This Fresno State commit powered CVC to state title. He tops Bee’s all-star football team
Central Valley Christian High football coach Mason Hughes is a big fan of running back Bryson Donelson.
It’s no wonder he has felt that way since Donelson transferred from El Diamante after the 2021 season.
Not because of the big numbers Donelson has consistently put up seemingly every game including multiple touchdowns.
It’s because he’s a team-first player.
“People watching don’t know who Bryson is,” Hughes said. “The way he responds to accolades is pretty much what you get. He’s a humble kid. He’s one of the fiercest competitors I’ve ever coached.”
Donelson sat next to Hughes at the CVC stadium as his coach reeled off the words that made him feel joyful and appreciative.
“This guy means everything to me,” Donelson said. “He always lifts me up.”
While Donelson may be a “humble” player, his on-field exploits were a big reason why there was plenty of success for the Cavaliers this past season.
Including in the CIF Division 2-A title game at Pasadena City College.
Donelson scored touchdowns on runs of 11, 70 and 10 yards and on a 62-yard pass from Brent Kroeze in a 45-42 victory over Los Gatos for the Visalia private school’s first state title.
Donelson finished with 32 carries for 203 yards and ended the season with 3,298 yards, fourth best in the Central Section, according to historian Bob Barnett. Donelson also had 58 touchdowns, which is the second most in section history.
The Bee named Donelson its 2023 high school Football Player of the Year for leading the way for the Cavaliers.
Donelson opened the folder and saw a certificate with his name on it.
“Appreciate it, man,” he said. “Player of the Year? I appreciate it.”
Donelson took time to reflect on the season after coming up short a year ago in a loss to Lemoore in the Division II championship.
The Cavaliers got revenge on the Tigers en route to a state title.
Donelson, who has committed to play at Fresno State next season, said the loss really bothered him.
This time, he made sure they weren’t going to be denied again with one rushing touchdown and two receiving, including a 52-yarder from Kroeze with 4:41 remaining in the top-seeded Cavaliers’ 27-26 victory over the No. 2 Tigers.
“As long as we win I’m happy,” Donelson said. “I’m trying to win. Whatever it takes.”
He took matters into his own hands and feet all season, scoring on the ground, through the air and on kickoff returns.
Kroeze was among those in awe.
“Not only is he the fastest person on the field being able to run past people, he is so strong,” he said.
“I’ve never seen someone be able to run over 300-pound players like how he does. He’s able to catch the ball and he’s the best overall player a team can ask for.”
Donelson said he’s appreciative of his time at CVC.
Students often greet Donelson and ask for his autograph and take pictures with him.
It has been a fun ride.
“The whole school is good to me,” he said. “I try to stay calm (when students ask for autographs), but in my mind I get happy. I just try to stay humble, but it gets to me sometimes.”
Coach of the Year: Clovis North’s Mike Jacot
Clovis North coach Mike Jacot felt his team had a chance to win the Tri-River Athletic Conference title.
A Central Section Division I title? He had faith that would happenm too, with the roster and staff that was put together.
“They work every day,” Jacot said. “Being healthy, being fresh and, we had the San Joaquin Memorial game circled. To come out and perform the way we did in that first game, really set the tone for us.”
The Broncos went on to finish the nonconference and TRAC schedules undefeated, capped by a 24-14 victory over Central in the Central Section D-I title game, the Broncos’ first title since 2012.
While Clovis North lost to De La Salle in the CIF Division 1-AA Northern California regional game, a lot was accomplished.
“Been doing this a long time now,” Jacot said. “Have been in several different programs where we’ve definitely improved and pushed ourselves. I think we could get to that next step and be a championship program. I haven’t been there yet, so this was the first one to see all the way through.”
In five seasons at Clovis North, Jacot is 31-20.
It was also his first TRAC and section title.
Co-Large School Players of the Year
Clovis North running back Jackson Cinfel and Central wide receiver Braylen Hall were instrumental for their respective teams.
Cinfel helped the Broncos to a 13-1 overall record and a 4-0 run in the Tri-River Athletic Conference, topped by a section D-I title in the 24-14 victory over Central.
Cinfel finished with 1,904 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.
Hall, meanwhile, was consistent all season, no matter who was the quarterback.
First it was Earl Riley before the switch to David Marquez.
No matter for Hall, who went on to pile up 1,372 receiving yards and a team-high 17 touchdowns.
The Grizzlies finished 10-4 and 3-2 in the TRAC.
Hall was also named the TRAC’s Player of the Year.
Medium School Player of the Year
Hunter Babb was the go-to player at Caruthers.
The reliable running back did it all for the Blue Raiders, scoring touchdown after touchdown.
And at one point, he was the state’s leading rusher.
Babb made it difficult on opponents who tried to stop him and often found his way in the end zone.
