The kids can play: Bee breaks down the top freshmen, sophomores in Sacramento-area football
It used to be that freshmen and sophomores in high school football were steered to the lower-level teams, to grow and learn — and to keep them out of harm’s way.
Until recent years, a freshman could not suit up on varsity until he was 15 years old. The statewide mandate by the governing body CIF now allows 14-year-olds to play varsity if they have parental permission, and, of course, if they can handle it.
As the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section hit the quarterfinal rounds this week, there’s one theme brewing: The seniors lead the charge, but the young kids can play.
Yes, the freshmen and sophomores for a number of Sacramento-area teams have competed beyond their years with years ahead to build momentum.
You can build around four-year anchors. Folsom’s defensive line leader Theo Greule is a four-year varsity starter in the trenches who just played in his 50th career game for The Sacramento Bee’s top-ranked team. Brody Krupp is the fourth-year varsity starting running back and linebacker for Woodcreek of Roseville, a threat in the Division III bracket. Carter Jackson is a fourth-year varsity player, starting on defense in a CIF state championship game as a freshman at Folsom, then logging two prolific years at running back at Granite Bay before his return to Folsom.
At Division VI top-seeded Bradshaw Christian in South Sacramento, Ethan Rickert and Mateo Mojica lead the 10-0 Pride as fourth-year starters in the backfield. And in Placer County, Isaiah Ene is a third-year varsity starter for a Granite Bay program that is in the playoffs for the 25h consecutive season, competing at running back and on defense, and he’s just a junior.
The Grant Pacers may lead the section with key freshman and sophomore players. We list several below, but an honorable mention is granted so we can note underclassmen Pacer achievers Tyron Carter and Jaylen Rabon at defensive back; Tyson Griffin at running back; Kane Fulwider and Isaiah Stephen on the defensive line; and Jose Romero at kicker.
“Whole team,” Grant coach Carl Reed said with a laugh when asked who are his impact kids.
Champ Aaron, LB, Destiny Christian Academy, freshman: The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder is playing like a champ, leading the Division III Lions in tackles with just over eight a game.
Troy Bowens, DE, Sutter, sophomore: Looking and playing the part of rush-end headache for opposing teams to grapple with, the 6-5, 260-pound Bowens leads the No. 2-seeded Division V Huskies with 13.5 sacks.
Julian Bruno, LB, Grant, freshman: Bruno already looks like a senior at 6-1 and 190 pounds. He’s averaging 5.5 tackles a game and could be a rare four-year defensive starter for the Pacers.
Cruise Cole, LB, Inderkum, sophomore: His older brother, Ricky Cole, has amassed 100 touchdowns at quarterback for the program the last two years, but the leading tackler at the dinner table is the kid in Cruise Control. The 5-9, 190-pounder leads the Tigers in stops with nearly eight a game for the No. 4 seeded team in Division I.
Lua DaBerry, DL, Folsom, sophomore: A natural in the trenches and not at all wowed by seniors opposing him in the rigors of the Sierra Foothill League, the 6-3, 260-pound DaBerry is second on the team in average tackles per game. He has 4.5 sacks.
Zo Edwards, TE, Grant, sophomore: Long, lanky, quick and with good hands, the 6-6, 210-pound Zo has 518 yards receiving and nine touchdowns as a fast-rising recruit.
Daniel Jauregui, LB, Woodland Christian, sophomore: The 5-10, 185-pounder leads a powerhouse small-school program that seeks a section, NorCal and CIF State championship repeat in sacks (5.0) and is second on tackles per game (5.4).
Antonio Johnson, WR, Destiny Christian, freshman: The 6-1, 170-pound wideout has 621 yards receiving for a Lions team that attacks defenses and the end zone with purpose, benefiting from the skills and arm of senior QB leader Dallas Munn.
Malachi Kendall, DB, Rocklin, sophomore: Surrounded by varsity players right and left, the quick and instinctive 5-7 Kendall has started games and produced for the top-seeded team in the Division II field.
Lance Lewis, WR/DB, Elk Grove, sophomore: The leading receiver for the Thundering Herd and one of the top ball hawks in the section with seven interceptions from his secondary spot, the 5-9, 160-pound Lewis has arrived. Now he needs to play the game of his life in a D-II showdown at top-seeded Rocklin.
Trace Murchison, RB, Woodcreek, sophomore: At 5-10 and 170, Murchison can scoot or hit, and he had a game to remember in a playoff opener against Armijo of Fairfield, rushing for two scores and making an interception on defense for a darkhorse contender.
Isaac Pierce, WR/DB, Oak Ridge, sophomore: The 5-9, 170-pound Pierce has 514 yards receiving and three touchdowns, and he has 29 tackles, four interceptions and seven pass deflections for the second-seeded team in Division I.
Andrew Quinn, RB, LB, Liberty Ranch, sophomore: The 6-foot, 200-pound Quinn is the future lead back for the Hawks of Galt, having rushed for 699 yards and nine touchdowns (senior leader Joseph Brown has rushed for 1,700 and 22). Quinn has 12 quarterback hurries on defense and averages 6.5 stops.
Cordell Radcliffe, RB, LB, Sacramento, freshman: From a big family of football, the 5-10, 180-pound Radcliffe has rushed for 766 yards and three scores in keeping the Radcliffe name a big topic of discussion.
Le’ron James Radcliffe, QB, sophomore: After showing glimpses of promise as a freshman starter last season, Radcliffe has found his groove with 21 touchdown passes and one interception for a team seeking its first section championship. Four TD passes have gone to freshman receiver Leanthony Smith.
Evan Rickert, TE, Bradshaw Christian, sophomore: His older brother, Ethan, is the QB star, and their father, Drew Rickert, is the modest, championship coach for team, and here’s the 6-4 Evan to remind everyone that it still starts with blocking in the trenches. Evan can also catch the ball.
Brody Rogers, DE, Vacaville, sophomore: Growing fast in the trenches at 6-2 and 205 pounds, Rogers has 28 tackles, nine for loss, and 3.5 sacks for the Division II Bulldogs.
Ta’ron Sago, OL, Sacramento, sophomore: It isn’t just the skill players who are young and doing big things in Oak Park. Check out the linemen, including the 6-2, 280-pound Sago for the upstart Division IV Dragons.
Koby Shabazz, WR, Grant, sophomore: A starter as a freshman for a section and NorCal championship team, the kid who goes by “Cheese” is having another big season with 676 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.
Gabe Smyth, RB, Granite Bay, sophomore: Isaiah Ene isn’t the only Granite Bay grinder with a shock of hair jetting out of the back of his helmet. Smyth does too, and he’s a player: 409 yards rushing and nine touchdowns for the No. 5 seed in the Division I field.
Max Tuiileila, OL, Grant, freshman: The kid brother to Grant standout rush end Jeremiah Tuiileila, Mad Max has been a rock of reliability in the trenches at a hard to dislodge 6-3 and 255 pounds.
Justen Womack, LB, Oak Ridge, sophomore: Older brother Jasen Womack may be faster but kid brother can drop the hammer as a 6-3, 200-pound hitter. He averages 5.5 tackles for a program that seeks its third consecutive trip to the Division I finals.
▪ Who’d we miss? Did we miss a freshman or sophomore varsity starter on an active playoff team? Drop us a line at jdavidson@sacbee.com