-- Martin Henderson*--* OFFENSE QUARTERBACK Jimmy Clausen,...

-- Martin Henderson

*--* OFFENSE QUARTERBACK Jimmy Clausen, Oaks Christian 6-3 197 Jr. Highly coveted by top colleges but untested against elite competition, Clausen completed 67.4% of his passes, averaged 213.7 yards per game, threw 30 touchdowns with only five interceptions, and his team won a third consecutive Division XI championship. RUNNING BACK Toby Gerhart, Norco 6-1 228 Sr. The player of the year rushed for 3,233 yards, averaging 10.7 yards per carry, and scored 39 touchdowns, delivering a Division V title after losing in the finals the previous two seasons. Just as impressive, he could forgo college for a baseball career. Stafon Johnson, Dorsey 6-0 202 Sr. One of the most sought-after tailbacks in the country, Johnson began the season at quarterback before converting to his natural position, where he rushed for 2,157 yards, a 9.0 average, and 22 touchdowns. RECEIVER Hayo Carpenter, Ridgecrest Burroughs 5-10 170 Sr. Caught 24 touchdown passes, and his 111 receptions were 16 more than any other player in the state. Carpenter also rushed 11 times for 145 yards and five touchdowns for the Division VIII champion, and was no slouch on defense: he had seven interceptions. Jamere Holland, Woodland Hills Taft 6-0 180 Sr. Holland is the Southland’s fastest player, and his 55 receptions for 1,188 yards for the City runner-up translated into 21.6 yards per reception. He had 21 touchdowns, 17 receiving; he had three interceptions. TIGHT END Lance Evboumwan, Redlands East Vly 6-5 235 Sr. An athletic player in only his second year of football, Evboumwan delivered wide-receiver type numbers: 54 receptions, 13 touchdowns, and played a pivotal role in an unbeaten regular season. LINE Romney Fuga, Edison 6-2 265 Sr. A major reason the Chargers averaged 446 yards, the tackle had great leverage. Equally adept on offense and defense, The Times’ lineman of the year also has been recruited as a defensive tackle, where he had 11 sacks. Joe Hawley, Esperanza 6-3 270 Sr. Tackle played pivotal role in Aztecs’ drive to Division I title game, and was the only lineman who played defense. Along the way, Esperanza rushed for 5,504 yards, the seventh-best total in state history. Jovon Hayes, Dorsey 6-3 315 Sr. A very good athlete for a 300-pounder, Hayes is explosive and strong with great feet. A relentless blocker from the guard position, he often took defenders to the ground as Dorsey runners followed his path. He also played defensive tackle. Zack Heberer, San Pedro 6-4 270 Sr. With nothing tricky about their offense, 77% of the Pirates’ yards were gained on the ground as they took advantage of the USC-bound guard’s blocking to reach the City Section quarterfinals. Andy Keane, Palm Springs 6-3 270 Sr. Athletic enough to play tight end, and a two-way starter for the Division VIII runner-up, UCLA-bound Keane helped protect the Indians’ golden goose, Scott Saunders, who rushed and passed for 4,333 yards. KICKER Joe Robles, Tesoro 5-11 195 Sr. Had field goals in 10 of 14 games, converting 14 of 15, including three that covered 50 yards or more. Also delivered on 65 of 68 PATs and had 72 of 92 kickoffs reach the end zone for touchbacks for Division IX champion. DEFENSE LINE Tonio Celotto, Royal 6-4 235 Jr. Even though his team failed to reach the playoffs, this talented defensive tackle was selected lineman of the year in the Marmonte League. Fourteen of his 75 tackles were sacks, and he recovered two fumbles. Sione Fua, Crespi 6-2 300 Sr. Coveted by most Pacific 10 Conference schools because he is athletic for a player his size, Fua has great balance and is able to change direction quickly. He had 59 tackles and five sacks for the Division X champion. Ryan Hurtado, Mater Dei 6-2 235 Sr. Hurtado had a breakout season in the physical Serra League, and was rewarded as a co-lineman of the year. Technically proficient, and a terrific pursuer, he had 76 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks, caused one fumble and recovered three. Tobi Umodu, South Hills 5-11 230 Sr. UCLA-bound defensive end was double-teamed by opponents, who ran away from him as a rule, but he still finished with 70 tackles, including 17 sacks, and he recovered two fumbles for the Division VII champion. LINEBACKER Allen Bradford, Colton 6-2 225 Sr. Perhaps no one provided as many devastating hits as Bradford, who also dished them on offense as a running back, where he averaged 13.1 yards per carry. A great pursuer, he had 12 sacks, and averaged 13.1 tackles, as The Times’ back of the year. Jonathan Cornell, Bishop Amat 6-2 230 Sr. Rated directly behind Bradford among state’s best inside linebackers, Cornell was selected defensive co-MVP in the Serra League even though Bishop Amat did not reach the playoffs. Instinctive, with great range, he had 135 tackles, four sacks. Dwight Roberson, St. Bonaventure 6-0 218 Sr. Outside linebacker led the defense that delivered consecutive Division III titles for the top-ranked Seraphs, who were selected No. 1 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports. He had 120 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions, one fumble recovery and he blocked one punt. BACK C.J. Gable, Sylmar 6-1 185 Sr. He is a college prospect on offense and defense. An explosive runner who had 2,117 yards, Gable’s 34 touchdowns led the City Section, and his seven interceptions was the second-highest total as the Spartans reached the semifinals. Darian Hagan Jr., Crenshaw 6-0 170 Sr. Highly sought cornerback was a playmaker of the highest caliber for the City champion, which didn’t give up more than 14 points over the last 10 games. He returned four of seven interceptions for touchdowns, and averaged 28.8 yards per reception. Marvin Johnson, Dominguez 5-10 175 Sr. Quarterback averaged 10.1 yards per carry and 23.1 yards per pass completion, but he also shined at cornerback for the Division III champion, where he had four interceptions, one in the Dons’ 41-14 win over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in the title game. Ricky Thenarse, L.A. Jordan 6-1 190 Sr. The Eastern League MVP delivered a team-high 153 tackles and one interception. A versatile athlete, he averaged 21.4 yards per punt return, 33.1 yards per reception, and 12 yards per carry. PUNTER Kai Forbath, S.O. Notre Dame 6-1 185 Sr. He will make his name at UCLA as a kicker -- he has a 57-yarder to his credit -- and is generally regarded as the best in high school, but Forbath also averaged 40.2 yards punting for the Division III runner-up Knights.

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