Here’s the bad news: Black Hat Football’s founder Richard T. Estrada died of a massive heart attack this Sunday morning. The good news is that Saturday night he had picked his 209 Black Hat Football Players of the Year for 2025. Anybody who knew The Hat knew he had terrible handwriting. But thanks to the help of his friend and long-time sports writing colleague Will DeBoard (the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section’s current assistant commissioner), his messy notes were transcribed. Estrada launched Black Hat Football in December 2012, and this is his 14th and final high school football team of the year for the 209 area code. Most Valuable Player — Wes Burford, Oakdale Offensive Player of the Year – Kenneth Moore III, St. Mary’s Defensive POY –- Steven Morfoot, Sonora Lineman of the Year – Avery Michael, Turlock Junior of the Year - Nikko Juarez, RB, Manteca Sophomore of the Year – Elijah Walker, QB, Chavez QB – Eli Ingalls, Sonora QB – Jaden Galvan, St. Mary’s RB – Elias Haynes, Downey RB – Brayden Camara, East Union RB – Darnell Holmes, Stagg RB – Cash Byington, Sonora WR – Ivan Huerta, St. Mary’s WR – Yuvraj Balagan, Kimball WR – Langdon Horace, Edison WR – Sylas Austin, Atwater OL – Mason Dunn – St. Mary’s OL – Broden Bush, Oakdale OL – Daniel Mataele, Patterson OL – Leo Morfin, Central Catholic OL – Brodie Lundgren, St. Mary’s K – Rigo Estrella, Sonora Utility – Jackson Fay, East Union DL – Maxwell Moore, Tracy DL- Francis Taamu, Edison DL – Nathan Mockey, Downey DL – Jake Lucatello, St. Mary’s DL – Xyloh Kuresa, Manteca LB – Fallon Barquet, Lincoln LB – Brandon Peel, Merced LB – Donovan Muirbrook, Turlock LB – Damarion McDonald, Chavez LB – Mathieu Evans, Manteca LB – Royale Tago, Patterson LB – Desmond Sanders, Edison LB – Case Borges, Tracy LB – Gavin Wyatt, Oakdale DB – Jaden Harris, Manteca DB – Beau Kesterson, Oakdale DB – Mason Eagal, St. Mary’s DB – Chase Perino, Central Catholic DB – Amos Cady, Ripon Christian

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