Bee’s Best: Midseason Stanislaus District Player of the Year candidates
The midway point of the high school football season serves as a benchmark for teams across the Stanislaus District. For most, preseason play is already over and they get into league games that help determine playoff seeding.
As the season progresses, some players grow into new roles, taking over for those who graduated last season. Others pick up right where they left off, continuing stellar varsity careers of leadership and highlight plays.
So far in 2025, Stanislaus District players expected to perform before the season have lived up to the billing and through five games have made their mark as top contenders for the Stanislaus District’s Player of the Year.
While this list is of top standouts so far, there always are playerson the radar who raise their level of play during league and postseason games. They also will be considered for the Player of the Year honor awarded after the season ends. This list is a way to highlight standout players who have made waves across the Sac-Joaquin Section and the state midway through the season.
Here is a look at standout players and 2025 midseason Stanislaus District Player of the Year candidates.
Lawson Aviles, Hughson — Senior
Aviles leads the defending three-time section champion Huskies in total touchdowns and rushing touchdowns and is tied for the team lead in interceptions. He has 22 carries for 243 yards and 16 catches for 225 yards. Aviles has 160 total return yards with a punt return for a touchdown in a one-score win over Linden. He is a threat on offense and on special teams, leading the team with 628 total yards. In addition to his offensive production, he has 22 tackles and a pair of tackles for loss in five games. Aviles helped Hughson overcome an athletic, versatile Atwater team in an overtime win, scoring three rushing touchdowns with the game-winner.
Nathan Ayala, Hilmar — Junior
Ayala made plays in spurts last season as a sophomore, but so far during his junior season, he’s been Hilmar’s impact player on both sides of the ball. He is the team’s top receiver, catching 14 passes for 270 yards and a pair of touchdowns — all team highs. Hilmar thrives in the run game, and the junior has a lot to do with it. He is one of three players with over 150 yards and at least four rushing touchdowns. He has done that with just 22 carries. Defensively, he leads the Yellowjackets with two interceptions and has 25 tackles with a tackle for loss.
Dylan Ball, Escalon — Sophomore
Ball is one of Escalon’s top playmakers in the pass and run games, leading the team in yards and touchdowns on the ground and catches and receiving yards. He has rushed for 305 yards and five touchdowns despite having the third-most carries and has 14 catches for 234 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Defensively, he has the team’s only interception and forced fumble. As just a sophomore, he has stood out playing against some of the section’s top teams. Escalon has three losses to teams that are a combined 14-1 this season.
Wes Burford, Oakdale — Senior
The Stanislaus District’s 2024 Offensive Player of the Year and Air Force commit, Burford may be the top all-around player in the area. The senior plays running back on offense, hybrid linebacker/defensive back on defense, punts, kicks off and returns kicks for The Bee’s No. 2 ranked team. When he’s doing what he does best — running the ball — he’s among the top in the state. Through the first five weeks of the season, he has 95 carries and 10 rush touchdowns. His 1,005 rush yards are first in the section and fourth in California and his 71 total points are third in the section and sixth in the state. On defense, Burford leads the team with 15 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks and is second on the team in tackles (35). It has led directly to wins as the Mustangs are 4-1 overall and 1-0 against Valley Oak League opponents.
Amos Cady, Ripon Christian — Senior
Cady’s momentum-changing special teams plays are just the start of his impact for the 4-1 Knights. His 35.4 average punt return yards and 358 total return yards are fourth and eighth in California, respectively. He also has returned two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns through five games. In addition to his contributions in the return game, his offensive and defensive skillsets make him one of the Stanislaus District’s most versatile players. A receiver/defensive back, Cady has caught 16 passes for 186 yards and five touchdowns and has 119 rushing yards on 21 carries. He is also second on the team with 33 total tackles and adds two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He already has 681 total yards, first on the team.
Richard Flores, Oakdale — Senior
Flores is Oakdale’s go-to for explosive runs on the outside. He has just 35 carries and 489 yards, third on the team in both categories. Though he has just over half the amount of No. 2 Chase Lopez, he is tied for the team lead in rushing touchdowns (10) and his one catch went for a 17-yard score. He has two games of 100-plus rushing yards and both translated to wins: a 70-30 victory over Lincoln of Stockton and a 48-0 league-opening win against Mountain House. He has four multiple-touchdown games, scoring twice on the ground against Sonora and Mountain House, once on the ground and once through the air against Vista del Lago and four times on the ground against Lincoln. After five weeks, he is fifth in California with 72 total points and eighth in the section with 11 total touchdowns.
Antwain Harper, Downey — Senior
Harper is one of the area’s top tacklers. The defensive back has tallied 56 total takedowns through five games, good for sixth among all players in the Sac-Joaquin Section. He is averaging an impressive 11.2 tackles per game and is the only Knight to average double digits. Harper has also made an impact on special teams, blocking a field goal.
Elias Haynes, Downey — Junior
Downey’s top returning rusher and second-best tackler, who finished last season with a team-high four interceptions, has continued to shine as the team’s top all-around talent in just his junior season. On offense, he leads the team in rushing yards (491) and touchdowns (8), receiving yards (426) and touchdowns (3), doing it with 85 carries and 35 receptions, which are also team highs. In special teams, he is one of the best returners in the state at the season’s midway point as his 25.25 average punt return yards are 14th. Among the section’s top skill position players, Haynes is 13th in receiving yards and 10th in total touchdowns, tallying 11. Defensively, he adds 24 tackles and a blocked field goal.
Mason Helwick, Pitman — Senior
Pitman is in the midst of a turnaround with a 3-2 record, and senior Mason Helwick has been at the front of the offensive charge. He ranks 12th in California and third in the SJS with 14 total touchdowns. Each touchdown has come on the ground as he has been the Pride’s leading rusher through five games. He has 95 carries and 509 yards, averaging 101.8 yards per game. Every game, he has had at least two rushing touchdowns, and in wins over Cosumnes Oaks and Golden Valley, he finished with four scores on the ground.
Bryce McDaniel, Hughson — Senior
Making the switch to tight end started in the offseason and the Fresno State commit is growing in it with each game. McDaniel helps with blocking assignments and also lines up at receiver, providing a big, 6-foot-4 target for freshman quarterback Hudson Baldwin. He leads the team with 19 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns. McDaniel also punts for the Huskies, consistently pinning opposing offenses near their own goal line. He is first in California in punt average, booming kicks for 49.5 yards. McDaniel has helped lead Hughson to a 5-0 start, the team’s second straight perfect start through five games.
Chase Perino, Central Catholic — Senior
Perino is Central Catholic’s primary go-to playmaker through the air. The Fresno State commit through five games already has 40 catches, 565 yards and seven touchdowns and has a rushing touchdown. He is 24th in California and fifth in the Sac-Joaquin Section in receiving yards. He is also a threat on defense and in special teams. He leads the team in tackles (28), interceptions (2) and passes defensed (7). The senior is also 15th in California and third in the section in total return yards, a stat that combines kick and punt return yards (327).
Eli Wilbanks, Hughson — Senior
Wilbanks is the first returning running back in the Shaun King era and has shown he’s even more comfortable in Hughson’s offense. He has 568 rush yards through five games, 14th on the section’s leaderboard and first on the Huskies’ roster on 89 carries. He also adds three rushing touchdowns and a pair of receiving scores. He has expanded his role this season, doubling as a linebacker and tallying 20 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Player highlights and stats were taken from those input on MaxPreps through five games.
This story was originally published September 24, 2025 at 12:17 PM.
