High School

SBLive’s 2021 All-Central Section football team

From Clovis running back Tristan Risley to Buchanan defensive back Jerry Rangel, there were many standout performers in Central Section high school football this season.

Bodie De Silva, SBLive

SBLive’s 2021 All-Central Section football team
SBLive’s 2021 All-Central Section football team /

With the fall 2021 California high school football season in the books, it’s time to hand out some awards.

From Clovis running back Tristan Risley to Buchanan defensive back Jerry Rangel, there were many standout performers in Central Section high school football this season. The 26-player team was compiled by SBLive reporter Bodie DeSilva.

(Lead photo by Bobby Medellin)

SBLIVE’S 2021 ALL-CENTRAL SECTION FOOTBALL TEAM

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Roland Russo – Bullard – Senior

Photo by Samuel Stringer
Photo by Samuel Stringer

Russo tossed 38 touchdown passes and had just under 3,600 passing yards while leading the Knights to the Central Section Division 2 Championship.

Running Back: Danny Olivera – Firebaugh – Senior

Olivera was a nightmare for opponents to bring down this season, posting four games of 200 rushing yards or more. He finished the season with over 2,100 rushing yards and 38 total touchdowns, finding his way into the end zone at least once in every game until the season finale.

Running Back: Tristan Risley – Clovis – Senior

Risley finished his career off with a bang, rushing for just shy of 1,900 yards with 27 total touchdowns. He surpassed 4,000 career rushing yards and exits with 56 career touchdowns.

Running Back: Brandon Ramirez - San Joaquin Memorial - Junior

Ramirez makes an impact on both sides of the ball and emerged at running back for the Panthers during this season. He rushed for an even 1,000 yards and scored 13 touchdowns while averaging ten yards per carry.

Wide Receiver: Mikey Olvera – Dinuba – Senior

Olvera started his season fast, catching ten passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns in week two and kept it up throughout the season. He finished with 65 catches for 1,154 yards and 19 touchdowns to help the Emperors go 8-5.

Wide Receiver: Bryson Waterman – Bakersfield Christian – Junior

Waterman had a big season catching passes from older brother Braden, finishing with 65 catches for 1,059 yards and 13 touchdowns. He showed his all-around ability, rushing for a touchdown, grabbing three interceptions and returning both a punt and a kick for touchdowns.

Wide Receiver: Jalyn Utendahl – Bullard – Senior

Utendahl led the section with 83 receptions to go along with over 1,100 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Athlete: Jason Oliver – Liberty – Senior

Oliver makes an impact on all three sides of the ball and stepped up this season as the Patriot’s top receiver during their run to the state championship game. He caught 38 passes for 882 yards and ten touchdowns. Olive also had 37 tackles, two forced fumbles, a sack and returned a punt for a touchdown.

Offensive Line: Cade Gretein - Liberty - Junior

Gretlein helped pave the way up front for a Patriots team that won the Division 1 Central Section Championship in dominating fashion.

Offensive Line: Brayden Hall - San Joaquin Memorial - Junior

Hall was named first team all-league for the second straight season while helping the Panthers rush for over 227 yards per game.

Offensive Line: Tanner Hirschler - Central (Fresno) - Senior

Hirchsler was dominant during his final season, helping the Grizzlies put up over 450 yards per game while averaging 37 points per contest.

Offensive Line: Gage de la Cruz - San Joaquin Memorial - Junior

Playing alongside Hall, de la Cruz is imposing at six-foot-five and over 300 pounds. The pair will be part of an experienced and dominant group up front for the Panthers next season.

Offensive Line: Karson Eckert - Clovis - Senior

Eckert led the way up front for a run-first offense that went over 3,000 rushing yards this season.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line: Jaeden Moore – Central Valley Christian – Junior

Moore was dominant all season for the Cavaliers. He finished the year with 155 tackles, 17.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three blocked punts and even a blocked field goal. Moore also would have been the choice as the Central Section’s top tight end after catching 60 passes for 975 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Defensive Line: Jayden Dock – Bakersfield – Senior

Docks was consistently productive throughout the season, totaling 64 tackles and 13.5 sacks for the Drillers.

Defensive Line: JC Tapia – Dos Palos – Senior

Tapia was a beast up front for the Broncos this season, finishing his final season with 51 tackles, ten sacks and a forced fumble while helping Dos Palos to a 10-1 record.

Defensive Line: Jose Davila – Firebaugh – Senior

Davila posted solid defensive numbers the past two years before breaking out with 63 tackles and 15 sacks this season. Against Sunnyside in November, Davila had seven tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Linebacker: Koda Lamanuzzi – Bullard – Senior

Lamanuzzi was a playmaker on the Knights defense this season, finishing with 81 tackles, seven sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Linebacker: Logan Bowers – Garces Memorial – Senior

Bowers totaled 106 tackles, nine sacks and three forced fumbles, helping the Rams to a 6-4 season. He also averaged over nine yards per carry and had six touchdowns on offense.

Linebacker: Marcus Ramirez – Central (Fresno) – Senior

Ramirez anchored the Grizzlies defense, finishing the year 85 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception.

Linebacker: Keanu Kuma – Washington Union – Senior

Kuma capped off his career with a whopping 140 tackles, a sack and a blocked field goal this season.

Defensive Back: Jayden Davis – Bullard – Senior

Photo by Samuel Stringer
Photo by Samuel Stringer

The Fresno State-signee rarely came off the field for the Knights. He had 84 tackles, six interceptions, three forced fumbles and two sacks. Davis also handled return duty and caught 14 touchdown passes on offense.

Defensive Back: TJ Hall – San Joaquin Memorial – Senior

Hall finished out his fourth varsity year with a huge season. He had 26 tackles and three interceptions on defense and was the Panthers top option on offense, finishing with 17 total touchdowns.

Defensive Back: Dominic Castaneda – Liberty (Madera) – Senior

Few players in the Central Section are involved in as many plays as Castaneda. He grabbed six interceptions for the second consecutive season to go along with 39 tackles. Castaneda also had over 1,600 total yards and 20 touchdowns while also returning kicks and punts.

Defensive Back: Jerry Rangel – Buchanan – Senior

Rangel had a huge season patrolling the Bears secondary, finishing with 119 tackles and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Returner: Imari Conley – Central (Fresno) – Junior

Conley averaged over 32 yards per kick return and returned two for touchdowns this season. He also contributed with five interceptions and three receiving touchdowns.

Published
Bodie De Silva, SBLive

BODIE DE SILVA, SBLIVE

Home/News