2024 ALL-BAY AREA NEWS GROUP FOOTBALL TEAM

Pittsburg running back Jamar Searcy rushed for 1,668 yards and 22 touchdowns and also had 49 tackles and two picks on defense. PHOTO BY D. ROSS CAMERON

McClymonds linebacker Sharky Tamale, clutching the ball, also starred at running back for the Warriors and was named most valuable player of the Oakland Athletic League. He rushed for 1,630 yards and 23 TDs. PHOTO BY D. ROSS CAMERON

De La Salle defensive lineman Matthew Johnson, right, had nine sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He also played on the offensive line. PHOTO BY ANDA CHU

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DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE

First team

Devin Hyde, Menlo-Atherton, 6-5, 245, senior: PAL Bay defensive player of the year and first-team all-league selection had 55 tackles and seven tackles for loss. Washington signee had two sacks against Palo Alto.

Matthew Johnson, De La Salle, 6-5, 280, senior: First-team all-EBAL selection and Oregon signee had nine sacks and 11 tackles for loss, while also playing offensive line. Johnson had a sack against Mater Dei in the Open Division state title game.

Kaleb Pleis, San Ramon Valley, 6-5, 220, senior: First-team all-EBAL selection had 17.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss as San Ramon Valley reached the NCS Division I championship game. Had a season-high three sacks against Granada.

Juju Walls, Pittsburg, 6-4, 230, senior: BVAL defensive lineman of the year had 100 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and six sacks to go along with two forced fumbles and an interception. UCLA signee had a season-high six TFL in come-from-behind victory over Folsom in the NorCal 1-AA championship game.

Second team

Dillon Faga, Wilcox, 5-11, 170, senior: All-PAL Bay Division selection had 65 tackles and five sacks for the CCS Division II champions. Had a season-high three tackles for loss in a first-round victory over Santa Teresa.

Aseli Fangupo, Sacred Heart Prep, 5-10, 275, senior: Back-to-back PAL Bay defensive lineman of the year had 81 tackles, four sacks and eight tackles for loss. His 29-yard fumble return for a touchdown helped SHP secure the CCS Division IV championship.

Manoah Faupusa, St. Ignatius, 6-3, 350, junior: WCAL defensive lineman of the year had five tackles for loss and a fumble recovery for the CCS Open Division champs in the regular season. Los Alamitos transfer had a season-high seven tackles and two TFL against Archbishop Mitty.

Logan Knapp, Clayton Valley Charter, 6-6, 235, senior: The DAL Foothill defensive player of the year had 12 sacks and 65 tackles for the Ugly Eagles. The Oregon State signee also had 329 receiving yards and caught three touchdowns as a tight end.

Honorable mention

DJ Asiasi, De La Salle, senior; Jonathan Blanchard, Leigh, senior; Nehemiah Cody, McClymonds, senior; Andrew Davenport, Miramonte, senior; Daniel Downes, Las Lomas, senior; Noah Faataui, Kennedy-Richmond, senior; Lemani Fehoko, Serra, sophomore; Daniel Fernandez, Evergreen Valley, senior; Cole Goldsworthy, Amador Valley, junior; Luke Hines, Gunn, senior; Derek Holmes, Hillsdale, senior; Bethel Imasuen, Acalanes, senior; Julian Lopez, Pioneer, senior; David Mhatre, Menlo School, senior; Kevin Bradley, James Logan, junior; Julian Njelita, Heritage, junior; Isaiah Ortiz, Piedmont Hills, senior; Danny Pahulu, California, senior; Vernus Ragsdale, Vallejo, junior; Happy Rosenberg, St. Ignatius, senior; Myah Telona, De La Salle, junior; Auri Valdez, Los Gatos, senior; Isaia Vandermade, St. Ignatius, sophomore

LINEBACKERS

First team

Jackson Cahoon, St. Francis, 6-1, 210, senior: WCAL linebacker of the year racked up 112 tackles, 2.5 sacks and six hurries. Helped lead St. Francis to a CCS Division I title.

Marco Jones, San Ramon Valley, 6-5, 245, senior: EBAL Mountain Division defensive player of the year recorded 125 tackles — 32 for a loss — and 10.5 sacks. The Texas A&M commit led SRV to its third consecutive NCS title game appearance.

