From the Manteca and Lathrop’s devastating defensive fronts to East Union and Sierra’s electrifying aerial attacks, there will be plenty of talent on display at area schools this season.
Ripon and Ripon Christian both bring back battle-tested players on defense who are also positioned to break out on the offensive side.
Here are the 25 top varsity returners to watch:
1. Isaiah White, DL, Manteca, Sr.
The reigning Valley Oak League Co-Outstanding Defensive Player believes his best season is still ahead of him.
White has been a disruptive force for the Buffaloes’ defense since getting promoted to the varsity team in Week 10 of his freshman year. He was vital on two Sac-Joaquin Section championship teams as an underclassman and finished as one of Manteca’s tackle leaders the past two years.
Last season, the relentless 6-foot-3, 225-pound lineman received individual accolades while playing on a balky knee.
“When I came to Manteca High, I was not very well known,” White said. “I created a name for myself and want to leave a mark at this school. I want to make an impact. I want this season to be better than all three (previous) years I was on varsity.”
2. Zak Willson, QB, Sierra, Sr.
Willson amassed 2,317 yards and 23 touchdowns against 10 interceptions on 145-of-250 (58%) passing last season and racked up the second-most rushing TDs for the Timberwolves with six.
Strength of schedule helped Sierra qualify for the playoffs with a 4-6 record, but Willson and Co. are raising the bar. With three of his top receiving targets returning along with several promising newcomers, the T’wolves’ passing attack is primed for an even bigger year.
“Last year is last year, I want to leave that behind me,” Willson said. “I’m not worried about the stats. I’m worried about the wins.”
3. Blake Mount, WR/FS, East Union, Sr.
Mount finished as the area’s top receiver with 893 yards and 10 touchdowns on 57 catches. He also backs the Lancers’ experienced secondary at free safety.
At 6-1, 185 pounds, the third-year varsity starter is an all-around wide out who can beat defenders deep, win jump-ball tosses and fight for additional yards after the catch. He’s also a willing and physical blocker in the run game.
Coach Booie Daniels calls him a “playmaker” and “difference maker,” but Mount said the best part of the offense is that he’s not the only one.
“It can be pretty dangerous,” he said. “We have some real speed everywhere. If we can put it together and play as a team, it’s going to be pretty hard to stop us, for sure.”
4. Joshua Mellion, DL/TE, Manteca, Sr.
The 6-2, 250-pound Mellion finished with a team-high 6.0 sacks and earned All-VOL first-team honors. With coach Mark Varnum going to a more balanced attack, expect Mellion to be more involved in the passing game at tight end.
5. Nikko Juarez, RB, Manteca, So.
Juarez is already on NCAA radars, receiving his first Division I offer from Nevada over the summer. He flashed his abilities after his call-up to varsity duty five games into the 2023 season, finishing as the Buffs’ second-leading rusher (480 yards, 10 per carry, seven TDs) in a loaded backfield.
6. Amos Cady, FS/WR, Ripon Christian, Jr.
Ripon Christian’s ball-hawking free safety racked up 66 tackles along with an area-high seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble during his stellar sophomore season. Amos will get more opportunities on offense at flyback and receiver.
7. Sean Teu, DL/RB, Lathrop, Sr.
A candidate for Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Teu is going into his third varsity season with a stronger, more chiseled frame at 6-1, 225 pounds. He collected 52 tackles (23 for tackles) as a junior and paced the Spartans with 7.0 sacks.
8. Trevor Sutton, WR/K, Sierra, Sr.
A first-year player, Sutton was a surprise performer for the Timberwolves last season. He was their leading receiver (32 receptions, 754 yards, six TDs) and one of the area’s most reliable place kickers with 36 of 39 points after touchdowns and four of five field goals converted.
9. Jackson Fay, WR, East Union, Jr.
Fay was part of EU’s outstanding 4x100 relay during the track season, and all four sprinters are going to play big roles on the football team. Fay was the Lances’ second-leading receiver (51-704-6), and his speed will also be used in the running game.
10. Pablo Pena, LB/FB, Lathrop, Jr.
Pena was the area’s most productive two-way sophomore in 2023. The sturdy 6-0, 230-pound middle linebacker led Lathrop with 67 tackles, earning All-WAC second-team honors. He also contributed 622 rushing yards (6.1 per carry) and seven TDs in the Spartans’ physical Wing-T offense.
