For the second straight season, the Trans-Valley League, one of the toughest small-school conferences in California, was home to Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF State football champions, with the year dominated by Sonora, repeating at the state level.
Following strong campaigns in conference play, the Hilmar and Hughson programs were able to string together runs to the semifinal rounds of their respective section playoff brackets, and the efforts of their student-athletes were recognized Monday with the release of the TVL awards list.
Undefeated Sonora claimed a handful of the special honors, including running back Cash Byington as Most Valuable Player, quarterback Eli Ingalls named Outstanding Offensive Player, Chance Davis tabbed Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Steven Morfoot as Outstanding Defensive Lineman and Brody Speer earning Outstanding Linebacker.
Hughson’s Lawson Aviles took home one of the premier honors of Outstanding Receiver. The senior had 35 receptions for 544 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while also being dispatched on run plays from the slot position, carrying the ball 47 times for 444 yards and seven scores. He was also named to the All-TVL First Team at wideout and Second Team as a defensive back.
Lushen Sanders of Ripon Christian and Logan Huebner shared Outstanding Offensive Back honors, while Ripon’s Tip Paini was named Outstanding Defensive Lineman and Ripon Christian’s Amos Cady took home Outstanding Defensive Back honors.
The third-place Huskies had a plethora of All-TVL First Team honorees, including Eli WIlbanks at running back, Fresno State-bound Bryce McDaniel at tight end, Valente Soria at defensive end and Bryce Williams at defensive back.
The Second Team included quarterback Hudson Baldwin, wide receiver Titus Beers, offensive linemen Bryce Caulkins and Ivan Rivera, defensive linemen Brady Caldwell and Nic Wiggs, defensive end Tristan Benham and linebacker Luke Faulkner.
The Yellowjackets were also well represented on the All-TVL list. On the First Team were three-star recruit Justin Ortiz at tackle and nose guard, receiver and defensive back Nathan Ayala and Cohen Felber at linebacker.
Named to the Second Team were Felber at quarterback, Brayden Alves at offensive line, defensive ends Nick Baballe and Colton Johnston, linebacker Lucas Bel and Mattheu Brum, cornerbacks, Leo Nunes and John Lopez and placekicker Jacob Sward.
