Meet The Sacramento Bee’s preseason All-Metro high school football team for 2024 season
Some 30 years ago, Sacramento Bee All-Metro football teams included a talent pool of about 60 regional schools.
There are now nearly 100 schools in The Bee’s coverage area, reflective of the population explosion in Elk Grove, Placer County and up the Highway 50 corridor. There are terrific talents from the largest-enrollment schools such as Folsom and Oak Ridge right on down to the best of the small schools, such as Bradshaw Christian, Bear River and Colfax.
Our preseason All-Metro team list includes The Bee’s reigning Player of the Year in five-star quarterback star Ryder Lyons of the Folsom Bulldogs, the finest area sophomore we have ever witnessed and covered locally, and he’s just now warming up. Grant Pacers defensive end Jeremiah Tuiileila, The Bee’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, is also back, similarly driven, respected by his player peers and feared by opponents.
QB Ryder Lyons, Folsom, 6-3, 215, Jr.
Lyons was masterful in leading the Bulldogs on a late drive to win a CIF state championship in 2023, and all he could do afterward was credit teammates and coaches. Accounted for 5,507 yards and 61 touchdowns for a 13-2 team.
RB Carter Jackson, Folsom, 5-11, 175, Sr.
Is there a better/quicker home-run backfield threat in Northern California than the Nevada-bound Jackson? A star from Folsom youth programs is back for his final hurrah.
WR Elijah Huddle, Casa Roble, 6-3, 170, Sr.
Headed to Sacramento State, Huddle is a big-time playmaker who plays in the secondary. Was voted by his teammates to be a team captain.
WR Lono Chouteau, Inderkum, 6-4, 195, Sr.
Long, lanky, quick and with good hands, Chouteau averaged 22.6 yards per catch and had 16 TDs in 2023. Could be the program’s greatest WR.
WR Jameson Powell, Folsom, 5-10, 160, Jr.
Flourished as a sophomore with 1,231 yards and 14 TDs with multiple college offers. High energy and highly regarded by his coaches.
TE Kaleb Edwards, Oak Ridge, 6-7, 240, Sr.
The section’s top senior recruit and a four-star talent committed to Alabama, Edwards looks the part of a star player. Also had 6 ½ sacks at DE.
OL Garrison Blank, Rocklin, 6-7, 310, Sr.
Headed to UCLA, the shadow-casting Blank was a driving force for the D-II section champions.
OL Lucio Dominguez, Grant, 6-1, 250, Jr.
LD showed how good he was in the playoffs and is just now hitting his stride for the powerhouse Pacers.
OL Henry Hatada, Rocklin, 6-2, 280, Sr.
A Bee first-team All-Metro pick in 2023 is a terror in the trenches and hails from a football family.
OL Jaxon Moore, West Park, 6-5, 305, Sr.
A three-star prospect bound for Sacramento State, Moore provided muscle for the Tigers of Roseville during a 10-3 season.
OL Luke Sorensen, Folsom, 6-2, 285, Sr.
A Bee first-team All-Metro bruiser is a third-year varsity anchor who is as tough as he is smart.
K/P Robert Meyer, Colfax, 6-3, 185, Sr.
A booming kicker and punter for the storied Falcons of Placer County, Meyer is a five-star prospect headed to Missouri of the SEC.
DL Lucan Amituanai, Elk Grove, 6-4, 230, Sr.
Headed to Washington State, Big A is a Bee All-Metro returner and a big problem for teams trying to contain him.
DL Kamarrion Cook, Inderkum, 6-3, 190, Sr.
Produced 49 tackles, 15 for loss, and 10 sacks for a team that nearly toppled Folsom in the D-I playoffs.
DL Darren Dalton, Casa Roble, 6-4, 290, Sr.
A returning All-Metro force in the trenches is “the best kept secret in Sacramento,” coach Chris Horner said.
DL Ivan De Silva, Placer, 6-6, 260, Sr.
Another tall talent in the trenches for the storied Hillmen of Auburn, who return 19 starters.
DL Theo Greule, Folsom, 6-2, 245, Sr.
Coaches on campus call him “Mr. Folsom,” a rock for four varsity seasons, a rare two-way grinder in the program.
DL Jeremiah Tuiileila, Grant, 6-3, 235, Sr.
The JT Express had a section-leading 23 sacks, 40 stops for loss, 130 tackles and devoured double-teams. Just wow.
LB Josiah Campbell, Christian Brothers, 6-1, 210, Sr.
In a word: Productive. JC had 126 tackles for a playoff team. Earns regular praise from Falcons coaches.
LB Mason Cartwright, Sutter, 6-2, 220, Sr.
Recorded 114 tackles for the small-school powerhouse program seeking another championship season.
LB Elijah Folau, Monterey Trail, 6-1, 230, Sr.
The Bee All-Metro stopper had 77 tackles and forced seven fumbles for the Mustangs of the Elk Grove Unified School District.
LB Jojo Fotofili, Grant, 6-2, 195, Sr.
