The six players awarded with team honors are, from left, Makhai Stewart, Trey Wallace, Orlando Gomez, TJ McDonald, Julian Drahn and Sunntavion Hall-Carson. 

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - On Friday, Nov. 22, the Cordova High Lancer football team wrapped up its 61st season with an awards banquet at the Hagan Park Community room. The season ended with a 5-5 overall record and a 2-4 record in league play. 

The team said goodbye to 17 seniors this year, which was almost half the active roster of 35 players. The rest of the team included 11 juniors, five sophomores and two freshmen.

All the coaches had great comments to make regarding how hard this year’s team worked during the off-season and throughout the year.

Being the first season competing in the more competitive Metro League, the Lancers found themselves up against some impressive talent. West Park and Destiny Christian made it all the way to the semifinals in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Sac-Joaquin Section Division 2 playoffs. On Nov. 29, the Grant Pacers defeated the Rocklin Thunder by a score of 30-28 for the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division 2 championship.

Cordova had five players honored by the Metro League. Junior Julian Drahn and senior Sunntavion Hall-Carson were chosen to the All-Metro League First Team. Sophomore Zachary McIntire and Damajae Moses were chosen to the All-Metro League Second Team. Sophomore Masiyah Meija was awarded All-Metro League Honorable Mention. 

The five players honored by the Metro League are, from left, Zachary McIntire, Damajae Moses, Masiyah Meija, Julian Drahn and Sunntavion Hall-Carson. Head coach JP Dolliver is on the far right. 

The coaches also awarded players with seven team honors.

The “Most Valuable Player” award was presented to junior Sunntavion Hall-Carson.

The “Defensive Player of the Year” was awarded to junior defensive tackle Julian Drahn.

Senior Orlando Gomez was honored with two awards. They were for “Offensive Player of the Year” and “Dominate the Line.”

Sophomore Trey Wallace was awarded the “4C’s” player of the year. The 4C’s are Commitment, Courage, Compassion and Confidence.

Junior Makhai Stewart walked away with the “Breakout Award.”

The “Rising Star” award was given to freshman TJ McDonald. 

Head coach John “JP” Dolliver, in his second year at the helm, was particularly pleased with the way his team stepped up to the challenge at hand in their new league.

“As this season began, I quickly realized that this 2024 team was up for the challenge as both playmakers and leaders emerged. Sunny Hall-Carson and Orlando Gomez were two of those players. But just as the leaders of the past, they too will have to be replaced by solid kids of character to fill their shoes. I believe we have the pieces in place to be even more competitive this next season. We are young but experienced and what this new team will have is confidence” Dolliver said. 

The Lancers definitely have their work cut out for them in the off-season to prepare for next year. They have the coaching staff in place to help them find their focus. They also have the talent of some gifted returning players. Look for Wallace, Moses, Drahn and Hall-Carson to be major factors in next year’s leadership. GO BIG RED!