Bryson Davis wasted no time in proving he was ready to take over a lead role in Manteca’s punishing run-heavy offense.

An injury prevented him from playing defensively, but there is still no denying the type of impact the 6-foot-1, 215-pound bruiser made for the Buffaloes (8-4) as he posted some impressive numbers despite missing four games. Davis is the Manteca Bulletin All-Area Football MVP, following in the footsteps of two-time recipient and former backfield mate Blake Nichelson.

The Ripon trio of Devin Fitzpatrick (cross country), McKeane Beier (water polo) and Ryan Biedermann (water polo) are the other top awardees for boys’ fall sports.

Davis compiled 1,514 yards rushing yards (8.9 per carry) and 19 touchdowns in just eight games played but earned Outstanding Offensive Player recognition in the Valley Oak League.

He had epic, albeit costly, season opener in Folsom. Vista del Lago raced to a 21-7 first-quarter lead but could not hold off Davis and the Buffaloes, who pounded their way back for a 42-35 victory.

Davis amassed 342 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries but came away with hobbling, tearing the ulnar collateral ligament and common flexor tendon his left elbow while sustaining muscle strains.

Vista del Lago went on to win its next 10 games until losing in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV semifinals, while the Buffaloes went 2-2 with their star back on the mend.

Davis returned for VOL play and split carries in blowout wins over Kimball and Sierra, totaling 20 carries, 206 yards and a TD in limited action.

Manteca unleashed its horse for the rest of the season, as he rushed for 225-plus yards over the final three VOL games. Just as he was in the Buffaloes’ zero-week win at Vista del Lago, Davis was featured on Cal-Hi Sports’ State Stars of the Week in wins over East Union (267 yards, 24.3 per carry, five TDs) and Oakdale (228 yards, 9.5 per carry, three TDs). He also rambled for 228 yards and two scores in a 39-35 loss to league champion Central Catholic.

He didn’t have as much room to run against top opponents in the postseason. In the quarterfinals, he broke through in the second half to lead Manteca to a 21-14 win over Granite Bay. Davis ground out 143 yards (5.1 per carry) and three TDs in the rematch of the 2022 SJS Division II title game.

Manteca then faced St. Mary’s for the second time, hoping that Davis’ presence would help reverse the blowout loss from their pre-league showdown. St. Mary’s again won handily 41-12 and held Davis to 72 yards and a touchdown on 19 rushes.

Despite the tough finish and the four missed games, Davis ranked 14th among the leading rushers in the SJS and had career-high numbers across the board while playing five less games than he did last season. He totaled rushing 2,716 yards (8.8 per carry) and 35 touchdowns over his two varsity seasons. Last year, he was named to the All-VOL first-team offense and defense.

Here’s the rest of the All-Area Football Team:

Offensive Player of the Year

Brady Grondz, Ripon Christian, Sr.

A centerpiece weapon in Ripon Christian’s fly offense, Grondz scampered for 945 yards (9.3 per carry) and 20 touchdowns while catching a team-high 22 passes for 346 yards and two scores. He was also dangerous on special teams, returning eight kickoffs for 263 yards (32.9 average) and two touchdowns, and six punts for 223 yards (43.7 average) and one touchdown. The Southern Athletic League’s Offensive Player of the Year scored 150 points, which were ninth most in the SJS.

Defensive Player of the Year

Isaiah White, Manteca, Jr.

White has been impactful since being called up to the varsity and immediately inserted as a starter his freshman year. The 6-3, 210-pound lineman was named Co-Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year in the VOL after posting career-highs across the board with 93 tackles, 10.0 for losses and 4.0 sacks.

Lineman of the Year

Carson Bunnell, Ripon Christian, Sr.

Multiple NCAA Division II programs have offered the imposing 6-5, 320-pound tackle at 6-5, 320 pounds. Bunnell is a two-time first-team selection and the reigning Offensive Lineman of the Year in the SAL. He was also an anchor on the defensive line, contributing 37 tackles, 10.5 for losses, and 1.5 sacks.

