FOX Sports West/Prime Ticket's 2015 All CIF-SS football team & POYs
Among other things, 2015 was a throwback of sorts.
Schools such as San Marino and Calabasas proved a bunch of neighborhood friends can come together and win a CIF-Southern Section titles. For the Titans it was their first title since 1988 ... 1996 was the last time Camarillo stood at the top of the CIF-SS mountain.
You could also call it the Year of the Hail Mary as La Habra quarterback, Eric Barriere, completed not one, but two to guide the Highlanders to a 13-1 record and its first sectional title in five years. It was also the season in which the nation had its eyes on the CIF-SS with one of the most highly anticipated finals in section history at Angel Stadium. St. John Bosco and Corona Centennial were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in various polls entering the game and the team's combined to score 114 points as the Huskies took home the heralded PAC-5 title for the second year in a row.
With a bow put on the 2015 season, here's a look at some of the top performers.
Offensive Player of the Year: WR Michael Pittman Jr., Oaks Christian
Is he a linebacker? Is he a safety? Those were questions that surrounded Michael Pittman Jr. entering the 2015 season. No doubt, a slight to his skills as a wide receiver. While any of the aforementioned positions could very well be in his future at the next level, Pittman proved he's every bit the WR. In the Year of the Wide Receiver, Pittman stood taller than the rest in stature and production. The 6-foot-4 wideout nearly doubled his production in all receiving categories from a season ago and was a major reason the Lions improved from a five-win team that missed the playoffs in 2014 to a PAC-5 quarterfinalist that ran the table in the 2015 regular season and won the first PAC-5 playoff game in program history.
.@LaHabraFootball's good luck charm? @SamFarberLive called both Hail Marys in 2015 https://t.co/93TgHVAu8Y #CIFSS pic.twitter.com/Sb75dFUOEw
— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) December 7, 2015
QB Jake Constantine, Camarillo, Sr.
3,325 yards, 42 TD and just five INT to lead Scorpions to first CIF-SS title since 1996.
RB Torreahno Sweet, Bishop Amat, Sr.
Arguably the Lancers MVP, led the PAC-5 with 153.3 rush yards per game.
RB JJ Taylor, Corona Centennial, Sr.
Second in the PAC-5 in rushing, 1st in the hearts of Huskies' fans everywhere after five-TD performance in PAC-5 final.
WR Michael Pittman Jr., Oaks Christian, Sr.
1,990 receiving yards and 24 TD under first-year head coach Jim Benkert for FOX Sports West/Prime Ticket CIF-SS Offensive POY.
WR Tyler Vaughns, Bishop Amat, Sr.
Another 1,000-yard receiving season for Mission League co-MVP.
WR J.P. Shohfi, San Marino, Sr.
Led CIF-SS in catches (103) and yards (2,035) as Titans won first CIF title since 1988; Also added five INT on defense.
TE Kohl Hollinquest, Sierra Canyon, Sr.
18 TDs for Mid-Valley Division champion were tied for CIF-SS best among TEs.
OL Frank Martin, Mater Dei, Sr.
Provided steady force up front as Monarchs transitioned to freshman QB.
OL Matt Brayton, Bishop Amat, Sr.
UNLV commit was instrumental in Lancers lighting up the scoreboard.
OL Daniel Juarez, Corona Centennial, Sr.
JJ Taylor dedicated his five-TD performance in PAC-5 final to Juarez, who opened up holes for him on the way to Huskies' fourth consecutive CIF-SS title.
OL Paula Hafoka, Corona Centennial, Sr.
Arguably the PAC-5 champs' best offensive lineman.
OL Wyatt Davis, St. John Bosco, Jr.
Greg Biggins says the 2017 standout could be the best offensive lineman in 2016 class.
AP Gil' Scott Jackson II, Oaks Christian, Sr.
Thrives under the bright lights; nine TD in three appearances on FOX Sports West/Prime Ticket in 2015.
AP Khalil Tate, Serra, Sr.
2,000-yard passer, 2,000-yard rusher, 43 total TD for Superman in 2015.
AP Sean McGrew, St. John Bosco, Sr.
The most explosive piece in what has been one of the most explosive offenses in recent years.
AP Eric Barriere, La Habra, Sr.
Game is never over with the ball in his hands; second Hail Mary TD of season won 7th CIF-SS crown in program history for the Highlanders.
K Manny Berz, Citrus Hill, Jr.
Made 11 straight FG to end the season; 53 touchbacks and also had 14 punts inside the 20 for Inland Division champs.
Defensive Player of the Year: Oluwole Betiku, Serra
Unblockable. Dominant. Sack master. Fill in the blank for any adjective to best describe a defensive end imposing his will on opposing offenses. Betiku was schemed against as opposing offensive coordinators designed ways to run plays away from him. The two-time Mission League lineman of the year still found himself in the backfield creating havoc with the strength to bulldoze his way through blockers and the speed to rush past them. The Nigeria native was willing to do whatever it took to make it to America for the chance to play football in 2013. Two years later, it's safe to say he's making the most of his opportunity.
DL Oluwole Betiku, Serra, Sr.
Led PAC-5 in sacks (17) and TFL (28); scary part is FOX Sports West/Prime Ticket Defensive POY is still learning the game.
DL Seleti Fevaleaki, Corona Centennial, Sr.
One Trinity League coach said 'he's a man.'
DL Jacob Callier, St. John Bosco, Jr.
A playmaker on the Braves defensive line, had a two TD performance in PAC-5 semifinals.
DL Cedric Muzik, Redondo Union, Sr.
Fifth in the CIF-SS with 31 TFL, also added 15 sacks to help Seahawks reach first semifinal since 1997.
LB Matt Shotwell, Bishop Diego, Sr.
Far from a vacation for those who came in contact with the best LB in Santa Barbara.
LB Greg Holt, Linfield Christian, Sr.
Led CIF-SS in tackles (209) and TFL (40.5) for Northwest Division runner-up.
LB Joshua Brown, Long Beach Poly, Jr.
Led Jackrabbits defense with 121 tackles and 14 TFL.
DB Jalen Cole, Mater Dei, Jr.
Physical and talented enough to shutdown an entire side of the field.
DB Lee Pitts, Oaks Christian, Sr.
Teammate Michael Pittman Jr. called him 'the best technical corner' he's ever gone against. Seven INT tied for PAC-5 lead.
DB Chacho Ulloa, Corona Centennial, Sr.
The anchor of the best secondary in Centennial history under head coach Matt Logan.
DB Traveon Beck, St. John Bosco, Sr.
Set Bosco single season INT record with seven, tied for PAC-5 lead, too.
AP Mekhi Ware, Culver City, Jr.
Averaged a pick a game. Let that marinate. And returned two for six.
AP Quentin Lake, Mater Dei, Jr.
Key cog in what could be best secondary in CIF-SS in 2016.
AP Brandon Shook, Westlake, Sr.
Co-defensive lineman of the year in the Marmonte League had 21 TFL and 13 sacks for first year head coach Tony Henney.
AP Arthur Kaslow, Calabasas, Sr.
Former basketball player sparked Coyotes run to first CIF-SS title with 118 tackles and 30 TFL
P Max Gilliam, Thousand Oaks, Sr.
The Cal QB commit nearly set school record while averaging over 40 yards per punt. Also threw 40 TD.
