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Rancho Cordova Independent

Cordova Football Earns All-SVC Honors

Dec 01, 2016 12:00AM ● By By Mike Bush

Cordova running back Deante McCullough, seen here rushing against Rosemont in the SVC finale last month, was named to the all-SVC first team. --Photo by Rick Sloan

Cordova Football Earns All-SVC Honors [3 Images] Click Any Image To Expand

One of the benefits of the Cordova High School football team winning a share of the Sierra Valley Conference title is being honored after completion of the season.

A combined 13 Lancer gridders, plus head coach Darrin Nill, earned all-SVC first team, second team and honorable mention picks. Nine of those players were named to the conference’s first team.

Leading the way for the first team was Cordova running back Deante McCullough, who rushed 166 times for 1,493 yards and 17 touchdowns. Another offensive weapon for the Lancers selected was sophomore quarterback Xavier Johnson, who completed 138-of-248 passes for 2,043 yards and 20 touchdowns. He averaged 185.7 yards passing per game.

Rounding out the offensive players making all-SVC was wide receiver Calvin Augusta, a junior who had 51 receptions for 914 yards and eight touchdowns.

Cordova players who made the all-SVC on defense were linebackers Kenny Haney, who led the squad in tackles at 91, and Yusef Pugh, third on the team in tackles at 67.

Earning the all-SVC honor, times two, is junior linebacker Kelechi Njoku, second on the team in tackles at 74. He was also named the SVC’s Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Rounding out the list of all-SVC honors for the Lancers were safety Tyreke Tate, and defensive backs Bryan Estrada and Raymond Fite.

Taking all-SVC second team honors were center Austin McCoy, a sophomore, and linebacker Jason Johnson, a senior.

Making the conference’s honorable mention list were Cordova linebacker Michael Gonzalez and wide receiver Alvin Banks.

“Everybody played an important role throughout the entire season,” Nill said.

Nill was named the conference’s Coach of the Year. In his second season, Nill and his assistant coaches led the Lancers to a 7-4 overall record, which included a 4-1 mark in the SVC to win a share of the title with Liberty Ranch and El Dorado.

“It’s a great honor put forth by my peers,” Nill said.