There was little suspense as to who was going to garner top honors when the East Bay Athletic League held its post-season all-league meeting. For the Mountain Division, the Most Valuable Player choice was Henry To'oto'o, a two-way standout for De La Salle who is among the most coveted recruits in the nation.
To'oto'o is an impact player on both sides of the ball, as both the top linebacker in the North Coast Section and one of the top running backs when utilized offensively. With limited carries in the regular season, To'oto'o averaged nearly nine yards per carry, but his best game came in the one where the Spartans needed him the most, running for 136 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-21 win over Bishop Gorman.
His impact at linebacker, however, is a weekly one, as the captain of one of De La Salle's top defenses over the past decade. With To'oto'o leading the way, De La Salle held opponents to fewer than 10 points per game, and shutout top opponents such as Folsom, Monte Vista, California and Pittsburg.
Aside from To'oto'o earning the top award, a handful of players earned first-team all-EBAL status on both sides of the ball. Those athletes include Nate Rutchena, Tristan Sinclair and David Hayward.
Here is the complete EBAL-Mountain Division all-league team.
FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE
QB - Jack Stewardson (Monte Vista)
RB - Shamar Garrett (DLS), Tristan Sinclair (San Ramon Valley)
WR - Nate Rutchena (MV), Grant Daley (DLS)
TE - Cameron Fitzpatrick (Cal)
OL - Austin Anderson (Cal), Gunnar Rask (DLS), David Hayward (MV), Colin Moroney (SRV), Mike Puckett (DLS)
SP - Jahmal Cornwell (Cal)
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
DL - Isaiah Foskey (DLS), Beaux Tagaloa (DLS), David Hayward (MV), Beau Garratt (SRV)
LB - Henry To'oto'o (DLS), Tristan Sinclair (SRV), Jhasi Wilson (DLS), Connor Shay (MV)
DB - Amir Wallace (DLS), Nate Rutchena (MV), Clay Facteau (SRV)
K - Matt Hoffman (MV)
SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE
QB - Dorian Hale (DLS)
RB - Josh Shields (Foothill), Gavin Cribb (MV)
WR - Gary Wendschlag (Cal), Matt Prochaska (MV)
TE - Isaiah Foskey (DLS)
OL - Adam Newman (Cal), Dylan Lawlor (MV), Carlos Cerdas (F), Nick Leusing (SRV), Carson Tietman (MV)
SP - Jacob Oliphant (MV)
SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
DL - Nate Anderson (Cal), Carlos Cerdas (F), Elijah Blockmon (F), Gunnar Rask (DLS)
LB - Julian Iribarren (Cal), David Hsia (Cal), Deuce Palmer (SRV), Richard Faihius (DLS)
DB - Taveis Marshall (DLS), Caden Stewart (SRV), Kinan Alatasi (Cal)
K - Jackson Foster (SRV)
HONORABLE MENTION
QB - Matt McCready (Cal), Bryce Lombardi (F)
RB - Jason Javier (SRV)
TE - James Parisi (F)
LB - Vincent Schillaci (F)
K - Josh Shields (F)
