SBCC tight end Jacob Ortale. (Presidio Sports Photo)
Six SBCC players were named to the All-American Pacific League football team, led by unanimous choice Isaac McClain.
McClain, a 6-2, 295-pound freshman left tackle from Manteca, Calif., was one of five unanimous selections on the first-team offense. He was joined on the first team by tight end Jacob Ortale, a freshman from Las Vegas.
Two freshmen were picked on the first-team defense. Receiver/kick returner Elijah Cunningham, the No. 1 kick returner in the state with a 40.8-yard average and two TDs, was the utility player and Joel Whitford was the punter. Cunningham set a school-record with a 100-yard kick return in the season opener at San Bernardino Valley.
Whitford, a 6-3, 200-pounder from Victoria, Australia, averaged 37.6 yards per punt and was No. 1 in the state with 23 kicks inside the 20-yard line.
Clayton Hanly, a freshman lineman from Santa Ynez High, was a second-team defensive choice along with Osha Washington. Hanly (6-5, 235) made 50 tackles and led the Vaqueros in tackles for loss (17) and sacks (7).
Washington led the team in receiving (32 catches, 12.5 average, 3 TDs) and was the 12th-best punt returner in the state with a 10.5 average.
On Nov. 14, the Vaqueros rallied from a 20-0 deficit to beat Glendale 40-39 and finish with a 5-5 record. They were third in conference at 4-3.
TEAM AWARDS:
Offensive MVP – WR Osha Washington, WR Jason-Matthew Sharsh
Defensive MVP – LB Thomas Hopp
Coaches Award – LB Elisha Allen, P Joel Whitford, OL Bilal Sharmoug
Best Special Teams Player – WR Elijah Cunningham
Best Offensive Scout Team Player – Jarryl Taylor
Best Defensive Scout Team Player – DL Cole Marmor