Utility Player of the Year

FB/LB/P Grant Sonke, Ripon Christian, Sr.

The SAL’s two-time Defensive Player of the Year stood out in every facet for the Knights. Sonke was their leading rusher with 1,030 yards (9.4 per carry) and 16 touchdowns for a third straight season, and he accumulated 84 tackles, 19.0 for losses, 4.0 sacks and two forced fumbles on defense. On special teams, he served as placekicker and punter over his three-year varsity career. In RC’s first-place battle with Orestimba, Sonke bombed a punt 52 yards and also had a 23-yard, first-down run on an impromptu fake.

All-Area Offensive Team: QB — Zak Willson, Sierra, Jr. RB — Julio Garcia, Lathrop, Sr.; Anthony Grady, Sierra, Sr. OL — Jax Ballard, Sierra, Sr..; Dominic Corral, Lathrop, Sr.; Leland Crabb, East Union, Sr.; CJ King, Manteca, Sr.; Bryson McMichael, Manteca, Sr. WR — Blake Mount, East Union, Jr.; Trevor Sutton, Sierra, Jr. TE — Jace Beidleman, Ripon Christian, Sr.; Owen Wilbur, Ripon, Sr. UTIL — WR/DB/K Ethan Schenk, Ripon Christian, Sr.

All-Area Defensive Team: DL — Jesse Flores, Sierra, Sr.; Logan De Jong, Ripon Christian, Jr.; Jimmy Heida, Ripon Christian, Jr.; Nathan Martinez, Lathrop, Sr.; Josh Mellion, Manteca, Jr.; Sean Teu, Lathrop, Jr. LB — Brock Felt, Sierra, Jr.; KP MacDannald, Manteca, Sr.; Tommy Perea, Manteca, Sr.; Preston Zuidervaart, Ripon Christian, Sr. DB — Amos Cady, Ripon Christian, So.; Jhadis Luckey, Manteca, So.; Dru Orlando, Ripon, Jr.; Quinn Martinez, Manteca, So.

WATER POLO CO-MVPs

McKeane Beier, Ripon, Jr.

Brody Biedermann, Ripon, Jr.

It was fittingly this tandem that combined for the biggest moment of the Indians’ historic season.

Ripon came from behind to knock off top-seeded Rocklin 14-13 in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II final, with Biedermann scoring four of his five goals in the fourth period. The go-ahead goal was set up by Beier’s clutch steal with 1:25 remaining. Beier came also came up big in the semifinals, scoring five times in the 14-8 win over Del Oro.

Biedermann was unanimously named SJS Division II MVP, while Beier earned All-VOL MVP. Both were selected to the All-SJS first team.

Ripon went 27-5 and repeated as Section champion, doing so at the competitive Division II bracket for the first time.

Beier finished with a team-high 92 goals to go with 51 assists and 64 steals. Biedermann scored 86 goals and led the Indians with 57 assists and 68 steals.

All-Area Team: Erfan Ballew, Sierra, Sr.; Owen Curtiss, Ripon, Sr.; Ben Rogers, Ripon, Jr.; Collins Schluer, Sierra, Jr.; Ben Svoboda, Ripon, Jr.; Zach Walmer, Sierra, Sr.; Teo West, Ripon, Jr.

CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR

Devin Fitzpatrick, Ripon, Sr.

Fitzpatrick dominated the Trans-Valley League competition, winning all three meets on his way to a berth to the 36th California Interscholastic Federation State Championships.

Fitzpatrick had his best runs in the postseason. He led all area runners at the Sac-Joaquin Section Championships with his time of 16:22.7, good for second place in Division IV. He also took third in the SJS Sub-Section meet the previous week.

Fitzpatrick also had top-four finishes in the Kim Duyst Invitational (first), Thunder Classic (first), Flame Invitational (fourth) and Tom Laythe Invitational (third). 

All-Area Team: Oscar Angel, Manteca, Jr.; Tristan Crowe, Sierra, Sr.; Christian Gonzalez, Sierra, So.; Ernesto Pacheco, Sierra, Jr.; Landen Nabb, Sierra, Jr.