He finished the season with 303 carries for 3,245 yards and 46 touchdowns. For his career, he had 6,535 yards and 104 touchdowns, Barnett said.
Babb was named the Northwest Sequoia League MVP.
Small school Player of the Year
Orosi running back Andrew Camarillo made the end zone his home.
In one game, a 58-14 victory over Farmersville, he finished with five touchdowns.
For the season, he finished with 315 carries for 2,562 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns.
He ended his career with 6,540 yards and 96 touchdowns, Barnett said.
He was the East Sequoia League Offensive Most Valuable Player.
The Bee All-Stars
K Alex Asparuhov, Jr., San Joaquin Memorial
LB Jared Andrade, Sr., Central
OL Marsel Akins, El Diamante
ATH/WR London Alexander, Sr., Garza
QB Will Bacon, Soph., Reedley
DB Ty Baxter, Jr., Monache
WR/ATH Bryson Baker, Jr., Sanger
WR Malachi Barnes, Jr., Sunnyside
RB Joseph Bass, Sr., Torres
TE/LB Brayden Bitter, Sr., Clovis North
WR/DB Jordan Black, Sr., Hanford
OT Davit Boyayjan, Clovis North
LB Joseph Ceballos, Sr., Lindsay
RB Andrew Chavez, Clovis North
DL Ross Cinfel, Jr., Clovis North
RB Caleb Cisco, Jr., Liberty-Madera Ranchos
WR Vincent Cordoba, Sr., Clovis North
QB Jordan Crisp, Soph., Tulare Union
WR/DB Marquis Crooper, Sr., Sanger
DB Elijah Daley, Sr., Lemoore
DT Chase Dempsey, Sr., Redwood
DE Corbin Diedrich, Jr., Firebaugh
WR Harold Duvall, Jr., Clovis East
LB Reginald Felder, Sr., Washington Union
WR Noel Felix, Sr., Central
RB Andre Flores, Soph., Dos Palos
LB/DE Trevon Gaffney, Sr., Lemoore
RB Kourdey Glass, Jr., Hanford
QB Daniel Gomez, Jr., Hanford
QB Daniel Gonzalez, Sr., Mission Oak
WR/FS Kobe Green, Sr. Lemoore
K Christian Haney, Sr., Liberty-Madera Ranchos
DE Chance Harris, Sr., Sunnyside
DB Kiontre Harris, Sr., Lemoore
OT Devan Henderson, Sr., Torres
RB/WR Eian Hernandez, Sr., Corcoran
OL/DL Tyler Hughes, Sr., Central Valley Christian
WR CJ Jones, Jr., Sunnyside
LB Tytus Khajavi, Sr., Clovis West
QB Jackson Kloster, Sr., Roosevelt
LB Jax Koontz, Jr., Clovis East
RB/LB Talan LaMattina, Jr., Liberty-Madera Ranchos
LB Noah Luginbill, Sr., Clovis
QB David Marquez, Sr., Central
RB McKay Madsen, Jr., Clovis North
QB Caleb Matthews, Jr., Garza
RB Daniel Mendez, Sr., Madera
C/T Sal Mendoza, Sr., Reedley
QB Tyus Miller, Jr., Clovis East
QB/LB Jacob Molina, Jr., Exeter
RB Da’Zir Newhouse, Jr., McLane
WR/ATH Tommy Nix, Sr., Clovis East
OL Caleb Noeske, Sr., Central Valley Christian
WR Michael Pedro, Sr., Madera
LB Bransen Peters, Jr., Coalinga
C Jacob Percival, Sr., Immanuel
RB Jacob Poole, Sr., Strathmore
DL Julian Ramirez, Sr., Dinuba
OT Anthony Razo, Sr., Clovis East
DB Albert Richardson, Jr., Hanford
WR Demaje Riley, Fr., Tulare Union
RB Israel Robles, Sr., Sanger
QB Deagan Rose, Soph., Clovis
CB Joseph Ruiz, Soph., Exeter
WR Jacob Saldate, Sr., Clovis
RB Brandon Smith, Soph., Central
DE Daymion Soto, Sr., Mt. Whitney
WR Davian Stephenson, Jr., Chowchilla
WR Brayden Stevenson, Soph., Tulare Union
LB Logan Studt, Sr., Buchanan
LB Amani Sua, Jr., Torres
QB Noah Tasi, Jr., Coalinga
QB Peyton Van Worth, Sr., Dos Palos
OL Nate Velasquez, Sr., Sanger
QB Tanner Wilson, Jr., Sunnyside
WR Landon Wright, Sr., Clovis West
OL Johnathan Ybarra, Jr., Sanger
WR Jeremy Young, Sr., Roosevelt
WR/CB Carlos Young, Soph, Sanger
