The efforts of local prep football players have been recognized with the recent release of the Central California Athletic League awards list. The CCAL, which includes Turlock and Pitman high schools, saw Bulldog and Pride players take home four of the 10 major honors, while dominating the remainder of the All-League honors.

This year’s league champion Downey had players flood the special awards section, with skipper Jeremy Plaa named Coach of the Year, running back Elias Haynes named Most Valuable Player, Owen Sacuskie tabbed as Outstanding Receiver, AJ Harper sharing Outstanding Linebacker/Defensive Back with Kayden Brown of Enochs and Nathan Mockey earring Outstanding Defensive Lineman.

Braiden Fuentes of runner-up Turlock took home the premier honors, Offensive Player of the Year, following a stellar junior campaign in which he earned 1,098 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound running back rushed for 169 yards on 21 carries while snagging 34 receptions and using his speed to rack up 735 yards. 

One of his teammates doing the blocking in the trenches was junior Avery Michael, who was named Outstanding Offensive Lineman. Michael, a tackle, stands as one of the most imposing linemen in the region at 6-foot-6, 270 pounds. His efforts throughout the year and his physical attributes have also caught the attention of Division I college football programs from across the nation, as he had 23 standing offers as of Friday evening.

Defensively, Turlock’s Donovan Muirbrook was named Defensive Player of the Year following a record-breaking senior season. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound linebacker set a new program record of 118 tackles in a single season, eclipsing the mark of 112 previously held by Johnny Padilla and Erick Parsons.

Across town, as Pitman strung together their best season in half a decade, senior Mason Helwick ran wild to earn him a share of Outstanding Offensive Back alongside Gregori’s Chris Knight. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Helwick tallied a whopping 1,799 all-purpose yards for the Pride, with 1,301 yards and 21 touchdowns coming on 250 carries. He also caught 21 passes for 148 yards.

Gregori’s Mikey Oshana was named Special Teams Player of the Year.

Locals landing on the All-CCAL First Team Offense were Turlock’s Kaleb Guinn (RB), Wynn Brazil (TE), Braxten Durkee (OL) and Michael Cardoso (K). Second Team Offense included Turlock’s Scout Silva (QB), Alex Ventura (RB), Landyn Fitzgerald (WR) and Sebastian Jimenez (OL), as well as Pitman linemen Giovani Ahedo and Jonathan Alderman.

The All-CCAL First Team Defense is made up of Turlock’s Levi Cook (DL), Gavin Brandao (DL), Noel Garcia (DB), Xavier Spivey (DB) and Michael Cardoso at both linebacker and punter. Featured on the Second Team are Pitman linebackers Xadian Padilla and Jaiden Brown, linemen Jordan Riley and Ben Vilhauer and defensive back Isaac Villapudua.

Honorable mentions included Donnell Harmon II (QB/DB) and Sydeny Aguilar (G/DT) of Turlock and RJ Wilharm (QB) and Caleb Grossman (WR/DB) of Pitman.