Midseason Report

A look at players who are performing at the highest standards through the first five games of the high school football season:

Quarterbacks

Southern Section

1. Casey Clausen, Alemany, Sr. He’s this year’s Kyle Boller

2. David Parker, Saugus, Sr. Finally getting well-deserved recognition

3. Kyle Matter, Hart, Jr. Has passed for 1,170 yards, 21 TDs

4. Scott Vossmeyer, Crescenta Valley, Sr. Completing 64% of his passes

5. Zac Wasserman, Westlake, Sr. Watch his numbers climb

City Section

1. Matt Cassel, Chatsworth, Sr. Despite 14 sacks, he’s surviving

2. Ruben Zaragoza, Kennedy, Sr. Leads City with 1,216 yards, 10 TDs

3. Brandon Hance, Taft, Sr. Slowly starting to adjust to new receivers

4. Jonathan Graham, El Camino Real, Sr. Proving a threat to run and pass

5. Thomas Hoohuli, San Fernando, Sr. Greatly improved passer

Running backs

Southern Section

1. De’Andre Scott, Alemany, Jr. Averaging 10 yards per carry

2. Manuel White, Valencia, Sr. He’s healthy and getting stronger

3. Rodney Woods, Littlerock, Sr. Has scored 10 touchdowns in four games

4. Jermaine Marshall, Kilpatrick, Sr. No one can tackle him

5. Tyler Ebell, Ventura, Jr. The guy never stops churning his legs

City

1. Matthew Hicks, North Hollywood, Sr. Keeps running away from defenders

2. Tyrone Burwell, Monroe, Sr. Big, powerful and averaging 8.8 yards per carry

3. David Contreras, Sylmar, Sr. Runs hard on every carry

4. Lee Marks, Taft, Jr. Is running better than former Toreador Marquis Brignac

5. Eddie Robinson, Reseda, Jr. Has led Reseda to 5-0 start

Receivers

Southern Section

1. Derek Goodman, Alemany, Sr. Just try to cover him

2. Michael Brignac, Westlake, Sr. Making clutch catches

3. Steve Carballo, Crescenta Valley, Sr. Makes tough catches look easy

4. Jared Bazar, Hart, Sr. Another in long line of top Indian receivers

5. Nathan Steele, Saugus, Sr. Seven TD receptions

City

1. Lucius Duper, Chatsworth, Sr. Turns short catches into long gains

2. Greig Carlson, Taft, Jr. Has made dramatic improvement

3. James Norris, Kennedy, Jr. Six TD receptions

4. Anthony Rodriguez, Granada Hills, Jr. Speed makes him big-play threat

5. Sanders Trent, Kennedy, Sr. Doesn’t drop balls

Offensive linemen

Southern Section

1. Keith Holt, Westlake, Sr. Hasn’t given up a sack in two years

2. Adrian Ayala, St. Bonaventure, Sr. 300-pounder is mashing people

3. Albert Masih, Alemany, Sr. Leads best line in the region

4. Ryan Morris, Crescenta Valley, Sr. Protecting his QB quite well

5. John Emelio, Alemany, Sr. Key two-way starter for Indians

City

1. Steve Nevarez, San Fernando, Sr. He’s living up to expectations

2. Robert Avina, Kennedy, Jr. Left tackle hasn’t allowed a sack

3. Richard Del Gaudio, Sylmar, Jr. 285-pound right guard is opening holes

4. Axel Reyes, North Hollywood, Sr. Left tackle is clearing way for Hicks

5. Shaheen Jahangard, El Camino Real, Sr. Center with intelligence, fire

Defensive linemen

Southern Section

1. Kaelen Jakes, Valencia, Jr. Plays relentlessly every down

2. Tucker Bennett, St. Bonaventure, Sr. Nine sacks is impressive

3. Travis Johnson, Notre Dame, Sr. Great talent but needs consistency

4. Peter Dubsky, Hart, Jr. Solid against the run and the pass

5. Leo Reed, Westlake, Jr. Has six tackles for losses

City Section

1. Eric Hultin, El Camino Real, Sr. A nose tackle who stops the run

2. Marvin Street, Chatsworth, Sr. Tough to block because of quickness

3. Fernando Camberos, San Fernando, Sr. Teams with Nevarez for one-two punch

4. Julius Roberts, Poly, Sr. End has six sacks

5. James Ortiz, Cleveland, Sr. Strong pass rusher

Linebackers

Southern Section

1. Patrick Norton, Hart. Sr. Keeps hitting and hitting

2. Robert Watts, Paraclete, Sr. Treats everybody like a tackling dummy

3. Paul Soto, Highland, Sr. Man among boys

4. Ray Cassaday, Valencia, Sr. Starting to pick up steam

5. Ben Lorier, Westlake, Sr. Leads team with more than 50 tackles

City

1. Mark Sutton, Sylmar, Jr. Earning everyone’s respect

2. Noe Ramirez, San Fernando, Sr. Filling holes, making plays

3. Michael Porter, Verdugo Hills, Sr. Averaging 12 tackles a game

4. Brandon Walker, Taft, Sr. If only he had some help

5. Jason Wagner, Reseda, Sr. Six sacks, three blocked kicks

Defensive backs

Southern Section

1. Scott Ellis, Ventura, Sr. Has four interceptions

2. Cody Murphy, Buena, Sr. Leads team in tackles at free safety

3. Louie Fisher, St. Francis, Sr. Top defender on 5-0 team

4. Lerato Simelane, Harvard-Westlake, Sr. Showing speed and toughness

5. Keith Jarbo, Burroughs, Jr. Leads region with five interceptions

City

1. DeAndre Phillips, Monroe, Sr. Finds a way to make plays

2. Clifford Mack, Kennedy, Sr. Terrific cover man

3. Donnell Livingston, Sylmar, Sr. Four interceptions in five games

4. Daniel Nagasawa, Granada Hills, Sr. Pleasant surprise for Highlanders

5. Alex Diaz, Poly, Jr. Three interceptions at strong safety

Kickers

Southern Section

1. Drew Thomas, Westlake, Sr. He’s 22 for 22 on conversion kicks

2. Kirk Bardin, Hart, Sr. Made three of four field goals

3. Garret Marxen, Alemany, Jr. Most-improved kicker

4. Jose Duarte, Highland, Jr. Made 46-yard field goal

5. Evan Kay, Royal, Sr. Soccer player booted 48-yard field goal

City

1. John Wall, Birmingham, Sr. If only he had some blocking

2. Tommy Garagliano, Granada Hills, Sr. Averaging 44 yards per punt

3. Ian Kogan, El Camino Real, Sr. Soccer player making contribution