Merced Sun-Star’s Preseason All-Area Football Team
Offense
QB: Jacob Foss, senior, Merced: The second-year starter was named the Best Offensive Player in the Central California Conference last season after throwing for 2,067 yards and 19 touchdowns.
RB: Joshua Lee Jennings, senior, Hilmar: Jennings is part of a one-two punch in the Yellowjackets backfield with Cody Rentfro. The speedy back averaged 8.9 yards per carry and totaled 1,029 yards last season.
RB: Ulonzo Gilliam, senior, Merced: This dynamic back looks bigger, stronger and faster than he was last season. The third-year varsity player could be Merced’s fourth consecutive Central California Conference MVP.
FB: Tre Walker, junior, Dos Palos: The Broncos want to return to old-school, smash-mouth football, and that could mean a heavy dose of carries for this 6-foot, 210-pound fullback who has the combination of speed and power.
WR: Cadrian McDaniel, senior, Golden Valley: With size, speed and great hands, McDaniel has all the tools to be the top receiver in the area this season. He had 37 catches for 854 yards last year.
WR: Rigoberto Mares, senior, Le Grand: The Bulldogs star will draw plenty of attention from opposing defenses this season after catching 48 passes for 651 yards and eight touchdowns.
OL: Jacob Geist, senior, Los Banos: The Tigers’ coaching staff moved Geist over to the offensive line his sophomore year because he brought some nastiness to the group. Now, as a third-year starter, he’s the anchor of the Los Banos line.
OL: Luke Jenkins, senior, Stone Ridge Christian: The lone returning starter for the Knights from a dominant offensive line, Jenkins will lead the way for a young offensive line as SRC looks for a third consecutive section title.
OL: Clifford Johnson, sophomore, Merced: This 6-1, 326-pound left tackle will be a fixture for the Bears’ offensive line the next three years. Johnson is still recovering from an arm injury, but will help a young Merced line when he returns.
OL: Ethan Jones, senior, Hilmar: Jones will anchor the line for a Yellowjackets team that hopes to return to the section title game. At 6-4, 295 pounds, he’ll be a handful for opposing defensive linemen.
OL: Jared Del Real, senior, Atwater: Del Real is one of the few returning players for a young Falcons team. Del Real will be a force on both sides of the ball.
K: Joseph Lema, senior, El Capitan: The Gauchos have a weapon at kicker in Lema, who made seven of his nine field-goal attempts last season with a long of 40 yards. He also made 29 of his 32 extra-point attempts.
Defense
DL: John Becerra, senior, Merced: This third-year starter was a first team all-CCC selection last year at defensive end. Becerra’s speed and strength make him tough to block for opposing tackles.
DL: David Perales, senior, Merced: He’s the Bears’ bookend at defensive end with Becerra. Merced coach Rob Scheidt says Perales is a “technician who does everything right.” At 6-3, 204 pounds, Perales can play anywhere on the line.
DL: Jesse Flores, senior, Delhi: Flores became the first wrestler in school history to earn a medal at the state tournament. Flores was named Outstanding Defensive Linemen at the Fresno State camp.
DL: Daniel Bernabe, senior, Buhach Colony: Big contributions are expected from this returning starter. Bernabe finished with 49 tackles last season and should cause havoc in the backfield.
LB: Cody Rentfro, senior, Hilmar: This two-way starter is a throwback type of player, according to Yellowjackets coach Frank Marques. Rentfro goes all-out on every play and loves to play physical.
LB: Damon Perry, junior, Chowchilla: The Redskins middle linebacker will become a leader of the defense as a second-year starter. He finished with 108 tackles last season as a sophomore.
LB: Jonathan Collazo, senior, Stone Ridge Christian: As good as Collazo is at running back, his future in college may be at linebacker. He recorded the fastest 40 times for linebackers at the San Jose State and Northern Arizona camps this offseason.
