Hilmar High dynamic star earns one of the Trans-Valley League top awards
The big-play ability of Hilmar High star Caden Bailey was on display all season.
His speed, vision and power made him one of the top players in the Trans-Valley League this season.
That’s why the TVL coaches named Bailey the Outstanding Offensive Player.
“The thing about him is he’s a threat to score any time he touches the ball,” Hilmar coach Frank Marques said. “It’s nice to have a player who anytime you put the ball in his hands he’s got that big-play ability.”
Marques and the coaching staff shifted Bailey from quarterback to slot receiver and running back early on this season. He finished with 1,788 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground.
The TVL is considered by many to be the toughest small-school league in the state and his numbers were just as impressive in TVL play, rushing for 846 yards and 10 touchdowns in five league games. He averaged 14.6 yards per carry in TVL games.
“With the schedule we played, including TVL games, he didn’t have many games with easy yards,” Marques said. “It wasn’t just us tossing him the ball and him running free. He had to work for those yards. That’s what’s impressive about those numbers.”
Escalon quarterback Donovan Rozevink was named the TVL Most Valuable Player after leading the Cougars to a perfect run through the league and a championship.
The third-year starter threw for 782 yards and 13 touchdowns in Escalon’s five TVL games. Rozevink only threw one interception.
Escalon teammates Ryan Lewis, Nate Krieger and Sam Jimenez all earned top TVL awards. Lewis was named the Outstanding Defensive Player, Krieger was selected as the Outstanding Linebacker and Jimenez was voted as the Outstanding Defensive Back.
Hughson defensive tackle Ryan Borrelli earned the other top award, earning the Outstanding Defensive Lineman.
Hilmar’s Alex Cardenas was named the Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Escalon’s Josh Graham earned Outstanding Offensive Back and Modesto Christian’s Jeremiah Bernard was named Outstanding Receiver.
The all-TVL offensive first-team selections included offensive linemen Gio Chavez (Escalon), Cardenas, Jaden Strickler (Hilmar), Navi Arretche (Hughson) and Ivan Hernandez (Livingston). The running backs were Graham, Jamin Miller (Escalon), Logan Cardoso (Hilmar), Alex Villareal (Hughson).
Joining them on the first team were receivers Jimenez, Larkin Meyer (Hughson), Jeremiah Bernard (Modesto Christian), tight end Owen Wilbur (Ripon), quarterback Robert McDaniel (Hughson).
The defensive first-team picks were linemen Ben Lora (Escalon), Dakota Maynard (Hilmar), Borrelli, outsiden linebackers/defensive ends Talan Reider (Escalon), Devin Colston (Hilmar), Max Mankins (Hughson), inside linebackers Krieger, Cody Bray (Hilmar) and David Burns (Hughson).
The other first-team defenders were defensive backs Jimenez, Caden Wood (Hilmar), David Delgado (Hughson), Orlando School (Ripon), Bernard and the first-team kicker/punter was Ernie Mendoza (Hughson).
The second-team selections on offense were linemen Anthony Jones (Escalon), Lora, Maynard, Jackson Takhar (Hilmar), Carlos Guizar (Hughson), Edwin Olivo (Hughson), Armando Partida (Livingston), Jesus Ontiveros (Modesto Christian), running backs Zack Duran (Livingston), Xzavier Clark (Ripon), receiver Malakai Sumter (Hughson), Eli’jah Cook (Modesto Christian), tight ends Julian Zurita (Livingston), Max Mankins (Hughson) and quarterback Sebastian Casanova (Livingston).
The second-team defensive selections were linemen Nico Franzia (Escalon), Matt Avila (Hilmar), Ivan Flores (Hughson), Alex Fernandez (Livingston), Tipeti Paini (Ripon), Logan Spear (Ripon) and Ontiveras (Modesto Christian). Joining them on the second team were outsiden linebackers/defensive ends Guizar, Carson Medina (Escalon), Jack Inderbitzen (Hilmar), inside linebackers Duran, Eric Guevara (Ripon), Miller, Cardoso), defensive backs Casanova, Miguel Hernandez (Livingston), Derek Silva (Escalon), John Labno (Hilmar), Meyer, Max Nolasco (Livingston), Nathan Gaines (Ripon) and kicker/punter Armani Miranda (Livingston).
Southern League
After rushing for 2,352 yards and 40 touchdowns, Orestimba running back Juan Esquivez was named the Southern League MVP.
The other top SL awards selected by the coaches went to Ripon Christian running back Brady Grondz, who was named the Offensive Player of the Year. Knights teammate Carson Bunneli was named the Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Ripon Christian’s Grant Sonke was named the Defensive Player of the Year and teammate Jimmy Heida was selected as the Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Local players named to the SL first team were Le Grand offensive lineman Nayen Lua, Delhi’s Yahir Flores, Le Grand quarterback Diego Martinez and receiver Reyes Diaz. They were joined on the first team by Gustine defensive lineman Abel Miranda, Delhi defensive lineman Jose Flores, Le Grand defensive back Brian Santos and Bulldogs kicker Manuel Duran.
Local second-team selections included offensive linemen Isaiah Prado (Gustine), Hector Fregoso (Le Grand), Flores, Austin Etheridge (Gustine), running backs Alexis Granados (Le Grand), Joao Palomino (Gustine), receivers Miguel Moreno (Le Grand), Alex Quezada (Gustine) and utility player Alek Fuentes (Delhi).
They were joined on the second team by defensive linemen Yahir Flores (Delhi), Isaiah Prado (Gustine), defensive end/outside linebackers Diaz, Eric Osceguera (Le Grand), Antonio Gutierrez (Delhi), inside linebacker Etheridge, defensive backs Hector Lua (Delhi), Alex Gomez (Gustine), Laten Butler (Mariposa), Dominic Hughes (Mariposa), utility plaer Daniel Quezada (Gustine).
