The All-Irvine defensive team (from left), first row, Roee Lachmish, Woodbridge; Tom St. George, Crean Lutheran; Xavier Cousar, Northwood; David Chiu, Portola; Ethan Bell, University; Lorenzo Bazzani, Irvine; Max Tipple, Woodbridge; and Tyson Matthews, Irvine; second row, Ethan Shank, Irvine; Josh Carter, Beckman; Jack Johnson, Crean Lutheran; Tre Littlejohn, Northwood; and Jacob Haley, Irvine. Not pictured, Andre Le, University.
MVP: Colin Turner, Woodbridge (click here for the story)
To see the slide show, please click on the first photo
DE: Roee Lachmish, Woodbridge: He had 35 tackles and four sacks. “He was very coachable and willing to do “extra” to become better,” said Coach Rick Gibson. “Work ethic and athletic ability are two words that best describe him.”
DE: Tom St. George, Crean Lutheran: St. George was a first team All-Empire League player. He had 55 solo tackles, 19 assisted, six tackles for a loss, eight sacks, four hurries, five forced fumbles and four knockdowns and also played on the offensive line, according to Coach Randall Reynoso. “He was the team MVP,” Reynoso said. “He kicked two of three PATs and averaged 48 yards on five kickoffs and averaged 34 yards on 13 punts.”
DE: Andre Le, University: “A senior, he never really came off the field,” said former Uni Coach Scott Meyer. “He was the team captain and a University scholar athlete award winner.” Le also played on the offensive line.
DT: Xavier Cousar, Northwood: Cousar, a junior, “played all 12 games, both ways,” according to former Northwood Coach Pete Mitchell. He had 45 solo tackles, 65 assisted tackles (a team high), eight sacks (a team high) and caused two fumbles, Mitchell said. He also recovered one fumble.
DL: David Chiu, Portola: “David has been a workhorse for the Bulldogs,” said Coach Peter Abe. “He is big, physical, strong and smart. David started for us on the both sides of the line all year at defensive nose tackle and offensive guard, which is an astronomical feat in itself. This first team all-league recipient also serves as one the our captains of our team, and is a two-sport scholar-athlete.”
LB: Ethan Bell, University: Bell had 61 total tackles and one interception, and played on all special teams except PAT/FG and also played some offense for the Trojans. “He was our defensive player of the year and a four-time player of the week for us either on defense or special teams,” said former Uni Coach Scott Meyer.
LB: Lorenzo Bazzani, Irvine: Bazzani had 100 lead tackles, 62 assisted tackles, seven tackles for a loss, one sack and two caused fumbles and broke the single season record for tackles at Irvine. “Lorenzo personifies the term ‘student-athlete,'” said former Irvine Coach Erik Terry. “He is a fantastic student whose incredible work ethic is matched only by his outstanding intellect. He was an outstanding leader of our team this season beginning with his incredible work ethic in the weight room this past off-season. Lorenzo earned a starting inside linebackers spot after never playing the position before. His play improved every week and he ended up breaking the single-season lead tackle record by recording 100 lead tackles this season.”
LB: Max Tipple, Woodbridge: Tipple had 40 tackles for the Warriors. “He was the strongest player on our team,” said Coach Rick Gibson. “He was a very instinctive football player with a ‘nose’ for the ball. Two words that best describe him: aggressive and intense.”
LB: Tyson Matthews, Irvine: Matthews had 34 lead tackles, 29 assisted tackles, six tackles for a loss, four sacks, two caused fumbles, one recovered fumble and 13 quarterback hurries. “Tyson is extremely athletic and elevates everyone around him,” said former Irvine Coach Erik Terry. “Having Tyson be a part of this year’s team has been instrumental to the turnaround we have experienced. He holds his teammates accountable and takes care of the brotherhood that is always talked about in this program. His attitude and passion are infectious. Tyson made several big plays all year long on defense, offense, and special teams.”
DB: Ethan Shank, Irvine: Shank had 97 lead tackles, 58 assisted tackles, three tackles for a loss, two interceptions, one recovered fumble and five passes broken up. “Ethan exceeded our expectations and became one of our top defensive players this year,” said former Irvine Coach Erik Terry. “He was our second-leading tackler this season. The thing that really stands out though is how Ethan is able to find a balance between being an athlete, a member of the marching band, an accomplished musician, and an outstanding student. Ethan has committed to continue his football career at one of the most outstanding academic schools on the west coast, Pomona Pitzer.”
DB: Josh Carter, Beckman: Carter, a junior, had 56 tackles, four sacks, four tackles for a loss and two interceptions. “Josh was all over the field for us,” said Coach Marcello Giuliano. “He was a good cover guy and a ball hawk, but he was also impactful in the pressure game, notching TFLs and quarterback sacks. He’s a special player to be able to make plays at every level of the defense.”
DB: Jack Johnson, Crean Lutheran: Johnson was first team All-Empire League. Johnson also played running back and wide receiver. “Defensively, he had 63 tackles 30 assisted tackles, one interception and one forced fumble,” said Coach Randall Reynoso.
DB: Tre Littlejohn, Northwood: “He had a team high six interceptions with three touchdowns,” said former Coach Pete Mitchell. “He also kicked three field goals and 12 of 15 extra points.”
ALL-PURPOSE: Jacob Haley, Irvine: “The future looked bright until Jacob was hit with a major setback when he tore his ACL,” said former Irvine Coach Erik Terry. “He worked hard to get back on the field as a junior before adversity set in again. Many high school athletes would have given up their athletic careers after that but Jacob was determined to finish what he started with his best friends. After a tremendous amount of work and rehab Jacob had an outstanding senior year. He excelled for us in all phases of the game. His ‘never give up’ attitude has been infectious and he will forever serve as a reminder of how to focus on the positive to overcome any adversity in life. “
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