Northern California high school football: Top stars, best performances last week (9/4/2023)

Massive performances on the ground and through the air by some of Northern California's top players

Here’s a quick look at some of the top stars and memorable performances from last week of the high school football season in Northern California.

Players from the following sections are considered: Central, Central Coast, North Coast, San Francisco, Oakland, Sac-Joaquin and Northern. 

Note: Entries are based on information provided by coaches, statisticians, media members and high school sports fans. Don’t see any details for your team’s game? Email some notes and/or stats to mitch@scorebooklive.com.

TOP NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STARS 8/31/23 TO 9/2/23

Luke Alexander, a quarterback for Grant Union-Sacramento, passed for 355 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-0 win over Reno.

Keion Ashjaee-Marshall, a junior running back for Saratoga, rushed 10 times for 267 yards and three touchdowns in a 69-0 win over Santa Cruz.

AJ Cenizal, a senior running back for Mitty, rushed for 251 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-28 win over Aptos.

Bryson Donelson, a senior running back for Central Valley Christian, rushed 10 times for 193 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-25 win over Bakersfield Christian.

Jace Demacablin, a running back for Kennedy (Delano) rushed for 220 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-15 win over Highland.

Ta’Jir Golden, a senior running back for McClymonds, rushed for 186 yards and three touchdowns in a 40-0 win over Bellarmine.

Daniel Gomez, a quarterback for Hanford, threw for 240 yards and six touchdowns in a 40-22 win over Golden West.

JJ Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 191-pound junior quarterback for Enterprise, threw for 115 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed 12 times for 187 yards and another score in a 32-7 win over Las Plumas.

Brent Kroeze, a quarterback for Central Valley Christian, completed 18 of 19 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-25 win over Bakersfield Christian.

Kamani Jackson, a senior athlete for El Cerrito, scored touchdowns four different ways in a 63-14 win over Freedom. He ran for a touchdown, a pick-six, a kickoff return and touchdown catch.

Angel Lozano, a running back for Centennial (Bakersfield) rushed for 177 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-21 win over Independence.

Gunnar Piepgrass, a receiver for Central Valley Christian, had eight catches for 210 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-25 win over Bakersfield Christian.

Caden Pinnick, a quarterback for Del Oro (3-0), accounted for 269 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-20 win over Placer.

Diego Recio, a senior running back at Central Valley (Shasta Lake), rushed 17 times for 221 yards and four touchdowns, giving him 428 yards and nine touchdowns in two games, during a 50-7 win over Mt. Shasta.

Earl Riley, a quarterback for Central-Fresno, threw for 240 yards and had three touchdowns in a 21-18 win over Turlock.

Diego Sanchez, a senior quarterback at Hamilton, completed 19 of 29 passes for 474 yards and six touchdowns in a 49-20 win over Berean Christian.

Noah Taylor, a senior for Sobrato, rushed 13 times for 296 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-12 win over Del Mar.

Herschel Turner, a senior running back and linebacker at Mt. Diablo, had his second massive performance in as many weeks, rushing 12 times for 260 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 15 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovering in a 40-14 win over Mission. 

JC Turner, a wide receiver for Hanford, caught four touchdown passes in a 40-22 win over Golden West.

Carter Vargas, a running back for St. Joseph (Santa Maria), rushed four four touchdowns, including a 41-yarder late to seal a 63-52 win over Newbury Park.

Jordyn Wilson, a sophomore for Hayward, rushed 10 times for 148 yards and four touchdowns in a 53-14 win over Novato.