hills, San Marcos)
In a surprisingly easy 30-6 victory over Oceanside, the biggest win in the 10-year history of the school, this 6-foot-2, 195-pound junior safety and D1 prospect had three interceptions, including one he took 64 yards to pay dirt.
Joey Pena (Wilson, Los Angeles)
He racked up six tackles and three interceptions as the Mules upped their record to 5-0 with a 21-13 victory over Diego Rivera Learning Complex of Los Angeles.
Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter: @CalHiSports
