Hollister High junior Christian Lujano earned All-Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division First Team defense honors. (Chris Mora/Free Lance file photo)

Hollister High’s powerful defensive duo of juniors Carmelo Arias and Christian Lujano caused a lot of havoc on the football field this past season. 

Arias led the Haybalers with 106 total tackles and added 1.5 sacks as the team’s main linebacker, while Lujano helped the defensive line down in the trenches.   

Both standout players were recognized for their successful year and earned all-Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division First Team defense honors. 

Seniors Brayden Watkins, Harold Lusk, Chineme Mbechi-Ezeri and Robert Holsten earned second team offense honors.

Watkins finished with a team-best 816 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on 122 carries, and right behind him was Lusk with 298 yards rushing and three scores on 57 carries. 

Holsten had 225 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 30 carries, and he hauled in 13 receptions for 156 yards and one TD. 

Fellow teammates Isaac Barragan, Isa Morin and Isaiah Ramos—who finished with a team-best 2.5 sacks—earned all-league second team defense honors.

Barragan finished with 78 total tackles and one sack, and Morin had 77 tackles and one sack.  

Senior defensive end Callum Dolan was named to the Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship Team.  

*Stats provided by the Monterey Bay Preps website

Below is a complete list of PCAL all-league teams.

Pacific Coast Athletic League All-League teams

Gabilan Division

Hollister High senior Brayden Watkins splits past Aptos High’s defense during the teams’ PCAL Gabilan Division game on Oct. 27. (Chris Mora/special to the Free Lance)

Most Valuable Player: Nolan Borel (Sr.), Salinas

Defensive Player of the Year: Justice Grauel-Tebong (Sr.), Soquel

Offensive Player of the Year: Logan Saldate (Sr.), Palma

First team offense

Thomas Nunes (Sr.), Palma

Preston White (Jr.), Monterey

Nolan Borel (Sr.), Salinas

Jordan Torres (Sr.), Aptos

Enobong Wirth (Jr.), Monterey

Logan Saldate (Sr.), Palma

Kavon Collins (Jr.), Monterey

Jordan McCord (Sr.), Soquel

Angelo Cimino (Sr.), Salinas

Jake Freitas (Sr.), Salinas

Thomas Ducker (Sr.), Palma

Logan Brantley (Jr.), Aptos

Aidan Ishimaru (Sr.), Salinas

Messiah Johnson (Sr.), Alvarez

First team defense

Justice Grauel-Tebong (Sr.), Soquel

Noah Orozco (Sr.), Palma

Soakai Funaki (Jr.), Monterey

Alex Sewell (Sr.), Salinas

Carmelo Arias (Jr.), Hollister

Malakai Ross-Graves (Sr.), Soquel

Thomas Ducker (Sr.), Palma

Josh Na (Jr.), Salinas

Christian Lujano (Jr.), Hollister

Cade Petersen (Sr.), Soquel

Isiah Bivins (Sr.), Monterey

Drew Molinari (Sr.), Palma

Luke Borel (Sr.), Salinas

Gabe Virgalitto (Jr.), Soquel

Second team offense

Noah Gonzales (Sr.), Salinas

Sam Whelan (So.), Soquel

Brayden Watkins (Sr.), Hollister

Roman Garcia (So.), Alvarez

Harold Lusk (Sr.), Hollister

Kain Holly (Sr.), Alvarez

Jake Yeater (Sr.), Salinas

Chineme Mbechi-Ezeri (Sr.), Hollister

Masen Coso (Jr.), Soquel

River Deschenes (Sr.), Monterey

Mander Miller (Jr.), Aptos

Luke Battey (Sr.), Soquel

Robert Holsten (Sr.), Hollister

Kai Vaughn (So.), Monterey

Second team defense

Chris Phillips (Sr.), Salinas

Caden Scherer (Jr.), Palma

Edgar Chavez (Jr.), Alvarez

Ben Palma (Jr.), Soquel

Isaac Barragan (Sr.), Hollister

Elijah Fisher (Jr.), Monterey

Asa Sagrero (Sr.), Salinas

Isaac Crivello (Sr.), Monterey

Isaiah Ramos (Sr.), Hollister

Nick Dominquez (Sr.), Palma

Nolan Borel (Sr.), Salinas

Isa Morin (Sr.), Hollister

Amani Lang (So.), Alvarez

Phoenix Ghilgione (Sr.), Aptos

Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship

Jack Nolan, Salinas

Jackson Stevens, Soquel

Colven Morse, Monterey

Tobias Perkowski, Palma

Callum Dolan, Hollister

Matt Hood, Aptos

Ivan Chavez, Alvarez

Mission Division North

Offensive Player of the Year: Quinn Turowski (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Defensive Player of the Year: Jess Ringel (Jr.), Scotts Valley

