It was the year of the quarterback for Manteca city schools this fall, and that was reflected in the All-Valley Oak League voting.
Leading the way was Manteca High’s Gino Campiotti, who was one of an area-high nine Buffaloes to be named to the all-league first team. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound junior is the league’s Outstanding Offensive Player after completing 59.5 percent of his passes for 2,101 yards, 24 touchdowns and five interceptions in his breakout campaign. He also rushed for 4-2 yards and eight touchdowns in leading the Buffs (6-1 VOL, 12-2 overall) to a share of the VOL title and Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV banner.
Sierra’s Mark Vicente and third-year East Union starter Jack Weaver are the first- and second-team quarterback selections, respectively. Vicente amassed 2,450 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the Timberwolves (3-4, 6-5). Among his many clutch highlights this season was the game-deciding conversation pass completion that capped off Sierra’s thrilling 37-36 overtime win over East Union.
Weaver led the Lancers (3-4, 6-5) to their first postseason appearance since 2010, finishing with 1,183 yards and 14 touchdowns against three interceptions. He was also East Union’s second-leading rusher with 504 yards and seven touchdowns.
Oakdale (6-1, 13-2) and Central Catholic (6-1, 8-4) are part of the three-way VOL championship. Oakdale faces undefeated Bishop’s of LaJolla for the CIF State Division III-A title on Saturday. Oakdale’s Trent Merzon and Manteca’s Eric Reis are the Co-Coaches of the Year.
Central Catholic running back/safety Jared Rice (1,449 yards, 16 TDs; four picks) was voted Most Valuable Player. Fellow Raider defensive back DaRon Bland (44 tackles, two picks) is the Outstanding Defensive Player, while running back/tight end Ryan Rivera (1,059 yards, nine TDs) of Kimball (0-7, 1-9) is Utility Player of the Year.
Manteca players joining Campiotti on the all-league first-team offense are center Tyler Welch, receiver Jose Garcia (1,291 total yards, 12 TDs), running back Kameron Beamon (1,530 total yards, 18 TDs) and left tackle Kyle Reis. Inside linebacker Ferrin Manulelelua (107 tackles, 4.5 sacks), outside linebacker Devyn Gonzales (55 tackles, four sacks), defensive end Justin Kakala (50 tackles, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles) and defensive back Kyle Rachels (69 tackles, three interceptions) made the first-team defense.
Sierra junior Jacob Peterson is the lone area athlete to make all-league for both offense and defense. He was the Timberwolves’ second-leading tackler with 92 and made cut for first-team defense recognition as a defensive back. Peterson was also Sierra’s top receiver (789 yards, five TDs) and was selected to the second-team offense.
Other second-team selections from the area are:
uEast Union: OL Nick Sims, OL Jaysen Reindel, DL Andy Parcells, DL Elias Andrews, DB Jake Harries, DB Ruben Gallegos.
uManteca: WR Joel Olmos, OL Will Maddox, ILB James Thomas, DB Vincent Ferro.
uLathrop (3-4, 4-6): center Nick Licea, RB Michael Ramos, OL, Benhamin Lindsey, ILB Idowu Olaleye, OLB Tremayne Willis Jr., DL Christian Basulto, DB R.J. Tisdell.
uWeston Ranch (1-6, 4-6): ILB Bryant Bowen.