All-Metro standouts Brandon Graydon, Akio Martinson lead North into Optimist All-Star game
The popular Sacramento area high school football season isn’t over just yet.
Standout seniors from all over the region will take the field one more time at 1 p.m. Saturday at Hughes Stadium in the Optimist All-Star Classic, the 63rd edition of the annual charity football game. Ticket sales will benefit Shriners Hospitals and Camp-Ross Relles.
The North team, led by coach Mike Sabins, the athletic director at Placer High in Auburn, will feature players covering the region from Sutter to Colfax. It gives seniors another opportunity to put on the pads, and, perhaps more importantly, put more plays on tape to help their chances at playing in college.
“It’s different, because you’re playing with guys who are your rivals,” Sabins said this week before a practice at Placer. “(And) it’s an opportunity for them to give back to the community a little bit.”
Many seniors who are already headed to Division I programs have declined to play in the event to avoid injury — and because they have their scholarships already set. But others are looking for another opportunity to impress recruiters.
The North team has two headliners in that category, both of whom were named to The Bee’s All-Metro team, dual-threat quarterback Brandon Graydon from Roseville and Del Oro defensive tackle Akio Martinson.
Graydon played quarterback just one season for the Tigers after spending his junior year playing running back. At 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds, Graydon is hoping his athleticism and running ability can make up for the lack of experience he has as a signal caller.
“It’s a huge opportunity for me,” Graydon said. “I’ve been attending a lower-league school that doesn’t get as much recognition. And, for me, it’s just huge to be out here and try to get my name out there playing with these higher-end schools and just competing with dudes that are all out here for the same reason.”
Graydon helped Roseville to a 7-5 record and No. 10 seed in the Division III playoffs. The Tigers advanced to the second round but fell to No. 2 seed Patterson. Graydon said he’s had conversations with Sierra College about playing quarterback there. He hasn’t decided where he will play, but he’s leaning towards the junior college route.
“No offers, no stars,” Graydon said. “Most schools that have even heard of me are hesitant on me since (this season) was my first year playing quarterback, and so they’re just skeptical of the experience level that I have.”
Sabins, who watched Placer escape with a narrow 30-27 victory over Graydon and Roseville back in August, is a believer.
“He was a nightmare for us,” Sabins said.
Martinson, meanwhile, is an imposing 285-pound defensive tackle who also spent time as a strong-side offensive tackle for Del Oro. He recently received his first offer from Valparaiso, an FCS program in Indiana. He’s been in conversations with other schools and is hoping to add Saturday’s game to his lengthy highlight reel.
“I have a quick, fast first step,” Martinson said. “Very violent with my hands, a good bull rush, good reads, good passion and everything. I just feel like I’m an all-around great defensive tackle and three technique.”
Martinson’s Golden Eagles had a strong season, finishing 9-3 and making it to the semifinals of the Division II playoffs, where they lost to Sierra Foothill League rival Granite Bay. He led the team with 8½ sacks.
Martinson is the youngest of five brothers who all played in the area, including his brother, Tatuo, who is a senior defensive lineman at UNLV by way of American River College. His father, Robert, played at Sacramento State.
“Football is in my blood,” Martinson said.
Said Sabins: “He’s a great, great kid. He’s been here working hard every day. And our coaches are really impressed with him. Very quick with his feet, quick hands. He’s a dude.”
Saturday’s game will give Martinson, Graydon the other local All-Stars another opportunity to prove it.
63rd Optimist All-Star Football Classic
Saturday, 1 p.m.
At Hughes Stadium
SOUTH
(with jersey number)
0 Scott Nixon, Sheldon, WR
1 Maddox Varella, Oak Ridge, QB
2. Malachi Bean-Seay, Laguna Creek, WR
3 Issac Halbourg, Laguna Creek, OLB
4 Jalen Kennedy, Pleasant Grove, DB
5 Jeremiah King, Cosumnes Oaks, DB
6 Arthur Draeger, Liberty Ranch, RB
7 Ayreon Smith, Folsom, CB
8 Chris Dodson, Elk Grove, DB
9 Conner Dasmann, Oak Ridge, DL
10 Jared Quenga, Cosumnes Oaks, DB
11 Crew Santero, Vista del Lago, LB
12 Brent Green, Dixon, DB
13 Sebastian Sutton, Oak Ridge, WR
15 Mason Vasquez, Elk Grove, LB
16 Jesiah Machado, Sheldon, QB
17 Carson Nichols, Oak Ridge, K
18 Fata Puloka, Monterey Trail, TE
20 Brian Bogne, Granite Bay, LB
21 Hasaan Miller, Monterey Trail, WR
22 Jervin Navarro, Monterey Trail, RB
23 Alfred McDaniels, Burbank, DL
29 Lati Vaefaga, Elk Grove, LB
30 Davon Donaldson, Monterey Trail, LB
31 Zepunali Wright, Capital Christian, LB
34 Ali Collier, Monterey Trail, RB
40 Eric Gladney, Vacaville, LB
44 Fareni Fa’anati, Sheldon, LB
51 Marcus Perkins, Monterey Trail, LB
52 James Minot, Elk Grove, OL
53 Seyyid Smith, Dixon, DL
55 Jonathan Godbout, McClatchy, LB
59 Dallas Fineanganofo, Elk Grove, OL
60 Pita Mauve, Capital Christian, DL
65 Kam Kaminski, Granite Bay, OL
71 Brian Haley, Capital Christian, OL
73 Nate Lynch, Capital Christian, OL
76 Gage Tucker, Sheldon, OL
Head coach: Max Miller
NORTH
(with jersey number)
1 Josh Taylor, Casa Roble, RB
2. Josh Maxwell, Placer, TE
3 Develle Barksdale, West Park, QB
4 Hayden Dotson, Lincoln, DB
5 Jagger Shaddix, Jesuit, RB
6 Elias Brown, Rocklin, RB
7 Eli Hardy, Rocklin, DB
8 Josh Hamilton, Grant, RB/DB
9 Akio Martinson, Del Oro, DL
10 Brandon Graydon, Roseville, QB
11 Carson Rennick, Bella Vista, RB
12 JoJo McCray, Grant, QB
13 Austin Adams, Rocklin, DB
14 Luke Miller, Sutter, QB/DB
15. Ian James, Bella Vista, TE
16 Jalen Suggs, Placer, FB
17 Trenton Dewar, Jesuit, WR
18 Dubee Lopa, Grant, LB
20 Isaiah Bickham, Whitney, RB
21 Cade Lawley, Del Oro, WR
22 Landon Howard, Christian Brothers, LB
23 Jaxon Ramirez, Placer, OL
26 Robbie Faupula, Sutter, LB
30 Raiden House, Del Campo, LB
42 Sam Murray, Del Oro, LB
44 Dustin Regino, Christian Brothers, LB
46 Dominic Laidlaw, Placer, DB
52 Kaleb Larson, Rocklin, LB
54 Jesse Whitfield, West Park, LB
55 Jayce Ordiway, Lincoln, OL
57 Nathan Cory, West Park, OL
62 Ryker Davis, Roseville, OL
63 Colby Perlkins, Antelope, OL
69 Collin Bray, Placer, OL
76 Dylan Dowd, Rocklin, OL
77 Devin Dhillon, West Park, OL
78 Frank Leilua, El Camino, DL
80 Kenny Gull, Colfax, TE
81 Lamar Johnson, Antelope, WR
82 Liam Crow, Roseville, DB
88 Garrett Cavalli Casa Roble, DL
94 Jared Emery, Sutter, OL
95 Blake Ashlock, Colfax, DL
Head coach: Mike Sabins
This story was originally published January 18, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
