Football players honored at awards banquet

Spencer Johnston was named first team offensive lineman on the All CIF San Diego Section 2009 Football Team. He is the first lineman to earn first string honors in the Damon Baldwin era.

Brett Germain made the second team last season and Cody Lloyd received second team honors in 2005. Mike Murray made the team under the tutelage of Mel Galli. Tom Smith made first team All CIF as a defensive lineman/fullback under Galli.

“This a great honor and Spencer is very deserving, said Baldwin, Bulldog head coach. “He is the most athletic lineman that I have seen or coached at the high School level. When we needed crucial yards, we ran behind Spencer. He has unbelievable athletic ability and he is very mentally and physically tough.”

Johnston played Pop Warner football in Ramona, but did not start playing offensive line until his freshman year. His first o-line coach was Mike Cunningham. He played junior varsity as a sophomore and started on the varsity as a junior. He is what the coaching staff calls a “program player,” a player developed in the program.

Johnston also was awarded the Offensive Lineman of the Year at the varsity banquet held in The Hall of Champions on Dec. 14.

Ryan Morgan was selected by his teammates as the 2009 Most Valuable Player. Also honored at the banquet were: Tyler Jackson (Offensive MVP), Seth Drake (Defensive MVP), Rocco Hemphill (Special teams Player of the Year), Christian Scherer (Defensive Lineman of the Year), Spaso Ilich (Offensive Scout Teams Player of the Year), DJ Adams (Defensive Special Teams Scout Player of the Year), Bryson Garcia (Most Improved Offensive Player) and Andrew Stemm (Most Improved Defensive Player).

The team also selected the following players as captains for the 2009 season: Erik Ernst, Justin Godes, Seth Drake, Trevor Kerchner, Tyler Jackson and Morgan.

Colin Murphy earned the Scholar Athlete of the Year by earning a 4.19 grade point average in college preparatory, honors and advanced placement courses. Colin was a defensive back and a place kicker.

The coaches selected Morgan and Godes as Big Dawgs of the Year. The Big Dawg award goes to the players who best personify the traits coaches look for in a student/athlete. Morgan and Godes received the certificates from the

San Diego Union-Tribune

for their academic work.

“We look for leadership, scholarship, citizenship and athletic performance,” said Bladwin. “Ryan and Justin are the first co-recipients of the award. We take this award very seriously and we could not pick one over the other. Among other criteria we look for a student/athlete who makes coaching fun and who makes us want to come to practice every day. Ryan and Justin are in a league of their own.”