Eight fall sports athletes from River Islands earned first-team honors across three different leagues.
The runner-up Central California Athletic Alliance girls volleyball team has three first-team selections, as does the football team in the Mother Lode League. Two players from the first-year flag football squad earned spots on the All-Southern Athletic League team.
Senior outside hitter Milyn Morales spearheaded the Riptide’s sudden rise, leading them to a berth to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs in as many varsity seasons. They went 8-2 in the CCAA, and both losses were five-setters against first-place Holt Academy.
Morales paced River Islands (23-5) with 130 kills in league matches, averaging 4.2 per set. She also had 25 aces and 47 digs.
Younger sister Ada Morales and freshman setter Corley Simoni join her with All-CCAA recognition. The younger Morales, a junior, contributed 72 kills (3.0 per set) to the attack to go with 27 service aces and 40 digs. Simoni distributed 234 assists while leading the team with 63 digs and 43 aces. She also had 49 kills.
On the gridiron, quarterback Daryl Carpenter and receiver Christian Dell’Osso represent River Islands (3-4, 4-6 overall) on the All-MLL first-team offense, while linebacker Lucas Ruiz made the first-team defense. All three are juniors.
Carpenter emerged as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the area. In six league games, he completed 55.1% of passes for 809 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 300 yards and five touchdowns on 30 carries.
Dell’Osso was his top target with 348 yards and two TDs on 28 receptions. Ruiz highlighted the defense with 44 tackles, 1.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Seniors Running back Jordan Acaya (367 yards from scrimmage, three total TDs) and defensive lineman Jaiveer Grewal (14 tackles) made the second team. Joining them are sophomore offensive linemen Malachi Olabanji and Colin Socheath, junior edge rusher Isaiah Sanchez (45 tackles, 14 for losses, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries) and junior defensive back Michael Figueroa (58 tackles, interception).
Senior defensive lineman Ian Gamas earned the Character Award.
Co-MVP honors went to Ryan Clifton and Enrique Hernandez, both of league champion Calaveras (7-0, 13-2). The Red Hawks are also the reigning SJS Division VII and state Division V-A champs.
Other major awards went to Linden’s Andrew Juarez (Most Outstanding Offensive Player), Calaveras’ Kodey Paulson (Most Outstanding Defensive Player) and Calaveras’ Nathan Kavanagh (Most Outstanding Lineman).
For flag football, senior receiver/safety Veronica Erilim and junior receiver/defensive back Lila Smee made school history with their inclusions in the All-SAL first team.
The Riptide finished 5-5 in league, 8-10 overall. '
