Here’s a look at who turned out to be the top high school football players in the county this season. The Monterey Herald’s All-County team, defense.

Gavin Flynn, Salinas, DB >> The senior led the Cowboys with three interceptions, returning one 75 yards for a touchdown, while forcing a pair of fumbles. Patrolling the secondary for Salinas, the all-Gabilan Division selection averaged four tackles a game, forcing opponents to throw in another direction.

Fabian Herrera, King City, DB >>The county leader in the regular season with six interceptions, Herrera also broke up 12 passes this past fall for the 5-5 Mustangs. Left alone on an island as a defensive back, opponents stopped challenging the senior, who also came up from his position to record 48 tackles and force a pair of fumbles.

Ben Garry, Pacific Grove, DB >> Arguably one of the more versatile players in the county, Garry led the Breakers in tackles, averaging 6.2 a game. Lining up at different spots in the secondary, Garry led Pacific Grove with four interceptions and a dozen pass breakups. Offensively, he recorded a team-high 31 catches for 501 yards and five touchdowns.

Matt Maxon, Carmel, DB >> While his future will be as a pitcher at Stanford University, Maxon was a demon on defense for the Padres, intercepting five passes this past fall. Floating around between the linebacker and safety positions, Maxon was fearless in defending passes or coming up and making tackles for the State Division 5AA champions.

Soakai Funaki, Monterey, LB >> No one altered a game more on defense than the 6-foot inside linebacker, who compiled 143 tackles in 10 games for Monterey. The 225-pound Funaki collected 58 solo tackles, 31 of which were for losses. He also recorded 12 sacks, forced three fumbles and recovered a fumble, creating havoc.

Jake Mungaray, Salinas, LB >> A menace in the middle of the Cowboys’ defense, Mungaray had 158 tackles in 11 games this past fall. Nine times the hard-hitting linebacker collected 10 or more tackles — 21 for losses. He also returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown, recovered a fumble and forced a fumble.

Caden Scherer, Palma, LB >> A punishing run stopper for the Chieftains defense, the linebacker was durable over three years, leading the team in tackles last fall, averaging 10.1 a game. A sideline-to-sideline linebacker with an interception on his resume, Scherer was the heart of the Chieftains’ defense, coming up with stops in the game’s biggest moments. He also played tight end.

Tommy Dayton, Stevenson, LB >> The Santa Lucia Division Defensive Player of the Year, the linebacker produced 125 tackles in just nine games for the Pirates. A three-year starter, Dayton collected two fumble recoveries, forced two fumbles and added three sacks to his resume. Over three years at Stevenson, the senior totaled nearly 400 tackles.

Nathan Barajas, North Salinas, LB >> The Mission Division South Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman, Barajas averaged 6.1 tackles a game. The 5-foot-8 inside linebacker collected five sacks, two interceptions and forced two fumbles for the Vikings. Barajas was blessed with a motor and a high football IQ.

Jayden Brown, Monterey, DL >> Evolving this past season as a pass rusher and run stopper, the 6-foot-3 Brown recorded six sacks and 12 tackles for losses. Coming off the edge with a burst of speed, the multi-sport athlete recorded 63 tackles, including 24 solos for Monterey, finishing with a dozen quarterback hurries.

Joshua Na, Salinas, DL >> A repeater on the all-county defensive team, the defensive tackle was a disruptive force in the trenches for the Cowboys. While the CCS shot put finalist didn’t have eye-popping stats, Na dealt with double teams, while clogging up opponents’ inside run game, blowing up opponents’ offensive game plans.

Arnie Jimenez, North County, DL >> The Lineman of the Year for the Mission Division North champions, Jimenez used his length to knock down 12 passes this past fall. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end Jimenez also returned a strip 70 yards for a touchdown in the league title clinching win over Watsonville. He was also a three-year starting left tackle on offense.

Julius Escort, Seaside, Utility >> One of the more explosive players in the county, Escort was a bright spot in a somber season for the Spartans, returning three kickoffs for touchdowns. The senior had big moments for Seaside, with three of his five touchdown catches being 50 yards or longer, compiling 1,400 all-purpose yards. Escort produced 10 of the team’s 18 touchdowns this year, and was a lockdown cornerback on defense, finishing with 25 tackles and numerous pass breakups.

Jayden Duarte, Alisal, Utility >> Despite suffering a broken foot, Duarte missed just two games for the Trojans, rushing for 862 yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games. Duarte spent the second half of the season behind center, providing a different dimension, throwing for 339 yards and four touchdowns. He was a return specialist on special teams and played defense.

Golden Anderson, Carmel, Coach >> Now in his 15th season, Anderson took Carmel to its first Central Coast Section Division III title in 15 years, setting a county record for wins with 15. Anderson’s offense exploded for nearly 700 points in 15 games, capturing a Northern California Division 5AA title, capping a magical season with a State championship. Anderson is the only coach to produce two perfect seasons.

Honorable mention >> Alex Jarvis, Salinas; Jackson Scott, Salinas; Nate Crandall, Salinas; Wyatt Maravilla, Salinas; Jamar Aquino, Monterey; Kai Vaughn, Monterey; Dekota Ordonio, Monterey; Dominic Chaidez, Palma; Xavier Reinhardt, Palma; Edgar Chavez, Alvarez, Jaylan Ward, Alvarez; Alan Mejia, Alvarez; Francisco Calderon, North County; Marcos Mendoza, North County; Kiki Jacinto, Alisal; Gus Tapia, Alisal; Efren Posadas, Alisal; Keon Ealey, Seaside; Jeremiah Laui, Seaside; Rocky Villanueva, King City; Johell Carrillo, King City; Oscar Stenlund, Pacific Grove; Ryton Harrison, Pacific Grove; Flint Dickson, Stevenson; Derek Diniz, Stevenson; Jason Tejeda, Gonzales; Naythen Hernandez, Greenfield; Aaron Cruz, Greenfield; Daniel Garcia, Soledad; Chris Rua-Chico, Soledad; Harvey Xiong, North Salinas; Jason Valencia, North Salinas; Matthew Garcia, North Salinas.