Here’s the bad news: Black Hat Football’s founder Richard T. Estrada died of a massive heart attack this Sunday morning.
The good news is that Saturday night he had picked his 209 Black Hat Football Players of the Year for 2025.
Anybody who knew The Hat knew he had terrible handwriting. But thanks to the help of his friend and long-time sports writing colleague Will DeBoard (the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section’s current assistant commissioner), his messy notes were transcribed.
Estrada launched Black Hat Football in December 2012, and this is his 14th and final high school football team of the year for the 209 area code.
Most Valuable Player — Wes Burford, Oakdale
Offensive Player of the Year – Kenneth Moore III, St. Mary’s
Defensive POY –- Steven Morfoot, Sonora
Lineman of the Year – Avery Michael, Turlock
Junior of the Year - Nikko Juarez, RB, Manteca
Sophomore of the Year – Elijah Walker, QB, Chavez
QB – Eli Ingalls, Sonora
QB – Jaden Galvan, St. Mary’s
RB – Elias Haynes, Downey
RB – Brayden Camara, East Union
RB – Darnell Holmes, Stagg
RB – Cash Byington, Sonora
WR – Ivan Huerta, St. Mary’s
WR – Yuvraj Balagan, Kimball
WR – Langdon Horace, Edison
WR – Sylas Austin, Atwater
OL – Mason Dunn – St. Mary’s
OL – Broden Bush, Oakdale
OL – Daniel Mataele, Patterson
OL – Leo Morfin, Central Catholic
OL – Brodie Lundgren, St. Mary’s
K – Rigo Estrella, Sonora
Utility – Jackson Fay, East Union
DL – Maxwell Moore, Tracy
DL- Francis Taamu, Edison
DL – Nathan Mockey, Downey
DL – Jake Lucatello, St. Mary’s
DL – Xyloh Kuresa, Manteca
LB – Fallon Barquet, Lincoln
LB – Brandon Peel, Merced
LB – Donovan Muirbrook, Turlock
LB – Damarion McDonald, Chavez
LB – Mathieu Evans, Manteca
LB – Royale Tago, Patterson
LB – Desmond Sanders, Edison
LB – Case Borges, Tracy
LB – Gavin Wyatt, Oakdale
DB – Jaden Harris, Manteca
DB – Beau Kesterson, Oakdale
DB – Mason Eagal, St. Mary’s
DB – Chase Perino, Central Catholic
DB – Amos Cady, Ripon Christian
Getting it done on and off the field is Bret Harte Safety/Linebacker Jack “J-Brix” Brixey. The Angels Camp Athlete is taking some challenging classes. No “Underwater Basketweaving” like Not Yo Daddy’s MLL used to take back in the day. J-Brix doubled NYDMLL’s GPA.
Bret Harte “Hitman” Jack “J-Brix” Brixey with some stats and HUDL highlights from his junior season. Brix and his teammates will be looking to help the Bullfrogs continue to improve and rebuild their program.
SacBees All Metro players came out today: Woodland Christian:
First team offense-
AP #7 Isaiah Hunt
Second team offense -
AP #3Noah Hinkle
Honorable Mention:
offense line- #79 Lincoln Paschke
AP- #1 Oliver Holleman
@OliverHo1leman@wchsgirlshoops @@NorCal_100@Shaun_Holkko
Moving from football 🏈 to basketball 🏀, Sam Stringer is a very talented live sports action photographer. If he is at your game, support his freelance efforts by purchasing some of his work.
J J Brawley of Gregori High School in Modesto with some next level opportunities, this time from Willamette University, which is the oldest college in the Western United States.
“Big Foot Kahuna” Bryson Benites enjoying the sand, surf and sun in Hawaii while the rest of enjoy endured the rain and fog of the valley. The Summerville Senior Kicker accounted for almost half of his team’s points in the Tiki Bowl. Way to represent Tuolumne County
Senior QB Isaiah Hunt from Woodland Christian High School. The Cardinals are the top team of the Sierra Delta League and perennial contenders in the D6 bracket.
Jack “J-Brix” Brixey of Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp getting some attention from The Carleton Knights of Minnesota. Brix and his Bullfrog teammates made progress this year in helping turn the BH FB program around.
Junior QB Cohen Curran led Calaveras to the school’s first ever Section Football Championship and State Championship. He and his Redskin teammates are and will be Legends in the San Andreas community.
Some great shots from Sam Stringer from the D7 Championship between Calaveras and Linden. Full library of photos should be on Maxpreps website available for purchase. Cal/Linden players/parents should check them out. Support freelance photographers.
“Big Foot” Bryson Benites from Summerville High School in Tuolumne County gets to be “Big Kahuna” in Hawaii for a week. The Not Yo Daddy’s MLL Kicker of the Year with a nice honor to represent the SJS in our nation’s 50th State.
Lathrop DB Amaari Harris getting some offers to play at the next level. The Graceland Yellowjackets notable alumni include actor David Yost who was the original Blue Power Ranger and the former Olympic Decathlon Champion Bruce Jenner.