11. Quinn Martinez, CB, WR Manteca, Jr.
Martinez made the All-VOL first team as a sophomore cornerback, and he’ll get a bigger role offensively with Manteca looking to air it out more. He’s the son of former Manteca standout Gilbert Martinez, who was on the 2001 Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship team.
12. Jimmy Heida, C/DL, Ripon Christian, Sr.
Heida gives Ripon Christian size (6-1, 295) and experience in the middle of the line of scrimmage.
The third-year varsity starter was named Southern Athletic League Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2023 and earned a first-team spot on offense.
13. Andre Muqhar, RB/OLB Lathrop, Sr.
Hard-running ball carrier was Lathrop’s second-leading rusher with 883 yards (6.7 per carry) and 12 touchdowns last year while taking hand-offs from all backfield positions in the Wing-T. Muqhar will continue to be moved around on offense and get more reps at outside linebacker.
14. Trevor Van Elderen, RB/OLB, Ripon Christian, Sr.
Van Elderen will get his shot to shine with most of the attention going to established senior stars last year. At 6-3, 185 pounds, he’s a big tailback who contributed as a runner (592 yards, 6.7 per carry, 10 TDs) and receiver (155 yards, TD) with his limited touches.
15. Tali Vaipuna, WR/DE, Sierra, Sr.
Vaipuna is a big target for Willson at 6-3, 215 pounds and primed to improve on his 2023 production (35 receptions, 550 yards, five TDs).
16. Logan Spear, DL/TE, Ripon, Sr.
Ripon is expecting a big season out of the 6-2, 180-pound defensive tackle who made the All-TVL second team. He’ll also contribute offensively at tight end.
17. Brock Felt, OLB/RB, Sierra, Sr.
Sierra’s lone third-year varsity starter is an All-VOL second-team selection after leading the T’wolves with 78 tackles and 5.0 sacks.
18. Ruben Moreno, LB/RB, Manteca, Sr.
Moreno wields the Buffaloes’ customary Shepherd Stick after the 6-1, 210-pound inside linebacker earned All-VOL second-team honors.
19. Logan DeJong, DT/G, Ripon Christian, Sr.
The 6-0, 230-pound DeJong tallied 78 tackles, 17.5 for losses and 5.0 sacks during his productive junior season.
20. Nathan Gaines, FS, Ripon, Sr.
Gaines made the All-TVL second team after coming up with three interceptions and two forced fumbles in the Indians’ ball-hawking secondary.
21. Vincent Hudson, CB, East Union, Sr.
A long and physical cornerback at 6-1, 170 pounds, Hudson was named to the All-VOL second-team defense last year.
22. Mason Tameling, QB, Ripon Christian, Jr.
Three-sport standout had an efficient sophomore year for the SJS Division VII champion Knights, completing 83 of 119 passes (69.7%) for 1,1416 yards, 20 TDs and four picks.
23. Eric Guevara, ILB/RB, Ripon, Sr.
Guevara heads an experienced linebacking group after leading the team in tackles and earning All-TVL second-team recognition.
24. Brady Rossi, DL/G, East Union, Sr.
The 5-10, 210-pound two-way lineman and third-year varsity starter stood out in a league of giants, making the All-VOL second team defense.
25. Tipeti Paini, G/DL, Ripon, Jr.
Forced into varsity action late in his freshman year, Paini was Ripon’s best two-way lineman as a sophomore and rewarded with a spot on the All-TVL second-team defense.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Casyn Hopping, DE, Lathrop, Sr.
Lathrop’s skyscraping edge rusher (6-7, 235 pounds) was having a fruitful junior season — 34 tackles, 10 for losses, 4.0 sacks — before dislocating an elbow at Los Banos.
Dru Orlando, CB, Ripon, Sr.
The Indians’ shutdown cornerback is an All-TVL first-team selection, but an offseason back injury kept him from participating in summer workouts.
Anden Ries, RB/MLB, Ripon, Sr.
Ries enters his third varsity season recovering from a second serious knee injury. When healthy, the 5-9, 195-pound workhorse is a two-way performer for the Indians.
Kirk Simoni, QB, East Union, Jr.
Third-year varsity junior is in competition for the Lancers’ starting QB job under new coach Daniels after completing 167 of 290 passes for 2,093 yards, 22 TDs and 12 interceptions as a sophomore.
Maava Tialavea, FB/OLB, Manteca, Jr.
He was mainly a lead blocker in his first varsity season, but the 6-0, 200-pound Tialavea is primed for a breakthrough with more carries and more reps as an edge rusher.
