Here are this week’s candidates for The Sporting News Northern California high school football Player of the Week for Week Nine (Oct. 20-26). Our NorCal Player of the Week voting is open to players from the CIF’s Northern, North Coast, Central, Central Coast, Sac-Joaquin, Oakland, and San Francisco Sections. Read up on the candidates below and vote as many times as you’d like before 11:59 p.m. Sunday. The results will be announced in the following days.
Voting is intended for fan engagement only. Results are not scientific and may not reflect the views of the Sporting News. While voting activity is monitored periodically, irregularities or technical anomalies (including automated or repeated voting) may occasionally occur. The Sporting News reserves the right to modify, suspend, or withdraw voting at any time.
Final selections are made at the discretion of the Sporting News editorial team.
Vote for Week 9 NorCal Player of the Week
Meet the candidates for Week 9 NorCal Player of the Week
Jesiah Aday, Placer: Aday ran the Hillmen past Nevada Union 33-30 with 174 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Joshua Alderete Cook, Liberty (Bakersfield): Alderete Cook erupted for 10 tackles and four tackles for loss including three sacks and a forced fumble in a 42-27 win over Garces Memorial.
Tyson Alvarado, Coalinga: Alvarado ran for 145 yards and three touchdowns on only four carries and added two TFLs and a sack as the Horned Toads trounced Tranquility 55-0.
Titus Andrus, Pleasant Valley: Andrus rumbled for 269 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Vikings to a 38-28 win over Foothill (Palo Cedro) for an Eastern League crown.
Andre Armendariz, Dublin: Armendariz rushed for 226 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-7 drubbing of Foothill (Pleasanton).
Dylan Ball, Escalon: Ball willed the Cougars to a 35-28 victory over Ripon with four catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns, 38 yards and a touchdown rushing, a 59-yard punt return touchdown, and a reception that he returned 41 yards.
Jaxon Bell, Liberty (Brentwood): Bell ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries in the Lions’ 63-0 annihilation of Freedom.
Hasani Bess Jr., Pinole Valley: Bess totaled 172 yards and two touchdowns, mostly on the ground, to lift the Spartans past Saint Mary’s (Albany) 37-30.
Cooper Bluestone, Maria Carrillo: Bluestone had 312 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions on just 11 pass attempts, of which he completed eight (72.7%), plus a rushing touchdown in Carrillo’s 41-26 win against rival Santa Rosa.
Jaret Bridwell, Red Bluff: Bridwell ran for two touchdowns and 53 yards on just three carries and also totaled 12 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a pick-six as Red Bluff beat Enterprise 35-12.
Lane Brown, Winters: Brown had an absurdly efficient game under center in the Warriors’ 57-0 thrashing of Willows. He completed his only three pass attempts for 111 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries.
Colin Buckley, Sonoma Valley: Buckley made six catches for 180 yards and a touchdown plus an interception, which he returned 35 yards, as the Dragons rolled past Archie Williams 57-21.
Rusty Bull, Mariposa County: Bull led the Grizzlies to a 19-14 win against Waterford with 134 yards and two touchdowns rushing, a 21-yard reception, and eight tackles (one for loss).
Issac Bun, Stagg: Bun ran for 172 yards and all three of the Delta Kings’ touchdowns to help them hold off Tokay 24-21.
Wes Burford, Oakdale: Burford helped Oakdale to a 69-15 blowout of Sierra (Manteca) with 139 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries, two tackles for loss, and an interception.
Jimmie Burk, Redwood (Visalia): Burk went off for 344 yards and four touchdowns rushing a 61-14 blowout of El Diamante.
Fayt Cerda, Porterville: Cerda ran for 176 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-6 rout of Mt. Whitney.
Devion Corley, Pioneer (Woodland): Corley ran for a touchdown and a two-point conversion, made five receptions for 58 yards, and snatched two picks with a combined 61 return yards to help lead the Patriots to a 36-28 victory against Rodriguez.
Tyler Cunningham, Templeton: Cunningham went nuts in a 56-31 win against Nipomo with 253 yards and four touchdowns rushing plus four catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns – all of which were season-high totals. To top it off, he registered six tackles, a tackle for loss, and a 77-yard pick-six.
