The Modesto Bee’s 2023 All-District Football Team — Offense

Note: The Bee factored in individual statistics, team success, level of competition, all-league honors and submissions from readers and coaches in creating its All-District team.

Offensive Player of the Year: Donovan Rozevink, Senior, Escalon

Rozevink started 44 games in his decorated three-year varsity career and finished with a 37-7 record with three section championships and a state title. Named the Trans Valley League MVP, Rozevink this season posted career highs in completions, pass attempts, passing yards, completion percentage, yards per game, touchdowns and a career low in interceptions.

Though he is 24th in the section in passing yards (2,106), he is one of just four quarterbacks who have tossed 35 or more touchdown passes this season. He was extremely efficient with his chances, completing 61.7% of his passes and throwing just seven interceptions. Rozevink passed for an average of 150.4 yards per game in 14 games.

He was unfazed in situations when Escalon needed him most. Rozevink led the Cougars down the field into field goal range in an upset win over Buchanan, completed third- and fourth-down throws in game-clinching drives against Hughson in a matchup of defending state champions and Patterson in the Division IV section championship. Rozevink led a fourth-quarter drive that ended in a touchdown throw to Sam Jimenez. He gave the team its first lead of the game with 36 seconds remaining on a two-point conversion run up the middle.

QB — Robert McDaniel, Junior, Hughson

McDaniel’s quick release and timely decision making have made him a Division I college prospect and helped Hughson win back-to-back section titles and a 2022 state championship. In his third season as the Huskies starter, the first-team All-TVL quarterback finished fifth in the Sac-Joaquin Section in passing yards (2,839) and tossed 33 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He owns school records for passing touchdowns in a season and passing touchdowns in a game (7). McDaniel also rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns, including a clutch eight-yard scoring run in a thrilling comeback win in the 2023 section championship against Bradshaw Christian.

QB — Max Medina, Sophomore, Patterson

Named the CCC Offensive Player of the Year, Medina led one of the Stanislaus District’s most balanced offenses. He finished eighth in the Sac-Joaquin Section in passing yards (2,624) and total yards (2,850). Medina led the Tigers to a Division IV section championship appearance and threw 34 touchdown passes to just four interceptions. He also rushed for 226 yards and three touchdowns.

RB — Juan Esquivez, Senior, Orestimba

Numbers-wise, Esquivez had the best season of any Sac-Joaquin Section running back. The senior finished the season with 2,352 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns, top of section in both categories, for the Division VII-A runners up. He was named the SAL MVP and was a first-team All League linebacker.

RB — Wes Burford, Sophomore, Oakdale

Just a sophomore, Burford finished the 2023 season seventh in the section in rushing yards (1,819) and rushed for 27 touchdowns. An All-VOL first-team running back, Burford averaged 151.6 yards a game and had 10 100-plus-yard rushing games. Burford scored at least two rushing touchdowns in 10 of his 12 games, including two straight four-score regular season games and a three-touchdown performance in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III quarterfinals against Merced.

RB — Tek Garcia, Senior, Johansen

Garcia had the best season by a running back in Johansen’s football history, setting a new regular season school rushing record with 1,944 yards. He also added 14 rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. Named the WAC Offensive Player of the Year, Garcia finished the regular season first in rushing yards and, despite not making the playoffs, still finished third in the section in rushing yards.

RB — Josh Graham, Senior, Escalon

Escalon coach Andrew Beam said Graham “fits the mold of an Escalon fullback and an Escalon football player.” The 5-foot-6 fullback finished 12th in the section in rushing yards (1,563) and added 16 rushing touchdowns. He was named the TVL’s Outstanding Offensive Back and averaged 111.6 rushing yards per game for a Cougars team that won its fourth straight section title and played in the Division 3-AA NorCal Bowl Game.

RB — Alexander Villarreal, Senior, Hughson

A TVL First-Team running back, Villarreal rushed for 1,372 yards (20th in SJS) and 17 touchdowns to help pace a well-balanced back-to-back section championship offense. He averaged 105.5 yards per game this season in 13 games and had eight 100-plus yard outings.

RB — Jeremiah Lugo, Junior, Patterson

Lugo had a breakout junior season, rushing for 1,563 yards and 24 touchdowns. The first-team all league running back finished 11th in the section in rushing yards and fifth in total touchdowns and total points. After not rushing for a touchdown in a season-opening win against Hilmar, Lugo rushed for at least one touchdown in every game this season for the 11-2 Tigers. He also added 291 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He had five total touchdowns in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championship, rushing for four scores and taking a screen pass to the end zone.

WR — Ethan Woodmansee, Junior, Downey

Woodmansee had a breakout season and quickly became the Knights’ go-to receiver, helping them secure their second straight 10-win season. Woodmansee was named the CCAL’s Outstanding Back/Receiver and finished the 2023 season ranked 13th in the section in receiving yards (970) and added eight touchdowns.

WR — Jeremiah Bernard, Senior, Modesto Christian

Bernard was a walking highlight for the Crusaders this season. The Cal Poly-bound defensive back/receiver finished sixth in California with 1,479 receiving yards. The TVL’s outstanding receiver, Bernard was the only player in the Sac-Joaquin Section with 20 receiving touchdowns. He was also named to the TVL offensive and defensive first teams.

