The Bee's Bill Paterson looks at some of the area's top players:

Joe Brunet, Del Oro, LB, senior.

• The 6-foot-2, 240-pound second-team All-Sierra Foothill League returnee recently set the all-time team lift record at 1,485 pounds (combined bench press, power clean, squat and jerk) and will be the centerpiece of the always-formidable Golden Eagles defense.

Daniel Cox, Christian Brothers, LB, sr.

• The 5-11, 210-pound Cal-Hi Sports preseason All-Sac-Joaquin Section defender recorded 8 1/2 sacks and 83 tackles as a junior in earning All-Sierra Valley Conference honors.

Miles Freeman, Burbank, QB, senior.

• The 6-1, 190-pound Metro Conference MVP's athleticism and ability to read defenses make him a force at running the Titans' dangerous triple option. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is showing a lot of interest.

Zach Graves, Whitney, RB, senior.

• The 5-10, 175-pound Pioneer Valley League MVP and All-Metro honorable mention selection helped the Wildcats reach the Division IV title game as he rushed for 1,435 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Spencer Hagan, Capital Chr., WR, sr.

• He has offers from Montana State and Portland State, where his older brother, Kramer, plays. Spencer, 6-4 and 180 pounds, is expected to improve on his 59-catch, 928-yard season last year.

Matt Hambrick, Laguna Creek, OG, sr.

• The 6-2, 270-pound two-way lineman is a Cal-Hi Sports All-Sac-Joaquin Section pick who is getting looks from several Pacific-10 Conference schools. His best college position appears to be on offense.

Siaosi Heleta, Burbank, LB, senior.

• Quick reactions and 6-1, 250-pound size make him a standout run stuffer. He was a playoff force last season for the Metro Conference champion.

Kipeli Koniseti, Grant, QB, senior.

• Strong-armed, the 6-3, 215-pound big-play man also is expected to help the Pacers defensively, where he'll likely play in college.

Alesana Laban, Grant, OG, senior.

• At 6-2 and 295 pounds, the three-year varsity standout and All-Metro Conference selection will lead another huge and talented Pacers offensive line.

Mason Magleby, Del Oro, QB, senior.

• The 6-2, 195-pounder improved his stock greatly during a series of offseason combines and will lead a Golden Eagles team expected to throw much more than in the past.

Jullian Marchand, Foothill, OT, junior.

• The Mustangs will dare teams to stop their running game with this 6-7, 310-pound human mountain and potential big-time recruit.

Matt McCarthy, Christian Brothers, OT, senior.

• The 6-6, 275-pounder with a 4.0 GPA and 1,910 SAT score has offers from Montana, Idaho State and Weber State.

Sean Nill, Laguna Creek, DL-OL, sr.

• The Delta Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the only junior to make the Bee's All-Metro first team last season is a 6-0, 220-pound tackling machine (97 tackles; three sacks).

Clark Partridge, Granite Bay, RB, sr.

• "He carried the load for us last year, especially in the playoffs," Granite Bay coach Ernie Cooper said of the 6-2, 220-pounder, a bulldozer with nimble feet who will be the team's go-to runner this season.

Colton Paulhus, Granite Bay, DE, sr.

• The 6-2, 265-pounder has an offer from Portland State and is getting strong looks from several other programs, including Arizona State and Washington State.

Trevor Peterson, El Dorado, TE, sr.

• The 6-4, 215-pound Boise State recruit is expected to move to running back to help the Cougars. A Bee All-Metro second-team selection last season, he had 58 receptions, 964 yards, eight touchdowns.

Eric Pinkins, Inderkum, S, senior.

• The 6-3, 177-pounder intercepted four passes and blocked two punts last year. He already has an offer from UNLV, but several others, including Cal, are showing interest.

Cole Stanford, Nevada Union, DB, sr.

• The 6-2, 195-pound Cal-Hi Sports preseason all-section pick is coming off an All-Delta Valley Conference performance as a junior. He put up some good scouting combine numbers in Oakland.

Lyndell Scarr, Ponderosa, RB, junior.

• A 5-10, 170-pounder and the Sierra Valley Conference Co-Offensive MVP as a sophomore last season, he rushed for 1,558 yards in helping the Bruins win their first SVC title since 1981. The Cal-Hi preseason section pick also averaged 25 yards a kick return.

Matt Satchwell, Casa Roble, RB, sr.

• Swift and elusive, the 5-10, 175-pounder was a huge game breaker last season, rushing for more than 1,000 yards with 15 touchdowns in helping the Rams to an undefeated regular season.

Jaycob Shoemaker, Casa Roble, LB, senior.

• The 6-foot, 235-pound captain and the Rams' spiritual leader already has offers from Portland State and Army. He made the All-Nike Combine Team in Oakland.

Chad Tannenbaum, Rio Americano, G, senior.

• With good feet and balance to go with a 6-3, 300-pound frame, the three-year starter is expected to be one of this area's top recruits. He made the All-Nike Team in Oakland and is a Cal-Hi preseason section selectee.

Brett Thompson, Oak Ridge, WR, sr.

• One of the area's leading recruits, he has given a verbal commitment to BYU, bypassing Nebraska, Air Force and UNLV. The 6-2, 208-pound Thompson had 35 receptions for 570 yards and six touchdowns and averaged 30 yards a punt return last season.

Greg Williams, Pleasant Grove, RB, sr.

• The featured running back on an experienced offense, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Williams also will play defensive back and handle the kicking chores for the defending Delta River League champion.

Karmah Yates, Franklin, DT, junior.

• Recruiting analyst Rick Kimbrel of Rivals.com said of the 6-3, 255-pound player's performance at the Ultimate 100 Underclassmen Camp in Southern California: "Not only was he hard to handle during the one-on-ones, but he tested well (4.96 second 40-yard dash, 385-pound bench, 550-pound squat) for a guy his size."

Call The Bee's Bill Paterson, (916) 326-5506.