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Meet the first set of Redding-area high school football players on the top 100 watchlist

ethan hanson, redding record searchlight
·8 min read

The sounds of whistles shooting off in the distance from high school fields is growing more emphatic as the sounds of autumn awake from its eight-month slumber.

Cities, towns in the farms, pastures, forests and plains are gearing up for the return of high school football in the North State.

To kick off the season, the Record Searchlight has spent over two weeks attending practices and workouts at 17 schools in Shasta, Tehama, Siskiyou, Trinity, Lassen and Glenn counties.

After talking with coaches, attending practices and watching hours of film, 100 football players have been selected based on their 2022 success and overall growth leading to the 2023 season.

Fall River quarterback Brandon Brown, left, receives protection from teammates Cannon Oiler (12) and Carter Kroschel in their game against Weed on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, in Weed. Fall River won 39-0.
Fall River quarterback Brandon Brown, left, receives protection from teammates Cannon Oiler (12) and Carter Kroschel in their game against Weed on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, in Weed. Fall River won 39-0.

Players representing this list hail from Shasta, Foothill, Enterprise, West Valley, U-Prep, Red Bluff, Anderson, Central Valley, Fall River, Lassen, Orland, Redding Christian, Weed, Yreka, Trinity, Etna, Mount Shasta and Los Molinos.

These 17 schools will receive coverage throughout the 2023-24 season to cover the top athletes and provide wider spread coverage of sports within the North State.

Players representing this list hail from Shasta, Foothill, Enterprise, West Valley, U-Prep, Red Bluff, Anderson, Central Valley, Fall River, Lassen, Orland, Redding Christian, Weed, Yreka, Trinity, Etna, Mount Shasta and Los Molinos.

These 17 schools will receive sports coverage throughout the 2023-24 season to highlight the top athletes in the North State.

This is the first article out of a series of four stories. Be sure to subscribe to the Record Searchlight and follow along with the local sports coverage to discover the top 100 football players in the North State.

Here is the first set of 25 football players ranked, starting from No. 100.

Enterprise sophomore offensive and defensive lineman Jose Rincon is expected to start at center for the Hornets in 2023.
Enterprise sophomore offensive and defensive lineman Jose Rincon is expected to start at center for the Hornets in 2023.

100. Jose Rincon

School: Enterprise

Class: Sophomore

Position: OL/DL

Stats: N/A

Summary: Rincon has big shoes to fill as he takes the starting center job on the offensive line for Bridgewater State University-bound Brayden Thomas. Rincon is quiet but if his skills are anything close to Thomas, the Hornets will have a solid offense to move off in years to come.

Redding Christian junior offensive and defensive lineman Buck Kolb has improved footwork and is becoming one of the Lions locker room leaders.
Redding Christian junior offensive and defensive lineman Buck Kolb has improved footwork and is becoming one of the Lions locker room leaders.

99. Buck Kolb

School: Redding Christian

Class: Sophomore

Position: OL/DL

Stats: N/A

Summary: Kolb hasn't missed a practice and has become one of his team's vocal leaders despite his young age. Redding Christian's depth at the line of scrimmage is older and more improved collectively.

Anderson junior offensive lineman and linebacker Gavin Lockhart will enforce the run game for a Cubs squad that's very young on both sides of the ball.
Anderson junior offensive lineman and linebacker Gavin Lockhart will enforce the run game for a Cubs squad that's very young on both sides of the ball.

98. Gavin Lockhart

School: Anderson

Class: Junior

Position: OL/DL

Stats: N/A

Summary: Lockhart has entered 2023 looking trim and is impressing coaches in the weight room. Cubs should have more depth on the offensive line despite graduating Anthony Arnold who is playing football at Western Oregon.

Weed ATH Wiley Carver brings quickness and consistent hands as a slot receiver and defensive back.
Weed ATH Wiley Carver brings quickness and consistent hands as a slot receiver and defensive back.

