2022 MaxPreps All Sac-Joaquin Section Football Team

By Steve Montoya Dec 13, 2022, 3:45pm

Scott Nixon of Sheldon and Blake Nichelson of Manteca lead an impressive roster.

The 2022 MaxPreps All Sac-Joaquin Section football team features 70 of the top players from large and small schools in the region. Selections were based on statistical information, local honors, teams' strength of schedule, postseason success, and overall impact on the field.

As always, the Sac-Joaquin Section produces some of the top talent in the state. Here's a look at the 2022 All Sac-Joaquin team.
2022 MaxPreps All Sac-Joaquin Section Football Team

Co-Players of the Year
The Huskies' do-it-all player scored 27 touchdowns and had over 2,200 all-purpose yards. The senior was a major weapon both as a running back and out wide as a receiver.

ATH — Blake Nichelson, Manteca, Sr.
The Florida State commit is considered a four-star linebacker at the next level, but for the Buffaloes he did everything. He was nearly impossible to stop as a big-bruising running back, scoring 27 touchdowns. When they needed a big play, he would line up as a receiver, hauling in 14 TD grabs. Offensive teams tried to avoid him on defense.

Junior Player of the Year
QB — Austin Mack, Folsom
Mack is another talented gunslinger for the Bulldogs. The junior threw for nearly 250 yards per game and tossed 45 touchdowns, while only throwing five interceptions in 382 attempts.

Sophomore Player of the Year
RB — Carter Jackson, Granite Bay
The young back made some major noise this year for the Grizzlies. He rushed for 100 yards or more in seven games this fall, and made his presence felt in the secondary as well.



Coaches of the Year
Carl Reed — Grant (Sacramento)
Reed has done a phenomenal job of turning around the Pacers program. The team capped off a remarkable season by winning the Division 3-AA state championship.

Shaun King — Hughson
During the MaxPreps era, dating back to 2004, the Huskies had never won more than eight games. King and his staff guided this year's team to a 12-2 record and a Division 5-AA state title.

Andrew Beam — Escalon
After dropping two games straight and three overall before October hit, Beam and the Cougars rolled off 10 straight wins and capped it off with a 4-AA state championship.

First Team Offense

QB — Joseph McCray, Grant, Sr.
Played an instrumental part in the Pacers' state championship run. He tossed 48 touchdowns and averaged almost 300 yards per game through the air.

Varella's stellar play under center was a huge reason the Trojans went from missing the playoffs in 2021 to finishing as Division 1 section runner-up in 2022.



Opposing teams had to respect both his arm and his legs as Barksdale was a true playmaker for the Panthers. He left a legacy already as this is the school's first graduating class.

He finished his career with over 6,000 passing yards and 71 TDs through the air. The Knights didn't punt often, but when they did Stoddard averaged nearly 40 yards per kick.

RB — Ryker Peters, Escalon, Sr.
The powerful ball carrier and linebacker was a force on both sides of the ball. He punched in 31 touchdowns and also had 86 tackles on defense.

The Raiders back was second in the section with 2,206 yards on the ground and 30 touchdowns. He averaged over 10 yards per carry.

He never finished below 100 yards rushing in 11 games played this fall. The Hawks superstar had a major impact on defense as well, as he was in 119 tackles at the linebacker spot.

WR — Kyrell Goss-Pruitt , Grant, Sr.
He averaged over 25 yards per reception in 2022 and had at least 100 yards receiving in six games. He caught a TD in all but two games.



WR — Rico Flores Jr., Folsom, Sr.
The Notre Dame commit may not have had the eye-popping statistics as some, but the amount of attention he needed opened up so much for the Bulldogs. It showed after he went down with an injury the final two playoff games.

The 2025 grad could have easily been selected as the sophomore player of the year with what he did this season. He led the section with 20 TD grabs.

TE — Mason Norberg, Folsom, Sr.
When 5-star Walker Lyons went down for the Bulldogs, others had to step up. That is exactly what Norberg did, hauling in 44 catches and eight touchdowns.

OL — Simione Pale, Elk Grove, Sr.
The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Stanford commit was a big reason the Thundering Herd ran for 320 yards per game this season.

OL — Navi Arretche, Hughson, Jr.
Named Outstanding Offensive Lineman in the Trans Valley League and was a huge reason the Huskies won a 5-AA state title.

