By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Hughson, Turlock, Hilmar football players tapped for all-state team
Logan Durkee
Turlock's Logan Durkee, pictured here getting a quarterback sack during the Bulldogs' game against Folsom in September, was one of 10 local players nominated by Cal-Hi Sports for consideration on its prestigious all-state football team (Journal file photo).

Ten local high school football players have been nominated by Cal-Hi Sports for consideration on its prestigious all-state football team.

Among the 10 players, five were from the Sac-Joaquin Section champion Hughson Huskies, four were from Turlock High and one was from Hilmar.

Here’s a closer look at the 10:

OL Navi Arretche, Hughson, Sr. — At 6-4, 315-pounds, Arretche was the anchor of the offensive line, one that protected quarterback Robert McDaniel and cleared the way for running backs Alexander Villarreal and David Burns.

WR/DB David Delgado, Hughson, Sr. — One of the most versatile athletes in the region, Delgado was a reliable target for quarterback Robert McDaniel, catching 47 passes for 700 yards. His biggest game of the year came in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 6 final — a 40-39 win over Bradshaw Christian — in which he caught six passes for 133 yards. On the defensive side, he tallied 61 tackles (six for losses), two sacks and an interception.

TE/DE Max Mankins, Hughson, Jr. — Like Delgado, a two-way star who caught 13 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns; he had 4.5 sacks, two picks and seven tackles for loss from his DE slot. A quick prediction for 2024: Mankins is going to have a monster season as a senior.

QB Robert McDaniel, Hughson, Jr. — An accurate passer with a strong arm and hands the size of frying pans, McDaniel completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,839 yards. He threw 33 touchdown passes against just four interceptions. His signature game came in a 55-26 win over Ripon in which he completed 26 of 38 passes (68 percent) for 470 yards and seven TDs.

RB Alexander Villarreal, Hughson, Sr. — Villarreal is going to be hard to replace in 2024. He rushed for 1,372 yards and 17 touchdowns. A chunk of his season was hampered by a tender hamstring, but tough-as-nails senior always answered the bell.

WR/DB Jeremiah Bertolotto, Turlock, Sr. — A versatile offensive weapon, Bertolotto completed four of his nine pass attempts for 59 yards and one TD; carried the ball 29 times for 268 yards and five TDs; and caught 20 passes for 455 yards and three scores. He also was a dangerous return man, averaging 25.8 yards on kickoff returns and 17.3 yards on punt returns.

LB Logan Durkee, Turlock, Sr. — The 6-1, 230-pounder with pro-wrestler energy recorded five sacks and 11 tackles for loss on the season, making him a disruptive force in the opponents’ backfield. He also saw time as a tight end. Of the three passes he caught in 2023, two of them went for touchdowns.

OL Kristian Guerrero, Turlock, Sr. — Guerrero did the dirty work for the Bulldogs, opening holes for the runners and keeping his quarterback’s jersey clean.

WR/DB Andrew Johnson, Turlock, Sr. — The 6-foot-5 Johnson was not only a big, athletic target for quarterback Vince Gonzales, he was a reliable one as well. 

QB/RB Caden Bailey, Hilmar Jr. — Bailey started the season as the Yellowjackets’ starting quarterback and finished the year as an all-purpose back, lining up all over the field, including under center. For the season, the speedster — is there anybody in the district faster in pads than Bailey? — totaled 1,788 rushing yards on 164 attempts (10.9 per carry) and 19 touchdowns.