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Font ResizeTrent Mahler
SCHOOL: Concord
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Defensive line
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1/195
THE STAT LINE: There might not have been a more complete defensive lineman in Bay Area, as Mahler recorded an astounding 168 tackles and 22 sacks. He did that playing nearly every snap of every game on both the offensive and defensive line.
Austin Hooper
SCHOOL: De La Salle
YEAR: Junior
POSITION: Defensive line
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4/233
THE STAT LINE: Hooper burst onto the scene as a sack artist for the Spartans, recording 101/2 sacks to go with 46 tackles. He'll return next year to help anchor what should be another talented De La Salle defense.
T.J. Daniel
SCHOOL: Bishop O'Dowd
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Defensive line
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-7/230
THE STAT LINE: The Oregon-bound Daniel was a beast off the edge, racking up 63 tackles and 71/2 sacks for an O'Dowd team that won the Hayward Area Athletic League title.
Mitch Frentescu
SCHOOL: Las Lomas
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Defensive line
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-3/260
THE STAT LINE: A two-way mauler that commanded double and triple teams, Frentescu was one of the big men up front that helped the Knights reach the NCS Division II playoffs.
Michael
SCHOOL: De La Salle
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Linebacker
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1/211
THE STAT LINE: Barton was the unquestioned leader of one of De La Salle's all-time best defenses, stepping into a key role as a leader and primary playmaker. He recorded 103 tackles and three sacks, and will play at Cal next season.
Hardy Nickerson Jr.
SCHOOL: Bishop O'Dowd
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Linebacker
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1/220
THE STAT LINE: Nickerson, who will play at Cal -- the alma mater of his dad, Hardy Nickerson -- was a hard-hitting force who led the Dragons defense with 153 tackles.
Vince Graziano
SCHOOL: Campolindo
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Linebacker
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-10/220
THE STAT LINE: Graziano led the Cougars' front seven that proved capable of shutting down strong offenses, particularly in their run to the NCS Division III championship.
D'hari Curtis-Webster
SCHOOL: Pittsburg
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Linebacker
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-9/220
THE STAT LINE: Curtis-Webster recorded 64 tackles in the regular season and was named the defensive MVP of the BVAL, leading the Pirates as they reached the NCS Division I semifinals.
Griffin Piatt
SCHOOL: Campolindo
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Defensive back
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-3/180
THE STAT LINE: Piatt tied for the team lead with 12 interceptions as a key member of one of the top secondaries in the area for the NCS Division III champions.
Bo Banks
SCHOOL: Encinal
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Defensive back
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1/165
THE STAT LINE: Banks was the Bay Shore Athletic League Offensive and Defensive MVP and had nine interceptions for the BSAL champions and NCS semifinalists.
Josh Jenkins
SCHOOL: De La Salle
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Defensive back
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1/184
THE STAT LINE: One of the biggest reasons teams struggled to pass against the Spartans was Jenkins' ability to take away an entire side of the field. He recorded two interceptions, recovered three fumbles and also contributed at receiver.
Karl Thornton
SCHOOL: Campolindo
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Defensive back
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-11/185
THE STAT LINE: Thornton matched Griffin Piatt with 12 interceptions for a team that had 45 on the season, a key reason the Cougars made a run to the CIF Division III state championship game.
Anthony Williams
SCHOOL: De La Salle
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Utility
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1/187
THE STAT LINE: Whether it was as a receiver, safety or returner, Williams was De La Salle's most electrifying playmaker with the ball in his hands. He scored 11 total touchdowns, and his diving interception in the CIF Open Division bowl game was one of the season's best plays.
