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.
DEFENSIVE BACK
First team
Nicolas Andrighetto, St. Francis, 5-10, 190, senior
West Catholic Athletic League co-defensive back of the year. Team captain and three-year starter. Helped St. Francis win the league title and reach the CCS Division I final. His only reception as a receiver was a 16-yard TD catch with 16.7 seconds left to hand De La Salle its first loss to a regional opponent in 30 years. “Great player. Great spirit,” one league coach said.
Zeke Berry, De La Salle, 6-0, 195, senior
East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division player of the year. Hard-hitting presence in the De La Salle secondary. Signed with Michigan. Selected to play in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio. “Far and away the best player on the best team in the area,” one NCS coach said. Others had similar praise for the player who finished with 35 tackles, forced two fumbles and had one pick.
Jeremiah Earby, Menlo-Atherton, 6-2, 170, senior
Cal-bound standout received first-team honors in the Peninsula Athletic League’s Bay Division as a defensive back. Intercepted five passes and finished with 40 tackles for the league champion and CCS Division I semifinalist. Caught 41 passes as a receiver for 963 yards and 11 TDs. Also threw a TD pass.
Sione Laulea, Serra, 6-3, 173, senior
Shut-down cornerback helped Serra win the CCS Division I championship. Named West Catholic Athletic League co-defensive back of the year. “Locked down best receivers for all other teams,” Serra coach Patrick Walsh said. Also played on offense and special teams for the NorCal representative in the CIF Open Division state championship game.
Second team
Robert Freeman, El Cerrito, 5-8, 155, senior
Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division MVP. A three-star prospect, according to 247Sports. Finished the season with 21 touchdowns as El Cerrito won the league title. Played on varsity all four seasons and was the league’s defensive MVP as a sophomore. “He made a huge impact and made it difficult for teams to scheme for him,” El Cerrito coach Jacob Rincon said.
Quinn Merritt, Los Gatos, 6-1, 190, senior
Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division first-team selection. Lined up as a cornerback and wide receiver for a team that went 10-0 in the regular season. “Quinn is a college football player, just not sure where yet,” coach Mark Krail said. “Great leader, team captain.”
Israel Polk, Pittsburg, 6-1, 150, junior
The Bay Valley Athletic League’s only defensive back to be unanimously selected to the league’s first team. Finished with three interceptions for the league and NCS Division I champions. As a receiver, also caught 15 passes for 173 yards and two TDs. Three-star prospect with four Division I offers.
Croix Stewart, Benicia, 6-2, 190, senior
Received first-team honors in the Diablo Athletic League’s Foothill Division. Signed with UCLA. Helped Benicia win a share of the league championship and reach the NCS Division III final. Played safety, cornerback, defensive end, wide receiver, and returned kicks. Finished with six TDs, 67 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions.
Honorable mention
Tariq Adams, Clayton Valley, senior
Joseph Bey, Serra, sophomore
Eric Braziel, Hayward, senior
Paddy Casey, St. Francis, senior
Deuce Carr, Liberty, junior
Anthony Delguidice, James Logan, junior
Thomas Di Vittorio, Bellarmine, senior
Daniel Escorza, Wilcox, junior
Demetrius Freeney, San Leandro, senior
Jacob Gastrock, Mt. Eden, junior
Nino Gama, James Logan, senior
Nah’Shon Geeston-Vick, Encinal, junior
Isaac Greene, Bishop O’Dowd, senior
Nick Jeong, Woodside, senior
Jaylin Leslie, Hayward, senior
Kyon Loud, Bishop O’Dowd, sophomore
Jabari Mann, Serra, sophomore
Journey McKoy, De La Salle, junior
Bryant Meredith, De La Salle, senior
James Mozon lll, Tennyson, senior
Christopher Murray, Archbishop Riordan, senior
Caleb Padrid, San Ramon Valley, junior
Emilio Pucci, Northgate, junior
Warren Smith, El Cerrito, junior
Andrew Stewart, Serra, senior
Alex Threeths, Santa Teresa, junior
Lloyd Walter, Aragon, junior
Michael Whaley, Hercules, senior
Adam Wright, Monte Vista, senior
All-BANG football team
Tuesday, Jan. 11
Wednesday, Jan. 12
Thursday, Jan. 13
Friday, Jan. 14
Co-offensive players of the year
The team was selected by the Bay Area News Group’s high school sports staff.
