Lodi’s Duenas is Coach of the Year, Powell earns OL award

After a 3-7 campaign that saw Lodi High football go 2-3 in the Tri-City Athletic League, the coaches of the league voted Lodi’s George Duenas coach of the year.

But another award given to Lodi in the All-TCAL team released over the weekend has Duenas’ focus — that of Flames lineman Kent Powell, who was named the league’s offensive lineman of the year.

“That one was awesome. I really enjoyed that award more than my own, because I got that award when I was a senior for the SJAA,” Duenas said. “So it was awesome that my first year back, one of my guys gets that award. That award shows you have the right guys moving in the right direction, is how I look at it. I’m really proud of what Kent’s been able to accomplish.”

Powell, a senior guard, was the leader of the unit that paved the way for the Flames’ 330 yards of offense per game and helped the Flames stay competitive.

Duenas credited that competitiveness for his coaching award.

“I think the fact that each team had to play four quarters against us,” Duenas said. “From what the coaches said at the meeting, they felt there was a different energy with the team. I think it was all three levels, because the JV and freshman teams had good years. It was a good year.”

Lodi had three more athletes on the All-TCAL first team in offensive lineman Adrian Martino, defensive lineman Isaac Bishop and linebacker Andreas Pappas, along with Tokay running back Nathan Branco.

Bishop had 48 tackles, including six for a loss, three sacks and a fumble recovery, while Pappas led the Flames with 69 tackles to go with six for a loss, 1.5 sacks, four interceptions, two fumbles caused and two recovered. Branco led the Tigers with 179 carries for 703 yards and five touchdowns, and added 11 catches for 219 yards.

Tracy receiver Trevor Pope was named the league’s MVP, St. Mary’s running back Will Brown was named Offensive Player of the Year, Lincoln’s Jahidi West was named Defensive Player of the Year, Tracy defensive tackle was named Defensive Lineman of the Year, and Tracy’s Trevion Shadrick-Harris and Lincoln’s Darian Pollard were named Co-Utility Player of the Year.

Second-team offensive selections included Lodi quarterback Logan Stout, receiver Angelo Zazzarino and lineman Jonas Lattieri-Brown along with Tokay lineman Ian Lerner.

Second-team defensive selections included Lodi defensive back Niko Cabrera and Tokay linebacker Johnny Craggs.

Honorable mentions included running backs Larry McDowell III and Myles Lozano, receiver Colton Stout and lineman Gabe Biagioni from Lodi and defensive backs Chase Howell and Joseph Filippini along with defensive lineman Sebastian Palada from Tokay.