97. Wiley Carver

School: Weed

Class: Senior

Position: WR/DB

Stats:

  • Caught 21 passes for 283 yards and one touchdown.

  • Made 21 tackles

Summary: Weed will target Carver more often in 2023 as it attempts to replicate the second-half success the team had in 2023.

Anderson junior Lane Redondo has become a leader of his team's offensive and defensive line.
Anderson junior Lane Redondo has become a leader of his team's offensive and defensive line.

96. Lane Redondo

School: Anderson

Class: Junior

Position: OL/DL

Stats: N/A

Summary: Redondo at 6-foot-2 can move defenders after having a standout year as a blocker.

Redding Christian's Micah Putnam, right is a senior returning ATH who will play wide receiver, return kicks and punts on special teams and play defensive back.
Redding Christian's Micah Putnam, right is a senior returning ATH who will play wide receiver, return kicks and punts on special teams and play defensive back.

95. Micah Putnam

School: Redding Christian

Class: Junior

Position: WR/DB

Stats:

  • Caught nine passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns.

  • Made 22 tackles.

Summary: Putnam showed promise in Redding Christian's first full season of 11-man football. Putnam possesses downhill speed and became a more consistent receiver later in the season.

Anderson sophomore Michael Manley ATH is expected to have a break out year as a wide receiver, running back, kick returner and linebacker.
Anderson sophomore Michael Manley ATH is expected to have a break out year as a wide receiver, running back, kick returner and linebacker.

94. Michael Manley

School: Anderson

Class: Sophomore

Position: WR/DB

Stats:

  • Made 50 tackles and caused a fumble.

Summary: Manley hasn't missed practice and has elevated his game after seeing limited touches on offense last year.

Redding Christian's Gavin Webb, right, tries to tackle a Maxwell player in their game Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Palo Cedro.
Redding Christian's Gavin Webb, right, tries to tackle a Maxwell player in their game Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Palo Cedro.

93. Gavin Webb

School: Redding Christian

Class: Senior

Position: WR/DB

Stats:

  • Rushed for 68 yards.

  • Made 53 tackles.

Summary: Webb plays with high energy and has good foot speed. He'll receive more carries and catch passes for the Lions in 2023.

Red Bluff freshman offensive lineman Adan Rodriguez is expected to start as a left guard in 2023.
Red Bluff freshman offensive lineman Adan Rodriguez is expected to start as a left guard in 2023.

92. Adan Rodriguez

School: Red Bluff

Class: Freshman

Position: OL/DL

Stats: N/A

Summary: Rodriguez will rise up the charts in the next four years after impressing coaches with his strength in the weight room. Rodriguez's power has earned him a starting spot on the offensive line.

Central Valley freshman running back and defensive back Drason Recio holds his shoulder pads after practice on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022.
Central Valley freshman running back and defensive back Drason Recio holds his shoulder pads after practice on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022.

91. Drason Recio

School: Central Valley

Class: Sophomore

Position: ATH

Stats: N/A

Summary: Recio like his brother has natural speed and athleticism that will be utilized by the Falcons as he makes the jump to varsity in 2023.

Enterprise junior wide receiver Ben Silva has made strides as an every down offensive weapon this summer.
Enterprise junior wide receiver Ben Silva has made strides as an every down offensive weapon this summer.

90. Ben Silva

School: Enterprise

Class: Junior

Position: WR/DB

Stats: N/A

Summary: Silva is having a strong summer with his preparation and knowing the playbook as a receiver. Silva will be tasked with being a third or fourth option in the offense to take pressure away from Porter Fischer.

89. Noah Gulstrom

School: Redding Christian

Class: Senior

Position: WR/LB

Stats:

  • Made 100 tackles.

  • Caught 13 receptions for 43 yards.

  • Rushed for 299 yards.

  • Returned an interception for a 60-yard touchdown.

