High school football CMAC preview: Players, newcomers to watch and who are the QBs?
The Fresno Bee takes a look at the teams and top players in the County/Metro Athletic Conference, a week after opening its 2023 high school football season preview with the Tri-River Athlete Conference.
San Joaquin Memorial won the CMAC a year ago en route to a 10-3 season that included a Central Section Division I playoff loss to Liberty-Bakersfield.
Gone for the Panthers is The Bee’s Player of the Year Brandon Ramirez, now at Fresno State.
But the Panthers hope to at least approach last season’s success, with transfer quarterback Jaylen Patterson as the starter.
He previously played for Vista del Lago in Moreno Valley, passing for 1,822 yards with 15 touchdowns.
The Bee will continue its look-ahead next weekend, with the rest of the teams in the Fresno area.
Bullard Knights
Coach: Don Arax
2022 record: 3-7
Players to watch: Dominic Gonzalez, RB/CB; Nick Stubblefield, RB; Derric Brown, OL/DL; Ashton Tapia, OL/DL; Nehemiah Taylor, WR; Israel Castaneda, WR; Simon Arredondo, LB; Asher Armstrong, LB/TE; Wyatt Clarke, DE
QB: Jerren Moua
Arax’s thoughts: “We’re a little more experienced than last year but we’re still young. Our defensive coordinator didn’t get here until right before the (2022) season started. I feel much better about us defensively.”
Edison Tigers
Coach: Mike Stamps
2022 record: 6-5
Players to watch: Nick Ball, DE/LB; Ray Brown, WR; Rashad Perry, Ath; Dezjour Malone, WR/CB; Taemell Horton, SB; James Rose, QB; Charles Butler; Ray Brown, WR; Leonard Payton; Andru Balladarez, C/DT
Newcomers to watch: Phoenix Lawrence, QB; Tyree Sams, Ath
Stamps’ thoughts: “Eager players and ready to start the season. Losing the presence of great quarterback Ya’J Vance and dynamic running back John Eubanks on offense and defense captain Anthony Jones left really big shoes to fill. But with this upcoming young group of guys, I think they are up for the challenge.”
Garza Guaradians
Coach: Yosef Fares
2022 record: 5-7
Players to watch: Caleb Matthews, QB; London Alexander, Ath; Omari Bogan, WR/LB; Jack Petrissans, TE; Forrest Johnson, DL; Lee Williams, RB/LB; Brydelle Aurelio, LB
QB: Matthews
Fares’ thoughts: “I’m very happy with this group. We’ve been coaching them since they were freshmen. This is all we’ve been working up to. We still have a long way to go, but just seeing where this team has come from when we met them after COVID at Glacier Point before the school was built. They were just young freshmen to what they are now is pretty impressive jump.”
Madera Coyotes
Coach: Kenneth Paolinelli
2022 record: 3-8
Players to watch: Michael Pedro, WR/DB, Ty Davis, Ath; Miguel Sanchez, OL/DL; Daniel Mendez, RB; Chente Rodriguez, OL/DL; Issiah Beas, OL/DL; Paul Childers, SS; Julian Hernandez, RB/DB; Izaak Lopez, WR/LB; Josue Madrigales, LB; Joel Arellano, QB
QBs: Arellano, Wes Linden
Paolinelli thoughts: “Quite a few returners for the Coyotes on both sides of the ball. Very excited for the season.”
San Joaquin Memorial Panthers
Coach: Anthony Goston
2022 record: 10-3 (first in CMAC)
Players to watch: Ryan Wristen, RB/SB; Jaylen Patterson, QB; CJ Jones, WR; Alex Asparuhov, K/P; Jordan Colbert, DB/WR; Bowen Stovall, C; Connor Azevedo, OL; Will Plemmons, DL; Aaron Galindo, DL; Luciano Dalena, LB/DB
Newcomers to watch: Jaylen Patterson, QB; CJ Jones, WR
QB: Patterson
Goston’s thoughts on Patterson: “Really good kid. He’ll give us a different dimension, different dynamic this year. We’re excited for him and all the pieces that we have.”
Sanger Apaches
Coach: Matt Logue
2022 record: 6-6
Players to watch: Bryson Baker, RB/WR/DB; Marquis Cropper, ATH/DB; Conner Bohlken, RB/MLB; Jacob Niemeyer, RB/TE/OLB Marshall Pittman RB/LB; Jaden Chanthalangsy, QB/DB; Johnathon Ybarra, RT; Nathan Velasquez, LT/NG; Adrian Sosa, RG/NG; Adolfo Hurtado, DE; Cody Coles, DE
Newcomers to watch: Israel Robles, RB; Carlos Young, WR/DB
QB: Chanthalangsy
Logue’s thoughts: “We have had a great offseason in the weight room and competing with each other as much as possible, as well as a very successful summer and 7 on 7 campaign.”
