PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tariq Bracy, Milpitas
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Linebacker: Henry To’oto’o, De La Salle, 6-2, 205, junior
What he did: Five-star recruit with numerous colleges offers, including Alabama, was superb on defense and offense for a program that continued its unbeaten streak against local competition, a run of success that reached 26 years this fall. To’oto’o was dominant from his linebacker spot and a physical force at running back, as he showed when De La Salle defeated Pittsburg for the North Coast Section Open Division championship.
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive back: Charles Alberty, McClymonds, 5-11, 180, senior
What he did: Standout helped lead McClymonds to its second consecutive state championship and a 14-0 record. Scored three TD in state final.
Defensive back: Jevon Holland, Bishop O’Dowd, 6-2, 185, senior
What he did: Oregon-bound player was defensive Player of Year in West Alameda County Conference Foothill Division. On offense, caught 36 passes for 1,033 yards and 12 TDs. Will play safety in college.
Defensive back: D’Angelo McKenzie, Valley Christian, 5-11, 175, senior
What he did: Washington State-bound standout and WCAL defensive back of the year was strong enough to play against the run and pass for a team that reached the section semifinals.
Defensive back: John Torchio, Campolindo, 6-2, 205, senior
What he did: Two-way standout. Defensive player of the year in his league. Intercepted seven passes. Also accounted for more than 4,000 yards of offense — 3,314 yards, 37 TDs passing.
Defensive line: Jacob Bandes, Pittsburg, 6-3, 285, junior
What he did: Most valuable player in the Bay Area’s strongest league this season. A force in the trenches for a team that won a league title and just missed a state crown.
Defensive line: Tuli Letuligasenoa, De La Salle, 6-2, 310, senior
What he did: USC commit missed a chunk of the season with a knee injury but dramatically changed the complexion of DLS’s defense when he returned, helping the Spartans win another NCS championship.
Defensive line: Atonio Mafi, Serra, 6-3, 360, senior
What he did: UCLA-bound standout and the WCAL’s most valuable player was a dominant force on both sides of the ball until an Achilles injury ended his season in the first playoff game.
Defensive line: RJ Stone, Valley Christian, 6-23, 210, senior
What he did: Washington State-bound pass rusher. Most valuable defensive lineman in the WCAL finished with 55 tackles — 11 for loss — and 7.5 sacks for team that reached a CCS semifinal.
Linebacker: Nicholas Einess, Liberty, 5-8, 165, junior
What he did: Defensive MVP in the Bay Valley Athletic League. Played much bigger than his size, finishing with 130 tackles and 5.5 sacks as Liberty won the NCS Division I championship.
Linebacker: Gabriel Erickson, Milpitas, 6-1, 220, senior
What he did: Defensive MVP in the SCVAL’s De Anza Division. Finished with 118 tackles as Milpitas won league, regional and state championships.
Linebacker: Opeti Fangupo, St. Francis, 5-10, 230, junior
What he did: Junior of the year in the WCAL. Stood out on defense and also was a powerful blocker and runner as a fullback.
Linebacker: Jack Lacy III, Pittsburg, 5-11, 210, junior
What he did: First-team all-Bay Valley Athletic League selection. Led top-notch defense with 65 tackles, including 11 for loss, to help Pittsburg win a NorCal championship.
Utility: Dylan Williams, Half Moon Bay, 5-9, 155, senior
What he did: Did a little of everything for NorCal champion. Went 73 for 73 on extra points and 10 of 12 on field goals, including two from 49 yards out. Also punted, returned kickoffs and played receiver and a little defense. Tied for second on the team with 10 TDs.
SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive back: Gabriel Dobbins, Clayton Valley Charter, 5-11, 164, senior
What he did: First-team all-league player finished with eight interceptions, tops in the NCS, as Clayton Valley reached the section’s Open Division playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Defensive back: Emany Johnson, Hercules, 6-2, 205, senior
What he did: First-team all-league player and two-way standout bound for Nevada was a big reason Hercules won 11 games and reached an NCS final.
