YUBA COLLEGE: 49ers among best in Bay Valley Conference

The Bay Valley Conference named its top athletes for the fall sports season and several Yuba College 49ers were first team all-conference selections.

In football, freshman running back Juan Johnson was tabbed as the BVC's Offensive Player of the Year.

Johnson rushed for 1,267 yards this season and eight touchdowns. He averaged 119 yards per game. Johnson was also selected to the first team as an all-purpose performer.

Former Wheatland High standout David Wilson was a first-team selection at tight end and was also selected to the All-State team. An honorable mention last year, Wilson caught 21 passes for 176 yards this season for three touchdowns. He was also a major force in the 49ers' running game as a blocker.

Freshman wide receiver John Worthy joined Wilson on the first team.

On the offensive line, former Sutter standout Ryan Hanes was a first-team pick for the second consecutive season. Marysville alum Aaron Paul also made the first team.

Defensively, linemen Terick Rogers and Tyrone Grove, both freshmen, earned first-team accolades.

Along with being an All-BVC pick, sophomore linebacker Zach Vallejo was also named All-State.

Vallejo, who played high school football with Nevada Union in Grass Valley, led Yuba with 75 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and he also tallied two sacks.

In the secondary, sophomore James Thurston also garnered All-State honors with six interceptions, seven pass break-ups and 13 passes defended. This is Thurston's second straight first team selection.

Lindhurst product Lurell Johnson was voted on as a return specialist to both the All-BVC and All-State teams after averaging nearly 27 yards per kick return.

VOLLEYBALL

The Yuba College volleyball team ended the regular season with a 17-6 overall record and second-place finish in the BVC.

The 49ers lost in the first round of the postseason to Cabrillo, which ended up placing in the top four of the state.

Sophomore captain Taylor Thompson, a Yuba City High alumnus, was a first-team All-BVC selection for the second consecutive season after dishing out 534 assists.

Joining her on the first team was fellow Honker Katie Reiland, a freshman middle blocker, who had 154 kills this season while holding a .326 hitting percentage. She also tallied 55 blocks.

Sutter product Brenna McDonald was a second-team selection at outside hitter.

SOCCER

The 49ers women's team took second in the BVC this season though failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Former River Valley Falcons Karina Carvajal and Chelsea Givens were both All-BVC selections along with Yuba City alum Alex Peiffer.

Alex Cook and Alyssa Nava were second team picks.

On the men's side, former A-D Player of the Year Isaac Mora (Yuba City) and sophomore Alex Butterfield represented the 49ers on the first team.

Mora scored five goals and made five assists to lead the 49ers with 15 points this season. Butterfield was Yuba's captain and played well at midfielder.