All-Bay Area News Group high school football: Defensive backs
ALL-BAY AREA NEWS GROUP DEFENSIVE BACKS
First team
Charlie Ball, St. Ignatius, 6-0, 185, senior
Versatile and a captain for SI defense that won the CIF 3-AA state championship. Had 129 tackles, 13 1/2 for loss, six sacks, two pass deflections and two interceptions, including a 65-yard pick-six in the Wildcats’ CCS Division II championship win over Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Truly Bell, Pittsburg, 6-1, 170, junior
Fresno State commit had 32 tackles, one for loss, a QB hurry, nine passes defended and two interceptions. Also contributed offensively, catching four TD passes and gaining 135 yards.
Rahsjon Duncan, McClymonds, 6-1, 186, senior
Four-star Washington commit returned from injury late in the season to help Mack reach CIF 3-A state title game. Dynamic playmaker played both ways as standout wide receiver and corner.
Tyran Hicks, St. Ignatius, 5-11, 165, senior
Talented DB and Idaho State commit finished with 49 tackles, two for loss, three interceptions and one pass deflection. Also had 209 yards receiving.
Second team
Nehemiah Fungula, Amador Valley, 6-1, 175, senior
Defensive leader at safety snagged an interception and also contributed offensively for the co-EBAL Mountain champs. EBAL Mountain first-teamer.
Hudson Schrader, Los Gatos, 6-2, 190, senior
Ball-hawking safety grabbed four interceptions while also adding 84 tackles. PAL Bay defensive back of the year.
Kai Sniffen, Archbishop Mitty, 6-1, 190, senior
Versatile linebacker/safety hybrid player had five interceptions with 156 return yards and a 90-yard pick-six. Added 28 tackles, including 2 1/2 for loss, three pass deflections and a forced fumble. Also had 334 receiving yards and caught six touchdown passes.
Grant Ricker, Acalanes, 6-2, 190, senior
Made 20 tackles and had seven interceptions to lead much-improved Acalanes defense. Had a pick-six and also caught five TD passes and had 472 yards receiving.
Honorable mention
Jeremiah Arevalos, Wilcox, senior; Zakir Armstrong, Arroyo, senior; Fernando Benavides, South San Francisco, senior; Landyn Cole, Alameda, senior; Cole Canter, Leland, junior; Ambrose Carroll, Bishop O’Dowd, senior; Preston Chow, Hillsdale, senior; Connor Christensen, Pioneer, junior; JayAr Davis, Menlo School, sophomore; Christian Duarte, Branham, senior; Aaron Duncan, The King’s Academy, junior; Justice Edwards, Hayward, sophomore; Emiliano Garcia, Gilroy, senior; Shylon Green Jr., James Logan, senior; Gavin Guerrero, Evergreen Valley, senior; Joseph Henry, Gunderson, sophomore; Miles Huntington, Leigh, senior; William (AJ) Jackson, Moreau Catholic, senior; Gavin Jordan, Los Gatos, senior; Toby Lauer, Leigh, senior; James Perez Rodas, Prospect, senior; Isaiah Tela, MacDonald, senior; Gabriel YellowHorse Ruiz, Sobrato, senior.
All-BANG football online publication schedule
Monday, Jan. 5
Coach of the year
Alameda County player of the year
Contra Costa County player of the year
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Peninsula player of the year
Santa Clara County player of the year
Bay Area News Group player of the year
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Kickers/punters
Offensive line
Defensive line
Athletes
Thursday, Jan. 8
Linebackers
Running backs
Utility
Friday, Jan. 9
Defensive backs
Wide receivers/tight ends
Quarterbacks
Sunday, Jan. 11
Entire team in one article
Those eligible for all-BANG honors come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school sports staff chooses the players and coaches.