After making 99 stops for a Pacers team that repeated as CIF section champions, Fotofili aims to fill it up some more.
DB Mavrik Collins, Rocklin, 5-11, 170, Sr.
A three-year varsity starter, Collins had 47 tackles and three interceptions.
DB Zion Johnson, Sheldon, 6-2, 175, Sr.
A two-way player for the Huskies, Johnson has seen his recruiting profile grow.
DB Isaiah Jordan, Christian Brothers, 6-2, 200, Sr.
The three-star prospect headed to Air Force is a three-year varsity anchor on defense.
DB Kam Totton, Folsom, 5-10, 180, Sr.
Receiving multiple scholarship offers, Totten starred at Cosumnes Oaks and has quickly earned respect from new teammates.
AP Luke Alexander, Grant, 6-0, 185, Sr.
A terrific passer and leader at QB, Alexander tossed 43 TDs for the repeat section champions.
AP Maddox Ali, Pleasant Grove, 6-2, 205, Sr.
A ferocious fullback, special teams player and leader at LB for the upstart Eagles of Elk Grove.
AP Braylen Blevins, Casa Roble, 6-0, 190, Sr.
All-Metro returner is a 1,000-yard rusher and a fierce defender at LB for the D-V defending section champs.
AP Ricky Cole, Inderkum, 5-9, 160, Sr.
A record-setting passer for Inderkum with 49 TDs and four interceptions who rushed for 12 TDs.
AP Mikey Cunningham, Rocklin, 5-9, 170, Sr.
A superb DB who will be a top option receiving target for the Bee-ranked No. 3 Thunder.
AP Josiah Campbell, Christian Brothers, 6-1, 215, Sr.
A LB who had 93 tackles in nine games and a WR/TE threat for the storied Falcons.
AP Conner Campbell, Casa Roble, 6-2, 195, Sr.
On his way to becoming the best QB in program history, CC could probably rock people at LB or FS.
AP Alan Cordano, Jesuit, 6-0, 175, Sr.
A typical two-way grinder for Big Red who was also big in the classroom. Plays RB and DB.
AP Isaiah Ene, Granite Bay, 5-9, 195, Jr.
Entering his third season as a varsity starter, Ene will be a 1,000-yard rusher. Returned three of his four interceptions for scores in 2023.
AP David Hale, Elk Grove, 6-3, 185, Sr.
An All-Metro leader in 2023, Hale is a load as a running QB, and credits teammates regularly.
AP Noah Hinkle, Woodland Christian, 5-11, 180, Sr.
A do-all star at QB, RB and on defense for a small-school power that went 15-0 in 2023.
AP Jaron Hodson, Folsom, 5-11, 175, Sr.
A highly regarded DB who can make plays all over is headed to Sacramento State.
AP Luke Jeffers, Bear River, 6-5, 245, Sr.
A three-year starter and two-way trench force for the Bruins of Lake of the Pines.
AP Shaun Jones, Placer, 5-11, 205, Jr.
In eight games, Jones rushed for 957 yards and 17 TDs.
AP Mason Johnson, West Park, 6-2, 180, Sr.
A three-star recruit headed to Nevada, MJ had 12 receiving TDs from QB star Jaden Jackson.
AP Derek Keeley, Rocklin, 5-11, 190, Sr.
A load who rushed for 1,070 yards and 20 TDs and made 97 tackles for the Thunder.
AP Baylor Kelley, Placer, 5-10, 165, Sr.
Has rushed for 2,352 yards and 32 TDs in two varsity seasons and also makes tackles.
AP Brody Krupp, Woodcreek, 6-1, 225, Sr.
A four-year starter and the finest player in the 30-year history of the program, Krupp plays FB and LB.
AP Brandon Lambert, Grant, 6-0, 185, Sr.
One of the region’s top RBs and DBs is poised for a big 2024.
AP Mateo Mojica, Bradshaw Christian, 5-9, 210, Sr.
A four-year starter, MM is closing in on 300 career tackles and 4,000 career rushing yards.
AP Nick Navarre, Vista del Lago, 6-2, 215, Sr.
A tireless worker, NN had 99 tackles for a playoff team.
AP Daymion Rivera, Folsom, 5-11, 170, Sr.
Dynamic, versatile, fast, and he can block. Classic underrated prospect who produces.
AP Koby Shabazz, Grant, 6-0, 170, So.
Goes by “Cheese” in Del Paso Heights and is a big-play WR.
AP Reeve Slone, Rocklin, 6-0, 170, Jr.
Impressed at QB, never rattled, and could play in the secondary if needed.
AP Nela Tupou, Folsom, 6-4, 225, Sr.
Headed to Utah, Tupou makes plays at TE, DL and LB.
AP Jasen Womack, Oak Ridge, 6-1, 180, Jr.
Fast, dynamic, determined and skilled, JW can run, catch and defend.
▪ AP is All-Purpose.
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This story was originally published August 23, 2024 at 5:00 AM.