Merced senior football duo are Sun-Star co-Players of the Year after special season
Seth Scheidt and Jaylen Thao-Booth have been playing football together since they were kids.
Their last season together was special, as the two Merced High seniors helped lead the Bears to their first Sac-Joaquin Section championship game appearance since 2006.
“It’s the most fun I’ve ever had playing football,” Scheidt said. “It didn’t end very well, but I’ll be grateful for this season when I look back on it.”
Both players excelled on both sides of the ball with Scheidt playing quarterback and middle linebacker and Thao-Booth playing left tackle and defensive end.
Scheidt and Thao-Booth are the Merced Sun-Star Co-Football Players of the Year.
“It was really special playing with my childhood friends one last time together,” Thao-Booth said. “I got to play with my younger brother (Jalonn). I felt this season was a tremendous gift.”
Thao-Booth was named the Central California Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Thao-Booth was credited with 16 sacks this year, but that total may go up after Bears head coach Rob Scheidt double checks his stats for the season.
Seth Scheidt helped orchestrate an offense that averaged almost 43 points per game this fall after scoring just over 18 points per game this past spring.
The biggest improvements on offense came because the Bears opened up their passing game with Seth Scheidt and his stable of talented receivers.
Seth accounted for almost 3,500 yards of offense with his passing and rushing. He threw 27 touchdowns and ran for 17 more scores.
“We had to score more points,” Seth said. “I had to be a big part in that. Our receivers got better and older and I got to throw the ball more. I think we did that well.”
While Seth and the offense were lighting up the scoreboard, Thao-Booth made big plays on defense, including a five-sack performance in the playoffs against East Union.
“I think it’s a culmination of my will and just wanting to make a play,” Thao-Booth said. “I try to play fast and play strong. I used all the knowledge I’ve built up from playing all these years.”
“Jaylen had an incredible year,” Seth added. “He’s always gotten better through high school. You’d think he couldn’t do as well as he did last year and he just kept getting better every year.”
The Bears duo connected on the biggest play of the year when Scheidt tossed the ball out to Thao-Booth on a tackle screen for a two-point conversion on the final play to defeat top-seeded Kimball 51-50.
Seth said this season will give him a lot of fond memories.
“I think beating all our cross-town rivals, winning the Kimball game in the way that way won it on the last play,” Seth said. “I got to play under my dad and brother (Merced assistant Sam Scheidt) and we had a lot of fun together.
“The connection I had at Merced High School was special,” Seth added. “I’ve always been around the high school, I’ve always been a Bear. Even when I was playing youth football when I was 8. I’ve never worn a different jersey than orange and black. I enjoyed playing for hometown, I feel close to my community and the people.”
Water Polo
Easton Hamm, Merced
A few minutes into Merced High’s boys water polo playoff game against Johansen, Bears senior Easton Hamm quickly became the topic of conversation during a Vikings timeout.
One player couldn’t believe how long Hamm’s arms were.
Another Johansen player marveled at Hamm’s talent after watching Hamm steal the ball and score easily.
The Bears senior definitely stood out from the crowd, scoring 187 goals in just 28 games this season. He also finished with 45 assists and 132 steals.
“Quite impressive,” said Merced coach Kit Grattan.
Hamm was named the Central California Conference MVP for the second consecutive season.
Hamm is also the Merced Sun-Star Boys Water Polo Player of the Year.
Hamm led the Bears to a 10-2 record in the CCC, which was good for a second-place finish behind undefeated El Capitan. Merced finished 17-11 overall, reaching the quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
Hamm is headed to Cal-Berkeley next year on a water polo scholarship.
Hamm’s father Eric played water polo at Cal. His uncle Jeff Tyrell played water polo at Cal and is now coaching there. He’s had three aunts play water polo at Cal and his older sister Ellie plays volleyball for the Golden Bears.
“I love the Bay Area,” Hamm told the Sun-Star after signing his national letter of intent in November. “I love the location of Cal. It’s a super good school. It’s ranked the No. 1 public school in the nation. The water polo team is ranked No. 1 in the nation. I’m really, really excited to go there. I can’t wait.”
Cross Country
Daniel Lucatero, Livingston
After a frustrating track season this past spring, Livingston’s Daniel Lucatero wasn’t sure he wanted to do cross country this fall.
He needed a break.
“I was stuck with the same (4-minute, 46-second) mile time in track,” Lucatero said. “I couldn’t get a better time meet after meet and after the final meet I was so mad. I was just going to focus on track and not do cross country.”
Lucatero is happy he changed his mind.
The Livingston senior had his best season of his high school career.
Lucatero set the school record with a 3-mile time of 15:32 and finished as the Trans-Valley League overall champion.
Lucatero is the Merced Sun-Star Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year.
“I’m very happy I stuck it out,” Lucatero said. “I think it’s the best season I’ve ever had. I felt all the time I spend working and running paid off.”
Lucatero finished seventh at the Sac-Joaquin Sub-Sections with a time of 16:22.1 in the Division IV race. He also finished seventh at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV race with a time of 16:32.1.
After his stellar season, Lucatero can’t wait for track season this spring.
“I improved a lot more this season,” he said. “I was running faster and I’m ready for track now.”
All-Area Honors
Football
Offense
QB — Seth Scheidt, Merced
QB — Rocklin Baptista, Livingston
RB — Jabari Phillips, Golden Valley
RB — Jaxson Percoats, Buhach Colony
RB — Carlos Baez, Livingston
RB — Abraham Landino, Dos Palos
WR — Derek Taylor, Hilmar
WR — Evahn Perez, Merced
WR — Jonah White, Golden Valley
TE — Jamarcus Phillipas, Golden Valley
OL — Fermin Villegas, Le Grand
OL — Aden Lara, Buhach Colony
OL — Brandon Davis, Golden Valley
OL — Ethan Perez, Merced
OL — Damian Sainz, Los Banos
Utility — Angel Ramirez, Delhi
Utility — Broc Perry, Hilmar
Defense
DL — Jaylen Thao-Booth, Merced
DL — JT Archutowski, Los Banos
DL — Jalonn Booth, Merced
DL — Adrian Perez, Livingston
LB — Tyler Crockett, Mariposa
LB — Jordan Colbert, Buhach Colony
LB — Miguel Padeiro, Dos Palos
DB — Adrian Ramirez, Los Banos
DB — Chase Smith, Merced
DB — Xavier Cardenas, Atwater
DB — Kailin Frade, Buhach Colony
K — Andre Alves, Hilmar
Water Polo
Kaden Duyette, El Capitan
Trevor Knapp, Atwater
Ryan Smith, El Capitan
Andrew Koenig, El Capitan
Rob Carpenter, El Capitan
Colin Krieger, Merced
Kaleb Rogers, Atwater
Caleb Reyes, Buhach Colony’
Grayson Groth, Buhach Colony
Michael Brown, El Capitan
Cross Country
Julius Pena, Buhach Colony
Tanner Bristow, Atwater
Izaiah Garza, Los Banos
Micah Caballero, Buhach Colony