Defensive back: Theori Oliver, Encinal, 6-1, 205, senior
What he did: Dynamic on offense and defense. Threw for 2,253 yards and 28 touchdowns with only three interceptions. Finished second on the team in tackles and intercepted two passes.
Defensive back: Delano Ware, El Cerrito, 6-0, 195, senior
What he did: Three-star standout bound for Illinois helped propel El Cerrito to a league championship and NCS berth, earning league defensive player-of-the-year honors along the way.
Defensive line: Isaiah Foskey, De La Salle, 6-4, 220, junior
What he did: Four-star player with offers from major programs, including Alabama. Helped lead De La Salle to 11 wins and an NCS championship.
Defensive line: Isaac Hodgins, Berean Christian, 6-1, 285, senior
What he did: Defensive player of the year in the DAL’s Valley Division. Signed with Oregon State. Led team with 98 tackles, 33.5 behind the line of scrimmage.
Defensive line: Joshua Pakola, St. Francis, 6-3, 230, junior
What he did: Four-star prospect; highest-rated South Bay/Pensinula player in the junior class by 247Sports.com. He is No. 15 overall in his class in California with 10 Pac-12 offers, as well as Georgia and Notre Dame.
Defensive line: JH Tevis, Menlo, 6-5, 227, senior
What he did: Cal-bound standout was named the MVP in his league as he helped Menlo reach a CCS final. Finished with 79 tackles, 32 for loss, and 14 sacks.
Linebacker: Jayden Clark, Dublin, 6-0, 210, senior
What he did: First-team all-EBAL selection led the Gaels with 180 tackles, including 21 for loss. Also contributed four sacks.
Linebacker: Daniel Heimuli, Menlo-Atherton, 6-2, 215, junior
What he did: Co-defensive player of the year in the PAL’s Bay Division. Three-star prospect led M-A in tackles with 93, including 18 for loss. Also had six sacks.
Linebacker: Isaiah Henry, Bishop O’Dowd, 5-11, 200, senior
What he did: First-team all-league pick. Helped the Dragons win a league title and reach the semifinals of the NCS Division III playoffs, finishing with a team-high 85 tackles, including 21 for loss.
Linebacker: Edmond Lahlouh, Serra, 6-0, 200, junior
What he did: First-team all-WCAL pick had 14 tackles, four behind the line of scrimmage, and 2.5 sacks in victory over Cajon in 2-AA state championship game.
Utility: Spencer Corona, Menlo-Atherton, 6-2, 180, senior
What he did: Caught 57 passes for 861 yards on nine TDs. Also played defense and had 47 touchbacks in 67 attempts as a kicker. Went 40 of 44 on extra-point tries and 6 of 8 on field-goal attempts, with a long of 43.
THIRD-TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive back: Angel Asiasi, De La Salle, 6-1, 210, senior
What he did: Hybrid safety/linebacker helped lead a defense that allowed just two touchdowns per games through the North Coast Section playoffs.
Defensive back: Jalen Mitchell, Pittsburg, 6-0, 160, senior
What he did: First-team all-league player had a team-high 12 passes defensed. Also recovered two fumbles and interception a pass for team that played in a state final.
Defensive back: Chris Park, Serra, 5-11, 175, senior
What he did: Columbia-bound player earned utility player of the year honors while helping Serra win league, section, regional and state titles. Had interception against Valley Christian and another against St. Francis.
Defensive back: Sione Vaki, Liberty, 6-0, 185, junior
What he did: First-team all-Bay Valley Athletic League. Finished the season with 45 tackles, an interception and two fumble recoveries as Liberty won the NCS Division I title.
Defensive line: Nick Alftin, Mitty, 6-6, 245, senior
What he did: First-team all-WCAL player bound for Cal. Led Mitty with 6.5 sacks and finished with 45 tackles, 12 behind the line of scrimmage.
