2023 MaxPreps All Sac-Joaquin Section Football Team

The 2023 MaxPreps All Sac-Joaquin Section football team features 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. We only considered section play for consideration. What happened in NorCal and state play did not impact selections.

The 2023 season did not disappoint, as the section produced some of the best talent in the state.
2023 MaxPreps All Sac-Joaquin Section Football Team

Player of the Year
QB — Ryder Lyons, Folsom, So
The do-it-all player was phenomenal with both his legs and his arm. Prior to state championship play, he tossed 36 touchdowns and threw for over 3,300 yards. On the ground, he was arguably more impressive, rushing for 19 scores and over 700 yards to help capture the Division 1 section title.

Junior Player of the Year
QB — Ricky Cole, Inderkum (Sacramento)
The Tigers' signal-caller showed he can shine during the biggest moments. During their four playoff games, he passed for 645 yards and 16 TD passes. He finished the season with 49. He also punched in five touchdown runs during the postseason.



Sophomore Player of the Year
QB — Max Medina, Patterson
The lefty guided his team to an 11-2 season, including a big upset win over Vista del Lago in the Division 4 section semifinals. Medina's and the Tigers' future looks bright, as they fell 36-35 to Escalon in the championship.

Coaches of the Year

Jason Adams — Rocklin
The Thunder shocked St. Mary's 17-6 in the Division 2 section championship. Adams and his staff finished 12-1 during section play with a young team in many of its key positions.

Chris Horner — Casa Roble (Orangevale)
Guided the Rams to a section title win. Coach Horner and his staff decided to go for two and the win in the Division 4 title game, and it paid off beating Twelve Bridges 23-22.

Michael Paschke — Woodland Christian
His defense was one of the toughest in all of the small school powers across the state, allowing just over five points per game during section play.

First team offense

QB — Caden Pinnick, Del Oro (Loomis), Sr.
The multi-athlete star could make a case for the most exciting player to watch in the section. In a league full of talent, he was named Sierra Foothill League Offensive MVP.



QB — Donovan Rozevink, Escalon, Sr.
Finished his career with a 37-7 overall record, a state championship and three section titles. He went out tossing 36 TDs.

QB — Luke Alexander, Grant (Sacramento), Jr.
Stepped into the QB1 position for the first time and didn't miss a beat from last year. Alexander threw 41 touchdowns and helped the Pacers to a second-straight section title.

RB — Nathan Crawford, Twelve Bridges (Lincoln), Sr.
One of the most reliable players in the section, rushing for nearly 2,000 yards and 41 TDs. He carried the ball over 200 times this fall with no fumbles.

RB — Wayshawn Parker, Grant, Sr.
The Washington State commit made plays at the biggest moments all season for the Pacers. He had some of the most jaw-dropping moments of the year.

RB — Jordin Thomas, Lincoln (Stockton), Jr.
The three-star back rushed for over 200 yards in seven games this fall. He had 100 or more yards in all but one.

WR — Kenneth Moore III, St. Mary's (Stockton), So.
He's on a path to be another legendary wideout from the 209. He averaged nearly 18 yards per reception.



WR — Jeremiah Bernard, Modesto Christian (Modesto, Calif.), Sr.
The Cal Poly commit hauled in 20 touchdowns in just 10 games. He was also a lockdown corner earning all-league honors on both sides of the ball.

WR — Matt Long, Vista del Lago (Folsom), Sr.
The two-time Capital Valley Conference MVP finished his career with over 3,000 yards receiving and nearly 50 touchdowns.

TE — Kaleb Edwards, Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), Jr.
One of the top tight ends in the country opened up the field for many of his teammates as he was often doubled. He was also a great blocker and defensive lineman.

OL — Joe Dexter, Casa Roble, Sr.
A big force on both sides of the ball. The Rams averaged nearly 40 points per game, and the offensive line played a major role in their success.

OL — Henry Hatada, Rocklin, Jr.
The Thunder as a team rushed for 37 touchdowns. Hatada and the big guys up front were a key to the Thunder's D2 section championship.

OL — Lucio Dominguez, Grant, So.
The Pacers' success starts up front on both sides of the ball. Dominguez is one of many talented linemen for the D3 section champs.

OL — Mana Itete, Central Catholic (Modesto), Sr.
The 6-foot-5, 290 tackle helped the Raiders reach the D1 semifinals. He's committed to Florida State.

ATH — Sam Jimenez, Escalon, Jr.
A two-way all-league selection after pulling in 18 receiving touchdowns, eight interceptions, and returned a punt for a score.

