FRESNO COUNTY – Now that another exciting football season is in the record books for teams in the Northwest Sequoia League, the time for all-league honors is finally here.
Life in the NWSL was pretty tough for the Fowler Redcats this season; but even though Fowler (4-7/2-4) finished in the middle of a crowded pack, 11 players earned recognition on the NWSL All-Conference First and Second Teams. And a couple of Redcats managed to claw out special recognitions for their stellar play this season.
Fowler wide receiver Matthew Lopez, defensive lineman Omar Cardenas, linebacker Edy Munoz-Rivas and sophomore wide receiver/strong safety Derek Luna all received well-deserved votes on the First Team. According to stats in MaxPreps, Lopez delivered a solid season of 18 catches for 369 yards and 4 total touchdowns. Cardenas was a beast on the defensive line, registering 61 total tackles, with 12 of them for losses.
Cardenas also made the Second Team for his blocking prowess on the offensive line. Joining Cardenas on the Second team are running back Jesse Michel III, wide receiver Xavier Vasquez, lineman Michael Rubacalba, linebacker Connor Hammond, defensive back Matthew Roman and punter Andruw Garcia.
Michel racked up 636 all-purpose yards (347 rush, 259 rec), according to stats in MaxPreps. Vasquez locked down opposing receivers while also coming up with 10 catches for 183 yards of his own. Roman roamed the defensive backfield well enough to grab 87 total tackles. And Hammond teamed with Munoz-Rivas to give Fowler two of the most imposing linebackers in the NWSL.
The Redcats also had Munoz-Rivas and Luna, two of their standouts from the First Team, recognized as the NWSL Defensive Player of the Year and Underclassman of the Year. Munoz-Rivas’ ferocity anchored a Redcats’ defense that feasted on opposing teams for 762 total tackles, 13 sacks and 29 quarterback hurries, according to stats in MaxPreps. Munoz-Rivas finished among the top 50 players in the state in total tackles (138) and fifth overall in the Central Section.
Luna was a valuable Swiss Army knife for the Redcats in his second season. Playing mostly on the defensive side of the ball, Luna proved to be a true ballhawk, ranking second in the Central Section and 19th in the state in interceptions (7), according to stats in MaxPreps. And when Luna was called upon to mix it up on the offense, he managed to take a few snaps under center and sprint downfield for some clutch catches. Luna’s best game at quarterback came against Chowchilla on Oct. 10. Luna threw for 216 yards on 12/20 passing with 4 touchdowns in a losing effort. Luna totalled 10 catches for 150 yards and 3 touchdowns as a receiver.
