All-CIF-SS: Aaron Ramirez named D12 player of the year, 18 other valley players recognized
Aaron Ramirez was named the Division 12 CIF Southern Section player of the year and 18 other players from the Coachella Valley were selected to the All-CIF-SS team in a historic showing for the valley.
The 19 All-CIF-SS players selected were the most from the valley in at least a decade. The recognition follows a memorable season in the valley, which included Rancho Mirage winning an outright Desert Empire League title as well as Yucca Valley winning an outright Desert Valley League championship and reaching the Division 12 title game.
The season also included four valley teams (Yucca Valley, Coachella Valley, Desert Hot Springs and Xavier Prep) reaching the semifinals in their respective divisions for the first time.
Ramirez, a junior running back at Coachella Valley High School, ran for a school-record 2,528 yards and 34 touchdowns in leading the Arabs to the Division 12 semifinals. He averaged 13 yards per carry, scored six receiving touchdowns and returned a pair of kickoffs for scores.
Joining Ramirez on the Division 12 All-CIF-SS team were teammates Mikey Rodriguez, a receiver who caught a school single-season record 69 passes for 1,054 yards and 15 touchdowns, cornerback Angel Lavalley, safety Francisco Ferratt and linemen Reymundo Pena and Marcos Ceja.
Also, on the All-CIF-SS Division 12 team were Yucca Valley’s Myles and Malachi Harper and linemen Aiden Solis and Joseph Natzel. The Trojans reached the division title game, falling just short of a championship. Myles Harper ran for a school-record 1,905 yards and 28 touchdowns while also recording 162 tackles.
In Division 13, Desert Hot Springs was represented by three selections. Those honored were quarterback Messiah Smith, running back Christian Davis and linebacker Jaire Broach. The three played starring roles for a Golden Eagles’ squad that won the school’s first playoff game and reached the division semifinals.
Xavier Prep, which reached the Division 10 semifinals, was represented by four selections in the division. Braden Cervello, who led the valley with nine interceptions — tied for the fifth-most in the state — and also played receiver, kicker and punter, was joined by standout defensive end Kyle Hill, who is committed to UC Davis, linebacker Jesus Pazos and Tyson Ruiz, a four-year starter who played all over the field.
La Quinta defensive lineman Gabriel Duran was also selected to the Division 10 squad. Linebacker Abel Flores of Rancho Mirage was the lone Rattler selected in Division 9.
Andrew John covers sports in the Coachella Valley for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Aaron Ramirez leads group of Palm Springs area All-CIF-SS football selections
