Just like that, the Bay Area high school football season has reached its halfway point.

From nail-biting games to standout performances, this season has delivered non-stop action.

With five more weekends left before the playoffs start, here are the Bay Area News Group’s midseason awards:

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Marco Jones, San Ramon Valley: The four-star Texas A&M commit has been impossible to block as a senior for the undefeated Wolves. The linebacker has 18 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Kingston Keanaaina, St. Francis: St. Francis’ bruising feature back has had several outstanding performances this season. On Friday, he ran for 319 yards in the Lancers’ 30-27 win over Archbishop Mitty. In Week 2, he compiled 336 yards on the ground in a victory over McClymonds.

Marley Alcantara, Pittsburg: The 5-foot-7 standout has been excellent for Pittsburg. He has thrown for 898 yards and nine touchdowns through Pittsburg’s first five games.

COACHES OF THE YEAR

Rae Jackson Sr., Ygnacio Valley: The Wolves have gone from winless in 35 straight games to possible league title contender under Jackson, who is in his third season as head coach. Aided by a strong play from freshman quarterback Jalen Fayad, YV (4-2) has won its past three games.

Lenny Vandermade, St. Ignatius: Has led the Wildcats to upper-echelon of West Catholic Athletic League with victories over Serra and Riordan. The second-year coach also guided the team to victory at San Diego powerhouse Cathedral Catholic.

Adam Hazel, Christopher: The first-year coach had a tough act to follow as he took over from Darren Yafai, who led the Cougars to the CCS Division II championship game in his final season. But Hazel has picked up the baton and kept Christopher moving forward – the Cougars are 4-1 and look like the favorite in the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s Mt. Hamilton Division.

SURPRISE TEAMS

Irvington: The team with a movie actor as head coach (Anthony Jackson) is off to its best start in decades. The 5-0 Vikings have won every game by doubledigits.

Gunn: With a rushing attack that’s built to last, the Titans have dominated the Peninsula Athletic League Lake Division thus far. Picked to finish seventh in the league during the preseason, Gunn is blowing out PAL Lake teams left and right, most recently pasting Cupertino 47-0 on the road.

Arroyo: The San Lorenzo school has quietly been one of the best teams in the East Bay, winning games over Antioch, Washington-Fremont and St. Mary’s-Berkeley. Head coach Jeffery Pride has the Dons on track to have their first winning season since 2012.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Kenny Ward, Pittsburg: Has shown signs of brilliance through the first five games of his high school career. Breakout game came against Riordan when he had a 74-yard pick-six and a 31-yard receiving touchdown.

Duece Jones-Drew, De La Salle: Son of Spartans legend Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown in his debut against Grant-Sacramento. He’s the most explosive part of three-headed backfield.

Wesley Winn Jr., Riordan: The sophomore speedster has made his mark in multiple games. He caught seven passes for 86 yards against McClymonds, eight balls for 179 yards against St. Bonaventure-Ventura, six for 58 against Pittsburg and five for 82 against Sacred Heart Cathedral.

IMPACTFUL TRANSFERS

Zayne St. Laurent, Branham: The Bellarmine transfer has been the engine for Branham’s passing game. He has compiled 641 receiving yards in six games played and has been a consistent and prolific contributor for the Bruins in the early season.

Jonathan Craft, El Cerrito: A transfer from James Logan, Craft has given El Cerrito a true dual-threat at quarterback. He dominated in El Cerrito’s 49-0 win over Campolindo in Week 4, throwing for three scores.

Berell Staples, McClymonds: The addition from Edison-Stockton has added a passing element to run-heavy McClymonds. Junior dual-threat passed for two touchdowns against Riordan.

GAMES OF THE YEAR

St. Ignatius 21, Serra 20: Serra hadn’t lost a WCAL matchup, and it didn’t look like they were going to lose this one. But a two-touchdown fourth-quarter comeback by SI ended with Jarious Hogan’s heroic 30-yard rushing score with 1:14 left, and pandemonium ensued in the Sunset.

Half Moon Bay 52, Foothill 45: A battle of contrasting styles saw Adler Halterman rush for 323 yards and a HMB record seven touchdowns. Foothill’s Jason Knight passed for 455 yards in the high-scoring thriller.

Pittsburg 56, Riordan 42: It was a battle of two of the top offenses in Northern California, and the game did not disappoint. Pittsburg fended off a fierce Riordan comeback behind 156 yards and four touchdowns from Washington State-bound running back Jamar Searcy.

UPSETS OF THE YEAR

Northgate 35, Las Lomas 21: Northgate came into the annual Battle of the Creek game as heavy underdogs against a Las Lomas team that was undefeated through five games. The Broncos defeated Las Lomas at home, capturing their first win over the Knights in a regular season game since 2017.

Serra 21, Folsom 20: After three years as NorCal’s top team, the Padres went into Week 1 having to replace 18 starters with zero transfers. The new-look Padres then traveled to Folsom and beat the powerhouse Bulldogs on a last-second field goal.

Burlingame 19, Wilcox 18: Wilcox was riding high after a big win over Sacred Heart Cathedral at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, but Burlingame brought the Chargers back down to earth in a hurry. A goal-line stand and subsequent 99-yard touchdown drive set the tone for the Panthers to secure the road upset in Santa Clara.

Joseph Dycus, Nathan Canilao and Christian Babcock contributed to this report.