Who are the top players in Merced County? Here’s 25 football stars to watch this season
It didn’t take long for some of the talent in Merced County to take center stage on the football field in the first week of games.
We saw 200-yard rushing games, 200-yard receiving games, quarterbacks throwing and rushing in touchdowns and some superb play on the offensive and defensive lines.
With all the talent in the Merced-area, it should make for an exciting high school football season.
Here’s a list of some players to watch in the upcoming weeks.
Josue Garcia, Atwater
The Falcons started the season with a 50-0 victory over Valley. Running back Josue Garcia rushed for three touchdowns.
The senior running back should be able to take advantage of an improved Atwater offensive line and he’ll be a key contributor in the Falcons offense.
Derek Taylor, Hilmar
The 6-foot-5 receiver came into the season as one of the top receivers in Merced County. He didn’t disappoint in the Yellowjackets first game hauling six passes for 234 yards and one touchdown against Patterson.
Taylor already has a scholarship offer from the University of Massachusetts.
Jalonn Booth, Merced
Booth is a beast on both sides of the ball for the Bears. He’ll be one of the top lineman in the Central California Conference.
He was flying all over the field on defense against Central Catholic last week. He’s only a junior, but he’s one of the leaders for Merced in his second varsity season.
Jaxson Percoats, Buhach Colony
You can start any list of exciting players in Merced County with Percoats. The Thunder senior will be a workhorse this season as the coaching staff discovers different ways to get him the ball.
Percoats helped the Thunder pick up a win in their opener by rushing for 127 yards on offense and intercepting a pass on defense.
David Herrera, Los Banos
The Tigers junior quarterback is a threat to throw or pass and he showed that in Los Banos’s 21-14 win over Dos Palos in the Westside War.
Herrera scored two rushing touchdowns and threw one touchdown. Hererra rushed for 127 yards against the Broncos.
Jahkylle Smith, Golden Valley
Smith takes over for the Cougars all-time leading rusher Jabari Phillips. Smith started off with a bang, rushing for 209 yards and two touchdowns in Golden Valley’s 28-20 win over Del Campo.
Smith has speed, vision and is strong for his size, which will make him fun to watch as the Cougars featured back this season.
Ceaser Manzo, El Capitan
Manzo made the move from running back to quarterback this year as a senior for the Gauchos and showcased his ability to run and throw in week one against Delhi.
Manzo threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more scores. He’ll be El Capitan’s main weapon on offense.
Fermin Villegas, Le Grand
The second lineman on the list is the best lineman to come out of Le Grand, according to Bulldogs coach Aaron Martinez.
Villegas is a force on offense, defense and special teams. He blocked field goals and extra points at key moments last year for the Bulldogs.
Eleazar Garza, Golden Valley
Garza will be key at quarterback if the Cougars are going to contend in the Central California Conference and a playoff appearance.
Garza is a third-year starter behind center and has the weapons to put up big numbers this season.
Chase Smith, Merced
This electric running back was definitely a bright spot in Merced’s opening loss to Central Catholic. Smith showed the ability to make cuts on a dime and speed to get around the corner.
The junior rushed for over 130 yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders, which came in ranked No. 2 in the Sac-Joaquin Section by MaxPreps. Smith is also a lock-down cornerback on defense.
Carlos Baez, Livingston
Wolves head coach Steven Wine says Baez sticks out when you see him walking around on campus. He stood out on the field last year, rushing for 1,197 yards and 13 touchdowns on 118 carries last season.
Baez could be in line for even more work as a senior this season.
Collin Williams, Atwater
Williams will play a key role for the Falcons as a slot receiver and a defensive back this season. The Falcons coaches like what they’ve seen so far in camp and in the opening week from Williams.
Williams will be a favorite target of senior quarterback Tyler Parr.
Julian Bucio, Le Grand
Bucio is the only current quarterback in Merced County that has won a section title after leading the Bulldogs to a blue banner last season.
After passing for 2,488 yards and 31 touchdowns last year, Bucio should be even better with a year of starting under his belt and many of his weapons back this year.
Enoch Evans, Merced
The Central Catholic defensive backs couldn’t guard Evans, who is a strong route runner with good hands and speed.
Evans made a spectacular catch in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. He’ll be a big weapon in the Bears offensive attack this season.
Ayden Barcellos, Los Banos
At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Barcellos is like a tight end with receiver speed out wide for the Tigers. He gives Los Banos a big-play threat and a target in the red zone.
He’s also a force on defense at defensive end where he should rack up sacks this season.
Abel Bravo, Pacheco
It’s not often you’ll find a quarterback who also plays linebacker, but Bravo isn’t your normal quarterback. He’s playing quarterback out of necessity for the Panthers and will be a big threat running the ball.
On defense he’ll be a leader who flies all over the field.
Jonah White, Golden Valley
One of the most electric players on both sides of the ball in Merced County. White caught nine touchdowns as a sophomore last year.
He showed his ability to change a game with a pick-six that sealed the Cougars win over Del Campo last week.
Reyes Diaz, Le Grand
Le Grand coach Aaron Martinez called Diaz the Bulldogs’ Deebo Samuel-type player. The coaches expect to use Diaz in many ways as a tight end, receiver and running the ball.
He’s also a big-time player on defense from outside linebacker.
Max Friedman, Stone Ridge Christian
Friedman sets the tone for the Knights as a tight end and outside linebacker. He has the size, strength and athleticism to dominate.
Stone Ridge Christian won’t throw the ball much in its double-wing offense, but when it does look for Friedman to get the ball.
Kailin Frade, Buhach Colony
The Thunder receiver caught just one pass on Friday night, but made it count with a 10-yard touchdown against Gregori.
Expect bigger games ahead for one of Buhach Colony’s top weapons. He’s also a key on the Thunder defense at safety.
Luis Vargas, Hilmar
The senior running back is a big-play threat out of the backfield for Hilmar this season. Yellowjackets coach Frank Marques says he needs to find a way to get Vargas the ball more this season.
Vargas had 127 all-purpose yards as a rusher and receiver in last week’s loss to Patterson.
Julio Morales, Delhi
The Hawks senior will be a go-to player this season. He rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries in a win over El Capitan in the first week.
Morales also had 75 yards in kickoff returns.
Jack Collins, Merced
Collins gives the Bears another weapon at receiver with his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame. Collins can bring down the ball in a crowd and he’s also a threat down field.
Collins has moved to outside linebacker where he’ll play a key factor on defense for the Bears this season.
Peyton Van Worth, Dos Palos
Van Worth takes over at quarterback in the Broncos spread offense. The junior grew up around Dos Palos football with his father, a former player and three-time section champion.
Van Worth threw for one touchdown and ran for another in the Bronco’s Westside War loss to Los Banos.
Apollos Powell, Mariposa
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Powell will be used in a variety of ways by the Grizzlies this season. He rushed for 83 yards on 10 carries and hauled in four catches for 63 yards in Mariposa’s 36-12 win over Yosemite last week.
Powell also returns kicks and played linebacker for the Grizzlies.
Friday’s Games
Merced at Gregori
Hanford at Buhach Colony
El Capitan at Le Grand
Golden Valley at Madera South
Atwater at Clovis East
Los Banos at Hilmar
Livermore at Livingston
Pacheco at Central Valley
Summerville at Dos Palos
Fresno at Chowchilla
Johansen at Gustine
Riverbank at Delhi
Mariposa at Minarets
Justin Garza at Stone Ridge Christian
