The Modesto Bee’s All-District Team – Defense

Note: Jim Silva and Julian A. Lopez factored in individual statistics, team success, level of competition, all-league honors, and submissions from readers in creating their All-District team.

DL: Jacob Masihi, Sr, Turlock

A disrupter on the defensive line, Masihi was named the Central California Athletic League’s Co-MVP and had 16.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks. He helped the Bulldogs win the CCAL for the second year in a row. He had 7.5 tackles for a loss as a junior.

DL: Marche Bullard, Jr, Enochs

Bullard was named the CCAL’s Outstanding Defensive Lineman of the Year and shined during the league season, including a couple of tackles for a loss against Turlock. He will be one of the top defensive returners in the area next year.

DL: Peyton Bradford, Sr, Oakdale

Bradford was named the Valley Oak League’s Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year after compiling 11 sacks. He also played on offense and was the VOL’s second-team tight end. Bradford was a key piece in the Mustangs’ VOL title and Division IV section championship appearance.

DL: David Camacho, Sr, Escalon

Another two-way player, Camacho was the Trans-Valley League’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year and led the Cougars with 95 tackles and was third with eight sacks. He also started on Escalon’s offensive line.

LB: Jayden Jackson, Sr, Turlock

The best tackler in the area, Jackson was named the CCAL’s Defensive Player of the Year. He was named the league’s Outstanding Linebacker of the Year in 2018 and made the All-District team as well.

LB: Colton Panero, Sr, Escalon

Panero was named the TVL’s Outstanding Linebacker of the Year and was second on the team with 94 tackles. He also had five pass deflections and two fumble recoveries. Panero also rushed for 1,006 yards and 14 touchdowns.

LB: Cameron Snow, Sr, Oakdale

Snow was a first-team VOL honoree and was one of the key pieces on a defense that allowed 23 points per game. Snow also played tight end for the Mustangs and was involved in blocking in their rushing offense.

LB: Sean Perkins, Sr, Beyer

If there was an example of a player doing everything their coach asked of him, it was Perkins. Beyer coach Greg Bockman raved about his senior at multiple QB Club meetings and for good reason. Perkins led the Patriots with 102 tackles and had 4.5 sacks and one interception. He also had seven rushing touchdowns.

DB: Danny Hernandez, Sr, Ripon

What couldn’t Hernandez do? For the second straight year, Hernandez made the All-District team and was also the TVL’s Defensive Back of the Year. He led the team with 79 tackles, had three interceptions (all returned for touchdowns), and returned two punt returns and one kickoff return for a touchdown. Oh yeah, he also had 1,215 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

DB: Darian White, Sr, Turlock

Before the season, Turlock coach James Peterson said White would be “special.” He lived up to the hype as White was the CCAL’s Outstanding Defensive Back/Linebacker of the Year. White had one interception and one fumble recovery this year and was the best coverage defensive back in the area.

DB: Cole Bailey, Jr, Hilmar

A two-way starter for the Yellowjackets, Bailey had 44 tackles and three interceptions while playing safety. He also averaged over 11 yards per carry and rushed for 504 yards and nine touchdowns. Bailey missed the Division VI section championship game with an injury.

DB: Sean McGovern, Sr, Ripon Christian

McGovern did it all for the Knights. He had 57 tackles, 10 pass deflections and four interceptions. The Southern League’s MVP also added 1,374 rushing yards, 26 rushing touchdowns, and six receiving touchdowns.

All-Purpose: Darius Murphy, So, Beyer

Murphy shined in his first year on varsity. He had 51 tackles and four tackles for loss. He also had 622 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns and 19 receptions for 374 yards and four touchdowns.

All-Purpose: Elijah Diaz, Sr, Davis

Described by Davis coach Tim Garcia as the team’s best defender, Diaz was the starting middle linebacker for a team that allowed just 14 points a game, including an average of 10 over its final four. Diaz also was the Western Athletic Conference MVP, throwing for 1,627 yards and rushing for 1,224 as a starting quarterback.

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2019 Modesto Bee All-District Team: Defense

This story was originally published December 22, 2019 at 6:00 AM.

Julian A. Lopez

The Modesto Bee

562-206-9393

Julian A. Lopez has been covering local sports for The Modesto Bee since August 2018. He graduated from Arizona State in 2016 with a BA in Journalism.