A quick look at this past season’s Half Moon Bay roster, and it is immediately clear that this was a program in rebuilding mode, a year removed from an undefeated run through regular season and a CCS title.

Despite the youth up and down their roster, the Cougars won three of their first four games, were competitive in the PAL-Bay, and lost by just one point to eventual CCS Division IV champion Burlingame. With multiple freshmen and sophomores contributing on the field this year, it will be no surprise to see Half Moon Bay once again become a playoff fixture in the next couple seasons.

One such underclassman was freshman Quinn McCauley, a 5-foot-8 slot back and defensive back who wasted no time making himself known to the Cougars’ staff.

“We knew we had to look at him during the summer, and after our first passing league game, we knew he would be playing varsity football,” said Half Moon Bay coach Keith Holden. “He is a great kid, a total warrior. It’s great to see him get recognized.”

McCauley came up with an interception from his safety position in the first game of his high school career, a 42-3 win over Jefferson, and really turned heads two games later. During a 26-7 win over San Mateo, he carried the ball 17 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns, while adding three tackles on defense.

“We initially wanted to play him on just one side of the ball, but we lacked depth and he proved he could handle it,” Holden said. “He likes to work hard, conditioned himself well, and it turned out that we needed him not only on both sides of the ball, but special teams as well.”

McCauley’s season was cut somewhat short, as an injury suffered against Sacred Heart Prep caused him to miss the final two regular season games, against Menlo-Atherton and Terra Nova, but the mark left by his early impact is clearly visible. He had four catches for 73 yards in a loss to Menlo, and even threw for a score in the one-point loss to Burlingame. In the loss to Sacred Heart Prep, he was on the receiving end of the team’s only touchdown.

All of those varsity highlights come from a player who still has three years of high school football remaining.

“I expect him, knowing his personality, to be a leader in training, and that all of his commitment will show on Friday nights again next season,” Holden added.

For his efforts throughout this season, we are pleased to recognize Quinn McCauley as the Prep2Prep Central Coast Section Freshman of the Year.

Other players considered include Ann Sobrato’s Jacob Zamora, Carmel's Amir Brown and Menlo-Atherton’s Thomas Taufui.