All-Bay Area News Group high school football, fall 2021: Linebackers

PITTSBURG, CA - SEPT. 10: Pittsburg’s Jakobe Harmon (44) hits Valley Christian quarterback Jakson Berman (11) after throwing a pass in the second quarter of their game at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) — PITTSBURG, CA – SEPT. 10: Pittsburg’s Jakobe Harmon (44) hits Valley Christian quarterback Jakson Berman (11) after throwing a pass in the second quarter of their game at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

By Darren Sabedra | dsabedra@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: January 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. | UPDATED: January 14, 2022 at 1:25 p.m.

Editor’s note: This is one in a series of Bay Area News Group stories honoring the top football players from the fall 2021 season.

LINEBACKERS

First team

Camilo Arquette, St. Francis, 6-0, 210, senior

West Catholic Athletic League linebacker of the year. Three-year starter. Also played a little running back. Signed with Northern Arizona. Finished with 71 tackles (5.9 per game), including 4.5 for loss. Helped Lancers win the league title and finish 11-1.

Jakobe Harmon, Pittsburg, 6-0, 205, senior

Unanimously chosen as a first-team Bay Valley Athletic League selection. Finished with 102 tackles (9.3 per game, 66 solos). Had 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and five sacks for the NCS Division I champions.

Jake Ripp, Los Gatos, 6-3, 210, senior

Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division MVP. Three-star prospect. Signed with Boise State. The inside linebacker finished with 103 tackles (9.4 per game). Also stood out as a tight end. Played every down at both. “Great kid, team captain,” Los Gatos coach Mark Krail said.

Tanner Salisbury, San Ramon Valley, 6-1, 200, senior

First-team all-East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division. Three-star prospect. Signed with UNLV. Helped lead the Wolves to the NCS Division II semifinals. “One of the top linebackers in the Bay Area,” SRV coach Aaron Becker said. “Great overall athlete.” Scored 14 TDs on offense in fewer than 30 touches.

Second team

DJ Aguirre, Wilcox, 5-10, 200, senior

First-team honors in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League’s De Anza Division. Credited with 106 tackles (7.1 per game), including 10 for loss. Had three sacks. Helped the Chargers win CCS and NorCal regional championships.

Brandon Broch, Bellarmine, 6-1, 185, junior

All-West Catholic Athletic League first-team honors. Finished with 109 tackles, including 10.5 for loss. Helped the Bells win eight games and receive the No. 3 seed in the CCS Division I playoffs.

Shay O’Kelly, Sacred Heart Prep, 6-1, 210, junior

Finished tied for the state lead in tackles with 191, according to stats reported to MaxPreps, as the Gators bounced back from a 3-7 regular season to capture a Division 5-A state championship. Credited with 132 solo tackles and averaged 12.7 tackles per game.

Sam Ross, Miramonte, 6-4, 225, senior

First-team linebacker in the Diablo Athletic League Foothill Division. Three-star prospect with 12 offers. Committed to Cal. Finished with 93 tackles, 24 for loss, and 3.5 sacks. “Best LB we faced all season,” Encinal coach Keith Minor said.

Honorable mention

Zachary Acton, Homestead, junior

Marley Alapati, De La Salle, sophomore

Janari Boone, Benicia, senior

Ben Boyden, St. Ignatius, senior

Andrew Buck, Menlo-Atherton, senior

Tyler Cook, Leland, senior

Gino Cresci, Bellarmine, senior

Landen Croinex, Benicia, senior

Genesys Duncan-Niusulu, James Logan, senior

Jayden Ennis, Heritage, senior

Nalesoni Fakava, San Mateo, sophomore

Izaiah Garrido Ramirez, Granada, senior