19 Gauchos earn all-conference

The Saddleback football program learned this week that 19 players from the 2017 squad had earned All-National Division Southern League status following the season.  A total of seven Gauchos made the first team and 12 the second after an 8-3 season.

Saddleback had yet another successful season on the field, finishing in second place in the Southern League and making it to the SoCal semifinals where they put up a great fight against the top seed before falling 33-21.  With success comes recognition, and the Gauchos had plenty to go around when the all-conference teams were named this past weekend.

Four different Saddleback players were named to the first team offense and three more to the first team defense in 2017.  Babak Ghadaksaz (OC), Tim Anderson (OT), Clinton Allen (WR) and Emari Demercado (RB) were all selected on the offensive side of the ball while Chris Evagues (DE), Donte Hamilton (S) and DaQu'an Davis (KR) were selected for defense. 

The second team selections were deep as 12 different Gauchos were selected, with five coming from the offensive side of the ball and seven from the defense.  Both of Saddleback's quarterbacks, Cam Humphrey and Max Gilliam, made the second team offense along with Korey Mariboho (OL), Mateo Thompson (K) and Chris Spiering (AP).  The defensive selections were numerous, with Kimani Keith (DT), Jake Hudson (DE), Zachary Brumbaugh (LB), Brad Toepfer (LB), Darryl Wyrick (CB), Kyle Corder (CB) and Harrison Avila (P) all making the squad.