1. DB/WR Jayden Harris, Manteca, Sr.
Versatile defensive back is coming off a breakout campaign in which he finished among the state leaders in interceptions.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Harris earned Co-Outstanding Defensive Player in the Valley Oak League after picking off nine passes, two returned for touchdowns. He also racked up 63, tackles, six for losses, two sacks, two forced fumbles and 11 pass break-ups.
A three-star prospect, Harris has received seven Division I offers and is committed to Washington State. He will get to show off more of his offensive chops this season as a receiver opposite twin brother Jaylin. Jayden displayed his big-play ability with few opportunities, collecting 186 yards and two touchdowns on just four receptions.
2. RB Nikko Juarez, Manteca, Sr.
Manteca coach Mark Varnum is anticipating the best season yet from Juarez, who was called up to varsity duty early in his freshman year and never looked back.
“He’s prime to have his biggest year ever,” Varnum said. “He’s a whole new kid who committed himself to getting bigger, stronger and quicker in the offseason. He looks like a four-year varsity player and the best running back in the Valley. We’re excited for him to prove it.”
Juarez set career-high marks last season, scampering for more than 1,700 yards go with 25 touchdowns en route to garnering MaxPreps Junior of the Year honors in the Sac-Joaquin Section.
3. DT Malachi Joseph, Lathrop, Sr.
“It all starts with Malachi,” Lathrop coach Justin Muschott said of the 6-foot-4, 295-pound colossus.
The reigning Western Athletic Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year anchored a unit that allowed just 15 points per game. Joseph finished second on the team with six tackles for losses, finishing with 43 tackles in all. When he wasn’t making the plays, Joseph was clearing the path for the likes of two-time conference MVP Pablo Peña to clean up.
“When you got Malachi commanding attention in the middle, he’s such a presence that you can have someone else take advantage because he (Joseph) gets those double teams,” Muschott said.
4. G Michael Lopez, Manteca, Sr.
The 6-0, 250-pound pulling guard made the All-VOL First Team as a junior, helping the Buffaloes average more than 300 yards of offense — the majority of it on the ground.
Lopez is back for a third varsity season and stars for an experienced offensive line doing the dirty work for a deep and dynamic corps of skill-position players.
“He’s one of the best technical linemen we’ve coached,” Varnum said. “He does everything right. If guys around him want to know what to do, just watch him.”
5. QB Andrew Shaw, Ripon, Sr.
Ripon’s Gun-T offense revolves around the dual-threat ability of its 5-11, 185-pound signal caller.
Second-year coach Cole Williams believes Shaw is due for a big senior campaign after earning All-Trans Valley League Second-Team recognition.
“He’s really coming into his own,” Williams said. “He had a good season last year, but he has gained maturity and a better understanding of the system. He did a really good job in the offseason putting himself where he needs to be.”
Last year, Shaw completed 55.2% of his passes in the regular season for 1,080 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. He was also Ripon’s second-leading rusher with 525 yards and 12 TDs.
6. RB/WR Darien East, River Islands, Jr.
Produced as an underclassman in the VOL while with Sierra the past two seasons, earning all-league second-team honors in 2025 with 1,271 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns.
East made his varsity debut midway through his freshman year after Sierra’s top running back went down with a season-ending leg injury, rushing for 102 yards and three touchdowns against Patterson. A month later, he played in his first postseason game, accumulating 158 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in a 26-20 win at Yuba City.
East gives River Islands a proven weapon in its pass-based attack, whether it’s as a running back or slot receiver.
7. QB Daryl Carpenter, River Islands, Sr.
Transferred to River Islands late last summer just weeks before the first official practices of the 2025 season, giving him little time to integrate with his new teammates.
Carpenter still passed for 1,579 yards and 10 touchdowns against two interceptions in nine games played, and he was the Riptide’s top rusher with 413 yards (9.4 per carry) and six touchdowns.
Named to the All-Mother Lode League First Team, Carpenter is expected to thrive in first-year coach Nicholas Kendall’s pass-happy spread offense with all of his top weapons returning and the addition of East.
Like East, Carpenter has experience in the rugged VOL, having played for Manteca and Sierra at the lower levels.
8. RB/OLB Nikko Hisatomi, East Union
An All-VOL Second-Team cornerback with 51 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass break-ups, Hisatomi’s roles are changing after bulking up in the offseason.
Now at rover, he’ll have the added responsibility as a run stuffer on defense. Offensively, he’s expected to get the lion’s share of carries after serving as back-up to Brayden Camara, who set single-season school records in rushing yards and touchdowns. Hisatomi pitched in with 199 yards (6.9 per carry) and five TDs.
9. C Beau Grisham, Lathrop, Sr.
Stoutly built and highly experienced, the 6-0, 275-pound center enters his third varsity campaign after paving the way for two 1,000-yard rushers. Grisham was selected to the All-WAC Second Team.
