The Mid-Valley's best

The two have been teammates since they were 8 years old, but through all the blood, sweat and tears shed over the years, and the games ranging from Texas to Oregon, none was sweeter than the final game of their high school careers.

Trailing by a point and with time running down in the fourth quarter of the Northern Section Division II championship game against West Valley, Sutter High quarterback Jon Garcia found Dane Turner in the back of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown pass to lift the Huskies to a 12-7 victory, giving Sutter its second-straight section title.

It was the end of a storied career for the long-time teammates and the final chapter in a remarkable run for Sutter football. For their efforts on the field, the two have been named Appeal-Democrat All-Area co-Most Valuable Players of the Year on offense.

While some may have had better numbers, perhaps no back meant more to his team than Turner.

The 6-foot, 180-pound running back, and son of legendary Sutter coach Scott Turner, was the Huskies' big-play man all year and his spectacular 50-yard touchdown run at the end third period of the championship game revived a Sutter offense that had been shutout up to that point.

Despite being relegated to the sidelines with Sutter blowing out opponents on a weekly basis, Turners numbers are still impressive. He ran for 1,089 yards on just 96 attempts — an average of 11.34 yards per carry — and scored 19 touchdowns on the ground. The senior back also hauled in 18 receptions for 308 yards and five touchdowns and had a kickoff return for a score as well.

Turner was also at his best in the biggest games, scoring six touchdowns against Wheatland to clinch the Butte View League title and single handily jump-started the Huskies' offense in the championship game.

And while some might not realize it, Turner might have been the fastest player in the area.

Garcia, a two-time A-D offensive MVP, was easily referred to as the best quarterback in the Mid-Valley by area coaches and Northern California media. He, alongside Turner, were named to the Northern Section first team.

This year, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior improved on last year's successful campaign by completing nearly 60 percent of his passes for 1,457 yards and 19 touchdowns to just four interceptions. His touchdown-to-interception ratio was easily the best in the area.

"We threw more this year, and since everyone looks out for our running game, when we threw, we had people wide open," Garcia said. "Sometimes, everyone was open."

"Coach told me to go short to long," said Garcia of his progressions in reading the defense. "He tried to get me to do that all year, but I like to go deep. The last play to Dane, I actually looked down the middle before coming back to find him in the back of the end zone."

Running the Huskies' vaunted Wing-T offense, Garcia was also the area's top option quarterback and finished with 412 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. A capable pocket passer, Garcia was more effective throwing on the run and made quality throws rolling either to his left or to his right.

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

Heading the list of the Appeal-Democrat All-Area first-team offense is Lindhurst senior quarterback Rick Davis, who directed the most exciting offense to watch in the Mid-Valley.

The third-year varsity signal caller started the season with a 336-yard, four touchdown performance against Live Oak, and he didn't let up. Davis finished the season with 2,604 passing yards and 27 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions. The senior completed 54 percent of his passes and had four games in which he passed for more than 300 yards.

Davis was elusive in the pocket as well, and often kept plays alive by scooting out of danger to make a big play downfield. He ran for 311 yards and five touchdowns, and was also one of the better safeties in the area, finishing with four interceptions.

Of course, having Lurrell Johnson lining up behind you can make things a lot easier for a QB.

Johnson, perhaps the area's most electric offensive player, was at times untouchable this season and finished the year with a staggering 2,234 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground.

The 5-foot-6, 175-pound senior finished the year with an average of nearly nine yards per carry and his yardage total broke Mike Bush's school record, which was set just last season. He also averaged 35 yards on kickoff returns, returning one for a touchdown and having two others nullified for penalties.

Lining up next to Johnson in the backfield is Colusa High wrecking ball Carlos Gutierrez.

Gutierrez, one of a host of talented Colusa juniors, bulldozed his way to 1,537 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns while hauling in one TD catch.

The short, stocky, power-runner had the strength to bull over linebackers and defensive lineman, yet was surprisingly quick, and had the breakaway speed to outrun the secondary to the end zone.

Flanked out wide is Lindhurst senior Eric Arroyo, whose 51 receptions for 1,044 yards and 14 touchdowns were easily the best marks in the Mid-Valley at wide receiver.

The 6-foot-2 Arroyo had the ability to outjump defenders for the ball, yet was a precise route-runner and had the speed to turn a short reception into a long one.

Lining up at the other side of the field from Arroyo is Sutter senior wide receiver Brian Southers.

Southers (5-9, 140), one of the quickest players around, had perhaps the best hands in the area and finished the year with 33 receptions for 665 yards — an average of 20.15 yards per catch — and six touchdown receptions. He was also named to the Northern Section second-team.

East Nicolaus' Jared DePaul lines up at tight end. The Northern Section second-team selection hauled in 25 catches for 376 yards and six touchdowns and became a real threat once the Spartans got in the red zone.

"He was a little under-sized, but he became a complete tight end," East Nicolaus coach Mark Varnum said of the 6-0, 185-pound senior. "He always worked hard and his leadership was an important part of our team."

And while the backs and receivers garner the majority of the attention, no one goes anywhere with out an offensive line.

Topping the list of the men doing the dirty work in the trenches is 6-foot-5, 250-pound Maxwell senior tackle John Davis, who helped open holes for a pair of 1,000 yard rushers while being named to the Northern Section second-team.

Manning the other tackle position is 6-foot-2, 250-pound Yuba City senior John Bybee, who Honker coach John Ithurburn cited as being one of the team's most valuable offensive and defensive assets.

"That's pretty much who we ran behind," Ithurburn said of the Tri-County Conference first-teamer.

Lining up next to Bybee at guard is Marysville senior Garrett Townsend (5-10, 225), whose ability to physically dominate opponents earned him recognition as the Golden Empire League's Lineman of the Year.

At the other guard position is Sutter senior Brian Coppin (5-foot-9, 170). Although small, the All-BVL performer anchored an offensive line that allowed the Huskies to rack up nearly 400 yards of offense and 43 points per game. He was also named to the Northern Section second-team.

Getting the nod at center is Colusa junior Morgan Bressler. Although the 5-8, 220-pounder mostly played at right guard, he was key to a surprising Colusa team that pounded away at opponents with Gutierrez.

"I think teams started to figure out that a lot of the runs Carlos had, went right behind (Bressler)," said Colusa coach Bob Miller. "He trapped really well and is a pretty good drive-blocker, too."