PREP EXTRA: THE TIMES’ ALL COUNTY FOOTBALL TEAM

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

Matt Leinart

Quarterback, MATER DEI SR.

Completed 62% of his passes for 2,847 yards and 27 touchdowns and was one of the best ever to wear Monarch uniform. Should excel whether calling signals for USC, Oklahoma, Georgia Tech or Arizona State.

*

Temitope Sonuyi

Running Back, ESPERANZA SR.

What more could you ask for? Led Orange County with 2,492 yards rushing and could be school’s valedictorian. Considering Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cal, Stanford, Harvard and Oregon State.

*

Robbie Dubois

Running Back, MISSION VIEJO JR.

Sturdy tailback rushed for 2,373 yards and 28 touchdowns. Impressed in head-to-head battle with Esperanza’s Temitope Sonuyi, rushing for 180 yards. And he’ll be back next season to further torment county defenses.

*

Chris Chester

Tight End, TUSTIN SR.

Actually compiled better stats rushing than receiving, but should be a force at Oklahoma regardless of which position he plays. Had 62 carries for 501 yards while catching eight passes for 257 yards.

*

Jeff Diulio

Wide Receiver, MATER DEI SR.

Developed a penchant for making the big catch, finishing with 81 receptions for 1,408 yards and 13 touchdowns as the Monarchs’ go-to player. Longest reception was 79 yards. Considering Villanova, among other schools.

*

Jon Talmage

Wide Receiver, ORANGE LUTHERAN SR.

Caught a county-best 85 passes for 1,399 yards and 15 touchdowns as Lancers’ primary offensive weapon. Committed to Division I-AA powerhouse Montana, where he will join former Orange Lutheran receiver Jeff Renevier.

*

Ed Fane

Offensive Lineman, FOUNTAIN VALLEY SR.

Mater Dei transfer was one of few bright spots for a team that struggled to meet expectations. Became the key to Barons’ rushing attack. Considering New Mexico State, Idaho State, San Jose State and Princeton.

*

Ian Reynoso

Offensive Lineman, LOS ALAMITOS SR.

One of the top linemen the lineman-rich Griffins have produced over the last couple of years. Opened plenty of daylight for running back Adam Nauta and reserve Gabe Doby. Has committed to Oregon.

*

Ryan Lumm

Offensive Lineman, SANTA MARGARITA SR.

Set the school career record with 65 1/2 pancake blocks, including 39 1/2 this season. Rose to the occasion against Mater Dei with a career-high nine pancake blocks. Considering Villanova, Penn and Georgetown.

*

Mike McCloskey

Offensive Lineman, LAGUNA HILLS SR.

Proved to be The Incredible Bulk after becoming first lineman to win school’s MVP award. Hawks’ average offense would have been negligible without him. Considering several Ivy League schools and Oregon State, among others.

*

Robert Chai

Offensive Lineman, NEWPORT HARBOR JR.

Opened Texas-sized holes for star running back Chris Manderino and gave quarterback Morgan Craig exceptional protection. Should be an even bigger force next season particularly if Sailors can find a decent replacement for Manderino.

*

Zach Sherwood

Kicker, UNIVERSITY SR.

Possesses one of the surest, strongest legs around. Led county with eight field goals in 11 attempts and converted 36 of 36 PATs. Also had 59% of his kickoffs go for touchbacks and scored 60 points.

*

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

Rudy Acosta

Defensive Back, LOARA SR.

Acosta (6-0, 165) had nine interceptions, tying him for the county lead with Corona del Mar’s Charlie Alshuler. Considering Northern Arizona, Oregon and Washington, Acosta also kicks and plays wide receiver

*

Joe Bollard

Defensive Back, IRVINE SR.

The hammer in Irvine’s defense that helped win a section title. He returned two of his five interceptions and one of his six fumble recoveries for touchdowns. Also caused four fumbles He is considering Villanova, BYU and Utah.

*

Bryan Arguello

Defensive Back, Villa Park, Sr.

Mr. Everything, Arguello (5-9, 165) he had eight interceptions. He was just as dangerous on offensee; he converted all 43 extra points and four of seven field-goal tries as a kicker, and led the team with 59 receptions for 992 yards.

*

A.J. Martinez

Defensive Back, EDISON JR.

The only junior on the all-county defense, Martinez (5-10, 175) always faced his opponent’s top receiver. His knack for the ball paid dividends with eight interceptions, including two apiece against Mater Dei and Los Alamitos.

*

Ian Gunderman

Linebacker, MATER DEI SR.

A big hitter with great instincts and anticipation, Gunderman (6-1, 225) had seven sacks, six hurries and 14 more tackles for losses. Gunderman, who was in on 168 tackles. He forced a fumble and had two interceptions.

*

Adam Lancisero

Linebacker, EL MODENA, SR.

A lot of wallop is packed into Lancisero’s 5-9, 185-pound frame. He had 138 tackles, 14 for losses, and four sacks. Twice he had tackles for safeties and he broke up 10 passes. Lancisero also rushed for 1,638 yards and scored 16 touchdowns.

*

Matt McCoy

Linebacker, TUSTIN SR.

A relentless middle linebacker, McCoy (6-1, 200) had 23 sacks, breaking his record of 18 1/2 as a junior. He also caused 27 hurried passes and blocked three kicks. Is considering Oregon State, Colorado State, Utah, USC and BYU.

*

Chris Manderino

Linebacker, NEWPORT HARBOR SR.

His 2,171 yards rushing and county-high 31 touchdowns overshadowed his defense. He had 76 tackles, three sacks, and six tackles for losses. He forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, had two interceptions and blocked a punt.

*

Mike Patterson

Defensive Lineman, LOS ALAMITOS SR.

A defensive tackle, Patterson (6-0, 175) was involved in 78 tackles, including six sacks and 16 others for losses. He forced three fumbles and had five hurries. Is considering Oregon, Colorado State, Arizona State and USC.

*

Alex deBrucky

Defensive Lineman, ESPERANZA SR.

DeBrucky (6-3, 240), a defensive end, had 13 tackles for losses, including nine sacks. He was also involved in 103 other tackles. DeBrucky forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles and forced seven hurries by the quarterback.

*

Tim Burnette

Defensive Lineman, SAN CLEMENTE SR.

Burnette (6-7, 238), a defensive end, broke up four passes and blocked nine others. He also had five sacks and forced seven hurries. Two of his sacks were in the fourth quarter in an upset of Esperanza. He committed to Washington State.

*

Nick Ross

Punter, SONORA SR.

A good directional kicker, Ross averaged 39.6 yards, and only 12 punts were returned, for 69 yards, a 5.8 average. Also a quarterback who passed for 1,599 yards, Ross passed successfully on both fourth-down fake punts he attempted.