All-Area Football First Team
OFFENSE
Matthew Porras, Junior, Quarterback, Burbank: Instrumental in leading Burbank back to CIF semifinals, the Pacific League co-Player of the Year and All-CIF pick completed 191 of 307 passes for 2,696 yards and 30 touchdowns versus nine interceptions. Was a dual threat as he added 501 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground in 136 carries.
Ben Peters, Senior, Running Back, Burroughs: Continued long line of stellar Burroughs running backs as the All-Pacific League first-team pick rushed 222 times in nine games for 1,531 yards and 14 touchdowns, crossing the 100-yard mark in eight contests.
Elijah Washington, Senior, Running Back, St. Francis: Turned in a terrific season despite limited playing time down the stretch due to a ligament injury as the All-Angelus League and All-CIF first-team honoree had 166 carries for 1,005 yards (6.1 yards per carry) with 16 touchdowns. Added 20 catches for 329 yards and two touchdowns and 48 tackles as a linebacker.
Darnell Williams, Senior, Running Back, Burbank: Somewhat quietly turned in an outstanding season as the first-team All-Pacific League honoree had 980 yards rushing and 10 scores on the ground.
Greg Dulcich, Senior, Receiver, St. Francis: A true game-changer and clutch playmaker, the All-CIF and All-Angelus League first-team pick had 50 grabs for 1,168 yards (23.4 yards per catch) and 12 touchdowns. Had 17 total touchdowns, added 21 tackles on defense and in the playoffs was outstanding, notching 22 catches for 489 yards and seven touchdowns.
Drew Pendleton, Senior, Receiver, Burbank: Seemed to do it all for Pacific League champions, hauling in 64 receptions for 1,097 yards and nine touchdowns, while notching 113 tackles and three sacks as a linebacker. Was voted Pacific League co-Player of the Year and an All-CIF selection.
Matthew Barriga, Senior, Lineman, St. Francis: An All-Angelus League and All-CIF first-team pick on offense, the multi-year starter was a huge contributor at left tackle on offense and on defense where he had 27 tackles, five for a loss including three sacks, and 14 quarterback hurries.
Ryan Bernal, Senior, Lineman, Burroughs: Paved way for latest Burroughs 1,000-yard rusher and was rewarded as All-Pacific League first-team selection.
Riley Center, Senior, Lineman, Crescenta Valley: Two-way starter culminated a decorated four-year run with Falcons as an All-Pacific League second-team selection.
Destin Jordan, Senior, Lineman, Crescenta Valley: A dominant constant season after season on the line for the Falcons who was voted the Pacific League co-Lineman of the Year in his final campaign.
Nick Konrad, Senior, Lineman, St. Francis: Angelus League second-team honoree was a crucial cog in an offensive line that led the way for a balanced offense that racked up more than 40 points per game.
Chris Wood, Senior, Kicker, Crescenta Valley: All-Pacific League first-team pick booted a phenomenal 51 touchbacks and was also seven of nine on field goals and 46 of 49 on extra points.
DEFENSE
Alec Derpetrossian, Senior, Lineman, Crescenta Valley: Put up stellar numbers that included 73 tackles and 11 sacks in an All-Pacific League second-team season.
Gabriel Grbavac, Senior, Lineman, St. Francis: Wrapped up an excellent three-season run for the Golden Knights as the All-Angelus League co-Most Valuable Lineman and an All-CIF honoree. Drew double-teams nearly every play and had 66 tackles, four sacks, 32 quarterback hurries and two blocked punts. Also played tight end and became a huge asset as a blocker.
Anthony Lira, Senior, Lineman, Burbank: A huge season was had on both sides of the ball for the Pacific League co-Lineman of the Year, as he finished with 10 sacks and 74 tackles.
