Manteca-area high school football fans were treated to top-notch talents last season, from the multi-talented Blake Nichelson (Manteca) and Dylan Lee (East Union) to Ripon Christian’s towering receiving duo of Griffin de Abreu and Thys Van der Hoek.
They’ve all moved on to NCAA programs — Nichelson to Florida State, Lee to San Jose State and de Abreu and Van der Hoek both to Black Hills State — and made way for the next set of Friday night stars.
Here are 10 returning players to watch (in alphabetical order):
Xzavier Clark, Ripon, Sr.: The 5-foot-9, 155-pound wing back had some electrifying performances as backfield mate, then-sophomore Anden Ries, went down with a knee injury.
Clark led Ripon in rushing (732 yards), receiving (313 yards) and touchdowns scored (18) — including one on a punt return. He also starts in the defensive backfield.
“Xzavier is a kid you want to get the ball to in space,” Ripon coach Chris Musseman said. “He’s also a good between-the-tackles runner, but he’s very dangerous with the ball in his hands and a with a little bit of room to go. He’s going to be a great receiver for us, as well, so he’s going to play a big role in the run game and in passing.”
Bryson Davis, Manteca, Sr.: Manteca had quite the one-two punch in Nichelson and Davis. The 6-1, 210-pound Davis dashed for
was a terror off the edge, finishing with 67 tackles, five sacks and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Davis has the athleticism to also play anywhere in the defensive backfield.
“(Davis’ role) just expanded,” Manteca coach Mark Varnum said. “We’re going to give him the ball as much as we can. We have other weapons that can hurt people as well, but he’s the bell cow. He’s also so explosive on defense. We’re expecting him to have an MVP-caliber year.”
Anthony Grady, Sierra, Sr.: The Timberwolves have had few bright spots in going 1-9 the past two seasons, and it was the 6-0, 170-pound fullback who was usually in the middle of them.
An All-Valley Oak League second-team selection, Grady accounted for most of Sierra’s offense with 840 rushing yards, 405 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns.
“He ran track last year, so he’s gotten a little quicker and faster,” Sierra coach Jeff Abrew said. “He has big-play capabilities.”
Brady Grondz, Ripon Christian, Sr.: A multi-dimensional threat for the Knights, the 5-10, 175-pound speedster racked up 1,000 all-purpose yards — 488 rushing, 267 receiving, 140 kickoff returns, 32 punt returns, 73 interception returns — while totaling 12 touchdowns.
He was also a ball hawk on defense, registering 63 tackles, two interceptions and 18 pass break-ups.
Jesse Ochoa, Ripon, Sr.: A wiry 6-2 cornerback, Ochoa finished as one of the state leaders last year with eight interceptions.
“I think I’ve definitely improved on my skills as a defensive back, but I don’t know if I’ll be getting eight picks this year,” Ochoa said. “That was something else, but if it happens, it happens.”
He’s also an asset on special teams as placekicker and punter and is hoping to put his pass catching abilities more on display.
“The passing game has improved a lot,” Ochoa said. “I’m excited for this year. We have a lot more plays in the passing game, so hopefully there’s more of a connection between us (quarterback Ty Herrin) this year.”
Tommy Perea Manteca, Sr.: After playing alongside All-VOL Outstanding Defensive Player Alijah Cota the past two seasons, Perea takes the lead as the Buffaloes’ latest “Shepherd.”
He was one of Manteca’s top tacklers last year with 85, now there is more expected out of the 5-10, 205-pound inside linebacker. He could also get reps offensively at fullback.
“He has to be a leader now,” Varnum said. “He has produced for us great the last couple years, and now he has had to show the young guys how to get it done at the level we play and practice at. It’s part of being the ‘Shep.’”
Anden Ries, Ripon, Jr.: Ries’ sophomore season was cut short by injury, and the impact of his absence was felt.
The 5-9, 195-pound wrecking ball thumped his way to 501 yards (8.0 per carry) and eight touchdowns before going down with a sprained knee in the Indians’ eighth game of the season. He still managed to lead the team in tackles with 58 by season’s end.
“Anden is a dual-threat guy,” Musseman said. “If you look at him, he’s a big boy who is up around 200 pounds, but he moves a lot better than you think. He’s pretty fast.”
Sanders plays much bigger than his 5-9, 144-pound frame and is a two-time All-VOL team linebacker (one first team, one second. He may get more reps offensively this season at running back.
“With Carson Sanders being undersized at about 5-9, 150 pounds, it goes to show why it’s about how hard you work,” Kuhnlenz said. “And when he speaks, everyone listens. He does a great job on defense. We let him call the defense. He’s essentially a coach on the field for us.”
Grant Sonke, Ripon Christian, Sr.: The reigning Southern Athletic League Defensive Player of the Year anchors RC’s stout front for a third year in a row. He totaled 93 tackles, 22 for losses, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
The 5-10, 190-pound Sonke was also the Knights’ leading rusher for a second straight year, grinding his way to 982 yards (9.6 per carry) and 14 touchdowns.
Isaiah White Manteca, Jr.: Interest from four-year universities has picked up for the 6-3, 210-pound defensive lineman who has been a mainstay for Manteca’s formidable front since getting called up to the varsity team as a freshman.
White was the Buffaloes’ leading tackler last season with 96, adding team-highs four forced fumbles and two blocked kicks.
“The thing with him is his motor never quits,” Varnum said. “He plays with so much passion and energy. He’s a nightmare, because he never stops.”
Keep an eye on:
OG/DL T.J. Agueda, East Union, Sr.; CB Eddie Anthony, Manteca, Jr.; TE Jace Beidleman, Ripon Christian, Sr.; OL/DL Carson Bunnell, Ripon Christian, Sr.; OT/DL Dominic Corral, Lathrop, Sr.; OT/DL Leland Crabb, East Union, Sr.; LB Dustin Hoekstra, Ripon Christian, Sr.; DE/TE Nate Martinez, Lathrop, Sr.; OT Bryson McMichael, Manteca, Sr.; DT Sean Teu, Lathrop, Jr.
