PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Cierre Wood, Santa Clara, Running back

Stardom came calling for the junior running back in 2007. Wood scored 42 touchdowns, rushed for 2,612 yards on a mere 178 carries, caught seven passes for 191 yards, excelled at cornerback with 50 tackles and three interceptions and, oh yes, led his program to its first CIF-Southern Section championship in 42 years. Wood averaged 14.7 yards per carry and 200.9 yards per game in sparking the Saints to an 11-1-1 record, the Frontier League title and the Mid-Valley Division championship. Wood was named the league and Mid-Valley Division Player of the Year. The top-notch athlete, a first-team, all-county choice, now joins the Saints basketball team.

THE STAR’S FIRST TEAM

Chris Brown, Newbury Park, Running back

Talk about your impact players. Brown turned the traditional pass-happy Panthers into a run-first offense. He also helped turn Newbury Park into Marmonte League champions for the first time since 1998. The junior running back proved to be an instant and season-long hit, in becoming the cornerstone of the Panthers' offense. The speedy 6-foot-1, 185-pounder led the Marmonte League in rushing with 1,904 yards and 22 touchdowns on 318 carries. His rushing total was a school record and were his 24 touchdowns. Brown also caught 33 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, he notched an interception and fumble recovery.

David Brown, Nordhoff, Kicker

One of the prime weapons for a Rangers' team that won a share of the Tri-Valley League championship and finished as the runner-up in the CIF-Southern Section Northwest Division was Brown's accurate right leg. The 5-10 senior, indeed, proved to be one of the top weapons in the state in kicking 15 field goals (in 19 attempts) with 34 PATs and 79 total points. The Rangers' clutch kicker provided the winning field goal in three victories, including a 23-20 victory over Nipomo in the playoffs. He also provided the game-winning points in a vital win over Tri-Valley League rival Oak Park and has a long field goal of 54 yards. Brown is a first-team, all-leage and all-county selection. He's undecided on a college choice.

Vaughn Dotsy, St. Bonaventure, Lineman

At the vanguard of the Seraphs' offensive success was the large and gifted senior. At 6-foot-5, 350 pounds, Dotsy cleared the way for Darrell Scott to rush for over 2,500 yards, quarterback Casey Serna to throw for over 1,000 yards, the offense to average over 36 points per game and for St. Bonaventure to win its ninth CIF-Southern Section championship. Dotsy, also a talented shot put and discus thrower for the Seraphs' track and field team, is a two-team, all-county selection and a member of the all-Channel League squad.

Kevin Graf, Agoura, Lineman

Good bloodlines are paying off for the Chargers' standout junior. Kevin is the son of former USC offensive lineman Allan Graf, and appears headed on a similar path to success. The 6-foot-6, 300-pounder is a first-team, all-Marmonte League and all-county selection and is also a member of the 2007 Nike Underclassmen All-American team. Among other honors, he was selected to the All-State Sophomore Team and is listed among the Rivals.com and Scott top 100 players. Graf is nimble enough to be an accomplished basketball player.

Malcolm Jones, Oaks Christian, Running back

All that, and only a sophomore. The 6-foot, 205-pound running back already ranks among the top running backs in Southern California, and has hefty numbers to prove it. As a 10th grader, in his first year as a starting tailback, Jones rushed for 2,045 yards and 29 touchdowns, while averaging nearly nine yards a carry. Last year's State Freshman of the Year also is a key reason why the Lions won their fifth successive CIF-Southern Section championship this season. Jones, who also excels at linebacker on defense, helps out youngsters in his spare time. He is a referee for youth basketball leagues.

Tim Ketaily, Newbury Park, Lineman

The magical season for the Panthers started up front, and Ketaily was the clearcut leader of the team's talented offensive line. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound senior cleared the way for running back Chris Brown to run for over 1,900 yards, quarterback Colby Cameron to throw for over 2,500 yards and for Newbury Park to win its first Marmonte League championship since 1998. The two-time, first-team all-Marmonte League selection is the all-county Lineman of the Year. He also led his school to its first victory in the Hogs Tournament. Ketaily intends to play football at UC Davis.