Summary: Gulstrom will look to guide the Lions who have more depth on its offensive and defensive in 2023. He has sound hands and possesses all the leadership qualities to guide Redding Christian to its first 11-man playoff.

Corning junior Quintin Davis is a rising wide receiver and defensive back who will be key in attempting to dethroning Orland as the Butte View League champions.
Corning junior Quintin Davis is a rising wide receiver and defensive back who will be key in attempting to dethroning Orland as the Butte View League champions.

88. Quintin Davis

School: Corning

Class: Junior

Position: WR/DB

Stats: N/A

Summary: Davis is a highly touted junior who is hoping to speed up the tempo and make the Cardinals a more dynamic team on offense.

Foothill junior linebacker Connor McMorris has been called a "dark horse" by coaches with his improvement in the weight room and knowledge of his team's defensive scheme.
Foothill junior linebacker Connor McMorris has been called a "dark horse" by coaches with his improvement in the weight room and knowledge of his team's defensive scheme.

87. Connor McMorris

School: Foothill

Class: Junior

Position: LB

Stats: N/A

Summary: McMorris has quietly crept into the radar after a successful campaign at junior varsity in 2022. McMorris brings leadership and composure similar to graduated senior and 3-year varsity player Caiden Williford. He has good tackling technique with his hands and drives his feet.

Weed linebacker Lucien Regis brings leadership and toughness to a much improved Cougars defensive front.
Weed linebacker Lucien Regis brings leadership and toughness to a much improved Cougars defensive front.

86. Lucien Regis

School: Weed

Class: Senior

Position: QB/DB

Stats:

  • Made 53 tackles including four for loss.

  • Had two sacks and forced a fumble.

Summary: Regis is Weed's returning sack leader after his school overcame the Mill Fire in 2022. The fire came less than two miles from the school and there were questions as to whether Weed would have a sports season. Regis kept the program focused and the Cougars won four of their last five regular-season games.

Fall River junior Isaiah Wortman is the Bulldogs' hardest hitter having led the program in sacks since starting as a freshman.
Fall River junior Isaiah Wortman is the Bulldogs' hardest hitter having led the program in sacks since starting as a freshman.

85. Isaiah Wortman

School: Fall River

Class: Junior

Position: DL/OL

Stats:

  • Made 53 tackles including one for loss.

  • Had three sacks.

Summary: Wortman might seem undersized as a 5-foot-8 lineman but that's the beauty of North State football. There are players who break narratives about size with a firm command of technique and discipline while having the right amount of drive to hurt offenses. That's what Wortman does. He uses outstanding hand techniques to drive blockers back and can lay down hard hits.

West Valley junior ATH Rhilee Crawford will catch passes, play defensive back but also take reps at quarterback as a backup to Puffer.
West Valley junior ATH Rhilee Crawford will catch passes, play defensive back but also take reps at quarterback as a backup to Puffer.

84. Rhilee Crawford

School: West Valley

Class: Junior

Position: ATH

Stats: N/A

Summary: Crawford could see reps at quarterback if the pressure gets to Puffer in the early going. Crawford's work ethic has been praised by his coaches during the offseason. Whether it's throwing or catching passes and playing either cornerback or safety — there's always a spot where Crawford is needed on the field.

Trinity offensive and defensive lineman Hayden Case will lead the Wolves on the offensive line in 2023.
Trinity offensive and defensive lineman Hayden Case will lead the Wolves on the offensive line in 2023.

83. Hayden Case

School: Trinity

Class: Senior

Position: LB/OL

Stats:

  • Made 31 tackles and recovered a fumble.

Summary: Case is Trinity's tone-setter on defense. Look for stronger numbers as he takes on a greater leadership role for the Wolves.

Red Bluff junior Zach Shaver is a 6-foot running back that will pound the ball and eat up yards for the Spartans.
Red Bluff junior Zach Shaver is a 6-foot running back that will pound the ball and eat up yards for the Spartans.

