Top players to watch in October
October is here, league play is in full swing and the cream of the crop is about to emerge.
Here is a quick look at the early top contenders — in order — for Metro Player of the Year:
1. Jake Simmons (Rancho Cotate-Rohnert Park): The 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior quarterback has accounted for a Bay Area-best 27 touchdowns. He’s equally efficient as a passer (82-for-107 for 1,626 yards with 19 touchdowns and three interceptions) and a runner (34 carries, 270 yards, eight touchdowns). Cotate is 5-0 and ranked 12th by The Chronicle.
2. Spencer Petras (Marin Catholic-Kentfield): The 6-5, 225-pound senior quarterback has been nearly perfect for the region’s No. 10 team (5-0). He has completed 77 of 102 passes for 1,476 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Oregon State commit has yet to throw an interception.
3. Henry To’oto’o (De La Salle-Concord): The 6-2, 215-pounder was a preseason junior All-American selection at linebacker by MaxPreps, and he has been worthy of the honor through six games. On top of that, with leading rusher Kairee Robinson out with a concussion two weeks ago, To’oto’o more than filled that void by rushing for 173 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-30 home win over Central-Fresno.
4. John Torchio (Campolindo-Moraga): The 6-3, 205pound senior strong safety moved to quarterback this season and has done it all, throwing for 1,089 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushing for 294 yards (including sacks) and four scores. Too valuable for the No. 15 Cougars (3-2) to simply play offense, Torchio has had interceptions on defense in his past four games and added a fumble recovery. He’s also the team’s punter.
5. Joey Aguilar (Freedom-Oakley): The 6-2, 190-pound junior has completed 65 of 112 for 1,247 yards, with 18 touchdowns and two interceptions. His numbers are more impressive considering this is his first season in the Freedom program. The transfer from nearby Liberty-Brentwood leads the region’s No. 7 team (5-0).
6. Peter Stehr (Miramonte-Orinda): The 5-11, 190-pound senior running back and linebacker has carried The Chronicle’s No. 22 team (5-0) offensively with 662 rushing yards (9.3 average) and 12 touchdowns. He also has contributed 28 tackles, a sack, forced fumble and pass deflection from his linebacker spot.
7. Robby Rowell (Acalanes-Lafayette): The 6-2, 205pound quarterback also has been nearly perfect, completing 71 of 113 passes for 1,088 yards with 20 touchdowns and just one interception. Acalanes is a surprising 5-0 and ranked 25th by The Chronicle.
8. Charlie Bostic (Valley Christian): The speedy 6-1, 170-pound senior was largely expected to lead a stout Valley Christian defense from his cornerback spot. Instead, he has been just the breakaway threat The Chronicle’s No. 4 team (4-1) has needed by rushing 44 times for 649 yards (14.8 average) and 11 touchdowns.
9. Chase Hofmann (Half Moon Bay): The 6-foot, 180pound senior running back and safety does it all for The Chronicle’s surprising No. 19 team (5-0). In 41 rushing attempts, he has scored 16 touchdowns. He averages 9 yards per carry, 25.3 yards per catch and is considered one of CCS’s top safeties with 30 tackles, five for losses.
10. Peter Brown (Marin Catholic): The senior wide receiver certainly has helped make Petras and the Wildcats look good. He has 22 catches for 583 yards (26.5 average) and eight touchdowns. The 6-2, 205-pounder is also a superb free safety.