Here’s who fans picked as the Stanislaus District’s football Player of the Year
The Hughson High football team on Saturday, Dec. 10, capped what will possibly go in the record books as the best season in school history.
The Huskies (13-2) won 10 or more games for the first time in more than 20 years, won a Division VI Sac-Joaquin Section title and brought home the CIF Division 5-AA State Championship.
Though they had a well-rounded offense that included a healthy amount of pass plays, when the Huskies needed to get yards, they handed the ball off to running back Liam Bridgford.
The senior was a leader for the Huskies on offense and defense, he is credited with playing in 14 of the team’s 15 games and finished with 1,521 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, both offensive team highs. On defense, he totaled 45 tackles, recovered three fumbles and returned two for touchdowns, finishing with 117 total return yards. He was voted to the All-Trans-Valley League First Team as a running back and outside linebacker.
The fans noticed his outstanding season, voting him their Player of the Year. Bridgford finished in first, earning 40% of the votes in the poll. He finished ahead of teammate David Burns and Hilmar’s Luis Vargas, who came in second and third place, respectively.
This vote represents the fans’ pick. The Modesto Bee’s Football and Volleyball Players of the Year and All-District teams will be released after Christmas.
In addition to the final fan Player of the Year award, Bridgford also won the Week 11 and Section Semifinals fan votes.
2022 Football Fan Vote Players of the Week
Preseason MVP: Tyler Wentworth (Central Catholic)
Week 1: Eli McCabe (Modesto)
Week 2: Tyler Jacklich (Central Catholic)
Week 3: Eli McCabe (Modesto)
Week 4: Gabe Hernandez (Downey)
Week 5: Ethen Rowland (Downey)
Week 6: Lolo Mataele (Patterson)
Week 7: Alex Villarreal (Hughson)
Week 8: Eli Rutherford (Waterford)
Week 9: JT Foreman II (Turlock)
Week 10: Sean Hansen Jr. (Patterson)
Week 11: Liam Bridgford (Hughson)
Playoffs Week 1: Zxavier Clark (Ripon)
Playoffs Week 2: Lolo Mataele (Patterson)
Semifinals: Liam Bridgford (Hughson)
Fan Vote Player of the Year: Liam Bridgford (Hughson)