K — Ryan Eisert, Whitney (Rocklin), Sr.
He was about as perfect as you can get as a kicker and punter. He was 100 percent on PATs and field goals, including a 50-yarder.

First team defense



DL — Theo Greule, Folsom, Sr.
You could make a case that he's the top two-player in the section, dominating on both sides of the line.

DL — John Correa, Rocklin, Sr.
Named a SFL Co-Lineman of the Year. He finished the season with nine sacks and was a big piece of the Thunder's stout defense.

DL — Auckland Asiata, Sutter, Sr.
The Fresno State commit was a beast on the line for the Huskies, finishing with 29 hurries and eight sacks.

DL — Elijah Gulewich, Folsom, Sr.
He lived in opposing teams' backfields, finishing with 21.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.

DL — Jeremiah Tuiileila, Grant, Jr.
He looks like he could be playing on Saturdays or Sundays already. The Class of 2025 standout finished section play with 20 sacks.

LB — Frank Cusano, Granite Bay, Sr.
The Washington State commit was all over the field. He finished his high school career with 255 total tackles.



LB — Derrick Kirkendall, Downey, Sr.
A do-it-all player for the Knights, he was a hybrid defensive end/linebacker, plus a goal line touchdown back on offense.

LB — Evan Combs, Casa Roble, Sr.
Would be the front-runner for overall defensive player of the year in the section. He was in on 225 total tackles and 28 for a loss.

LB — Gavin Molloy, Oak Ridge, Sr.
Molloy was part of a stellar Trojans defense. He finished with 87 tackles, seven sacks and two picks.

Named the Mustangs Player of the Year and was known by the team as the "energizer." He made big plays in the biggest moments all season.

DB — R.J. Whitten, Folsom, Sr.
The BYU commit was a playmaker all over the field for the Division 1 section champs. He was a lockdown corner for the Bulldogs.

DB — Kingston Lopa , Grant, Sr.
The Oregon commit was an absolute stud on both sides of the ball. He was a ballhawk as a receiver and in the secondary.

DB — Elijah Huddle, Casa Roble, Jr.
Did everything for the Rams. He hauled in 12 touchdowns as a receiver, had four picks, and locked down top wideouts on defense. Huddle was an impact player on special teams as well.

DB — Brooklyn Cheek, Central Catholic, Sr.
The Cal commit is another Raider who we will see making plays at the next level. He had 13 TDs on offense and over 70 tackles on defense.



DB — Baron Taylor, Inderkum, Sr.
He led the section with nine interceptions and was also in on 69 tackles.

Second team offense
QB — Robert McDaniel, Hughson, Jr
QB — Connor Campbell, Casa Roble, Jr.
QB — Kalani McLeod, Vanden (Fairfield), Jr
QB — C.J. Lee, Jesuit (Carmichael), Sr.
QB — Johnny Koett, Vista del Lago, Sr.
RB — Michael Cherry, Rosemont (Sacramento), Sr.
RB — Wes Burford, Oakdale, So.
WR — Jadon Anderson, Oak Ridge, Sr.  
WR — Lono Chouteau, Inderkum, Jr.
WR —  Jameson Powell, Folsom, So.
WR — Brian Ray III, Folsom, Sr.
TE — Gavin Correia, Rocklin, Sr.
OL — Valentino Arrostuto, Placer (Auburn), Sr.
OL — Aidan Santos, St. Mary’s, Sr.
OL — Doug Smith, Woodcreek (Roseville, Calif.), Sr.
OL — Sawyer Kundin, Twelve Bridges (Lincoln, Calif.), Sr.
ATH — Tyler Wentworth, Central Catholic, Sr.
ATH — Derek Keeley, Rocklin, Jr.
K/Util — Joel Bradley, Roseville, Sr.
DL — James Williams, Woodcreek, Jr.
DL — Noa Siaosi, Vacaville, Sr.
DL — Zeke Conley, Edison (Stockton), Sr.
DL — Ryan Gaea, St. Mary’s, Sr.
LB — David Burns, Hughson, Sr.
LB — Mateo Mojica, Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento), Jr
LB — Jeziah Lopa , Grant, Sr.
LB — Talan Jewettt, Del Oro, Sr.
LB — Maxwell Laird, Tracy, Sr.
DB — Jasen Womack, Oak Ridge, So.
DB — Bryce Nicolson, Sonora, Sr.
DB — Baylor Kelley, Placer, Jr.
DB — Amos Cady, Ripon Christian, So.
DB —  Christian Harris, Inderkum, Sr.
DB — Isaiah Ene, Granite Bay, So.
DB — Camden King, Vista del Lago, Sr.