“Just go watch the tape,” Muschott said. “Beau is Lathrop football personified as far as what we want in finishing plays, being physical and playing with motor and energy. When the ball is snap, he’s all go. Everything feeds off of him.”
10. MLB/TE Erick Cortez, East Union, Sr.
Had an explosive start to 2025 with five sacks and seven tackles for losses in the first three games. Cortez continued to give opposing offenses fits, finishing with 57 tackles, 10 for losses, six sacks three forced fumbles and an interception that was returned for a 74-yard touchdown. The overall production landed him on the All-VOL Second Team as a defensive lineman.
With EU’s improved depth on the defensive line, the 6-1, 205-pound Cortez has moved to his natural position at inside linebacker, and he’ll contribute offensively at tight end.
11. OLB/RB/WB Matthew Gaines, Ripon, Sr.
Made the All-TVL Second-Team defense but is a breakout candidate as a multifaceted offensive threat after swelling to 5-10, 185 pounds in the offseason, gaining strength to go with the speed.
Gaines will again play all three phases. He returned four kickoffs for 178 yards and a touchdown last season and totaled 645 scrimmage yards and three TDs on 75 touches.
12. DL/RB Jayden White, Lathrop, Jr.
At 5-11, 180 pounds, White was one of the Spartans’ most productive defensive players with 55 tackles and a team-high seven quarterback pressures, good for All-WAC First-Team recognition.
While he’s expected again to play a big part in a deep rotation of defensive linemen, White is taking over as the bell-cow back for Lathrop’s Wing-T.
13. WR/DB Jaylin Harris, Manteca, Sr.
With top receiver Quinn Martinez graduated, more opportunities are ahead for the big-play threat to get his hands on the ball. Harris will also get more reps defensively in the secondary with twin brother Jayden. Jaylin caught 21 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns last season.
14. WR/CB Blama Kamara, Sierra, Sr.
The 6-1, 178-pound speedster showed in a short sample what he can do last season after sitting out the first six games because of transfer rules, coming up with 14 catches, 198 yards and a touchdown. Then he broke school records in the spring, reaching the 400-meter finals at the state track meet.
15. DE/TE Isaiah Sanchez, River Islands, Sr.
The Riptide’s most disruptive player amassed 69 tackles, 26 for losses, 2.5 sacks, 16 quarterback pressures, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries on the way to earning All-MLL Second-Team honors.
16. ILB/RB Damian Densmore, Sierra, Sr.
Played the final three varsity games his sophomore year, the last two in the postseason.
The 5-11, 200-pound Densmore is now a grizzled veteran after making the All-VOL Second-Team defense, and he’ll get to play some offense as a straightforward, punishing ball carrier.
17. FS/WB Ozias Siga, Sierra, Jr.
Joined Densmore on the All-VOL Second-Team defense after leading Sierra with 55 tackles, an interception and forced fumble. He’ll also have a featured role in the Gun-T offense as its versatile wingback.
18. FS/WR Gunnar Fay, East Union Jr.
Fay was brought up as a sophomore to start as the zero-week free safety and didn’t look back. Now, he’ll get chances to produce on both sides of scrimmage. At 6-2, 195 pounds with track speed, he’ll have an expanded role offensively after EU lost its starting receivers to graduation.
19. C/ILB Brayden McDowell, Ripon, Sr.
Coach Williams calls the 5-11, 200-pound McDowell, “one of the best centers we’ve had in this program” and an “absolute linchpin” for the offensive line.
20. WR Christian Dell’Osso, River Islands, Sr.
Carpenter’s top target in 2025 missed the first two games with an ankle injury but still managed to lead the Riptide in catches (37) and receiving yards (473) and make the All-MLL First Team.
21. OT Colton Madden, East Union, Jr.
The 6-3, 230-pound right tackle had a hand in the Lancers’ program record-breaking season on offense as a sophomore and was selected to the All-VOL second team.
22. RB/LB Lucas Ruiz, River Islands, Sr.
An All-MLL first-team linebacker with 53 tackles, four hurries and two forced fumbles, Ruiz broke through as a running back, averaging 10-plus yards on his 27 carries.
23. DL/T Myles Pollard, Ripon Christian, Sr.
Ripon Christian’s 6-4, 220-pound lineman chipped in nine tackles for losses and two sacks last season and provided protection from the strong side of the offensive line.
24. TE/DT Jude Viss, Ripon, Sr.
A big target for Shaw at 6-4, 190 pounds, Viss is an All-TVL Second-Team selection for offense and a key returner for the rotation of defensive linemen.
25. QB Josiah Van Vliet, Ripon Christian, Sr.
He’ll get his chance after backing up three-year starting QB Mason Tameling and playing outside linebacker. The 6-2, 185-pound was very efficient in his few appearances behind center.
