The Bay Area News Group is recognizing the top high school football players in its coverage area from the 2022 season.
We have separated the honorees into eight position groups: Quarterbacks, receivers/tight ends, defensive backs, running backs, linebackers, utility players, athletes, defensive linemen, offensive linemen and kickers/punters.
We have chosen an overall player of the year, county players of the year and a coach of the year.
The team was selected by members of our high school sports staff.
Here are the all-Bay Area News Group defensive backs:
First team
Joseph Bey, Serra, 6-1, 185, junior
West Catholic Athletic League defensive back of the year and first-team all-league selection had 46 tackles. One of the standouts on league and CCS Open Division champions. Helped hold 10 CCS opponents to 8.4 points per game.
Journey McKoy, De La Salle, 5-10, 163, senior
First-team all-East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division pick rated as a three-star by 247Sports. Headed to Nevada. Had 24 tackles and a sack. Caught four touchdowns as a receiver for the NCS Open Division and NorCal 1-AA champions.
Ethan Torres, Acalanes, 6-0, 160, senior
Diablo Athletic League Foothill Division most valuable defensive player had six interceptions and returned two for touchdowns. Caught 40 passes for 775 yards and nine touchdowns. Threw for one touchdown.
Lloyd Walter, Aragon, 6-1, 190, senior
PAL/SCVAL Bay Division most valuable player and defensive back of the year had 82 tackles, 18 for loss, 3.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Rushed for 901 yards and nine touchdowns. Caught two TDs on 16 receptions.
Second team
Robin “Budha” Boyd Jr., Pittsburg, 6-0, 165, senior
Bay Valley Athletic League first-team selection had 46 tackles and eight passes defended for the league and NorCal 1-A champions. Caught three touchdowns. Rated as a three-star by 247Sports.com.
Johnathan Guerrero, De La Salle, 5-7, 152, junior
All-East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division first-team pick had seven interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, a sack and 25 tackles for the NorCal 1-AA champions. Caught 12 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns.
Jermaine Hargraves, El Cerrito, 6-2, 180, senior
Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division most valuable defensive player headlined a unit that allowed 5.6 points per game in the regular season. Safety led El Cerrito to an NCS Division III championship.
Caleb Padrid, San Ramon Valley, 5-10, 180, senior
First-team all-East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division selection had three interceptions and a pick-six for a team that won the NCS Division II and NorCal 2-A championship. Caught 44 passes for 698 yards and nine touchdowns.
Honorable mention
Steven Anaya, Archbishop Mitty, senior
Austin Barbeau, Archbishop Mitty, senior
John Chung, Sacred Heart Prep, senior
Noah Gardere, Santa Teresa, senior
Emmanuel Karnley, Las Lomas, senior
Landon Heard, Los Gatos, senior
Jadyn Hudson, Pittsburg, sophomore
Jerimiah Ruffin, Heritage, senior
Johno Price, Menlo-Atherton, senior
Ethan Schweizer, Pioneer, senior
Javion Smith, Antioch, junior
Matt Spivack, Hillsdale, senior
ALL-BAY AREA NEWS GROUP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Monday, Jan. 9
Tuesday, Jan. 10
Wednesday, Jan. 11
Thursday, Jan. 12
Alameda County player of the year
San Mateo County player of the year
Santa Clara County player of the year
Bay Area News Group player of the year
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Those eligible for all-Bay Area News Group recognition come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. For corrections, please email highschools@bayareanewsgroup.com.
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