Editor’s note: This is one in a series of Bay Area News Group stories honoring the top football players from the fall 2021 season.
KICKERS/PUNTERS
First team
Tashi Dorje, Liberty, 6-2, 170, junior
Unanimous first-team all-Bay Valley Athletic League selection. Averaged 43.2 yards per punt, which ranked fourth-best in the state among stats reported to MaxPreps. Six of his 29 punts were downed inside the 20. The Chris Sailer kicking website rated Dorje a 4.5-star prospect and No. 21 nationally among punters in the Class of 2023. “Broke his non-kicking foot in August and still put up great numbers,” Liberty coach Matt Hoefs said.
Jack Raney, Bellarmine, 6-3, 195, junior
West Catholic Athletic League’s co-kicker of the year. Doubled as a punter and placekicker. Nine of his 33 punts were downed inside the 20. Averaged 35.1 yards per punt. Finished 43 of 46 on extra-point tries and 6 of 11 on field-goal attempts, with a long of 44. On 67 kickoffs, he had 44 touchbacks. Rated a 4.5 star by the Chris Sailer kicking website, which ranked Raney the 19th-best punter and 23rd-best kicker nationally in the Class of 2023.
Second team
Matthew Karic, St. Francis, 5-7, 160, senior
Ranked second in the Central Coast Section among kickers in scoring, according to stats reported to MaxPreps. Made 55 of 60 extra-point attempts and 6 of 7 field-goal tries, with a long of 42, to finish with 73 points. Had 40 touchbacks in 84 kickoffs and was named the co-kicker of the year in the West Catholic Athletic League.
Nathan Price, Monte Vista, 6-1, 165, senior
Averaged 39.7 yards per attempt in 29 punts, 13 of which were downed inside the 20. In 45 kickoffs, had 17 touchbacks. Made 25 of 29 extra-point attempts and was 3 of 5 on field goals, with a long of 38. The Chris Sailer kicking website rated Price a 5-star prospect and ranked him 26th nationally in the Class of 2022.
Honorable mention
Isaac DeLaCruz, Pioneer, senior
Adam Harbourne, Foothill, senior
Ryan Kall, Burlingame, senior
Jordan Kennedy, De La Salle, senior
Octavio Lopez, Pittsburg, junior
Riley Balch, Amador Valley, junior
Trajan Sinatra, Silver Creek, sophomore
Cade Whitson, Leland, senior
All-BANG football team schedule
Tuesday, Jan. 11
KICKERS/PUNTERS
Athletes: 7 a.m.
Offensive line: 10 a.m.
Defensive line: Noon
Wednesday, Jan. 12
Utility: 7 a.m.
Linebackers: 10 a.m.
Running backs: Noon
Thursday, Jan. 13
Defensive backs: 7 a.m.
Receivers/tight ends: 10 a.m.
Quarterbacks: Noon
Friday, Jan. 14
Coach of the year: 4:30 a.m.
Co-offensive players of the year: 7 a.m.
Defensive player of the year: 10 a.m.
Player of the year: Noon
The team was selected by the Bay Area News Group’s high school sports staff.
Source: www.mercurynews.com