DB: Lavon Wallace, junior, Buhach Colony: The Thunder star has already been offered a scholarship from Fresno State. At 6-3, Wallace has the size and speed to become a shutdown corner.
DB: Justin Cantrell, junior, Chowchilla: Redskins coach Alex Pittz calls Cantrell one of the top safeties to come through the Chowchilla program. He’ll be playing a big role on both sides of the ball for the defending Valley champions.
DB: Chris Munoz, senior, Pacheco: The all-Western Athletic Conference selection led the Panthers in tackles (85) and interceptions (four) last season. Munoz is also a weapon on offense.
DB: Paul Scoggins, senior, Merced: The all-Central California Conference selection is part of a talented defensive backfield for the Bears that also features Gilliam and Rayveon Slaton.
Athlete: Isaiah Montanez, senior, Golden Valley: Montanez will be all over the field for the Cougars this season at running back, defensive back and as a kick and punt returner. He’s a big play waiting to happen.
Shawn Jansen
Top fives
Quarterbacks
1. Jake Foss, senior, Merced
2. Armando Muzquiz, senior, Golden Valley
3. Chase Whitaker, senior, El Capitan
4. Beto Marquez, junior, Le Grand
5. Chase Kindberg, senior, Hilmar
Also: Aric Barton, Pacheco; Andrew Morris, Chowchilla; Trever Flores, Gustine.
Running backs
1. Ulonzo Gilliam, senior, Merced
2. Joshua Lee Jennings, senior, Hilmar
3. Jonathan Collazo, senior, Stone Ridge Christian
4. Tk Teneng, senior, Pacheco
5. Josh Land, junior, Mariposa
Also: Cody Rentfro, Hilmar; Rayveon Slaton, Merced; Rudy Aramburu, Golden Valley; Shane Casillas, Stone Ridge Christian; Pardeep Dhillon, Buhach Colony;
Wide receivers
1. Cadrian McDaniel, senior, Golden Valley
2. Rigoberto Mares, senior, Le Grand
3. Klay Farris, senior, Hilmar
4. Carl Schofield, senior, Pacheco
5. Elijah Reid, senior, El Capitan
Also: Stephen Williams, Merced; Brady Mello, Golden Valley; Paul Scoggins, Merced; Andrew Hernandez, Atwater.
Offensive line
1. Jacob Geist, senior, Los Banos
2. Luke Jenkins, senior, Stone Ridge Christian
3. Clifford Johnson, sophomore, Merced
4. Ethan Jones, senior, Hilmar
5. Jared Del Real, senior, Atwater
Also: Gilbert Pena, Los Banos; Paul Leonardo, El Capitan; Jacob Valladao, Atwater; Wyatt O’Banion, Dos Palos; AJ Puni, Pacheco.
Linebackers
1. Cody Rentfro, senior, Hilmar
2. Damon Perry, junior, Chowchilla
3. Jonathan Collazo, senior, Stone Ridge Christian
4. Christian Dominguez, senior, Golden Valley
5. Cole Sjostrom, senior, Mariposa
Also: Dustin James, Merced; Ronnie Reyes, Chowchilla; CJ Samifua, Pacheco.
Defensive backs
1. Lavon Wallace, junior, Buhach Colony
2. Chris Munoz, senior, Pacheco
3. Paul Scoggins, senior, Merced
4. Justin Cantrell, junior, Chowchilla
5. Ulonzo Gilliam, senior, Merced
Also: Isaiah Montanez, Golden Valley; Alex Garcia, Atwater; Jalin Wiggins, El Capitan; Trever Flores, Gustine; Alex Andrade, Buhach Colony.
Athletes
1. Isaiah Montanez, senior, Golden Valley
2. Rayveon Slaton, senior, Merced
3. Carl Schofield, senior, Pacheco
4. Dhameer Warren, sophomore, Merced
5. Shane Casillas, junior, Stone Ridge Christian
This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 11:52 AM with the headline "Merced Sun-Star’s Preseason All-Area Football Team."