Lineman of the Year: Marshall Dodge (Sr.), Scotts Valley

First team offense

Dominic Pierini (Jr.), Monte Vista Christian

Eli Velez (Jr.), Scotts Valley

Andrew Beal (Sr.), Seaside

Alex Arevalo (Jr.), Watsonville

Nico Downie (Jr.), MVC

Quinn Turowski (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Julius Escort (Jr.), Seaside

Luke DaRosa (Sr.), MVC

Ethan Yates (Sr.), North Monterey County

Arnulfo Jimenez (Jr.), NMC

Marshall Dodge (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Lorenzo Gonzales (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Jose De La Torre (Sr.), Watsonville

Taylor Rice (Sr.), Seaside

First team defense

Jesse Martinez (Sr.), NMC

Marshall Dodge (Sr.), Scotts Valley

James Bullock (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Jeremiah Laui (So.), Seaside

Ruben Mora (Sr.), Watsonville

Max Torres (Jr.), MVC

Jes Ringel (Jr.), Scotts Valley

Niko Iles (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Genghis Atalima (Sr.), Seaside

Adan Magana (Jr.), Watsonville

Damian Hernandez (Sr.), NMC

Brady Siechen (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Jamari Vaughns (Sr.), Seaside

Javier Fonseca (Jr.), St. Francis

Second team offense

Jamari Vaughns (Sr.), Seaside

Connor Pallott (Sr.), MVC

Chris Rasmussen (Jr.), NMC

Niko Iles (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Ryan Ruiz (Sr.), NMC

Pedro Ibarra (Sr.), St. Francis

Patrick Miller-Brown (Jr.), Watsonville

Hector Pantoja (Jr.), NMC

James Bullock (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Anthony Collins (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Keoni Riparip (Sr.), Seaside

Bladimir Mendoza (Sr.), Seaside

Marcus Gonzalez (Jr.), St. Francis

Markel Parker (Sr.), St. Francis

Second team defense

Kente Dorsey (Jr.), Santa Cruz

Imanol Cruz (Sr.), Seaside

Taylor Rice (Sr.), Seaside

Donovan Dominguez (Jr.), St. Francis

Guadalupe Rico (Sr.), Watsonville

Gunner Sorensen (Jr.), MVC

Alex Guzman (Sr.), NMC

RJ Bradfield (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Colton Dureson (Sr.), Scotts Valley