Ilan Davis, Hamilton (Hamilton): Davis ran for 108 yards, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion, caught a 34-yard touchdown, and added a sack and a forced fumble in a 42-0 blowout of Williams.
Eli Dukes, Palma: Dukes powered the Chieftains to a 37-14 victory over North Salinas with 223 yards and five touchdowns rushing.
Dareon Dorsey, Ukiah: Dorsey had six catches for 110 yards and a touchdown plus an interception and a 30-yard punt return to help Ukiah upset St. Vincent de Paul 27-6 and stay unbeaten in Redwood Empire – Bay play.
Torin Dunphy, Monte Vista (Danville): Dunphy led the Mustangs’ offense in a 34-13 upset of California (San Ramon) with 173 yards and one touchdown rushing plus nine catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Kaleb Flournoy, Corning: Flournoy showed out despite losing 42-33 to Las Plumas, totaling 166 yards and three touchdowns rushing, a 16-yard touchdown catch, and 14 tackles.
Brock Galer, Lincoln (Lincoln): Galer ran for 209 yards and two touchdowns and also totaled seven tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in the Fighting Zebras’ 49-14 rout of Colfax.
Darren Goodman, Redding Christian: Goodman totaled two catches for 47 yards and a touchdown plus eight tackles, a whopping seven TFLs, and two sacks as the Lions crushed Etna 49-0.
Elias Haynes, Downey (Modesto): Haynes scored all four of the Knights’ touchdowns, two via ground and two via air, to guide them past Turlock 29-26. He also had 74 rushing yards, both a 32-yard kickoff return and a 32-yard punt return, a 67-yard pass completion, and a team-high 13 tackles (10 solo).
Henry Heckathorn, Chico: Heckathorn had two catches for 106 yards and a touchdown to go with a kickoff return touchdown in a 40-10 rout of Shasta.
Cristian Hernandez, Kennedy (Delano): Hernandez turned just four carries into 156 yards and two touchdowns in a 63-21 rout of Taft (Taft).
Kaden Hoyer, University Prep: Hoyer snatched two interceptions to help U-Prep beat Anderson 32-6.
Cameren Hubler, Antioch: Hubler put on a defense/special teams clinic to beat Heritage (Brentwood) 35-14, totaling 10 tackles, five tackles for loss, an 83-yard interception-return touchdown, and a 45-yard punt return touchdown.
Gabriel Ibanez, Johansen: Ibanez made four catches for 35 yards and a touchdown plus game-highs of 10 tackles, five TFLs, two sacks, and a forced fumble in a 38-14 win against Livingston.
Chase Jenkins, Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep: Jenkins lifted the Fightin’ Irish to a 34-29 win against Valley Christian (San Jose) with four catches for 136 yards and three touchdowns plus a team-high two passes defensed.
Gage Jones, Live Oak (Morgan Hill): Jones went nuclear to lead the Acorns past Branham 52-46 with 328 yards and four touchdowns rushing to go with a kickoff return touchdown.
Packer Kuaea, Monte Vista (Danville): Kuaea exploded for five sacks to lift Monte Vista to a 34-13 win against previously unbeaten California (San Ramon).
Joe Lara, Liberty Ranch: Lara led the Hawks to a 56-28 win against Rosemont with 178 yards and three touchdowns rushing, a 12-yard receiving touchdown, and three pass break-ups.
Rob Larson, Folsom: Larson hauled in seven receptions for 107 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-7 blowout of Jesuit.
Damir Lomax, Bakersfield: Lomax had 152 yards and two touchdowns rushing plus a 10-yard reception as the Drillers cruised past Ridgeview 35-12.
Andre Lopez, American Canyon: Lopez turned just seven carries into 102 yards and two touchdowns in the Wolves’ 50-0 destruction of Napa.
Matteo Lortie, Livermore: Lortie led the Cowboys to a 31-7 rout of Redwood Christian with 287 yards, three touchdowns, and no picks on 22-31 completion (71%) plus a rushing touchdown.
