Who are the top players in Merced County? Here’s 25 football stars to watch this season

It didn’t take long for the stars to shine as the high school football season kicked off last week in Merced County.

There were some great rushing performances, key plays and superb play by the big guys up front on both sides of the ball.

With all the talent in the Merced area, it should make for an exciting high school football season.

Here’s a list of some players to watch in the upcoming weeks.

Chase Smith, Merced

The third-year starter returns after being named the Central California Conference MVP last season. Smith rushed for more than 1,400 yards and scored 19 touchdowns last season. He also appears to be bigger, faster and stronger going into this year.

Reyes Diaz, Le Grand

The four-year starter already found the end zone in a win over Livingston last week. Diaz will line up at receiver and tight end on offense and play linebacker on defense. He’ll be a favorite target for sophomore quarterback Diego Martinez.

Alex Duran, Golden Valley

The Cougars senior is one of the top offensive lineman in the Central California Conference. He was named an all-CCC first-team selection last year. He’ll be counted on to anchor an offensive line that returns three starters.

DJ O’Neil, Stone Ridge Christian

It’s hard to match what the Knights sophomore did on opening night, scoring three touchdowns and pulling down two interceptions in a win over Calaveras. O’Neil gives SRC an explosive weapon out of the backfield.

David Herrera, Los Banos

The Tigers third-year starter at quarterback was named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year last year. He’s a threat to run or pass, Last year, Herrera rushed for 879 yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 1,206 passing yards and another 16 scores.

Zander Leyva, Gustine

The senior moves from running back to quarterback this season after racking up 800 yards of total offense last year. The Reds star rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Summerville last week.

Senecca Ybarra Jr., Atwater

Ybarra was one of the top hurdlers in the Sac-Joaquin Section this past spring. He showcased his big-play ability in a win over Pacheco, finishing with 102 receiving yards and two touchdowns on just two catches.

Caden Bailey, Hilmar

The Yellowjackets junior led his team to a Trans-Valley League championship after getting promoted from the junior varsity team last year after an injury. He rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Patterson last week.

Jalonn Booth, Merced

Booth is the only player to start all four years during Bears coach Rob Scheit’s 27 seasons. Booth’s speed and power make him a headache for offensive lineman. He also is one of the top offensive linemen in the CCC.

Peyton Van Worth, Dos Palos

Van Worth has Broncos’ blood lines flowing through his veins with his father Mike Van Worth a former Dos Palos quarterback on section championship teams. Peyton Van Worth threw for 1,876 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.

Eric Thrasher, Buhach Colony

The Thunder receiver will be one of the main targets for BC quarterback PJ Curran. Thrasher showed he can be electric in the Thunder’s opener, returning a kickoff for a touchdown.

Jonah White, Golden Valley

The Cougars will ask a lot from White this year as a receiver and defensive back. He scored two touchdowns and finished with 104 yards receiving on seven catches in Golden Valley’s loss to Escalon last week.

Alexis Granados, Le Grand

The Bullldogs third-year running back is ready to be a workhorse this season. He rushed for 188 yards to help keep the chains moving and lead Le Grand to a win over Livingston last week.

Jett Lindeman, Los Banos

The Tigers senior is a nightmare for opposing offensive lineman. Lindeman always seems to find a way into the opposing backfield to disrupt plays and rack up sacks. He’s also a key offensive linemen for Los Banos.

Abel Bravo, Pacheco

If the first game is any indication, Bravo is going to get the football a lot this season. He carried 28 times for 191 yards and two touchdowns against Atwater. The Panthers even snapped the ball directly to Bravo multiple times.

Anthony Nixon, Merced

The Bears will count on Nixon on both sides of the ball. He was named an all-CCC second-team selection last year as an offensive lineman. He’ll help pave the way for the Bears potent rushing attack.

Brian Carlson, El Capitan

Carlson helped lead the Gauchos to their first win in a season opener in school history last week. He completed 17 of 28 passes for 249 yards. He’ll be asked to orchestrate El Capitan’s passing attack under first-year coach Jordan Irsik.

Andre Flores, Dos Palos

The Broncos sophomore showed what he was capable of during the playoffs last year with a 253-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 28-27 playoff win against Morro Bay as a freshman. He should be fun to watch this season.

AJ Banks, Atwater

The Falcons are still trying to figure out the best way to use Banks, but they know they want the talented sophomore on the field. Banks threw a touchdown on a trick play last week against Pacheco. He can play quarterback, receiver and multiple positions on defense.

Davian Stephenson, Chowchilla

The plan was for Stephenson to be a big threat in the Tribe’s passing game at receiver. An injury forced him to move to quarterback last week and he rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Jacob Coronado, Golden Valley

The Cougars senior was a force from the defensive line in Golden Valley’s opening loss to Escalon. He’ll be a big contributor after earning all-CCC second team honors last year.

Max Coleman, Atwater

Coleman will be a big-time player for the Falcons up front on both sides of the ball. He was named an all-CCC secone-team selection as a lineman on offense and defense last year.

PJ Curran, Buhach Colony

Curran is going to be asked to do a lot as a leader for the Thunder offense this season. The dual-threat quarterback is expected to spread the ball around and get the BC athletes the ball in space.

Nayen Lua, Le Grand

Lua is beginning his four varsity season for the Bulldogs and is an anchor for an experienced offensive line. He helped pave the way for Le Grand to rack up over 200 yards rushing against Livingston in the first week.

Joel Alvarenga, Los Banos

The Tigers were searching for a running back coming into the season. They found one in Alvarenga, who rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns in the Westside War victory over Dos Palos.

This Week’s Games

Gregori at Merced

Madera South at Golden Valley

Cordova at El Capitan (Merced College)

McNair at Atwater

Buhach Colony at Hanford (Saturday)

Livingston at Pacheco

Hilmar at Los Banos

Le Grand at Esparto

Gustine at Stone Ridge Christian

Mariposa at Minarets (Thursday)

Dos Palos at Summerville

Chowchilla at Fresno