The season will be short, but that just means the time to shine will be magnified. The high school football season in the Sac-Joaquin Section kicks off in a week and there's no shortage of talent ready to pad up.
And in a season like no other, the opportunity to hone the skills for the college-bound players as well as those still looking to make their mark is a delight for all fans of the Friday Night Lights.
The section is chock full of playmakers and game-breakers and these are 25 of the best.
Nathan Lewis, Jesuit
File photo by Ralph Thompson
Senior | K | 6-3, 205 | ColoradoThe future Buffalo is the No. 14 kicker in his class, according to 247Sports. He was perfect in PATs and 14-of-15 in field goal attempts with a long of 45 yards. He had 30 touchbacks on kickoff, nearly 50 percent.
Jomarion Briggs | Lincoln (Stockton)
Junior | WR/CB | 6-1, 161 | Fresno StateA playmaker on both sides of the ball, Briggs logged 27 tackles as a sophomore and should take on a bigger role for the Trojans this season.
Prophet Brown | Monterey Trail (Elk Grove)
Senior | ATH | 6-0, 180 | USCA dynamic playmaker, Brown is a matchup nightmare. He's the No. 10-ranked player in California, according to 247Sports.
Zeke Burnett | Elk Grove
Junior | RB | 5-11, 190 | UndecidedThe Capital Christian transfer ran for just over 1,000 yards last season and should help the Thundering Herd fill the void left by Carter Harris.
Vincent Carter | Granite Bay
Senior | OT | 6-5, 250 | UndecidedCarter has moved up to 3-star status by 247Sports. The 6-foot-5 offensive tackle will be another elite player in the Sierra Foothill League.
Jonah Coleman | Lincoln (Stockton)
Junior | RB | 5-8, 205 | ArizonaThe multi-purpose back ran for nearly 1,600 yards and 30 scores last season. The 34th-ranked player in California, according to 247Sports, has speed and size to run through contact.
Nicholas Coronado | Kimball (Tracy)
Junior | QB | 5-10, 150 | UndecidedHe threw for 2,625 yards and 25 touchdowns for the 5-6 Jaguars. He completed 65 percent of his passes while averaging 238 yards per game.
Justin Eklund | Folsom
Junior | OLB | 6-3, 220 | UndecidedA three-star linebacker has been offered by Arizona State and Idaho.
Chase Esty | Placer (Auburn)
Senior | T/DE | 6-3, 300 | UndecidedThe two-star tackle helped pave the way for a Hillmen rushing committee that gained almost 3,800 yards on the ground.
Anthony Garcia | Capital Christian (Sacramento)
Junior | QB | 6-3, 175 | UndecidedThe three-star dual-threat has an offer to play for Army.
Ilaisa Gonebure | Rocklin
Senior | DT | 6-5, 290 | San Diego StateThe three-star logged 116 tackles while at Capital Christian and chose the Aztecs over 12 other schools.
Anthony Grigsby | Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove)
Senior | QB | 5-10, 185 | UndecidedThe two-star dual threat threw for 2,700 yards and 30 scores for the 8-4 Wolfpack.
Jahzon Jacks | St. Mary's (Stockton)
Junior | DE | 6-4, 260 | Fresno StateThe three-star is ranked 101st in the state and logged 40 tackles last season for the Rams.
Keleki Latu | Jesuit (Carmichael)
Senior | TE | 6-6, 205 | CalThe three-star has the frame to excel at the next level. He's the 54th-ranked tight end nationally by 247Sports.
Julius Lewis | Central Catholic (Modesto)
Senior | DT | 6-6, 290 | Fresno StateThe Fresno State commit is another big-time player from Central Catholic.
Nathan Lewis | Jesuit
Senior | ATH | 6-4, 200 | San Jose StateThe No. 139 athlete nationally by 247Sports chose to stay close to home and play for the Spartans.
Jadyn Marshall | St. Mary's
Junior | WR | 6-1, 180 | UndecidedThe four-star receiver has 13 offers after a catching 68 passes for 1,128 yards and nine scores for the Rams.
Senior | DL | 6-0, 270 | Undecided
A beast in the trenches, Melander had 50 tackles and six sacks in 12 games last season. He'll need to have a big season to help ease the loss of senior cornerback
Kaleb Higgins, who enrolled early at Cal.
Ethan Menezes | Vista del Lago (Folsom)
Senior | RB/MLB | 6-0, 185 | UndecidedHelped the Eagles to a 9-3 mark last season rushing for 1,859 yards and 17 TDs.
Sean Myles | Oakmont (Roseville)
Senior | LB | 5-10, 180 | UndecidedLogged 160 tackles for the 6-5 Vikings. He had double-digit take downs in all but one game last season.
Moses Oladejo | Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove)
Senior | OLB | 6-2, 210 | CalThree-star backer with 84 tackles last season for the Wolfpack.
Michael Otterstedt | Vacaville
Senior | LB | 6-4, 200 | Cal PolyA two-sport athlete, the future Mustang played both sides of the ball for the Bulldogs while logging 43 tackles.
Jabari Phillips | Golden Valley (Merced)
Senior | RB | 5-9, 175 | UndecidedRan for more than 1,1600 yards and 21 touchdowns. The 10th best-rusher in the section runs can flat out play.
Kimoni Stanley | Sierra (Manteca)
Senior | RB | 5-8, 185 | UndecidedLed the section with 2,024 yards rushing, reaching the end zone 33 times. He averaged almost 10 yards per carry.
Junior | QB | 5-10, 170 | Undecided
Will take over the reigns for All-Metro senior quarterback
Ari Patu, who enrolled early at Stanford.