Defensive line: Beau Garratt, San Ramon Valley, 5-9, 225, junior
What he did: First-team all-league selection. Helped lead San Ramon Valley to an unbeaten record in EBAL play and a berth in the NCS Open Division playoffs.
Defensive line: Ryan Nall, Acalanes, 6-4, 235, senior
What he did: Helped lead Acalanes to NCS Division III quarterfinals. First-team all-league pick led team in sacks with nine and had 66 tackles, 14.5 for loss.
Defensive line: Josiah Suani, Hayward, 6-0, 315, senior
What he did: Defensive player of the year in his league. Finished with 79 tackles, including 32 for loss. Led Hayward with 14 sacks.
Linebacker: Austin Ajiake, Bellarmine, 6-2, 215, senior
What he did: UNLV-bound standout and first-team all-WCAL selection was a standout for Bellarmine on defense and as a running back.
Linebacker: Junior Fehoko, St. Francis, 6-4, 240, senior
What he did: Helped lead St. Francis to regional and state championships, receiving first-team all-WCAL honors along the way.
Linebacker: Saluni Semisi, Northgate, 6-4, 215, senior
What he did: First-team all league selection with an offer from Wyoming. Led Northgate in tackles and sacks.
Linebacker: Kyle Smith, Los Gatos, 6-3, 215, junior
What he did: Junior of the year in the SCVAL De Anza Division. Led Los Gatos with 193 tackles, including seven for loss. Had eight quarterback hurries.
Utility: Jermaine Jackson, San Leandro, 5-8, 160, senior
What he did: Rushed for 751 yards and 16 TDs. Caught 31 passes for 595 yards and six TDs. Averaged 149.8 all-purpose yards per game. On defense, had 26 tackles, two interceptions and recovered a fumble.
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
Defensive back: LJ Anderson, Moreau Catholic; Lucas Andrighetto, St. Francis; Savaun Brown, Burlingame; Davion Cox, Aragon; Clay Facteau, San Ramon Valley; Sean Fitzgerald, Half Moon Bay; Willie Harts III, Pittsburg; Jashiri Harvey, Oak Grove; Derrick Langford, El Cerrito; Taveis Marshall, De La Salle; Areon Mitchell, SHC; Justin Sanders, Pittsburg; Joshua Scott, Deer Valley; Tristan Sinclair, San Ramon Valley; Richard Walls, Terra Nova; Larry Washington, Kennedy-Richmond; Devon Willis, Liberty; Deshon Wilson, Stellar Prep; Rejzohn Wright, James Logan.
Defensive line: Rafael Alvarado, Piedmont Hills; Arron Baird, Half Moon Bay; Parker Bosche, St. Mary’s; Nick Brown, Serra; Tyler Clemons, Alhambra; Emerson Freeman, Kennedy-Fremont; Bryan Friedel, California; Cade Hall, Bellarmine; Sam Hines, St. Mary’s; Noa Ngalu, Menlo-Atherton; Christian Ochoa, Woodside; Tevita Pahulu, Leigh; Michael Pryor, Pittsburg; Garrett Robinson, Antioch; Dimitri Sakalia, Menlo-Atherton.
Linebacker: Taj Banks, Encinal; Conner Edgar, Valley Christian; Camron Grant, Aragon; Omari Harris, Antioch; Kilifi Leaaetoa, Menlo-Atherton; Jadan McDermott, Harker; Brandon Owens, Bishop O’Dowd; Folasa’aitu Punalo Pulete Tofi, Riordan; Josue Rodriguez, Live Oak; Jason Severance, Amador Valley; Sam Walker, Miramonte; Jhasi Wilson, De La Salle.
Utility: Ben Acebo, Clayton Valley Charter; Nick Anderson, Menlo-Atherton; Will Cassriel, Miramonte; Zane Cribb, Monte Vista; Brandon Dumay, Richmond; Shalom Filoialii, Overfelt; Ethan Janto, Santa Teresa; Maurice Wilmer, St. Francis.