WR — Sam Jimenez, Junior, Escalon

Jimenez’s ability to make contested catches and his threat to break a long run on special teams made him one of the most versatile receivers in the area this season. He was a two-way threat, finishing ninth in the section in receiving yards (1,019) and sixth in interceptions (8). He returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown in the section championship against Patterson. Jimenez received All-TVL first team honors at receiver and defensive back and was named the league’s Outstanding Defensive Back.

WR — Trace Hernandez, Senior, Central Catholic

A speedy deep threat, Hernandez was also not afraid to draw contact after the catch as a receiver and even took a few snaps at running back. An All-VOL First Team receiver, Hernandez finished his senior season with 1,386 all purpose yards, tallying 772 yards receiving, 113 rushing yards, 389 kickoff return yards and 85 punt return yards. Hernandez had nine receiving touchdowns, one rushing score and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. He also lined up at defensive back, collecting 39 tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack, six passes defensed and one interception.

TE — Angel DeAnda, Senior, Oakdale

First-year Oakdale coach Garrett Martin says DeAnda was one of the keys to the team’s run game, which carried it to a Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinal berth. An All-VOL First Team selection at tight end, DeAnda caught a pair of touchdown passes and recorded catches in games against Sierra and East Union. The senior served as an extension of the offensive line, helping Oakdale running backs rush for 3,494 yards and 44 touchdowns this season.

OL — Manasse Itete, Senior, Central Catholic

A Florida State-bound offensive lineman, Itete played both ways in eight games for the Raiders after transferring in from Modesto Christian. While being one of the area’s best blockers, he was named first team All-VOL as a defensive lineman after recording 21 tackles

OL — Navi Arretche, Senior, Hughson

A starter on the line for both of Hughson’s section titles, back-to-back NorCal Bowl appearances and a state championship team, Arretche made sure running lanes were clear for Alexander Villarreal and the pocket was clean for Robert McDaniel. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Arretche was named to the TVL’s All-League first team as an offensive lineman and has drawn interest from a number of colleges at all levels.

OL — Quincy Simien, Senior, Patterson

Simien was named the CCC Lineman of the Year for the second straight season after yet another productive season on the line. He was named first team All-League offensive line and protected the league Offensive Player of the Year and a first team All-CCC running back.

OL — Ethan Lowell, Senior, Gregori

Named the CCAL Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Lowell protected quarterback Conner Bailey and helped block for the league’s co-MVP, Michael Marsden. Lowell recently committed to Eastern Washington University. He also played on the defensive line, finishing his senior campaign with 17 tackles, four tackles for loss and a team-high three sacks.

OL — Sonny Vasquez, Senior, Johansen

Johansen coach Rod Smith Sr. during the season called Vasquez one of the best guards to play at Johansen in the past few seasons. The WAC Offensive Lineman of the Year helped pave the way for the Stanislaus District’s leading rusher during the regular season, Tek Garcia. Vasquez was also named a first-team defensive lineman.

OL — Troy Leota, Senior, Central Catholic

Named the VOL lineman of the year for his exceptional play on both sides of the ball, Leota partnered with Itete for a nearly immovable force on the left side of the Raiders offensive line. As a defensive lineman, he finished fourth on the team in tackles (40) and added one sack and forced a fumble.

K — Jared Carrete, Sophomore, Patterson

Though he is just a sophomore, Carrete was one of the best kickers in California. He finished third in the state in total kick points (87) and ranked first in the Sac-Joaquin Section in total kickoff yards (4,454) on an impressive 93 kickoffs. He ranks fourth in the section and sixth in California in made extra points with 66, connecting on 95.7% of his PAT’s in 13 games. He also finished 7-of-8 on field goals (87.5%) with a long of 41 yards.

All-Purpose — Caden Bailey, Junior, Hilmar

The TVL’s Outstanding Offensive Player, Bailey was so productive for the Yellowjackets, about midway through the season, coach Frank Marques moved him from quarterback to hybrid receiver/tailback. His 1,788 rushing yards were eighth in the Sac-Joaquin Section. He also added 19 rushing touchdowns and caught 12 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns.

All-Purpose — Brady Grondz, Senior, Ripon Christian

A kickoff return for a touchdown in the Division VII NorCal Qualifier was the perfect way for Grondz to end his high school football career. The Southern Athletic League Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 945 yards and 20 touchdowns, had 346 receiving yards for two touchdowns and returned two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns. He finished ninth in the section in total points (150) and eighth in total touchdowns (25). As a defensive back, he recorded 28 tackles, two passes defensed and recovered a fumble.

All-Purpose — Michael Marsden, Senior, Gregori

Named the CCAL co-MVP, Marsden has been the Jaguars’ main offensive weapon for the past two seasons. As a senior, he got it done in the rushing and passing game while also returning kickoffs. He rushed for 1,753 yards and 19 touchdowns, caught 22 passes for 183 yards and a pair of scores and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. His yards total was good for ninth in the Sac-Joaquin Section.

All-Purpose — Jeremiah Bertalotto, Senior, Turlock

Bertalotto always had the ball in his hands for the CCAL champion Bulldogs. The CCAL co-MVP finished with 1,108 all purpose yards and produced in every way possible. He played in 10 games and tallied team-highs in receiving yards (455), kick return yards (232) and punt return yards (121). He finished second on the team in rushing yards (268) and added 32 interception return yards. He scored five rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns. On defense, he tallied 30 tackles and two interceptions.