Who are the top players in the Merced area? Here’s 25 football stars to watch this season
It didn’t take long for the stars to shine as the high school football season kicked off last week in Merced County.
We saw players turn in performances with multiple touchdowns, receivers top 100 yards, running backs with big plays and some stellar play up front on both sides of the ball.
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.
Diego Martinez, Le Grand
The Bulldodgs’ season may have been shortened by a three-game suspension after an altercation in a scrimmage against Tranquillity.
However, quarterback Diego Martinez is poised for a big season. Martinez returns after throwing for 2,279 yards and 31 touchdowns last year.
Yahir Zuniga, Los Banos
Defenses will be focused on trying to keep Zuniga from creating big plays for the Tigers this season. Zuniga is one of the top receivers in Merced County. He has the speed, experience and ability to create space to make him a big-time threat.
Andre Flores, Dos Palos
Flores is a third-year running back coming off a season in which he rushed for 1,424 yards and 21 touchdowns. The junior has the speed to score from anywhere on the field and his experience will help him grind out the tough yards to move the chains.
Davian Stephenson, Chowchilla
Stephenson transitioned from receiver to quarterback last year and was named the Northwest Sequoia League Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 905 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushing for 714 yards and 11 more scores.
Peyton Mosley, Pacheco
The Panthers senior was named to the Western Athletic Conference first team on both sides of the ball. Mosley already showed the weapon he can be at tight end, hauling in a 16-yard touchdown against Atwater last week.
Quintell Dupree, Merced
The dual-threat quarterback threw for 1,439 yards and 19 touchdowns last season to go along with 344 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. The third-year starter has all his receivers returning so he could be in for an even bigger season
Caden Bailey, Hilmar
A hamstring injury has delayed the start of the season for the Yellowjackets star but when Bailey is on the field he’s one of the team’s top offensive weapons. He ranked eighth in the section last year with 1,788 rushing yards.
AJ Banks, Atwater
Banks earned the start in the season opener for the Falcons and threw for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Banks is a threat to run or throw and will also see time at receiver when James Bell plays quarterback.
Diego Ultreras, El Capitan
The third-year starter was an all-Central California Conference first-team selection at defensive back last year. Ultreras will also make an impact on offense at receiver. Ultreras rushed for a touchdown in the Gauchos’ season-opening win over Hug.
Daijon O’Neil, Stone Ridge Christian
The Knights coaching staff wants to play O’Neil at receiver to get him in space this season. He’s a threat to score when he gets the ball in his hands. O’Neil rushed for 1,449 yards and 15 touchdowns to help lead the Knights to a 9-2 record last season.
Laten Butler, Mariposa
The Grizzlies junior turned in a monster performance last week, hauling in six catches for 177 yards and four touchdowns. He also had 68 yards rushing and another score. At 5-foot-3, 125 pounds, Butler is hard to track down for opposing defenses.
Sylas Austin, Atwater
Standing 6-foot-5, Austin is easy to find on the field. The Falcons receiver will be a big target in the red zone. He caught six passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Pacheco last week.
Dwayne Hemphill, Chowchilla
The third-year varsity two-way star will make an impact at linebacker and as a wingback. Hemphill brings a physicality to the Tribe offense, rushing for 828 yards and seven touchdowns last year.
Jeremy Garcia, Merced
Garcia is one of the many weapons at receiver for the Bears. He was an all-CCC first-team selection last year after finishing with 449 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Pedro Ramirez, Buhach Colony
The 5-foot-11, 253-pound lineman will be a force up front on both sides of the ball for the Thunder this season. The returning starter will be looked at as a leader for a young Buhach Colony team.
Adarius Moraels Saetern, Merced
Saetern was an all-CCC selection at defensive back last year during the Bears championship run. He also rushed for 553 yards and seven touchdowns while sharing duty in the backfield with Chase Smith.
Seneca Ybarra II, Atwater
Ybarra is one of the top track stars in the CCC and he enters his third year of varsity football. The defensive back is an emotional leader for the Falcons defense. He’s also a big threat at receiver.
Jonathan Labno, Hilmar
The Yellowjackets will make more of an effort to get the ball into the hands of their 6-foot-3 receiver this season. Labno can also make an impact at all three levels on defense at defensive end, linebacker or safety.
Tyrell Johnson, Golden Valley
The Cougars are counting on big things from their running back duo of Johnson and Deavon Williams. Johnson showcased his speed and big-play ability last season, rushing for 1,020 yards and eight touchdowns.
Miguel Moreno, Le Grand
Moreno will be the top target for Martinez in the Bulldogs’ offense this season. Moreno has big play ability, hauling in 26 catches for 636 yards and seven touchdowns last year.
Julian Higareda, Merced
Another Bears receiver makes the list as Higareda will be a key part of the offense this year. Higareda made a bigger impact on defense last year, recording 41 tackles and six interceptions from his defensive back position.
Stephen Topetillo, Golden Valley
One of the many players who will be asked to play both ways for the Cougars this season. Topetillo will help anchor the offensive line and also make an impact at linebacker this season.
Sixto Ibarra, Dos Palos
The Broncos are loaded at receiver and any four of their starters could land on this list. Ibarra led Dos Palos with 34 receptions last year for 580 yards to go along with three touchdowns.
Deavon Williams, Golden Valley
The Cougars are expecting big things from this senior this season. Williams is half of the GV backfield duo with Johnson and will gives the Cougars a big-play threat. He’ll also be asked to play defensive back.
Zack Duran, Livingston
The senior makes the move from running back to quarterback this season. Duran will still be asked to contribute in the running game after leading the Wolves with 662 rushing yards to go along with six touchdowns.