Henry Masters, Los Gatos, 5-11, 185, senior: Led a Los Gatos defense that allowed just 14.4 points per game. Totaled 66 tackles and an interception.

Micah Mosley, Valley Christian, 6-4, 225, senior: WCAL outside linebacker of the year had 65 tackles, six sacks and three fumble recoveries. The Sacramento State commit led a Valley Christian defense that allowed just 17.5 points per game.

Second team

Jamie Forese, Menlo School, 5-10, 180, senior: A PAL Bay Division first-team defense selection, Forese totaled 76 tackles, 4.5 sacks and three interceptions. Also played wide receiver, catching 47 passes for 615 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Hayden Hobbs, Granada, 6-1, 210, senior: Hobbs was named the EBAL Valley Division defensive player of the year. Was a captain for a team that won a league title and advanced to an NCS semifinal.

Etene Pritchard, Pittsburg, 6-2, 190, senior: BVAL defensive player of the year had 77 tackles, six sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. Committed to play at San Diego State.

Hudson Vye, Leland, 6-3, 215, senior: BVAL senior of the year recorded 75 tackles and helped lead Leland to a CCS Division V title. As a running back, he rushed for 950 yards and six touchdowns.

Honorable mention

Jamontay Amataga, Silver Creek, senior; Elijah Bow, Pittsburg, senior; Dominik Calhoun, Pittsburg, senior; Zaire Calhoun, Liberty, senior; Brandon Chan, Evergreen Valley, junior; Lucas Cord, Berkeley, senior; Jonathan Cruz, Sobrato, senior; Thomas Fries, Pioneer, senior; Cole Hardtke, Burlingame, senior; Yasser Jackson, Oakland, junior; Joseph Kessler, Palo Alto, senior; TJ Lanza, College Park, senior; Cisco Lutu, South San Francisco, senior; Deonte Littlejohn, Acalanes, junior; Junior Magana, De Anza, senior; Cameron Owen, Gunn, senior; Joel Ruiz-Pineda, Branham, senior; Mateaki Paongo, Hayward, senior; Jayden Reger, Concord, senior; Mosese Tangitau, Sequoia, senior

DEFENSIVE BACKS

First team

Ant Dean, De La Salle, 5-11, 155, senior: All-EBAL selection had 42 tackles, two forced fumbles and pulled in a team-high 13 receptions and 140 receiving yards. Returned a fumble for a touchdown in the season opener against Grant-Sacramento.

Jadyn Hudson, Pittsburg, 6-2, 180, senior: First-team all-BVAL selection had eight interceptions for the NCS Division I and NorCal 1-AA champions. UCLA commit pulled in 32 receptions for 334 yards and five touchdowns as a wideout.

Jaden Jefferson, De La Salle, 5-9, 155, junior: First-team all-EBAL selection had 21 tackles, 377 kick return yards and two TD returns, plus 337 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The versatile cornerback was the top defensive back on a unit that allowed just 12 passing touchdowns all season.

Leon Sarashki, Los Gatos, 6-0, 165, senior: PAL Bay defensive back of the year had two interceptions, four passes defensed, one fumble recovery and 45 tackles as Los Gatos reached the CCS Division I championship game.

Second team

Truly Bell, Pittsburg, 6-1, 170, junior: First-team all-BVAL selection had three interceptions and eight passes defensed, while also catching seven touchdowns and returning one kickoff for a score. Had two interceptions against Los Gatos.

Jordan Crockett V, Sequoia, 6-0, 187, senior: Had 25 tackles, a team-high three sacks and one forced fumble as a defensive back. First-team all PAL Ocean Division selection also rushed for 1,203 yards and 13 touchdowns in just nine games as Sequoia went from 0-4 to playing in the CCS Division V championship game.

Samuel Dellenbach, Gunn, 6-1, 170, senior: PAL Lake Division most valuable player did everything for Gunn, which went 10-0 and allowed just 31 points in the regular season. Had three interceptions and 48 tackles while also scoring five touchdowns on offense.

Tyran Hicks, St. Ignatius, 5-11, 165, junior: WCAL defensive back of the year had an interception and 47 tackles in the regular season. Also played wide receiver and caught two touchdowns for the CCS Open champs.

