An early look at Merced-area high school players to watch this football season
If the first two weeks of the high school football season has taught us anything is flexibility will be paramount.
It seems games may have to be postponed or rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other issues that may pop up like the poor air quality we experienced last week due to the many wild fires burning in California.
The CIF made an announcement that games can even be rescheduled for Sunday this fall if needed.
For the most part, teams have found a way to play the games and the players are putting up strong performances.
It’s never too early to look at potential Sun-Star Player of the Year candidates. Here’s an early season list of nine players who we’ll be watching. There’s plenty of time for players not on the list to emerge as strong contenders.
Jabari Phillips, Golden Valley
The senior running back has already scored five touchdowns in two games, including a four-touchdown, 245-rushing yards performance in the season opener against Sunnyside.
Philips has shown the explosiveness Cougars fans have seen for the past three seasons, including a school record 99-yard touchdown run against Sunnyside.
Seth Scheidt, Merced
The Bears are in the middle of a stretch where they will play three games in 10 days. It will be a tough challenge for Scheidt who doubles as the Bears quarterback and middle linebacker.
Scheidt threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns against Central Catholic. He added 14 tackles on defense. The Bears senior rushed for 98 yards in a win over Gregori.
He was named the Central California Conference MVP this past spring and will be another leading candidate this season.
Derek Taylor, Hilmar
The junior receiver missed the Yellowjackets game on Monday against Los Banos. Taylor opened the season with an impressive game, hauling in five catches for 117 yards and three touchdowns.
Taylor will be a force on both sides of the ball for Hilmar. The 6-foot-7, 215-pound junior also plays defensive end, recording five tackles and one sack against Patterson.
Jaxson Percoats, Buhach Colony
Expect to see this name a lot this season for the Thunder. Percoats accounted for almost 700 yards of offense and seven touchdowns during the five-game spring season.
Percoats has the combination at running back with speed, power and agility that makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
Trent Calvert, Dos Palos
Calvert already set the school records for career passing yards and passing touchdowns this past spring as a junior.
Calvert has been more of a threat with his legs in the first two games for the Broncos, rushing for 180 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-7 win over Kerman last week.
Calvert is a four-year starter who knows the Broncos offense well and should put up big numbers as Dos Palos tries to meet big expectations this season.
Jaylen Booth-Thao, Merced
The senior lineman was named the CCC Linemen of the Year this past spring. He’s been even more dominant on both sides of the ball for the Bears this season.
He had 14 tackles, including two sacks and four tackles for loss in 33-13 win over Gregori on Monday night. Against Central Catholic he recorded 15 tackles, including another two tackles for loss.
To put it simply, he’s a problem for opposing offenses.
Wyatt Green, Mariposa
This third-year starter gives the Grizzlies experience and a big-time weapon at quarterback. Green helped lead Mariposa to a Sac-Joaquin Section championship his sophomore year.
He threw two touchdowns in the Grizzlies’ opening win over Franklin. Expect a lot more as Mariposa hopes to contend for a Southern League championship.
JT Archutowski, Los Banos
The defensive end was hard to block for opposing linemen this past spring. He’s even tougher this fall, collecting four sacks in the Tigers first two games.
Archutowski also plays receiver on offense and the Tigers want to get his big frame matched up on smaller quarterbacks. He hauled in a goal line touchdown against Dos Palos in the first week.
James Thomas, Atwater
The third-year starter is tough to bring down with his powerful running style and tree-trunk thighs. Thomas also has deceptive speed that gives him the ability to break a long run.
Thomas also plays middle linebacker and will be an anchor for the Falcons defense.
Expect the Falcons to feed Thomas the ball plenty this season as they look to get on track after an 0-2 start.
Thursday Game
Pacheco at Sierra (Manteca)
Friday Games
Chowchilla at Golden Valley
Merced at Downey
Buhach Colony at Enochs
Gregori at Atwater
Grace Davis at El Capitan (Merced College)
Los Banos at Orestimba
Amador at Livingston
Le Grand at Tranquillity
Delta Charter at Gustine
Mariposa at Stone Ridge Christian
Johansen at Delhi
Dos Palos at Exeter
Saturday
Modesto at Hilmar
This story was originally published September 2, 2021 at 1:09 PM.
