Times-Herald first team loaded with talent
Panthers, Wolves and Jaguars well represented
It was a big year for all of the area football teams.
Benicia and American Canyon high schools both made the North Coast Section playoffs, while Bethel went 8-2 and contended for a league title and playoff spot. Vallejo and St. Patrick-St. Vincent had losing records but boasted some standout athletes as well.
Here is how the rest of the AllArea team stacks up.
OFFENSE Quarterback
VANCE ESCHENBURG (AMERICAN CANYON) >> The senior didn’t disappoint for the playoff-bound Wolves as he threw for 1,278 yards and nine touchdowns and ran for 607 more with four touchdowns on the ground. He was first-team, all-Vine Valley Athletic League.
Running backs
JACARRI BROWN (VALLEJO) >> The senior made a name for himself with a hard-driving style and he rarely fumbled despite being the focal point of the Redhawks’ offense. Overall, he had 584 rushing yards, four touchdowns and added six two-point conversions. Brown had one of his best games against second-place Pinole Valley with 141 rushing yards. KENDALL LANE (BENICIA) >> Kendall was a force at running back as he rushed for 570 yards, had 104 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He had 100-yard games against Maria Carrillo and St. Pat’s.
SAMARI WHITE (BETHEL) >> Finished with 1,041 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Jaguars, who were 8-2 overall but missed the playoffs. He was first-team, all-Tri-County Athletic League Stone Division. He had one of his top games against rival Vallejo with 179 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-8 win.
Wide receivers
Justin Del Rosario (American Canyon) The senior was a favorite for Eschenburg and he finished with 592 yards receiv
ing and seven total touchdowns. For the year, he collected 100-yard games against Montgomery, Vintage and Hayward.
GIO SHAW-HART (BENICIA) >> Had 16 catches for 287 yards and four touchdowns but like many of his teammates sat out a number of second halves in league play since his team was so far ahead. He had one of his better games of the year against St. Pat’s with 89 yards and a touchdown.
Offensive line
RODRIGO CAMACHO (VALLEJO) >> Provided much of the blocking for running backs like Jacarri Brown, Jaymes Hart and Kyree Reason. He was first-team, all-TCAL.
JADON CLARK (BETHEL) >>
The Jaguars’ top lineman was solid all season, as he provided lanes for running backs like Samari White and Josh Holmes and some pass protection for Mal Turner. He was first-team, all-league.
SETH PATTERSON (BENICIA) >> The Panthers’ line was a strong point all season and Patterson provided blocking as well as leadership. He was first-team, all-Diablo Athletic League, Valley Division.
GABE SILVEIRA (ST. PAT'S) >>
The Bruins’ top offensive lineman opened holes for players like Bobby Brooks and Javi Shepherd. He was honorable mention in a very tough TCAL Rock Division.
BRAEDON YEE (BENICIA) >>
Was another big body in the trenches for the Panthers. Yee switched from D-line to O-line with ease and was second-team, allleague.
DEFENSE
Defensive line
MILES BAILEY (BENICIA) >>
Was just a sophomore but he played like an upperclassman for the Panthers. Bailey racked up 30 tackles and four sacks and was an excellent run-stuffer all year as he was firstteam, allleague. DERRICK CONNER (AMERICAN CANYON) >>
Much like Dairyus McNorton of Benicia, Conner was a quarterback’s worst nightmare.
He racked up 11 sacks and was one of the North Coast Section’s leaders all year, eventually finishing second. He was first-team, all-VVAL.
JAYDEN SMITH (BETHEL) >> The leader on the defensive line for the Jaguars, Smith was solid all season, stopping running backs and causing problems for opposing quarterbacks. He was first-team, all-league in the TCAL Stone.
Linebackers
DOMMANIC BELL (VALLEJO) >> Racked up 62 tackles and 1 ½ sacks for the Redhawks as he was first-team, all-TCAL.
ELIJAH BELL (BETHEL) >> Was another standout defensive player for the Jaguars as he stopped the run and created turnovers. He was first-team, all-league.
DOMINIC SPIVEY (BENICIA) >> Was just a sophomore but one of the leaders of a strong Benicia defense. He had 64 tackles, four sacks and was first-team, all-DAL.
KEKOA WILSON (AMERICAN CANYON) >> The defensive player of the year in the VVAL, Wilson was a threeyear starter and the leader of a stout Wolves’ defense. The senior finished with 109 tackles, two sacks and an interception.
Defensive backs
ZION BOOKER (ST. PAT'S) >>
The junior was first-team, all-TCAL Rock and was solid all season in the defensive backfield for the Bruins.
JORDAN FISHER (AMERICAN CANYON) >> Had a teamleading five interceptions and picked up 33 tackles for the Wolves. He was first-team, all-VVAL.
SIMEON HARRIS (BETHEL) >>
Was just a sophomore but one of the Jaguars’ best ball-hawking defensive backs. He finished with eight interceptions, five pass deflections and one fumble recovery.
ARMANI MOORE-TALTON (BENICIA) >> Had 31 tackles and led the Panthers’ defensive backfield. He was first-team, all-league.
All-purpose
EZEKIEL ANDERSON (AMERICAN CANYON) >> Was a standout two-way player as he helped lead the Wolves’ rushing attack and also starred at linebacker. He was second-team, allleague.
JANARI BOONE (BENICIA) >> Was another sophomore and star linebacker for the Panthers as he racked up 58 tackles and was firstteam, all-league. He also saw some time at running back and had a touchdown against Pinole Valley.
BOBBY BROOKS (ST. PAT'S) >>
Didn’t disappoint in his junior season as he led the Bruins’ running attack and was a superb player at defensive back as well. He was honorable mention in the TCAL Rock.
JEFFERY BROWN (AMERICAN CANYON) >> Also dominated from his spot on the defensive line, racking up 49 tackles and three sacks. He was first-team, all-league and also played some offensive line.
DEREK CAMPBELL (BENICIA) >> Was another multitalented lineman for the Panthers. He racked up 40 tackles and four sacks and also saw time on the offensive line. He was secondteam, all-league.
JAQUAN EDWARDS (VALLEJO) >> Was the Redhawks’ top receiving threat with 13 catches for 181 yards and five touchdowns. He also saw time at defensive back and was first-team, allleague.
KAAVE GAVIOLA (AMERICAN CANYON) >> Was adapt at running the ball and catching the ball out of the backfield as he had 12 total touchdowns. The senior also provided help at defensive back and was secondteam, all-league.
JOSH HOLMES (BETHEL) >> The junior was a star at linebacker and running back for the Jaguars. He was second-team, allTCAL.
KAMERON LANE (BENICIA) >>
Was maybe the most gifted athlete in the whole area. When he wasn’t at quarterback, Lane was catching passes at wide receiver and starring as a defensive back. He was first-team, all-league and is headed to Eastern Washington University next fall.
JAVI SHEPHERD (ST. PAT'S) >> Used his quickness and elusiveness to star as a quarterback and running back for the Bruins. He was first-team, all-league.
SEAN WHITE (BETHEL) >>
Took a more limited role on offense this season but was one of the Jaguars’ top defenders at linebacker and in the defensive backfield. He was second-team, allleague.