OL — Alani Noa, Grant, Sr.
The USC-bound senior was one of many talented Pacer linemen who helped them average nearly 50 points per game.

Bray was named Offensive MVP of the Pioneer Valley League. It's not very often a lineman gets that honor. The Hillmen rushed for over 3,700 yards this season.



ATH — Brent Green, Dixon, Sr.
Green led the section with 11 interceptions. He had a pick in 10 games this season. The senior also had over 900 yards receiving and seven touchdowns.

K —Carson Nichols, Oak Ridge, Sr.
Nichols made 12 field goals this fall including three over 40. He also hit 62 of 66 point after attempts.

First team defense

DL — Akio Martinson, Del Oro, Sr.
Martinson was hard to block all season, finishing the year with 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for a loss.

DL — Asiata Auckland, Sutter, Jr.
The class of 2024 edge rusher was often in the opposing backfield this fall. He finished with 9.5 sacks and 27 tackles for a loss.

Tito was a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen, playing a major role in the Cougars' section title runner-up finish.

DL — Conner Dasmann, Oak Ridge, Sr.
Dasmann was a beast on the line for the Trojans, racking up 75 tackles and 10.5 sacks.

LB — Lati Vaefaga, Elk Grove, Sr.
The outside backer was all over the field for the Herd, averaging over 5 tackles per game and had 14 total sacks.

LB — Landon Howard, Christian Brothers, Sr.
A playmaker on both sides of the ball for the Falcons, Howard had 21 tackles for a loss, including 7.5 sacks, on defense.

Terry averaged 14.2 tackles per game. Wherever the ball was, you could expect him to be around it.

The junior was everywhere for the Rams. He finished with 23 tackles for a loss and 15 sacks.

Acia made things happen for the Golden Eagles. He rushed for 12 touchdowns and was also the centerpiece of their defense.

DB — Wayshawn Parker, Elk Grove, Jr.
The junior did it all for the Thunder Herd. He rushed for 13 touchdowns and was very tough to throw on, locking up opposing receivers.



The 3-star corner was in on 96 tackles this year, 72 of which were solo.

The Class of 2024 lock-down corner picked off seven passes for the Tigers this fall.

DB — Greco Carrillo, Folsom, Sr.
Most teams avoided throwing his way, but the San Jose State commit piled up 75 tackles.

Second Team Offense

QB — Brandon Graydon, Roseville, Sr.
QB — Jett Harris, Dixon, Sr.
QB — Cole Gilbert, Turlock, Sr.
QB — Marino Fragata, Johnson (Sacramento), Jr.
QB — Jasiah Bateman, Antelope, Sr.
RB — Lolo Mataele, Patterson, Sr.
RB — Jack Carner, Pioneer (Woodland), Sr.
RB — Ryan Henning, Lincoln, Sr.
WR — Matt Long, Vista del Lago (Folsom, Jr.
WR — Owen Nash, Escalon, Sr.
WR — Cole Owens, Casa Roble, Jr.
TE — Kaleb Edwards, Oak Ridge, So.
OL — Ty Kubicek, Capital Christian, Sr.
OL — Quincey Simien, Patterson, Jr.
OL — Roman Foumai, Central Catholic, Sr.
OL — Marcell Wilson, Monterey Trail (Elk Grove), Sr.
OL — Zander Esty, Placer, Sr.
OL — Noah Dunham, Yuba City, Sr.
ATH — Anthony Seibles, Jesuit (Carmichael), Sr.
K — Jake Tremain, Folsom, Sr.

Second Team Defense

DL — Wyatt Harris, Woodcreek, Sr.
DL — Garrett Cavalli, Casa Roble, Sr.
DL — Gabriel Batres, Rodriguez (Fairfield), Sr.
DL — Devin Martin, Vanden, Sr.
LB — Daniel Terry, Woodcreek, Sr.
LB — Theo Greule, Folsom, So.
LB — Kaleb Larson, Rocklin, Sr.
LB — Jerardo Ponce, Hilmar, Sr.
LB — Eric Gladney, Vacaville, Sr.
LB — Alijah Cota, Manteca, Sr.
DB — Camden King, Vista del Lago, Jr.
DB — Trevon Watson, Antelope, Jr.
DB — Noah Cozart, Patterson, So.
DB — Chase Smith, Merced, Jr.
P/QB — Caden Pinnick, Del Oro, Jr.