VAIPOU AFAMASAGA
Laguna Creek, OL/DL, Sr.
The 6-foot-2, 270-pound returning captain and all-Delta Valley Conference selectee will be a critical two-way contributor for the Cardinals.
SHEDRIC ALLEN
Pleasant Grove, FB/LB, Sr.
The 5-9, 225-pound Allen, a standout in the Oakland Nike Football Combine during the spring, offers speed on defense and a powerful blocker for Mark Jenkins on offense.
WYATT BARTHOLOMEW
Woodland, DB/RB, Sr.
The 6-3, 190-pound returning All-Tri-County Conference defender and Wolves' leading rusher in 2010 will team with Washington State-bound Dalen Jones for an explosive one-two punch.
JOEY BEALL
River City, QB, Sr.
Although he missed virtually all of last season he was injured in the opener his stock rose when he finished second in the 40-player KCRA TV quarterback combine in a throw-off to Roseville's Zac Cunha.
LAMAR BIBLE
Rio Linda, TB/CB, Jr.
The running game and the Knights, who had their eight-year playoff streak snapped last season, should be back in the hunt with the speedy 5-11, 175-pounder.
JEFF CAMILLI
Ponderosa, LB/TE, Jr.
Coach Jason Tenner expects the returning 6-4, 240-pound all-Delta River League selection to be "one of the best defensive players in the section."
IAN FOWLER
Bradshaw Christian, OL/DL, Sr.
The returning 5-10, 280-pound returning All-Sierra Delta League MVP Lineman is quick on his feet and leads a line that looks nothing like the small school that is the Pride.
KANI JOHNSON
Rosemont, FB/LB, Sr.
A key member of last year's Metro Conference co-champions, the 5-8, 190-pound two-way starter will be counted on to provide leadership for a younger Wolverines bunch this season.
DEE KUWABARA
El Camino, WR/DB, Sr.
The returning All-CAL safety and top receiver in 2010 is expected to lead a resurgent Eagles team (4-6 in '10).
MAX MATHEWS
Inderkum, LB, Sr.
The gritty 6-1, 205-pound All-Tri-County Conference first-teamer returns at inside backer to lead the defense after recording a team-high 99 tackles in 2010.
SHAUN MIZE
Woodcreek, QB, Sr.
Coach John Hildebrand loves the leadership and "improvisation on the move" of the returning all-SFL second-teamer who passed and rushed for 21 touchdowns last season.
THOMAS PARKER
Oakmont, LB/FB, Sr.
Coach Tim Moore calls his three-year varsity starter, returning All-CAL first-teamer the "leader of our defense strong, intelligent and fierce." Parker shared the team lead in tackles in 2010.
BO REID
Capital Christian, RB/DB, Sr.
The Cougars' leading rusher (967 yards, nine touchdowns), top tackler (107) and All-Golden Empire League first-team selection last season is expected to be a key leader for new coach Phil Grams.
O'CHANTE ROBINSON
Natomas, OL/DL, Sr.
The 6-2, 245-pound force and pleasant surprise on both sides of the ball is expected to see plenty of action for veteran coach Frank Negri's 30-man Nighthawks team.
WINFRED ROBERSON
Davis, RB, So.
He and fellow sophomore C.K. Hicks sons of former Cal backfield mates Winfred Roberson and Marc Hicks will inject much-needed speed into a Blue Devils team coming off a 1-9 season.
MICHAEL ROBINSON
Placer, FB, Jr.
Robinson will be an important ingredient to Hillmen's potent wing-T attack after rushing for 602 yards last season, including 152 yards against rival Bear River.
LOGAN SMITH
Vista del Lago, WR/DB, Sr.
Coach Chris Jones calls his 6-foot, 180-pound All-Sierra Valley Conference blond-haired wonder "our best player and one of the top wide receivers in the area."
RUSSELL SMITH
Del Oro, WR/DB, Sr.
A ferocious hitter (69 tackles) and ballhawking defender (four interceptions), the 6-2, 200-pound returning All-Sierra Foothill League defender could be a factor at wide receiver, too.
TOM SPERBECK
Jesuit, QB/DB, Jr.
The remarkable three-sport athlete gives the senior-dominated Marauders excellent run-throw threat in the team's bid to return to the postseason for the first time since 2007.
ISI TAIFANE
Grant, OT, Jr.
The latest in a long line of standout super-size linemen for the Pacers, Taifane is 6-4 and 315 solid pounds.
TRAVIS WALKER
Folsom, C, Sr.
The 6-foot, 300-pound three-year varsity player leads a Bulldogs offensive line that will be bigger and more physical than last year's, making Folsom coach Kris Richardson, a former high school and college lineman, one happy guy.
TYLER WINSTON
Antelope, WR, Jr.
Coach Matt Ray calls the 6-3, 170-pound Winston, his top pass receiver from last season, "a special player with tremendous body control who runs unbelievably good routes."
BEN WALLS
Florin, QB, Jr.
Walls passed for 1,075 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore, so he'll help new coach George Smith get things going for the Panthers.
DANIEL WONG
Kennedy, DL, Sr.
The 6-1, 255-pound All-Metro defensive end (9 1/2 sacks) and superlative student is being looked at by several colleges, including Utah and Army.
AUSTIN YOUNG
Colfax, QB, Sr.
The returning 6-5, 215-pound All-Pioneer Valley League first-team selection is the latest in a long line of superlative Falcons signal callers after passing for 2,406 yards and 25 touchdowns in a 10-3 season as a junior.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
Call The Bee's Bill Paterson, (916) 326-5506.
Read more articles by Bill Paterson









About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "Report Abuse" link below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.