SBLive’s 2021 All-San Diego Section football team

After covering over 20 games and talking to coaches across the section this fall, here is SBLive’s 2021 All-San Diego Section high school football team.

Author:
Bodie De Silva, SBLive
Publish date:
Dec 21, 2021 3:04 PM EST

With the fall 2021 California high school football season in the books, it’s time to hand out some awards.

After covering over 20 games and talking to coaches across the section this fall, here is SBLive’s 2021 All-San Diego Section high school football team. The team was compiled by SBLive reporter Bodie DeSilva.

(Lead photo by Heston Quan)

SBLIVE’S POSTSEASON 2021 ALL-SAN DIEGO SECTION FOOTBALL TEAM

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Jax Leatherwood - Scripps Ranch - Junior

Leatherwood and the Falcons burst onto the scene early in the year after minimal preseason hype, winning their first seven games of the season. Leatherwood led the Falcons to a 13-1 season, capturing the San Diego Section Division 2 Championship and the CIF D2-A State Championship. He passed for over 3,900 yards and tossed 52 touchdown passes and only had two interceptions.

Running Back: Lucky Sutton - Cathedral Catholic - Senior

Sutton had one of the best seasons by a running back in San Diego in recent memory. He finished the season with 2,781 total yards and 41 total touchdowns including a stretch of 958 rushing yards over his final three playoff games. Sutton signed with San Diego State during the early signing period.

Running Back: Christian Washington - Helix - Senior

Washington was one of the county's top backs each of the past two seasons and took his game to another level this season. He had over 2,600 total yards and 34 touchdowns and was held under 100 rushing yards only twice. Washington signed with New Mexico during the early signing period.

Running Back: Elijaih Lux - Patrick Henry - Senior

Lux returned from Texas for his senior season and delivered for the Patriots. He rushed for over 2,000 yards, averaging 11 yards per carry and finished with 23 total touchdowns while leading the Patriots to their first CIF title in school history.

Wide Receiver: Conor Lawlor - Scripps Ranch - Senior

Lawlor took his game to the next level this season, reeling in 78 passes for 1,558 yards from Leatherwood for an average of 20 yards per catch. He had 200 plus yards in each of the Falcons state bowl games while catching six touchdowns. Lawlor's 23 touchdown receptions on the season are the third most in a single season in section history.

Wide Receiver: Jerry McClure - Mater Dei Catholic - Junior

McClure returned to Mater Dei Catholic for his junior season and was one of the best deep threats in San Diego throughout the year. He went over 100 yards receiving in four of the last five games to finish the season and ended the year with 960 yards and eight touchdowns.

Athlete: Savigon Yokley - El Capitan - Senior

Yokley had a huge season for the Vaqueros showcasing his abilities as a dual threat quarterback. He averaged over 150 yards passing per game with 22 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. He also rushed for over 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns and even caught 14 passes and three touchdowns.

Offensive Line: Jonah Rodriguez - Madison - Junior

Rodriguez just finished his third season as a starter at tackle for the Warhawks and consistently finds himself in opponent's backfields. He's one of the state's most coveted linemen in the 2023 class, most recently picking up offers from Syracuse and Colorado State.

Offensive Line: Erik Cole - Cathedral Catholic - Senior

Cole helped pave the way at tackle for Lucky Sutton and the Dons rushing attack as one of the state's top offensive line groups. The Dons averaged over 42 points per game for the season and scored 190 points over their four playoff games.

Offensive Line: Jonah Zimmerman - Oceanside - Senior

Zimmerman has been a dominant pass and rush blocker for the Pirates, showing the ability to play guard and tackle. He's committed to Army.

Offensive Line: Tanner Vielguth - Granite Hills - Senior

Vielguth led the way up front for the Eagles run heavy approach, helping Granite Hills to nearly 200 rushing yards per game and 28 rushing touchdowns.

Offensive Line: Ben Eyer - Mission Hills - Senior

Eyer was a load up front for opponents, leading the Grizzlies offense at center. He cleared out room for the Mission Hills rushing attack throughout the season.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line: Jaxson Moi - Cathedral Catholic - Senior

Moi was a handful for opponents up front, rushing the passer and stopping the run against top teams throughout the season. He signed with Stanford after decommitting from Cal in October.

Defensive Line: Gracen Halton - St. Augustine - Senior

Halton had 75 tackles and 5.5 sacks for the Saints but also showed his athleticism, playing running back, tight end and even flexing out to wide receiver where he caught five touchdown passes. Halton remains committed to Oregon but will wait until February to sign.

Defensive Line: Zach Rowell - Torrey Pines - Senior

Rowell had 48 tackles and five sacks for the Falcons this season, rushing from the edge for the Falcons. He signed with Stanford after picking up offers from several Pac-12 schools.

Defensive Line: Trey White - Eastlake - Senior

White continued his high level production for the Titans this season, collecting 64 tackles and 13 sacks. He finished his career with 26 sacks and signed with San Diego State after picking up double digit offers from schools across the country.

Linebacker: Jayden Virgin - Mt. Carmel - Senior

Virgin did a little of everything for the Sundevils starting with his standout play on defense. He had 75 tackles, 16 sacks, two blocked punts, a forced fumble and an interception. He also rushed for seven touchdowns and caught four touchdowns helping Mt. Carmel to a 10-2 record.

Linebacker: Tre Edwards - Mater Dei Catholic - Junior

Edwards continues to dominate in the middle of the Crusaders defense, helping Mater Dei Catholic to an undefeated state championship while giving up less than nine points per game. Edwards racked up 81 tackles, six sacks and a forced fumble and even caught two touchdowns as a tight end.

Linebacker: Tano Letuli - Cathedral Catholic - Senior

Letuli flew around for the Dons defense the past couple seasons, making punishing tackles from sideline to sideline. Offers from Dartmouth and Lehigh have come in during the past month.

Linebacker: Jaiden Letua - Mission Hills - Senior

Letua was a monster on the Grizzlies defense this season, helping Mission Hills to an Open Division playoff berth. He finished the season with 102 tackles, six sacks and an interception and impressed when he filled in a running back due to injuries in the middle of the year.

Defensive Back: Jahlil Florence - Lincoln - Senior

Florence had a huge year for the Hornets, shutting down the opponent's passing game. He totaled 31 tackles, five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns and a sack over the Hornet's 12 games. Florence also returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown and caught a touchdown in the CIF championship game. He decommitted from Oregon earlier this month and will sign his letter of intent in February.

Defensive Back: Jalil Tucker - Lincoln - Senior

Tucker played all over the field for Lincoln this season, using his top flight speed in all three phases of the game to score five touchdowns. He committed to Oregon in August and signed with the Ducks during the early signing period.

Defensive Back: Jayden Cortell - Eastlake - Senior

Cortell played a huge part on an Eastlake defense that had three shutouts and allowed less than 12 points per game. He had 84 tackles and led all of San Diego with seven interceptions.

Defensive Back: Wyatt Gardner - Torrey Pines - Senior

Gardner had a huge season for the Falcons, grabbing three interceptions and breaking up six passes. He also turned eight of his 16 receptions into touchdowns, averaging 30 yards per catch and scored four touchdowns on the ground. Gardner signed with UC-Davis during the early signing period.