Blayne Lewis, St. Bonaventure, Wide receiver

The explosive senior was a key cog in a Seraphs' offense that topped the county's large schools in scoring at 36.5 points per game and won the CIF-State Division III championship bowl game. The 5-10, 150-pounder grabbed 24 catches for 693 yards, good for an average of 28.9 yards per kick. He also scored seven touchdowns. One of his most dramatic outings came in the second round of postseason vs. Westlake, when he caught three passes for 170 yards, including an 84-yard touchdown. Lewis is a first-team selection to the all-Channel League and all-county squads.

Ryan Murry, Moorpark, Wide receiver

The top target for quarterback Adam Barry, Murry became one of the top receivers in the region with a prolific senior season. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder ranked second in the county in yards and receptions in grabbing 64 passes for 851 yards with seven touchdowns. The receiving yards rank No. 4 among Moorpark's single-season records. Murry, who is undecided on a college choice, has a number of postseason honors. He is a first-team, all-Marmonte League and all-county choice. His efforts in the classroom include status on the school's Honor Roll.

Curtis Peterson, Westlake, Wide receiver

Westake's potent offense owned much of its success to the explosive senior. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder led all county receivers in receptions and yardage with 65 catches for 1,098 yards, good for a 16.9 average per catch. Peterson also notched 10 touchdowns. After Westlake finished second in the Marmonte League and advanced to the second round of the Northern Division playoffs, Peterson corraled a host of postseason honors. He is a first-team, all-league selection and was named as the receiver of the year on the all-county squad. He has not named a college choice.

Christopher Potter, Oaks Christian, Utility

There may be no more versatile player than Potter, who was a standout wide receiver last season, became the starting quarter this year and also excels as a kick returner and defensive back. He's also a key reason why the Lions rolled up their fifth successive CIF-Southern Section championship. As a senior, the 5-foot-11, 170-pounder passed for 1,907 yards and 21 touchdowns, and rushed for 845 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also picked up nine interceptions on defense. As the quarterback, Potter completed 120 of 189 pass attempts with just nine interceptions. Potter, who will next play at Boise State, is the Tri-Valley League's Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team, all-county choice.

Kacey Reed, Nordhoff, Lineman

There's at least one good reason why the Rangers' offense was one of the top rushing offenses in the region this season. Make that one big reason. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Reed was a veritable power driver that opened up the holes for top-flight running backs Damian Kaiser and Chris Gibson, who combined for more than 2,100 rushing yards. The rush offense, in turn, helped the Rangers claim a share of the Tri-Valley League championship and reach the title game in the section's Northwest Division. Reed, whose brother Micah is a lineman at UCLA, is the Frontier League's Most Valuable Lineman and is a first-team selection to the all-county team.

Marcus Sanchez, Camarillo, Quarterback

Sanchez went from third string as a junior to first-rate this season. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound senior became the region's most prolific passer in throwing for 2,620 yards and 21 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. His best asset was accuracy as he completed 196 of 316 passes for a percentage of .620. With Sanchez leading the offense, the Scorpions went 7-4, and advanced to the first round of the Northern Division before losing a thriller to Westlake, 23-20. The all-Pacific View and all-county selection is considering attending either Moorpark College or Ventura College next fall.

Darrell Scott, St. Bonaventure, Running back

Winning and Scott go hand and hand. So does stellar numbers. After helping Moorpark High reach back-to-back CIF-Southern Section championship games the previous two seasons, Scott helped his new team go one better. Make that two better. St. Bonaventure won the Northern Division championship, and followed with a 35-21 victory over Modesto Catholic Central in the CIF-State Division III championship bowl game. Scott rushed for 2,433 yards and 37 touchdowns, including 150 yards and a pair of touchdown in the state bowl game. For his career, Scott finishes with 7,605 yards and 99 touchdowns. The all-CIF-Southern Section selection now ponders a list of colleges that includes Texas, Florida, LSU and Colorado.

Victor Singh, Oxnard, Lineman

As the Yellowjackets averaged nearly 30 points a game and rolled up an undefeated Pacific View League championship, the 6-foot-2, 250-pound senior was a major force on the offensive line. With Singh clearing the way, Oxnard posted four rushers with over 600 yards, led by Sam McCowan with 990 yards. Singh is honored as the Lineman of the Year in the Pacific View League, and is a first-team selection to the all-county squad. He excels in academics too, with a 3.5 grade point average and status as a Scholar Athletic. He is undecided on a college choice.