Mid-Valley honors

The best football players from across the Mid-Valley were recognized for their efforts this season with the release of all-league teams.

A total of 66 athletes, representing 14 football programs in the area were first-team selections.

Here's the complete breakdown:

SAC-JOAQUIN SECTION

TRI-COUNTY CONFERENCE

As is the case with most of the leagues on this list, the schools that placed higher in the final regular-season standings are awarded more spots on the first team.

The TCC awarded River Valley four all-conference selections and Yuba City three.

At running back, senior Jordan Pankey represented the Falcons. He rushed for 489 yards this season with four touchdowns.

He was a huge reason the Falcons defeated Yuba City for the first time with his 156-yard performance.

Other first team selections for the Falcons were senior tight end Anthony Boykin, senior wide receiver Derek Zaragoza and senior linebacker Ricky Owens. Owens' 9.2 tackle-per-game average ranked sixth in the TCC this season.

Two of Yuba City's top pass-catchers represented the Honkers on the first team.

Senior wideout James Van Dusen and junior Anthony Fleenor were both first team selections.

Van Dusen's 27 catches and 481 yards receiving each ranked fourth in the TCC. His five touchdown grabs ranked third.

Fleenor, though technically a tight end, was picked as a wideout with his 22 catches for 246 yards. He also made four touchdown grabs. On defense, Fleenor's 9.4 tackle-per-game average was the third-best mark in the TCC.

Senior defensive lineman Julian Saavedra was also a first-team pick for the Honkers.

GOLDEN EMPIRE LEAGUE

Despite his team's sub-.500 finish, Marysville junior running back Cole Hannum was selected as MVP of the GEL, and deservedly so.

He amassed 1,827 yards rushing this season and 16 touchdowns. Both of those marks led the GEL.

Defensively, he was second in the GEL with 10.5 tackles per game.

A big reason Hannum had success in the running game was due to the holes opened up by seniors Dominic Labarbara and Anthony Velasquez. Both players were first team picks.

Senior linebackers Justin Nygard and Jake Thome each nabbed first team honors as did defensive linemen Chris Montgomery and Brandon Sexton.

Montgomery led the GEL with 10.5 sacks.

Senior tight end Mac Asurmendi led the GEL in receiving with 348 yards and touchdown catches with four. He was also awarded first team honors.

Lindhurst senior Tyler Vaitautolu was voted co-lineman of the year with his nine tackles per game and 10 sacks.

Senior running back Erick Tallman, senior defensive lineman John Luster and junior offensive lineman Tim Westberg all joined Vaitautolu on the first team.

NORTHERN SECTION

BUTTE VIEW LEAGUE

The runner-up in Division II, Sutter had seven players elected to the all-BVL team.

Leading the way on defense were juniors Ryan Staas and Philip Robledo, who ranked third and fourth in the BVL in tackles per game, respectively.

Senior safety Masen Lopez, senior offensive lineman Jeff Bradley, junior defensive lineman/fullback Nathan Ahlers, junior quarterback Trent Little and senior running back Elijah Smith were all first-team selections.

Smith became Sutter's all-time leading rusher this season.

Wheatland senior linebacker Thomas Aiono was the BVL's co-defensive MVP with 14.3 tackles per game and 157 total tackles.

Pirates senior lineman Taylor DeLozier, junior quarterback Justin Bragg and senior wide receiver Haydon Liessman were all selected to the first team. Liessman ranked second in the BVL with 889 yards receiving and nine touchdown catches. He averaged nearly 25 yards per reception.

The league leader in receiving, Gridley's Kevin Mattos, was an all-BVL selection. Also representing the Bulldogs were Trevor Anthony, Omar Ramos, Christian Callaway and Ed Ruiz.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY LEAGUE

Two local players were awarded MVP honors in the SVL.

After a record-breaking season, Pierce running back Isaiah Garcia was selected as co-offensive MVP of the SVL.

He led the Northern Section in rushing with 2,079 yards and he scored 28 touchdowns.

Live Oak defensive end Alex Martinez was picked as the SVL's defensive MVP with nine sacks and 79 solo tackles.

Other first team selections from Live Oak were Romario Acosta, Luis Velasquez, Steven Lair, Tyler Raymond and Carlos Venegas.

Andrew Diaz, Taylor Cabral, Chris Tapia, Andy Corona, Chas Benton and Preston Smith all represented Pierce on the first team.

MID-VALLEY LEAGUE

Two of the MVL's top wideouts represented the local area on the first team.

East Nicolaus' Tommy Sleva and Colusa's Cyrus Yerxa were both first team selections.

Sleva hauled in 48 balls for 820 yards and 11 touchdowns. Yerxa amassed 807 yards and four TD catches.

Other first team selections for East Nic were seniors Riley Shill, Kyle Bolla and Victor Puga.

Lineman Kevin Buenrostro represented Colusa and Diego Rivera was the lone selection for Williams.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY LEAGUE

Maxwell's Brett Cabral capped off a brilliant prep football career by taking home offensive MVP of the MVL this season.

He scored a league-leading 19 rushing touchdowns and rushed for nearly 800 yards. His numbers were hurt by the fact that Maxwell lost two games this season because Los Molinos disbanded its football program.

Other first team picks for Maxwell were Brian Sites, George Barajas, CJ Mims, Zack Troughton, Blake Vierra, Leo Velazquez and Steven Powell.

Biggs was represented by Michael Torres, Steven Jackson and Jaime Mendieta.