The Times' All-Star high school football team for 2022 - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

The Times’ All-Star football team

Peyton Waters of Birmingham reaches up for an interception.
Peyton Waters of Birmingham looks like he’s going to make a great catch. He does to make an interception against Venice.
(Craig Weston)
Share via

A look at The Times’ All-Star football team for the 2022 season:

Offense

Quarterback: Elijah Brown, Santa Ana Mater Dei, 6-2, 185, Jr. — Brown completed 68.1% of his passes for 2,785 yards and 31 touchdowns, with four interceptions, and is 29-1 as a starting quarterback the last three seasons.

Running back: Damian Henderson, Los Alamitos, 6-3, 190, Sr. — The Colorado State commit was almost unstoppable carrying the ball, using his size, strength and speed to rush for 1,744 yards and 23 touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards a carry.

Running back: Dijon Stanley, Granada Hills, 6-1, 175, Sr. — The Utah commit with the eye-catching 400-meter track speed didn’t get caught by many, rushing for nearly 2,800 yards for the City Section Division I champions.

Advertisement

Wide receiver: Xavier Jordan, L.A. Cathedral, 6-0, 160, Jr. — He averaged 19.6 yards per catch on 83 receptions for 1,626 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Wide receiver: Makai Lemon, Los Alamitos, 6-0, 180, Sr. — The USC commit caught 69 passes for 1,044 yards and 12 touchdowns as one of the most elusive and explosive offensive players.

Wide receiver: Peyton Waters, Birmingham, 6-2, 170, Jr. — He caught 60 passes, including 11 for touchdowns while averaging 18 yards a reception for the City champions and also started at cornerback (four interceptions).

Advertisement

Granada Hills running back Dijon Stanley is The Times’ prep football player of the year. A look at the 24-player team plus back, lineman and coach of the year.

Dec. 18, 2022

Offensive lineman: Brandon Baker, Mater Dei, 6-5, 285, Jr. — The dominant offensive tackle proved himself to be one of the best blockers in the state.

Offensive lineman: Raymond Pulido, Apple Valley, 6-6, 330, Sr. — The Arizona commit controlled, pushed and punished defenders with his size, strength and agility.

Offensive lineman: Elishah Jackett, El Modena, 6-6, 265, Sr. — The Washington commit helped El Modena go 11-1 as a dominant blocker.

Advertisement

Offensive lineman: Luke Baklenko, Oaks Christian, 6-6, 300, Sr. — The Stanford commit was a punishing blocker at offensive tackle and Marmonte League offensive lineman of the year.

Offensive lineman: Eugene Brooks, Sierra Canyon, 6-5, 375, Jr. — The co-Mission League lineman of the year helped the Trailblazers win the Southern Section Division 2 championship.

Kicker: Ryon Sayeri, Chaminade, 6-1, 150, Jr. — He made 13 of 16 field goals and all 50 conversion kicks while also averaging 49 yards on punts.

Defense

Defensive lineman: Sinn Brennan, Los Alamitos, 6-5, 235, Sr. — The San Diego State commit recorded seven sacks as a dependable pass rusher.

Defensive lineman: Matayo Uiagalelei, St. John Bosco, 6-5, 265, Sr. — An edge rusher and dependable tight end, the Oregon commit’s athleticism made him a marked man for the No. 1 Braves.

Defensive lineman: Jaggar Tavai, Gardena Serra, 6-0, 285, Sr. — The co-Mission League lineman of the year had 40 tackles, including three sacks.

Advertisement

Linebacker: Leviticus Su’a, Mater Dei, 6-1, 220, Sr. — The leader for Mater Dei’s outstanding defense, Su’a was an imposing figure in the middle, leading the team in tackles while earning Trinity League MVP honors.

Linebacker: Chase Martin, Thousand Oaks, 6-1, 210, Sr. — The Boise State commit finished with a team-leading 131 tackles and was considered the best player in the Canyon League for the 10-1 Lancers.

Linebacker: Nasir Wyatt, Mater Dei, 6-2, 200, So. — Wyatt recorded 13 sacks for the 12-1 Monarchs and had 27 tackles for losses.

Linebacker: Deven Bryant, St. John Bosco, 6-0, 210, Sr. — The Washington commit ran around the field like a free safety in disrupting offenses and leading the Braves in tackles.

Defensive back: Rodrick Pleasant, Gardena Serra, 5-11, 185, Sr. — The fastest player in the state lived up to expectations, recording four interceptions and three kickoffs returned for touchdowns.

Defensive back: Ty Lee, St. John Bosco, 6-3, 190, Sr. — The UCLA commit was a model of consistency, whether coming up to make tackles, covering receivers or blitzing to pressure quarterbacks.

Advertisement

Defensive back: Marquis Gallegos, Chaminade, Jr. — The free safety finished as his team’s second-leading tackler with 86 while making seven interceptions.

Defensive back: Daylen Austin, Long Beach Poly, 6-2, 180, Sr. — The Oregon commit had three interceptions for the 10-1 Jackrabbits playing cornerback.

Punter: Dieter Kelly, Orange Lutheran, 5-10, 195, Sr. — Kelly averaged 37.6 yards per punt and also made eight of 12 field goals and 30 of 30 on PATs.

Advertisement