Honorable mention

Marcel Brisco, Benicia, sophomore; Erique Broussard Wilson, Hercules, junior; Rahsjon Duncan, McClymonds, junior; Jack Enright, Menlo School, senior; Carson Fife, Clayton Valley Charter, junior; Brady Hernandez, Leland, senior; Nick Hubbard, California, senior; Chris Joe, Liberty, senior; Darren Miller, South San Francisco, senior; Robert Mitchell III, Fremont-Oakland, junior; Brady Montgomery, Pioneer, senior; Jayden Nicholas, De La Salle, junior; Cameron Palma, San Mateo, senior; Isaiah Rivera, Santa Teresa, senior; Salomon Quintero, Christopher, senior; Jayson Scarbrough, Kennedy-Richmond, senior; Iven Takhar, Newark Memorial, senior; Bennett Young, Hillsdale, senior

UTILITY

First team

Blayne Ballard, Northgate, 6-1, 195, senior: Senior was named DAL Valley offensive MVP. Caught 45 passes for 1,023 and ran for 51 on six carries. Completed two passes as well. Added seven tackles defensively, kicked off and punted and returned both punts and kickoffs, averaging 33 yards per kickoff return and 14.5 yards per punt return.

Emmanuel Fitzgerald, San Mateo, 6-1, 225, senior: Ran for 1,331 yards and scored eight touchdowns on 174 carries. Added six tackles defensively. First-team running back in the PAL Ocean.

Jeremiah Fung, Palo Alto, 6-3, 190, senior: Go-to guy for the Vikings compiled 37 catches for 694 yards and four touchdowns. Added 50 tackles and five interceptions defensively. First-team offensive player in the PAL Bay.

Drew McKenzie, Acalanes, 6-3, 230, senior: Two-way lineman was a first-teamer in the DAL Valley going both ways. Played offensive line and defensive end to anchor the Dons in their run to the state championship game against Frontier-Bakersfield.

Sharky Tamale, McClymonds, 6-0, 220, senior: Most valuable player of the Oakland Athletic League. Starred at running back and linebacker for the 2024 Silver Bowl champions. Offensively, carried 132 times for 1,630 yards and 23 TDs, adding 19 catches for 273 yards and six scores.

Second team

Dante Allendorf, Hillsdale, 5-8, 160, senior: Dominant two-way workhorse racked up 1,271 yards rushing and 11 TDs on 180 carries, an average of 7.1 yards per attempt. Also had 172 receiving yards. Added 34 total tackles on the defensive side of the ball, one for loss.

Joseph Estes, Arroyo, 5-9, 185, junior: Junior sparkplug for resurgent Arroyo team that went 8-3 under coach Jeffrey Pride. Rushed for 1,661 yards on 193 carries, averaging 8.6 yards per carry and finding the end zone 18 times. Chipped in two tackles, one for loss, and two quarterback hurries defensively.

Crosby Kelly, Campolindo, 6-5, 235, junior: Junior who holds an offer from San Diego State caught 14 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown. Added 62 tackles and 15 tackles for loss defensively.

Caleb Rollins, Oakland Tech, 5-9, 165, senior: Two-way leader for Oakland Tech team that finished 6-6, including a 4-1 record in Oakland Athletic League play. Scored five touchdowns and racked up 256 total yards in a 45-0 road win over Skyline.

Evan Vernon, Christopher, 5-10, 170, senior: Defensive player of the year in the Blossom Valley Athletic League Mt. Hamilton Division. Starred at linebacker and receiver for Cougars team that won the Mt. Hamilton outright and advanced to the CCS Division II bracket. Caught 55 passes for 807 yards and seven TDs. Compiled 155 tackles, averaging 14.1 per game, and 10 tackles for loss.

