San Gabriel Valley All-Area Football Team: The top players and coaches in 2022 (2024)

2022 ALL-AREA FOOTBALL TEAM

The standout players and top coaches selected from the areas covered by the Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Whittier Daily News.

PASADENA STAR -NEWS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jack Jacobs, St. Francis, QB, Sr.

The 6-foot-6 senior led his team to the CIF Southern Section semifinals for a second straight season and made it to the CIF-SS Division 5 championship game. The Golden Knights lost in heartbreaking fashion to Etiwanda 45-42 in the final. Still, it was a season to remember for Jacobs. He threw for 3,302 yards and 33 touchdowns with just seven interceptions, rushed for 297 yards and four touchdowns and was chosen the Angelus League MVP. He finished his high school career 20-7 as the starter for the Golden Knights. As of early this week, he had not received any college offers. Coach Dean Herrington said of Jacobs: “I’m so proud of him. I know the lack of recruitment has to be frustrating him, but he doesn’t show it. He’s been very unselfish.”

CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR

Lance Mitchell, Muir and Kevin Encinas, San Gabriel

Mitchell and Encinas share the coach of the year honor after they each led their team to historic seasons. Mitchell’s Mustangs won the CIF-SS Division 10 championship by beating Salesian 21-0 for the school’s fifth section title. The Mustangs also won the CIF State Division 5-AA Regional championship, beating Palo Verde Valley 33-7 before a loss to Hughson 9-6 in the state final. Encinas’ Matadors went on a wild ride in the playoffs, beating Bishop Montgomery 52-7 for the Division 13 title, and then following it with a Division 6-A regional title, giving the Matadors their first two football championships in school history. They ended the season with a 41-0 loss to Atascadero in the state final.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Baylin Brooks, Pasadena, WR, Sr.

Brooks, a transfer from Loyola, had a super senior season, helping the Bulldogs finish 9-2 and advance to the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs. In the Bulldogs’ first-round playoff loss to El Modena, Brooks had eight receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown. Brooks, who is a San Diego State signee, had 56 receptions for 903 yards and 11 touchdowns and was chosen the offensive player of the year in the Pacific League.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Adrian Ramirez, Muir, DL, Sr.

Ramirez was the heart and soul of the run-stopping defense that led the Mustangs’ dominant postseason run, which included a 21-0 victory over Salesian in the Division 10 championship. In Muir’s last five playoff games this season, they had two shutouts and gave up only 23 points total. Ramirez was named to the All-CIF-SS Division 10 first team and was a first-team All-Pacific League selection.

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Richie Munoz, Charter Oak, QB, Sr.

Munoz transferred from La Salle to play for Charter Oak his senior season, and he made it a season to remember. Munoz, who signed with Weber State, led Charter Oak to the Mountain West League title and was the league’s MVP. The Chargers went undefeated (10-0) in the regular season before losing in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs to Yorba Linda, which went on to the Division 3 title. Munoz passed for 2,994 yards and 40 touchdowns while also rushing for 193 yards and three TDs. Munoz threw for four touchdowns or more in a game five times, and he threw for a season-high 374 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-42 win over Bonita.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Eric Peralta, Walnut

The Mustangs won their first CIF Southern Section championship with a 27-14 victory over Bellflower in the Division 11 final. The Mustangs finished second to Diamond Bar in the Hacienda League, but they cruised the playoffs, beating Rim of the World 28-3 in the semifinals. Walnut’s season ended with a 20-16 loss to Shafter in the CIF State Division 5-A Regional bowl game championship.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Delano Franklin, Bishop Amat, WR, Sr.

Franklin, nicknamed the “Slot Machine,” delivered clutch catches and touchdowns throughout the season for Bishop Amat, which advanced to the CIF-SS Division 2 semifinals before losing to eventual champion Sierra Canyon. Franklin earned Mission League offensive player of the year honors and was named to Cal-Hi Sports’ All-State team. Franklin, who signed with Cal Poly, SLO, finished with over 900 yards receiving to go with 13 touchdowns and he also grabbed three interceptions on defense. In the Lancers’ 70-49 playoff win over Murrieta Valley, he had six receptions for 130 yards.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Noah Mikhail, Bonita, LB, So.

