Sac-Joaquin Section Player of the Year 2023 football watchlist: Playoff primer

Here's 16 players who made this WatchList after the regular season; Check back later as the list will surely grow

Here's a quick-hit peek at 16 top football players in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section as the playoffs kick off (the top four seeds in Divisions 1-6 have byes and D7 doesn't start until next week).

It's an alphabetical watchlist because playoffs are key in determining who gets postseason honors. Keep an eye on these guys for Player of the Year accolades, but let us know if other players emerge. Email: mitch@scorebooklive.com 

List compiled with the help of Sacramento Bee writer Joe Davidson, CCS assistant commisioner Will DeBoard and statistical leaderboards supplied by MaxPreps. 

RB Ricky Cole, Inderkum-Sacramento, Jr.

By the numbers: 1,907 yards passing, a section-leading 39 touchdowns; 606 yards rushing, six TDs for the 9-1 Tigers, the No. 5 seed in D1

Insight: Cole is a dual-threat late bloomer who has sizzled during a 9-game winning streak. A D1 showdown looms at No. 4-seeded Monterey Trail-ElK Grove.

RB Nathan Crawford, Twelve Bridges-Lincoln, Sr.

By the numbers: 1,591 yards rushing, section-leading 32 touchdowns for the 10-0 Ragin’ Rhinos, seeded first in D5.

Insight: He can be a workhorse, carrying 30-plus times up the gut, or he can breakaway, such as his 85-yard burst to cap a 347-yard rushing day in a close win at Colfax. He is the leader of the first senior class in program history.

RB Bryson Davis, Manteca, Sr.

By the numbers: Rushed for 1,299 yards and 15 touchdowns for the three-time defending section champion Buffaloes, seeded second in D2.

Insight: Missed four games due to an elbow injury after opening the season with a 36-carry, 342-yard, four TD effort in a 42-35 win over Vista del Lago-Folsom. A load.

Sac-Joaquin Section 2023 football playoff first-round fast facts

RB Carter Jackson, Granite Bay, Jr.

By the numbers: 1,279 yards rushing, 19 touchdowns for the 5-5 darkhorse in D2.

Insight: A Cal verbal commit, Jackson can run with speed and power. No one is faster in this section with a ball in his hands.

RB/LB Derek Keeley, Rocklin, Jr.

By the numbers: Keeley leads the Thunder in tackles (72), rushing (728) and touchdowns (15) for the 9-1, No. 2-seeded D2 Thunder.

Insight: DK is physical between the tackles with the ball in his arms and ferocious as a tackler. A grinder for a program that seeks its first section banner since 2009.

DL Markus Hoffman/LB Gavin Molloy, Oak Ridge, Srs.

By the numbers: Dominant duo has combined for 17 ½ sacks and 34 combined tackles for loss for the 8-2 D1 Trojans.

Insight: Having grown up together, Hoffman and Molloy look the part before the game and certainly during games in setting a physical tone.

QB Samson Hunkin, St. Mary's-Stockton, Sr.

By the numbers: 1,736 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, 305 yards rushing, four scores for the 9-1 D2 Rams.

Insight: St. Mary's has lit teams up this season in earning the top seed, the loss a nonleague affair to De La Salle-Concord (24-10).

Samson Hunkin, St. Mary's / Photo: Dennis Lee

QB Johnny Koett, Vista del Lago, Sr.

By the numbers: The 6-2, 180-pounder has completed 66 percent of his passes (142 of 215) for 2,270 yards and 28 touchdowns with just three interceptions for the 9-1 Eagles. He completed 18 of 22 for 245 yards and five touchdowns in a 63-0 win over Capital Christian and 20 of 30 for 326 yards and four scores last week in a big 35-28 win over Christian Brothers. 

Insight: He gets a whole lot of help from another POY candidate below (Matt Long), but there's no denying Koett's fantastic senior year best shown by his fantastic touchdown-to-interception rate. He just doesn't make ill-advised throws. 

QB CJ Lee, Jesuit-Carmichael, Sr.

By the numbers: 1,475 yards passing, 13 touchdowns; 726 yards rushing, 10 TDs for the 9-1 D2 Marauders.

By the numbers: A game breaker as a runner with a nice deep-ball touch, Lee is the Delta League Player of the Year and the biggest reason Jesuit has a shot to reach its first section final in 21 years.

CJ Lee, Jesuit / Photo: Dennis Lee

WR Matt Long, Vista del Lago-Folsom, Sr.

By the numbers: 49 catches for 850 yards, 13 touchdowns to go with three rushing scores and five picks on defense for the 9-1 D4 Eagles.

Insight: The Air Force commit is the program's greatest player since the school opened in 2007, skilled, physical and fast.

QB Ryder Lyons, Folsom, So.

By the numbers: 2,629 yards passing, 29 touchdowns; 416 yards rushing, 14 scores for the top-seeded D1 Bulldogs (8-2).

Insight: Blessed with good footwork and a relentless desire to lead and compete, Lyons has made the transition from freshman football to the varsity look remarkably easy. Losses were nonleague to Serra-San Mateo (21-14) and to De La Salle-Concord (14-7).

QB Malani McLeod, Vanden, Jr.  

By the numbers: The SJS leader with 2,752 passing yards and 25 touchdowns to go with 192 completions in 284 attempts and 12 interceptions. He's also rushed for four touchdowns for the surprising 8-2 Vikings.

Insight: At 6-foot, 175 pounds, McLeod has surpassed all expectations as a first-year starter. He took over from the highly-accomplished Tre Dimes who accounted for 6,156 career passing yards, 383 rushing yards and 86 touchdowns in four seasons while leading the Vikings to 34 wins and a state title in 2021.  

CIF Sac-Joaquin Section 2023 football playoff brackets: Scores, matchups, game times

RB/LB Wayshawn Parker, Grant-Sacramento, Sr.

By the numbers: 1,391 yards rushing in eight games, 16 touchdowns, averaging 173.9 yards per game for the defending D3 champion Pacers (8-2).

Insight: Runs hard and runs angry, which belies his off-field good nature. Tremendous closing speed when he plays linebacker. Headed to Washington State.

QB Caden Pinnick, Del Oro-Loomis, Sr.

By the numbers: 2,279 yards passing, 25 touchdowns, 427 rushing and seven TDs for the D2 Golden Eagles (6-4)

Insight: A nightmare to defend against and tackle as Pinnick uses his feet and vision to extend plays. Has buckled teams with his playmaking.

Caden Pinnick, Del Oro / Photo: Gary Jones

QB Tyler Wentworth, Central Catholic-Modesto, Sr.

By the numbers: 1,865 yards passing, 24 touchdowns, 316 yards rushing, eight TDs for the 8-2, D1 Raiders.

Insight: A load at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds and a Major League Baseball prospect as a pitcher, Wentworth is the best QB at CC in years.