Ben Dewig (Sr.), St. Francis

Ayden Valdez (Sr.), NMC

Jacob Womack (Jr.), Scotts Valley

Keon Ealey (Jr.), Seaside

Issac Urbina (Sr.), Watsonville

Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship team

Dylan Gowdy (Sr.), MVC

Isaiah Garife (Sr.), NMC

Matteo DeMarco (Sr.), Santa Cruz

Khaliel Milhouse (Jr.), Scotts Valley

Adam Chong (Sr.), Seaside

Gavin Valencia (Sr.), St. Francis

Jiovani Guerrero (Sr.), Watsonville

Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship team 

Santa Cruz

Mission Division South

Most Valuable Player: Ashton Rees, Carmel

Offensive Player of the Year: Damion Gonzales, Alisal

Defensive Player of the Year: Demajae Roberson, North Salinas

First team offense

Santiago Chaidez, Alisal

Hudson Rutherford, Carmel

Damion Gonzales, Alisal

Gideon Llantero, Pacific Grove

Justin Pascone, North Salinas

Julian Pineda, Rancho San Juan

Ty Arnold, Carmel

Simeon Brown, Carmel

Ramiro Orozco, North Salinas

Joshua Angel, Alisal

Oscar DeAlfaro, North Salinas

Jackson Lloyd, Carmel

Angel Lopez, Alisal

Oscar Weigel, Carmel

First team defense

Isaac Benavides, King City

Christian Campos, North Salinas

JT Maxon, Carmel

Nathan Ruiz, Alisal

Anjel Marquez, North Salinas

Noah Pacheco, King City

Brian Picazo, Alisal

Bode Stoddard, Carmel

Rocky Villanueva, King City

Rogelio Jacinto, Alisal

Matthew Maxon, Carmel

Ashton Rees, Carmel

Demajae Roberson, North Salinas

Ryder Scheid, Carmel

Second team offense

Kainoa Ceralde, North Salinas

Ivan Salcido, Soledad

Julio Camacho, Soledad

Sean Nimuan, North Salinas

Carson Tidwell, King City

Adrian Garcia, King City

Oliver Ottmar, Pacific Grove

Victor Ruano, Soledad

Pete Gamecho, Pacific Grove

Solo Kalemani, North Salinas

Jesus Maciel, Alisal

Julio Nunez, Alisal

Noah Pacheco, King City

Moises Villacana, Rancho San Juan

Second team defense

Chris Gaytan, King City

Ryton Harrison, Pacific Grove

Gideon Llantero, Pacific Grove

Danny Morales, Soledad

Robert Ward, Carmel

Axel Chicas, Rancho San Juan

Daniel Murguia, Alisal

Anthony Nimri, Pacific Grove

Anthony Trevino, Soledad

Dennis Uribe, Rancho San Juan

Christian Vaughn, Pacific Grove

Jesse Argueta, Soledad

Fabian Ceja, Rancho San Juan

John Klevan, Pacific Grove

Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship team

Jonathan Martinez, Alisal

Carlos Rodezno, Rancho San Juan

Armando Villasenor, King City

Nathaniel Wade, Pacific Grove

Juan Ochoa, North Salinas

Chase Wittman, Soledad

Viliami Sime, Carmel

Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship team 

King City

Santa Lucia Division

Player of the Year: Adrian Perez (Sr.), Gonzales

Offensive Player of the Year: Misael Silva (Sr.), Greenfield

Defensive Player of the Year: Nathan Cox (Sr.), Greenfield

First team offense

JP Acosta Ayala (Sr.), Gonzales

Naythen Hernandez (Jr.), Greenfield

Gilbert Snyder IV (Sr.), Greenfield

Jeovanay Linaras (Sr.), Harbor

Ely Cisneros (Jr.), Gonzales

Julius Robinson (Sr.), Marina

Adrian Perez (Sr.), Gonzales

Izaak Ocampo (Jr.), Pajaro Valley

Jayden Lyman (Sr.), San Lorenzo Valley

Bryan Ortega (Sr.), Greenfield

Amani Wilson (Sr.), Stevenson

Nathan Alvarez (Jr.), Gonzales

Misael Silva (Sr.), Greenfield

Angel Vega (Sr.), Greenfield

First team defense

Dom Chechi (Sr.), San Lorenzo Valley

Adrian Perez (Sr.), Gonzales

Derrek Diniz (So.), Stevenson

Naythen Hernandez (Jr.), Greenfield

Amani Wilson (Sr.), Stevenson

Bryan Ortega (Sr.), Greenfield

Nisael Gonzalez (So.), Greenfield

Abel Villegas (Sr.), Gonzales

Haden Woolworth (Jr.), San Lorenzo Valley

Brian Flores (Jr.), Pajaro Valley

Elijah Guerrero (Sr.), Gonzales

Tommy Dayton (Jr.), Stevenson

Nathan Cox (Sr.), Greenfield

Special teams first team

Julias Robinson (Sr.), Marina

Second team offense

Justin Diniz (Sr.), Stevenson

Jack Dagen (Jr.), San Lorenzo Valley

Ray Blanco (Jr.), Gonzales

AJ Martinez (Jr.), Greenfield

Keegan Charupoon (Sr.), Stevenson

Manuel Perea (Sr.), Gonzales

Hector Garcia (Jr.), Greenfield

Ferris Vitali (Sr.), Harbor

Eduardo Valdez (Sr.), Gonzales

Andrew Airada (Sr.), Stevenson

Omar David (Sr.), Marina

Gabriel Espinoza (Sr.), Greenfield

Adrian Martinez (Sr.), Greenfield

Tony Garcia V (Jr.), Gonzales

Second Team Defense

Julias Robinson (Sr.), Marina

Ray Blanco (Jr.), Gonzales

Reggie Bell (So.), Stevenson

Hector Garcia (Jr.), Greenfield

Exodus Tuialuuluu (Sr.), Marina

Tony Garcia V (Jr.), Gonzales

Eduardo Mendoza (Jr.), Pajaro Valley

Vincent Pierre (So.), Stevenson

Genaro Anaya (Jr.), Greenfield

Donovan Maben (Jr.), Marina

Malcolm Deguara (Sr.), San Lorenzo Valley

Mickey Ricigliano (Sr.), San Lorenzo Valley

Ely Cisneros (Jr.), Gonzales

Special teams second team

Adrian Perez (Sr.), Gonzales 

Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship team

Robert Gutierrez (Sr.), Gonzales

Malcolm Deguara (Sr.), San Lorenzo Valley

Aiden Higgins (Sr.), Harbor

Dominic Gnamm (Jr.), Stevenson

Jair Hernandez (Sr.), Greenfield

Omar David (Sr.), Marina

Jose Perez (Jr.), Pajaro Valley

Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship team 

San Lorenzo Valley

*Stats provided by the Monterey Bay Preps website

Previous articleLocal Scene: Pancake breakfast and toy drive Dec. 9
Next articleOrganic growers see new role in age of climate change
A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here