Eight locals named All-CIF

Corona del Mar High senior inside linebacker Preston Risser earned the All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division Defensive Player of the Year award, making him one of eight local football players receiving All-CIF recognition.

Risser is joined on the Southern Division team by two CdM teammates, senior kicker Andrew Boehm and junior cornerback Cole Cottrell, and three members from Estancia, senior offensive tackle Zack Bateman, senior safety Matt Carlyle and sophomore punter Robert Murtha.

Sage Hill senior running back Taylor Ross and senior offensive guard T.J. Danner made the East Valley Division team.

Risser, who was also the Pacific Coast League Defensive MVP, and Boehm and Cottrell led CdM (10-2-1, 4-0-1 in league) to its first outright league title in 22 years and to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs.

Risser finished with a team-best 110 tackles, 10 for losses, five forced fumbles, two interceptions and two sacks.

Boehm converted 12 field-goal attempts, the most in the area. He made 40 extra-point kicks and recorded 40 touchbacks.

Cottrell had 12 pass break-ups, three interceptions, and forced two fumbles and recovered one. He finished with 49 tackles.

Bateman, Carlyle and Murtha played vital roles to Estancia claiming the Orange Coast League title, the program’s first outright league crown in 21 years.

Bateman paved the way to the Eagles’ 5-0 league record, their first undefeated league season since 1989. He helped Murtha to a record-breaking year in which the running back rushed for an Estancia single-season best 1,679 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Carlyle made 61 tackles, recovered three fumbles and intercepted a pass. On special teams, he returned two kickoffs 92 yards for touchdowns and a punt 83 yards for a touchdown in the Eagles’ final four league contests.

Ross and Danner helped Sage Hill (8-3, 2-1) qualify for the CIF Southern Section East Valley Division playoffs for the second straight year.

Ross rushed for 1,869 yards and 26 touchdowns, both totals are Sage Hill single-season records. He was also named to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Small Schools second team. He was a multi-purpose selection, as a running back, defensive back and kicker.

Danner posted an area-best 67 pancake blocks. He even had a 30-yard touchdown run.

— From staff reports