The Bearcats standout dominated on both sides of the ball, but especially on defense. He emerged as one of the top sophom*ore recruits in the country. Mikhail has offers from many of the heavyweight football programs, including USC, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Washington and many others. He was named the Mountain West League’s defensive player of the year. Mikhail was one of the area leaders in tackles with 112, averaging 11 per game. Mikhail also had three sacks and an interception for a Bearcats team that finished 6-4 with big wins over Monrovia and Northview.

WHITTIER DAILY NEWS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Owen Long, La Serna, RB/LB, Jr.

The Lancers’ do-it-all threat was clearly the area’s best player on the area’s best team. Long was named the Del Rio League’s most valuable player. At running back he finished with 592 yards and eight touchdowns — stats that were modest due to so many blowout wins for La Serna in the Del Rio League. On defense, Long had 82 tackles to go with three interceptions. He was on a squad that was far and away the best in the Whittier area. The Lancers finished 9-2, which included wins over St. Francis, Damien and Tesoro, and a close loss to Warren. The Lancers were placed in Division 3 for the playoffs and lost to Palos Verdes 14-12 in the first round.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Frank Manriquez, Whittier Christian

The Heralds delivered for their coach, beating Lynwood 20-7 in the CIF-SS Division 14 championship. It was quite a feat for the Heralds, who finished 10-5 and were third in the Cottonwood League. In the playoffs, they defeated Temecula Prep 35-18, No. 1 seed Bolsa Grande 28-21 and St. Monica 37-28 to reach the title game. The Heralds’ season ended with a 48-7 loss to Crenshaw in the CIF State Division 7-A Regional title game.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Justin Gil, La Habra, QB, Sr.

The Highlanders’ 6-foot-1 senior led them to the Freeway League title and was named the league’s most valuable player after another terrific season. Gil passed for 1,944 yards and 24 touchdowns against just three interceptions. Gil had several big games, none better than the peformance he delivered against Troy. In that win, Gil threw for 352 yards and six touchdowns. The Highlanders didn’t have any success in the Division 6 playoffs, falling to Calabasas in the first round, with Gil throwing for 148 yards and three TDs in the loss.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Adrian Castro, La Serna, MLB, Jr.

The Lancers’ defense was one of the best in the area. They had a 7-0 shutout win over Damien, a 15-14 win over Pasadena and allowed an average of just 10 points a game against a very difficult schedule. At the heart of it all was Castro, the team’s middle linebacker. He was chosen the Del Rio League’s defensive player of the year and was one of the area’s leaders in tackles, finishing with 116 for an average of 11 per game. Castro also recovered two fumbles and had an interception.

ALL-AREA TEAM

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Indiana Wijay, Pasadena, Sr.

QB: Daniel Andrade, Bonita, Sr.

QB: Richie Munoz, Bishop Amat, Jr.

RB: Jachai Pulley, Muir, Sr.

RB: Isaiah Young, Diamond Bar, Sr.

RB: Aiden Ramos, Bishop Amat, Sr.

RB: Devyn Turner, St. Francis, Sr.

AP: Ryan McCulloch, Rio Hondo Prep, Sr.

AP: Zakkarii Black, Charter Oak, Sr.

TE: Decker Degraff, Glendora, Sr.

WR: Antonio Merlos, St. Francis, Sr.

WR: Ayden Gutierrez, Damien, Jr.

WR: Maddox Bernardino, Diamond Bar, Sr.

WR: Isaiah Johnson, Charter Oak, Sr.

WR: Carlos Hernandez, Monrovia, Sr.

OL: Phillip Ocon, St. Francis, Jr.

OL: Racin Delgatty, St. Francis, Sr.

OL: Daniel Santilan, Northview, Sr.

OL: Mason Viramontes, Bishop Amat, Sr.

OL: Ryan Castillo, Bishop Amat, Sr.

OL: Tyler Callahan, La Serna, Sr.

OL: Ryan Duron, La Serna, Sr.

OL: Hector Jimenez, Charter Oak, Jr.

K: Luis Marin, Charter Oak, Sr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Nate Maggiore, West Covina, Sr.

