6 Stanislaus District football players named to Cal-Hi Sports’ all-section preseason team

Mark Paule Jr. isn’t going to make any bold predictions for himself or the Sierra High football team.

The soft-spoken senior prefers to let the game come to him. He plays within coach Jeff Harbison’s system, taking advantage of the opportunities that come his way, however many there may be.

Few in the Sac-Joaquin Section made better use of their chances in 2014.

Paule rushed for more than 2,000 yards in his first varsity season, earning a spot on the Cal-Hi Sports All-Sac-Joaquin Section preseason first team. He was joined by Valley Oak League rival and fellow running back Justin Rice, who rushed for 2,146 yards and 30 rushing touchdowns for Central Catholic, the three-time defending CIF State small-school champion.

Rice was listed as a multipurpose player for his ability to play wide receiver and defensive back.

Paule was one of three running backs named to the first team. Joining him were Grant’s Deshawn Collins (2,321 yards, 27 touchdowns) and Jesuit’s Beau Bisharat (1,651 yards, 23 touchdowns).

“It’s truly an honor to have received this,” Paule said. “It is humbling to know that hard work and dedication pays off. Thank you to Cal-Hi Sports for honoring me and thank you to the Sierra High School coaching staff and the rest of the team. I couldn’t have done it without them; wish they could all be rewarded.”

Sierra earned a share of the Valley Oak League title last fall by defeating Oakdale and Central Catholic, the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III and IV champions, respectively.

The catalyst in the Timberwolves’ zone-read offense was Paule, a shifty running back who thrived in the crevasses of the defense.

Paule, 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, took the Stanislaus District football scene by storm, scoring seven touchdowns in his varsity debut at Ripon. Before long, he was racing up state and national leaderboards. He finished his junior season with 2,024 yards and 45 touchdowns, including 43 on the ground. His rushing yards were the fourth-most in the section, and he ranks third in the nation in scoring among returning players this season.

The Stanislaus District had four players named to the second team: Davis wide receiver Talolo Limu-Jones, a 6-5 senior regarded as the District’s best at the position; Ripon Christian defensive end Will Kamps, who has averaged 18 sacks a season over the last two years; Central Catholic quarterback Hunter Petlanksy (2,052 passing yards, 20 touchdowns), who has verbally committed to Columbia; and Raiders teammate Sam Mundt, a 6-6 defensive lineman who has chosen to sit out his senior season.

Mundt had 59 tackles and three sacks but injured his neck during Central Catholic’s state run. The injury has caused him severe headaches, but he says he won’t need surgery. Just lots of rest and therapy. Mundt recently committed to Utah for baseball, and he believes his neck will heal in time to pitch for the Raiders in the spring.

Meanwhile, Paule eagerly awaits fall’s first kickoff. He realizes fans may have inflated expectations for him and the Timberwolves given their accomplishments last year, but …

“It’s a new year, new team,” he said. “Going into this season, I remain humble and take each game week by week. I don’t expect to do as good as last year, but I sure am going to leave it all out there on the field for my final season.”

Four of the six Stanislaus District selections were from the Valley Oak League.

“There are some tough competitors in the VOL,” Paule said. “Each week is a challenge. You can’t take anyone lightly.”

This story was originally published August 21, 2015 at 3:58 PM with the headline "6 Stanislaus District football players named to Cal-Hi Sports’ all-section preseason team."