Vaughn headlines all-league selections
The Saddleback football team was well-represented with players on the All-National Division Southern League Team, which was selected by the coaches this past week. Kanious Vaughn headlined the selections, being named the Southern League Defensive MVP.
Vaughn had a big season for Saddleback, finishing with 11 sacks and 15 tackles-for-loss. He tied a program record for sacks in a game when he recorded five against Golden West College on October 22. Vaughn's 11 sacks tied him for the fourth most sacks in the state of California in 2022 while his 15 tackles-for-loss ranked ninth.
Joining Vaughn on the Southern League First Team were Jack St. Fleur (LB), Kapena Gushiken (DB), Roee Lachmish (OL), Jake Thomas (RB) and Jamari Ferrell (AP).
St. Fleur led the team with 59 tackles for the season. He was third on the team in tackles-for-loss (5.5) and fifth in pass break-ups (3).
Gushiken was a pillar of consistency on the back end, leading the team in pass break-ups (6) while recording 22 tackles and one interception.
Lachmish spearheaded an offensive line that showed consistent progress throughout the season. The Bobcats finished 31st in the state in rushing and had a game down the stretch where they rushed for 322 yards against Southwestern.
Thomas made the team as a running back while Ferrell made the team as an all-purpose selection. Thomas rushed for 333 yards and two scores on the ground while finishing with four receptions for 61 yards and another score through the air. Ferrell led the team with 453 yards rushing and three scores on the ground while catching 15 balls as a receiver.
Six more players from the 2022 squad were listed as second team selection with Hiram deFries-Saronitman (LB), Joseph Hall (DL) and Austin McKinney (DB) making it from the defensive side of the ball and Will Leys (OL), Billy Durocher (TE) and Daniel Stokes (WR) making it for the offense.
In addition to the offensive and defensive selection, three more players from the team made the All-Southern League Team as specialists. Connor Grace made the team as a kicker while Simeon Marton was named as a punt return specialist and Jordan Smith as a kick return specialist.
Grace led the team in scoring in 2022 with 51 total points. His 48-yard field goal against Golden West tied for the fifth longest field goal in Saddleback history.
Marton led the team with eight punt returns for the year, which included a season-best, 54-yard return against San Diego Mesa College.
Smith finished with nine kick returns for 232 yards for the year, finishing 16th in the state with a 25.8 average. He recorded a season-best, 49-yard return against Ventura College.