RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) – One of the benefits of winning a conference title is one of the players is most likely going to be named MVP.

That is the case for Alvin Banks.

The junior wide receiver and defensive back for the Cordova High School football team was one of 14 Lancers named to the all-Sierra Valley Conference’s first and second teams. Cordova finished its season winning a share of the SVC title with El Dorado, as both went 4-1 in conference and 7-4 overall. The Lancers also earned their second consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoff berth.

Banks, who also started as a sophomore last year, had 61 receptions for 1,270 yards, averaging 20.8 yards per reception, and 14 touchdowns. Banks also rushed 30 times for 307 yards and two touchdowns.

Cordova head coach Darren Nill made his case to the rest of the SVC head coaches at their all-SVC meeting last month.

“My point, when I nominated him to the coaching staff was I think he should be the MVP of the league because three of the (Lancers’ five opponents) changed their defenses to play them,” Nill said. “He, absolutely, changes the way people defend your offense. He’s such a talent that you almost have to absolute double-teamed him.”

From his defensive back spot, Banks had 27 tackles that included 19 solo. He also had eight interceptions.

Lancer quarterback Johnele Sanders was named the SVC’s co-MVP on offense with El Dorado’s Danny Bell. A junior, Sanders completed 131 of 206 passes for 2,192 yards and 26 touchdowns. He was also the Lancers’ leading rusher with 1,024 yards on 132 carries and 11 touchdowns, making it 37 total touchdowns.

Another offensive threat for the Lancers named to the all-SVC first team was junior running back Raymond Fite, who had 57 carries for 457 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 10 receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

Banks, along with Sanders and Fite, were part of the all-SVC first team. Joining them were senior running back/defensive end Clifford Bright, who had 44 tackles; senior tight end/outside linebacker Yusef Pugh, who led the Lancers in tackles with 117; junior offensive lineman/inside linebacker Andrew Turner; offensive tackle/defensive end Josh Colvin, who had 42 tackles; junior running back/linebacker Elijah Jenkins and tight end/outside linebacker Ryan McMoore, who had 91 tackles.

Cordova players named to the all-SVC second team were junior offensive/defensive lineman Austin McCoy, junior wide receiver Jeremiah Bankett, junior running back/linebacker Chase Allen and sophomore running back/linebacker/defensive back Jaylen Jones.

For a second consecutive year, Nill was named the SVC’s Coach of the Year. In his three seasons as the Cordova football head coach, Nill has guided the Lancers to back-to-back SVC titles, as well as back-to-back playoff berths. His combined record in the last three seasons is 19-13, which includes 7-4 records this and last season.