Duncan Smith, Junior, Lineman, Burbank: Turned in a sensation season as a defensive end and tight end, earning Pacific League co-Offensive Player of the Year. Tallied 55 receptions for 774 yards and 11 touchdowns on offense, while notching 60 tackles, 16 for a loss, eight sacks and two caused fumbles on defense.
Jaedin Springfield, Senior, Lineman, Crescenta Valley: Terror on the line was an All-Pacific League first-team pick who finished with 83 tackles and eight sacks.
Brian Erickson, Senior, Linebacker, Crescenta Valley: Arguably the Falcons’ most consistently outstanding player, the All-CIF selection and Pacific League Defensive Player of the Year notched 119 tackles in 11 games along with nine sacks. Also a valuable contributor at tight end, he added 15 catches for 232 yards and two touchdowns.
Blake Howard, Senior, Linebacker, St. Francis: A truly versatile player who was an All-Angelus League first-team and All-CIF outside linebacker who notched 70 tackles, 14 for a loss, four sacks and two interceptions. As receiver, he had 37 catches for 581 yards and seven touchdowns and also rushed for two first downs in one game on botched punt attempts. As a punter, who completed two passes for fake-punt conversions, he averaged 37.4 yards per punt and handled kickoffs.
Kevin Armstead, Sophomore, Defensive Back, St. Francis: Burst onto scene with an All-CIF and All-Angelus League first-team campaign in which he had five interceptions, five forced fumbles and 36 tackles as a cornerback and 103 carries for 656 yards and 14 touchdowns as a running back.
Isaac Cordova, Senior, Defensive Back, St. Francis: Often overlooked All-Angelus League second-team pick had 62 tackles and three fumble recoveries and added 26 catches for 484 yards and four touchdowns. In addition, threw a touchdown on a fake field goal in the CIF quarterfinals for one very memorable score.
Bobby Gazmarian, Senior, Defensive Back, St. Francis: An All-Angelus League and All-CIF first-team pick who was a great cover cornerback with 62 tackles and three interceptions, while doubling as an excellent special teams player who blocked one punt, one field goal and three point-after attempts. Also had an interception and kick return for touchdowns.
Tyler Lobianco, Senior, Defensive Back, Crescenta Valley: An All-Pacific League first-team pick at defensive back after tallying 28 tackles and three interceptions. He added 33 catches for 603 yards and seven touchdowns at receiver.
ALL-PURPOSE
Quran Bouldin, Senior, Hoover: Transfer did it all for Tornadoes as the All-Pacific League first-teamer had 861 yards rushing, 410 receiving and 335 passing with 11 total touchdowns. Added 43 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions on defense.
Nick Davis, Senior, Flintridge Prep: A standout on defense with 12 1/2 sacks and at receiver with 52 catches for 797 yards and nine touchdowns who earned All-CIF Southern Section Eight-Man Division I accolades.
Cole Doyle, Junior, Crescenta Valley: All-Pacific League first-team pick was a threat with his arm and legs at quarterback, throwing for 1,573 yards and 20 touchdowns, while rushing for 759 yards and nine touchdowns.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jim Bonds, St. Francis: Following five previous semifinal appearances at St. Francis since taking over in 2000, Bonds finally got over the semifinal obstacle in resounding fashion with a 52-17 win over El Toro that ushered the Golden Knights to their first title game appearance since 1964.
Long regarded for his risky play-calls on fourth downs and with fake field goals and punts, Bonds showed plenty of that during a memorable playoff run that included a 30-20 quarterfinal win over Citrus Hill that included a huge fake field goal for a touchdown and the final 10-point lead.
Calling the offense as usual, Bonds’ Golden Knights averaged 44 points per game in one of the area’s most prolific offenses ever, as it tallied 3,236 yards passing and 31 passing scores with 2,492 yards rushing and 49 rushing TDs.
Phenomenal 12-2 campaign ended in an all-time classic, though a heartbreaker for St. Francis, which lost in the CIF Southern Section Division III title game to Rancho Verde, 44-42.