The Modesto Bee’s 2022 All-District Team — Defense
Note: The Bee factored in individual statistics, team success, level of competition, all-league honors, and submissions from readers and coaches in creating its All-District team.
DL – Roman Foumai, Senior, Central Catholic
Voted the Valley Oak League’s Co-Outstanding Defensive Player, Foumai finished his senior season with 43 tackles and three tackles for loss. He helped lead a defensive line that was difficult to run against in nearly all of its league games.
DL – Brock Osmundson, Senior, Oakdale
Osmundson helped the Mustangs return to the Division III playoffs in his senior season. He was a presence on Oakdale’s defensive line as he was awarded All-VOL First Team honors in his senior season,
DL – Ryan Lewis, Sophomore, Escalon
The Trans-Valley League’s Co-Outstanding Defensive Lineman, Lewis constantly found himself in the backfield of the opposing offense. He finished the season with eight sacks, 65 tackles, five tackles for loss and 15 quarterback hurries in his second varsity season.
DL – Deontae Huley, Senior, Downey
Huley earned Central California Athletic League Defensive Player of the Year honors after making a huge impact as a pass rusher and run stopper. The senior finished the season with 47 tackles and an outstanding 12 tackles for loss. He also forced two fumbles and recovered one, helping the Knights finish the regular season undefeated.
LB – Dustin Hoekstra, Senior, Ripon Christian
An All-League Second Team selection in the Southern League, Hoekstra tallied 113 tackles for the Knights this season, finishing 14th in the section. He helped lead the Knights to a Division VII section title with four tackles in the championship game. He had a playoff career-high 12 tackles in a narrow loss to Hughson in the state Northern California playoffs.
LB – David Burns, Junior, Hughson
Burns set a school record for tackles in a season and earned the TVL’s Outstanding Defensive Player award. The junior was all over the field for the Huskies, helping the team win Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF state championships. He finished third in the section with 152 total tackles. He had three games with more than 15 tackles, including an 18 tackle performance against Livingston.
LB – Ethen Rowland, Senior, Downey
Rowland’s 114 tackles placed him 12th in the section and he added 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The CCAL’s Outstanding Defensive Back/Linebacker helped lead a defense that allowed just 16 points a game this season. He had a career-high 20 tackles in a three-point win over Merced.
LB – Kai Brazil, Senior, Orestimba
Brazil took home Southern League MVP honors after a great season on both sides of the ball. An All-League honoree at running back and linebacker, he finished with 98 tackles on defense and 1,202 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on offense. Brazil also led the SL champs with two caused fumbles and added a fumble recovery.
DB – Brooklyn Cheek, Junior, Central Catholic
Cheek is a three-star defensive back that followed up a stellar sophomore season with a great junior campaign. He earned VOL First Team honors at defensive back and finished with team-high three interceptions despite battling injury. He had his best game of the season against rival Oakdale, finishing with 10 tackles and one interception in a win.
DB – Noah Cozart, Sophomore, Patterson
Cozart was a ball hawk for the Central California Conference champs, intercepting seven passes, which tied for third in the section. He earned All-League First Team honors, adding 29 tackles, and had games against El Capitan and Atwater where he recorded two interceptions.
DB – David Delgado, Junior, Hughson
Delgado was named the TVL’s Outstanding Defensive Back after picking off three of his six passes in league play. He had his other three interceptions against Twelve Bridges, Orestimba and Ripon Christian this postseason. Delgado also added 60 tackles, one pick-6 and two tackles for loss this season.
DB – Jaelen Nichols, Senior, Central Catholic
Nichols was always around the ball for the Raiders this season. He recovered two fumbles, caused a fumble, had one interception, one tackle for loss and finished second on the team with 58 tackles. He was honored for his do-it-all defensive efforts with a spot on the VOL’s All-League First Team.
All-Purpose – Lolo Mataele, Senior, Patterson
After starting the season playing mostly on defense, Mataele’s offensive production increased after the seventh game. He combined physical and elusive running styles to produce his second straight 1,000-plus-yard season. His 1,510 yards ranked 12th best in the Sac-Joaquin Section. He added 23 rushing touchdowns and led the team with 79 tackles and 14 tackles for loss.
All-Purpose – Logan Anderson, Senior, Escalon
Anderson made plays on both sides of the ball for the Cougars. He earned the TVL’s Outstanding Offensive Back award as well as All-League honors at linebacker. Anderson finished with 945 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing, 484 yards and five touchdowns receiving, 311 kick return yards, 100 punt return yards and one touchdown, 40 tackles, two interceptions and a pick-6 en route to section and state titles.
All-Purpose – Luis Vargas, Senior, Hilmar
The TVL MVP, Vargas helped lead the Yellowjackets to a league title. He rushed for 1,270 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass as a running back while adding 55 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and blocked two field goals in his senior season.