Jerren Mao, Hanford: Mao threw for 340 yards and six touchdowns on 16-21 completion (76.2%) without an interception in a 49-7 drubbing of Mission Oak.
Quinn Martinez, Manteca: Martinez reeled in nine catches for 179 yards and three touchdowns as the Buffaloes smoked Patterson 43-7.
Kendale McGrew, Sanger: McGrew rumbled for 227 yards, three touchdowns, and a two-point conversion to beat Madera 46-28.
Joe Mendez, Pioneer (Woodland): Mendez ran for 221 yards and a touchdown to help Pioneer to a 36-26 win against Rodriguez.
Vernon Lacy, McLane: Lacy completed nine of 12 passes (75%) for 212 yards and a touchdown each to five different receivers without any turnovers as the Highlanders bludgeoned Madera South 71-0.
Ryder Lyons, Folsom: The 5-star BYU commit completed 25 of 28 passes (89.3%) for 341 yards and three touchdowns to one pick and also rushed for a touchdown as the Bulldogs routed Jesuit 42-7.
RJ Mosley, Pittsburg: Mosley caught four passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns as the Pirates crushed Deer Valley 51-0.
Jayden Najera, Golden West: Najera tossed for 438 yards and seven touchdowns with no picks on 24-35 completion (68.6%) in a 49-6 blowout of Monache. He three different receivers six times each for at least two touchdowns apiece and rushed for 54 yards as well.
Andres Nandallapa, Santa Rosa: Nandallapa balled out despite losing 41-26 to Maria Carrillo, totaling 122 yards, three touchdowns, and a two-point conversion rushing, a 13-yard catch, and team-highs of nine tackles and one TFL.
Eric New, Maxwell: New ran for 171 yards, two touchdowns, and two conversions in a 38-7 rout of Portola (Portola).
Daijon O’Neil, Stone Ridge Christian: O’Neil recorded five catches for 118 yards and a touchdown plus 45 yards and two touchdowns rushing as the Knights trampled Gustine 43-7.
Ezekiel Osborne, Shafter: Osborne completed 11 of 15 passes (73.3%) for 366 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions as the Generals stomped Chavez (Delano) 56-0.
Kaden Parris, Las Plumas: Parris led the Thunderbirds to a 42-33 light upset of Corning with 91 rushing yards, five catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns, six tackles (one for loss), and an interception.
Talis Payne, University Prep: Payne completed 12 of 17 passes (70.6%) for 140 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions and ran for 210 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers blew past Anderson 32-6.
Chase Perino, Central Catholic: Perino recorded seven catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns, five tackles, and two passes defensed as the Raiders pounded Mountain House 56-7.
Kvonta Phienemanh, Lindhurst: Phienemanh lifted the Blazers over Mesa Verde 35-28 with 134 yards, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion rushing to go with 17 tackles, 10 solo tackles, two TFLs, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a 40-yard kickoff return.
Kyan Phillips, Lincoln (San Jose): Phillips scored all five touchdowns to carry the Lions past Leigh 35-30 with 125 yards and three touchdowns rushing, two catches for 38 yards and a touchdown, six tackles, a forced fumble, and a pick-six.
Mason Pisarski, Bradshaw Christian: Pisarski rushed for 245 yards and two touchdowns to help lead the Pride to a 35-14 win against Argonaut.
Noah Prine, Golden Sierra: Prine finished with five catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns, eight carries for 40 yards and a two-point conversion, and 10 tackles (seven solo) to defeat Rio Vista 28-22.
Eli Punzo, Gridley: Punzo threw two touchdown passes, ran for 201 yards and three touchdowns, and even grabbed a pick in a 56-0 demolition of Live Oak (Live Oak).
Estefan Ramirez, Maria Carrillo: Ramirez lifted the Pumas to a 41-26 win against rival Santa Rosa by turning five catches into 245 yards and three touchdowns.
JD Reed, Coalinga: Reed had three receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns to go with an interception that he returned 52 yards in a 55-0 blowout of Tranquility.