DL: Jasun Ridley, Pasadena, Sr.

DL: Chase Bernal, La Serna, Sr.

DL: Freddy Lujan III, Bishop Amat, Sr.

DL: Raymond Macias, Bishop Amat, Sr.

DL: Mubrarak Odubiyi, Charter Oak, Sr.

DL: Jalen Birdsong, Muir, Sr.

DL: Tiumalu Afalava, Bishop Amat, Sr.

TE: Connor May, Damien, Sr.

LB: Angel Barraza, Northview, Jr.

LB: Torriq Brumfield, Pasadena, Sr.

LB: Stacy Bey, Bishop Amat, Jr.

LB: Brian Freeland, San Dimas, Sr.

LB: Preston Jernagan, St. Francis, Jr.

LB: Angel Diaz, El Rancho, Sr.

LB: Phil Cotton, Walnut, Sr.

LB: Jacob Calnon, Monrovia, Sr.

LB: Denver Stillman, La Mirada, Sr.

LB: Caden Arellano, Damien, So.

DB: Michael Liggins, Pasadena, Jr.

DB: Cameron Mitchell, Pasadena, Jr.

DB: Solomon Davis, Charter Oak, Sr.

DB: Bishop Turner, Charter Oak, Sr.

DB: Noah Fa’apito, Bishop Amat, So.

DB: Jayden Northrup, La Serna, Jr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Drew Knight, Baldwin Park, Sr.

QB: Jake Long, La Serna, Sr.

QB: Ryan Vasquez, El Rancho, Sr.

QB: Sal Quintanilla, Walnut, Sr.

QB: James Arrelanes, Northview, Sr.

RB: Eric Terrazas, Sierra Vista, Sr.

RB: Miles O’Malley, Maranatha, So.

RB: Zach Requena, West Covina, Sr.

RB: Robert Lucero, San Gabriel, Sr.

TE: Adrien Gonzales, Northview, Sr.

AP: Isaiah Ariza, Baldwin Park, Sr.

WR: Jacob Apodaca, La Habra, Sr.

WR: Tec Nunez, Baldwin Park

WR: Richard Conti, South Pasadena, Sr.

WR: Idrique Carmichael, Pasadena, Sr.

WR: Nathan Alvarado, Charter Oak, Sr.

WR: Aiden Bravo, St. Paul, Sr.

OL: Jason Oxon, San Dimas, Sr.

OL: Nolan Kim, Diamond Bar, Sr.

OL: Christian Harvey, Monrovia, Jr.

OL: Nolan Molina, La Mirada, Sr.

OL: Patrick Dabney, Bonita, Sr.

OL: Diego Alvarado, El Rancho, Sr.

OL: Ryan Arevalos, St. Paul, Sr.

K: Albert Lopez, Arroyo, Jr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Jason Nwaka, Covina, Sr.

DL: Larry Thomas, Muir, Jr.

DL: Wesley Ekpo, Muir, Sr.

DL: Aaron Hampton, San Gabriel, Sr.

DL: Naasir AsiataTatum, St. Francis, Sr.

DL: Justin Contreras, St. Paul, Sr.

DL: Donovan Morrison, San Dimas, Jr.

DL: Dominic Rausch, Glendora, Sr.

LB: Julien Lopez, Bishop Amat, Sr.

LB: LaVar Arrington, Charter Oak, So.

LB: Aaron Escarcega, Damien, Jr.

LB: Cole Parra, Bonita, So.

LB: Cody Kautz, St. Paul, Sr.

LB: Ethan Browswer, Muir, Sr.

LB: Kyle Ferm, Glendora, Sr.

LB: Nate Guardado, Arroyo, Sr.

DB: Langston Taylor, Charter Oak, Sr.

DB: Ruben Munoz, Arroyo, Sr.

DB: Georgie Markossian, Bonita, Sr.

DB: Mahki Clark, Muir, Sr.

DB: Carlos Alvarez, Bishop Amat, Sr.

DB: Kai Jenkins, Diamond Bar, Sr.

DB: Jett McCullough, St. Francis, Sr.

DB: Turran Williams, Muir, Jr.

DB: Derek Ganter, Arcadia, Jr.