Preseason Dream Team

• QB: Isaiah Burse, Jr., Modesto Christian

Flashy quarterback threw for 1,547 yards and 15 touchdowns, rushed for 946 yards and 11 touchdowns, and has a host of speedy weapons to chose from.

• RB: Nicky Batteate, Sr., Oakdale

Led the mythical state-champion Mustangs with 1,295 yards rushing and eight touchdowns while catching 36 passes for 512 yards and eight touchdowns.

• RB: Tharon Gallegos, Sr., Turlock

All-District running back churned out 1,378 yards rushing and 18 TDs for a 3-7 team.

• RB: Stefon Mathis, Sr., Merced

Rushed for 1,154 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry despite missing three games because of an ankle injury.

• WR: James Orth, Sr., Central Catholic

Physical receiver caught 27 passes for 503 yards and four touchdowns. Saved his best for last, where he caught 10 passes for 159 yards in CC's final two games.

• WR: Rubal Sangha, Sr., Los Banos

Grabbed 31 passes for 591 yards and eight touchdowns last year. Off to a fast start with six catches, 122 yards, three scores in Week 0 opening game against Fresno.

• TE: Kenny Cooper, Sr., Merced

Division I prospect is drawing looks at this position, where he basically gives the Bears an extra speedy offensive lineman on the field. Can catch, too.

• OL: Damon Bragner, Sr., Los Banos

The area's top returning offensive lineman has the size and speed to take it to the next level. But first he's going through the CCC.

• OL: Nick Gardner, Sr., Manteca

Will be a cornerstone to Manteca's patented power running attack. Watch for the majority of the Buffaloes' running plays to go through him.

• OL: Rodney Smith, Sr., Johansen

Two-time all-MMC offensive lineman uses his wrestling skills to out-leverage whomever he faces. He'll play a major role with the run-first Vikings.

• OL: Mason Russell, Sr., Turlock

All-CCC pick on both sides of the ball was a large reason Tharon Gallegos had such an outstanding season last year.

• OL: Ricky Galvez, Sr., Le Grand

Big two-way lineman is a part of the most physical line in the SL.

• DL: Nathan Mayfield, Sr., Merced

Speed rusher gives the Bears a legitimate pass rusher who can get to the quarterback several times a game. Drawing NCAA Division I offers.

• DL: Bubba McGill, Jr., Modesto

Physical presence in the middle returns for his third consecutive varsity season in the trenches for the Panthers. Had 92 tackles last year.

• DL: Marc Cobley-Rubio, Sr., Johansen

All-MMC defensive lineman should team with Rodney Smith to form a strong 1-2 combination on both sides of the line for the improved Vikings.

• DL: Zach Williams, Sr., Manteca

Williams checks in at 285 pounds and plans on being a disruptive force at nose tackle for the always defensive-minded Buffaloes.

• LB: Matt Relei, Sr., Sonora

All-District linebacker was the Valley Oak League's co-defensive player of the year in 2007.

• LB: Kylan Brocchini, Sr., Mariposa

200-pounder smashed opposing running backs to the tune of 75 tackles last year.

• LB: Jake Mote, Sr., Calaveras

Leads a physical, speedy corps of linebackers. He's the team leader on defense, and he's the team leader on offense at fullback.

• LB: Jacob Hill, Jr., Davis

Came into his own as a sophomore on the varsity last year and is poised to break out along with the rest of his Spartans teammates.

• DB: Bernard Bolden, Sr., Merced

The top college prospect in the area could score about a dozen ways. Watch for his defensive numbers to really climb this year.

• DB: Justin Nesbitt, Sr., Davis

He could start at cornerback and receiver while returning kicks. Had 48 tackles and two interceptions last year. Will return kicks as well.

• DB: Dan Thompson, Sr., Escalon

Had 37 tackles and four interceptions as cornerback for the Cougars last year.

• DB: Dexter Coward, Sr., Atwater

Athletic player will see lots of time on the field, from free safety to running back. He'll be making plays from both positions.

• K: Andrew Kelly, Sr., Central Catholic

Led the section with 62 extra-point conversions last year.