Demaje Riley, Tulare Union: Riley totaled four catches for 131 yards and a touchdown, a 45-yard interception-return touchdown, and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Aidan Robles, Casa Roble: Robles steered the Rams to a 49-7 rout of El Camino (Sacramento) with 303 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions on 8-11 completion (72.7%) plus a rushing touchdown.
Jeydan Saing, Johansen: Saing recorded six catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns plus 10 tackles (one for loss) in the Vikings’ 38-14 win against Livingston.
Bryson Salazar, Denair: Salazar ran eight times for 111 yards and two touchdowns and made two catches for 47 yards and a touchdown as Denair blew out Delhi 41-0.
Luke Schager, Orland: Schager completed his only pass attempt for 57 yards and ran for 124 yards and two touchdowns on only six carries as the Trojans obliterated Oroville 56-6.
Hudson Schrader, Los Gatos: Schrader recorded two interceptions and a tackle for loss to help the Wildcats shut out Menlo School 28-0 for first place in the PBAL.
Brock Sherman, Del Oro: Sherman ran for 102 yards and the Golden Eagles’ only two touchdowns on just seven tries to outduel Rocklin 15-14.
Mariyon Sloan, Shafter: Sloan turned six touches into four touchdowns in a 56-0 domination of Chavez (Delano), running four times for 59 yards and two touchdowns and catching two touchdowns for 120 total yards.
Brady Smith, De La Salle: Smith ran nine times for 120 yards and two touchdowns as the Spartans thrashed San Ramon Valley 56-7.
Brandon Smith, Central East: The 3-star Arizona commit had yet another dominant outing to lead the Bengals to a a 61-49 win against Clovis for TRAC title. Smith ran for 148 yards and three touchdowns on just seven carries, had two catches for 40 yards and a touchdown, made five tackles, and took an interception 60 yards to the house.
Isayah Smith, Merced: Smith had a pair of interceptions as the Bears took care of Atwater 49-14.
Austin Snead, Terra Nova: Snead ran for 168 yards and a touchdown and also grabbed an interception as the Bruins steamrolled Santa Clara 42-6.
Dowan Stephens, Lassen: Stephens led the Grizzlies to a 42-21 win against West Valley (Cottonwood) by rushing for 238 yards and three touchdowns.
Cash Stevens, Whitney (Rocklin): Stevens managed a standout performance despite losing 28-6 to Oak Ridge with 27 yards and a touchdown rushing, seven catches for 102 yards, 11 tackles (eight solo, one for loss), a forced fumble, and a 48-yard kickoff return.
Carson Tidwell, King City: Tidwell rushed for 228 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries in a 45-0 beatdown of Pacific Grove.
Mason Volzer, Lincoln (Lincoln): Volzer grabbed three receptions, all for touchdowns, totaling 159 yards as Lincoln rolled Colfax 49-14.
Cayden Waldrop, Sonoma Valley: Waldrop rumbled for 281 yards and five touchdowns as the Dragons cruised to a 57-21 win against Archie Williams.
Sam Whelan, Soquel: Whelan completed 13 of 17 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns without a pick and ran for 59 yards and a touchdown as well in a 41-7 rout of Hollister.
Elmo Whitten, Liberty (Bakersfield): Whitten led the Patriots to a 42-27 victory against Garces Memorial with 102 yards and two touchdowns rushing plus an 80-yard touchdown catch.
AJ Williams, Hanford: Williams turned five catches into 174 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-7 rout of Mission Oak.
Torin Wolf, Minarets: Wolf completed 18 of 25 passes (72%) for 291 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions to go with a rushing touchdown as the Mustangs rinsed Parlier 49-14.
Colton Wolfe, Roseville: Wolfe rumbled for 126 yards and four touchdowns as Roseville handled Del Campo 50-14.
Jasen Womack, Oak Ridge: Womack ran for 157 yards and a touchdown, caught a 38-yard touchdown, and completed his only pass attempt for 11 yards in a 28-6 victory over Whitney (Rocklin).
Marco Zepeda, Red Bluff: Zepeda grabbed two interceptions plus two receptions for 36 yards and went 5-6 on PATs in a 35-12 victory against Enterprise.
