While we are not able to provide an extensive CIF Northern Section preseason first and second teams this year, we do have a list of top five players at the start of the season. This is based on projected team success, stats from last year, recruiting service player rankings and more.
Jaret Bridwell of Red Bluff was a tackling machine during his junior season for the Spartans. Photo: Red Bluff High School Football / Facebook.com.
For a look at our most recently posted preseason all-section team, CLICK HERE.
For a look at the first 25 teams in our Preseason State TOP 50, CLICK HERE.
1. Koby Johnson
(Enterprise, Redding) 5-10, 185, RB, Jr.
The younger brother of recent Enterprise QB standout J.J. Johnson (now at Shasta College) has an offer from Sacramento State. Koby had a breakout soph season as he rushed for 1,673 yards and 14 TDs. He was more of a receiver as a freshman with 32 catches for 381 yqrds and four TDs.
2. Jaret Bridwell (Red Bluff) 5-11, 205, DB, Sr.
He led the section in reported tackles as a junior with 173, including 23 for loss, and he was our NorCal Defensive Player of the Week at one point. Bridwell, a three-sport athlete, also rushed for 10 TDs on offense.
3. Wyatt Shaw
(Redding Christian, Palo Cedro) 6-3, 190, QB, Sr.
He’s returning to lead the Lions after passing for 3,231 yards and a massive 55 TDs. They won the CIF D7-AA state title with a 30-21 triumph over Woodbridge of Irvine. Wyatt went 21 of 30 for 205 yards in that game. The team will take a 15-game win streak into this season after finishing 15-0 after the final win.
4. Adan Rodriguez (Red Bluff) 6-1, 295, OL, Sr.
He’s been a four-year mainstay with the Spartans and has been on the All-Northern Section team all three years so far in his career. Adan was a first team all-section pick the past two seasons.
5. Darren Goodman (Redding Christian, Palo Cedro) 6-4, 210, TE/DE, Sr.
Based on their schedule and the players they have back like QB Wyatt Shaw, Goodman and more, the Lions are likely to go 10-0 in the regular season, win another section title and then sit back and wonder how high the CIF might place them in the regional/state playoffs. Goodman has been a TE/DE monster the past two seasons. Last season, he had 42 receptions for 865 yards and 15 TDs plus 85 tackles and 12.5 sacks on defense. The year before that, Darren had 17 sacks and caught 59 passes for 930 yards and 14 scores.
Some Others We Almost Wrote Up
John Bernardez (Chico) QB Jr.
Karter Brooks (Enterprise, Redding) LB Jr.
Wyatt Gillett (Los Molinos) RB/LB Sr.
Andrew Ortiz (Chico) LB Sr.
Nolan Shirley (Gridley) DL Jr.
Micah Skinner (Redding Christian, Palo Cedro) DB Sr.
Brayden Wynkoop (Pleasant Valley, Chico) QB Sr.
Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow Mark on the Cal-Hi Sports Twitter handle: @CalHiSports
