Northern California high school football: Top stars, best performances last week (9/18/2023)

Caruthers' Hunter Baab and Mt. Diablo's Herschel Turner continue their monster seasons with two more monster games

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

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 football stars from 9/14/23 to 9/16/23

Makhi Adanandus, a junior rushing back for Heritage-Brentwood, filling in for an injured starter, made the most of his chance, rushing 24 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-12 win over Vintage.

Marley Alcantara, a junior quarterback for Pittsburg, threw five second-half touchdowns in a 38-35 win over California-San Ramon.

Jacob Alvarado, a senior running back for Milpitas, rushed 13 times for 328 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-14 win over Santa Clara.

Hunter Baab, a senior from Caruthers, rushed 32 times for 331 yards and six touchdowns in a 58-27 win over Liberty-Madera. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back and quarterback, leads the nation in rushing with 1,582 yards and 23 touchdowns in just five games. He’s rushed for 1,135 combined over his last three games and 18 touchdowns, all wins.

Jaxon Bell, a sophomore running back for Liberty-Brentwood, rushed eight times for 155 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-0 win over Fremont-Oakland.

Quinn Boyd, a senior quarterback for Granada-Livermore, accounted for five touchdowns and 262 yards in a 56-20 win over Berkeley.

Andrew Chavez, a defensive back for Clovis North, intercepted two passes, had five tackles and recovered a fumble in a 23-7 win over JSerra Catholic, ranked 10th in the state coming into the game.

Jackson Cinfel, a running back for No. 1 Central Section ranked Clovis North, rushed 23 times for 181 yards and a touchdown in a 23-7 win over JSerra Catholic.

Jackson Cinfel had another monster game in a big win over JSerra Catholic. Photo: Bobby Medellin

Ricky Cole, a junior quarterback for Inderkum, completed 23 of 30 for 316 yards and six touchdowns in a 62-0 win over Yuba City. He also rushed for a TD.

Dion Coleman, a senior running back for Chico, rushed 16 times for 190 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-17 win over Whitney.

Bryson Donelson, a senior running back at Central Valley Christian, was at it again, rushed 23 times for 365 yards and adding six touchdowns in a 64-38 win over Mission Oaks. Donelson has already rushed for 1,160 yards and 18 touchdowns in five games.

Jeff Goldsworthy, a senior running back for Amador Valley, rushed for 227 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-34 win over Monte Vista.

Daniel Gomez, a junior quarterback for Hanford, completed 28 of 32 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns in a 47-28 win over Redwood.

JJ Johnson, a junior quarterback for Enterprise, accounted for 341 yards and six touchdowns in a 39-19 win over Lassen, his team’s fourth straight victory.

Tommy Nix, a senior at Clovis East, did it all in a 55-20 home win over Kerman. Nix rushed for a 47-yard touchdown, had five catches for 55 yards and two more touchdowns, and added a 20-yard pick 6.

Joshua Oludayo, a three-way start for Oakland, rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns, intercepted two passes and returned a punt 75 yards for a score in a 38-0 win over Hercules.

Sava Pourdis, a senior at Las Lomas, rushed 14 times for 134 yards and a touchdown, caught two passes for 34 yards and another TD, and added 12 tackles in a 42-26 win at Alhambra.

Jordan Pierro, a senior receiver for Clovis West, caught three passes in a 35-6 win over Edison, all for touchdowns that totaled 124 yards.

Malakhi Statler, a quarterback for Frontier, threw for 292 yards and five touchdowns in a 49-13 win over Independence.

Herschel Turner, a senior running back at Mt. Diablo, continued to amaze, rushing 11 times for 322 yards and six touchdowns in a 53-20 win over San Lorenzo. Turner also had five tackles, two fumble recoveries, a caused fumble and a scoop and score. In four games, Turner has rushed 57 times for 1,239 yards (21.7 yards per carry) and 20 touchdowns, to go along with 31 tackles, five fumble recoveries and five caused fumbles.

Malcolm Watkins, a sophomore receiver at Frontier-Bakersfield, had five catches for 133 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-13 win over Independence.