Honorable mention

Miguel Acosta, Gunderson, junior; Jordan Alemania, Piedmont, senior; Chris Amann, Willow Glen, junior; Jasean Amataga, Silver Creek, senior; Aron Ambrosio, Freedom, senior; Luke Anderson, Sobrato, senior; Jaylan Bryant, Deer Valley, junior; Greg Darling Jr., Gunderson, junior; Delontae Everette, Liberty, sophomore; Jesse Herrera, Pioneer, senior; Tanner Holeman, Live Oak, junior; Alonzo Johnson, Piedmont Hills, senior; Jahzeer Johnson, Deer Valley, senior; Nano Latu, Serra, senior; Elliott Lewis, Bishop O’Dowd, senior; Lucas Martinez, Lincoln-San Jose, junior; Kilan McNeal, Bethel, junior; Romeo Moran, Del Mar, freshman; Josh Prado, Richmond, senior; Jake Schwoob, Del Mar, senior; Anthony Van der Meer, Menlo-Atherton, senior

ATHLETES

First team

Deji Ajose, Bishop O’Dowd, 6-2, 188, senior: MVAL/WACC Foothill Division first-team offense selection did a little bit of everything. The Washington commit caught 47 passes for 813 yards and 12 touchdowns. Also was a standout on defense, racking up 47 tackles and intercepting two passes.

Jack Freehill, Menlo School, 6-0, 155, junior: Freehill earned PAL Bay Division first-team honors after throwing for 2,032 yards and 25 touchdowns. The Columbia baseball commit was also a force on the ground as he posted 612 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Carlton Perrilliat, Salesian, 6-5, 185, junior: The TCAL Rock Division MVP caught 56 passes for 1,078 yards and 17 touchdowns. A basketball standout, Perrilliat helped Salesian win a league football title.

Brayden Rosa, Wilcox, 5-10, 180, senior: PAL Bay Division MVP helped the Chargers win the CCS Division II title. Rushed for 1,850 yards and 30 touchdowns, caught 33 passes for 338 yards and two scores and was a standout on defense as he racked up 127 tackles and two interceptions.

Jamar Searcy, Pittsburg, 5-8, 175, senior: BVAL first-team selection rushed for 1,668 yards and 22 touchdowns to help the Pirates win a NorCal title. Also stood out on defense, finishing with 49 tackles and two interceptions. Was committed to Washington State but reopened his recruitment after a coaching change.

Second team

Savion Bandy, El Cerrito, 6-0, 180, junior: Bandy was a key piece to El Cerrito’s defense, totaling 57 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble. He also made plays as a receiver, catching 10 passes for 137 yards and a score.

Adler Halterman, Half Moon Bay, 5-11, 165, senior: First-team all PAL Ocean Division running back rushed for 1,233 yards and 16 touchdowns. Had a career game against Foothill in which he rushed for a school record seven scores.

Duece Jones-Drew, De La Salle, 5-8, 160, sophomore: Was a key player on both sides of the ball for De La Salle, totaling 447 yards and five touchdowns. Son of former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew, Duece was a standout on defense as a defensive back.

Sam Shelby, Piedmont, 6-0, 180, senior: First-team all-WACC Mission selection caught 66 passes for 1,157 yards and 10 touchdowns as Piedmont captured the league title. Also rushed for a TD for a team that finished the regular season 9-1.

Kenneth Ward, Pittsburg, 5-8, 175, freshman: The explosive freshman standout totaled 560 yards and nine touchdowns and was a shutdown corner for a Pittsburg defense that held opponents to 17.4 points per game.

Honorable mention

Matthew Boles, Christopher, senior; George Bulychev, Prospect, senior; Teddy Chung, Serra, senior; Cylis Cook, Gunderson, sophomore; Estevan Duarte, Granada, senior; Elliot Gerbelot, Skyline, sophomore; Owen Harrington Archbishop Mitty, senior; Benjamin Hill, Liberty, junior; Kirk Humbles III, Alameda, junior; Jordan Kinnaird, Heritage, senior; Lucas Kirk, Burlingame, senior; Angelo Marin, Menlo-Atherton, senior; Lamont McDonald, Tennyson, sophomore; Kyan Phillips, Lincoln-San Jose, junior; Jakorey Robinson, Mt. Diablo, senior; Alex Tran, Piedmont Hills, senior; Anthony Young, Bethel, junior

HOW THE TEAM WAS CHOSEN

• The Bay Area News Group’s high school sports staff chooses the team. The capsules were written by Joseph Dycus, Nathan Canilao and Christian Babcock.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

• Those eligible for all-BANG honors come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

COMING SUNDAY

• BANG players and coaches of the year.