Undersized but tough, Ripon High’s Jacob Duxbury and Matthew Ysit managed to stand out enough to earn top honors on the All-Trans-Valley League team.
Duxbury, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound running back, had a knack for shining brightest during the Indians’ biggest league games and was named Offensive Player of the Year. The 5-8, 160-pound Ysit had another productive season at inside linebacker and was the choice for Defensive Player of the Year. Six other Indians were first-team selections, including Outstanding Defensive Lineman Cody Haines.
Chris Johnson shares Coach of the Year honors with Hilmar’s Frank Marques after they led their teams to the co-championship. Ripon (4-1 TVL, 6-5 overall), though, toppled Hilmar (4-1, 9-4) 52-35 on the road in the first week of league action. A Week 10 upset loss at Hughson prevented the Indians from claiming sole possession of the crown. It’s the second league title Ripon earned under Johnson, who stepped down as head coach last week after 12 seasons.
Duxbury had his best effort of the year in the Hilmar game, when he exploded for 207 yards rushing, 113 receiving and three touchdowns. He had another heroic performance in Week 9 against Escalon, coming down with a one-handed touchdown catch as time expired in a dramatic 18-15 win that secured at least a title share for Ripon.
Overall, Duxbury finished with 756 rushing yards (8.0 per carry) and seven touchdowns, 516 yards and nine touchdowns on 58 receptions. He had another touchdown on a punt return and averaged 140.6 all-purpose yards.
Ysit was one of Ripon’s tackling machines on the defensive end. He had 18 stops in each of Ripon’s final three TVL contests and finished with 134 for the regular season to go with 2.5 sacks, an interception and three fumble recoveries — one of which was returned for a touchdown against Mountain House. His older brother, Michael Ysit, was the 2013 All-TVL Offensive Back of the Year.
Haines, a 6-4, 180-pound defensive end, led Ripon with seven sacks and was fourth on the team with 63 tackles. He also had four pass deflections, two forced fumbles and a recovery.
Other players receiving “Most Outstanding” honors for their position are: Hughson’s Kyle Harp (offensive lineman), Hilmar’s Alex Chavez (receiver), Hilmar’s Daniel Texeira (offensive back), Hughson’s Justice Futch (linebacker) and Hilmar’s Cody Rentfro (defensive back).
Also making the first-team cut for Ripon: third-year varsity quarterback Nick Price (1,583 yards, 14 touchdowns), center Lionel Reyes, outside linebacker Angelo Baciocco (39 tackles, two interceptions), inside linebacker Bryce Kinsey (137 yards, 3.5 sacks) and defensive back Andrew Wood (40 tackles, three interceptions). Luis Candido, Matt Dedonatis, Jacob Martin and Drake Vizcarra were selected to the second team.