82. Zach Shaver

School: Red Bluff

Class: Junior

Position: RB

Stats: N/A

Summary: Shaver has impressed coaches with his speed and strength in the weight room after playing junior varsity in 2022. Shaver will be a prominent ball carrier in the Spartans' offense.

Fall River senior Carter Kroschel is a constant threat deep down field at receiver and is disciplined at defensive back.
Fall River senior Carter Kroschel is a constant threat deep down field at receiver and is disciplined at defensive back.

81. Carter Kroschel

School: Fall River

Class: Senior

Position: WR/DB

Stats:

  • Rushed for 551 yards and six touchdowns.

  • Caught six receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown.

  • Made 73 tackles.

  • Intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles.

Summary: Kroschel, like his 2022 graduate brother Josh, is a gamer. He stays calm under pressure and makes plays. Kroschel has good hands, keeps his routes sharp and he doesn't miss tackles on defense.

U-Prep senior running back D.J. Maples should receive more carries in 2023 after playing behind rushing yards leader Ryan Dyabb.
U-Prep senior running back D.J. Maples should receive more carries in 2023 after playing behind rushing yards leader Ryan Dyabb.

80. D.J. Maples

School: U-Prep

Class: Senior

Position: RB/DB

Stats:

  • Made 11 tackles in 2023.

Summary: U-Prep coaches are very high on Maples who saw limited playing time at running back behind graduated senior Ryan Dyab. Now Maples will get to show what he can do as the Panthers' premiere running back in 2023.

Shasta junior Austin Powell is an emerging defensive end after finding success at the JV level in 2022.
Shasta junior Austin Powell is an emerging defensive end after finding success at the JV level in 2022.

79. Austin Powell

School: Shasta

Class: Junior

Position: DL/OL

Stats: N/A

Summary: On a list loaded with junior varsity potential, Powell has the opportunity to become a run-stopper similar to Mason Stankey in 2022.

Foothill junior ATH Luke Wyhlidko makes the jump to varsity after an impressive year at the junior varsity level in 2022.
Foothill junior ATH Luke Wyhlidko makes the jump to varsity after an impressive year at the junior varsity level in 2022.

78. Luke Wyhlidko

School: Foothill

Class: Junior

Position: ATH

Stats: N/A

Summary: Wyhlidko was the star that arose from the Cougars junior varsity team in 2022. He follows a similar mold to that of his teammate Borchert. He is quick, has solid hands, is patient when allowing holes to open at running back and has breakaway speed.

Corning junior Kannon Gregorio will see significant time at defensive back and will be a rotational quarterback on offense.
Corning junior Kannon Gregorio will see significant time at defensive back and will be a rotational quarterback on offense.

77. Kannon Gregorio

School: Corning

Class: Junior

Position: QB/DB

Stats: N/A

Summary: Corning has two quarterbacks in previous seasons and Gregorio has the athletic skillset to fit that mold. Quick feet, a solid arm and will also make tackles in the secondary.

Red Bluff junior quarterback Kayden Leaf will take over under center for the Spartans in 2023.
Red Bluff junior quarterback Kayden Leaf will take over under center for the Spartans in 2023.

76. Kayden Leaf

School: Red Bluff

Class: Junior

Position: QB

Stats: N/A

Summary: Red Bluff believes Leaf will be the answer to making itself a more versatile team in the air after utilizing a run-option offense in 2022.

Ethan Hanson started working for the Redding Record Searchlight after four years with the Los Angeles Daily News as a freelancer. His coverage includes working the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament in South Bend, Indiana, and writing about the St. Louis Rams' move to Los Angeles with the Ventura County Star. He began his career as a play-by-play broadcaster for LA Pierce College from 2011-2017. Follow him on Twitter at @EthanAHanson_RS and ethan_a_hanson on Instagram

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Meet the first 25 football players on the Redding-area top 100 list