Ventura running back Thomas Duckett was named the Southern California Football Association National Division, Northern League Offensive Player of the Year in voting by the conference coaches last month. The sophomore from Pacifica High School leads 22 all-conference selections for VC, who will take to the field one final time in 2018 on Saturday Dec. 8 against Laney College for the 2018 CCCAA State Championship in Sacramento.
Duckett has amassed 1,019 yards rushing this season in 11 games played, with nine touchdowns. The Pacifica High School product is averaging 5.8 yards per carry in leading VC into the state title game.
Duckett was joined on the offensive side of the ball as unanimous All-Northern League selections by offensive lineman Scott Breslin and tight end Travis Koontz. center Dane Nelson and wide receiver Brandon Jordan also earned first team nods on offense. Corner back Jaylen Watson and outside linebacker Trennan Carlson were named unanimous first team selections defensively.
The Pirates' offensive line was well-represented on the all-conference team as Tyler Orsini, Maisen Knight and Blake Walker all were named second team All-Northern League. Running back Hayden Nease and utility player Jared Thomsen also appeared on the second team list as did Watson for kick returns. Linebackers Dondre Baker and Bradley Taylor garnered second team picks defensively, as did safety Cail Jackson.
Defensive backs Donyal Dixon and Trevon Lambert were named Honorable Mention All-Northern League, as was defensive lineman Brett Moyer. Punter Ian Henzi was also awarded Honorable Mention status along with Chris Brooks in the all-purpose category. Wide receiver Stevie Houston was named Honorable Mention on offense.
The Pirates, who currently stand at 11-1 on the season, had their run of four straight Northern Conference titles snapped by College of the Canyons with an Oct. 27 loss in Santa Clarita. VC got the last laugh, however, ending the Cougars bid for an undefeated season in the SCFA semifinals. VC then triumphed at previously undefeated Riverside in the SCFA Championship to earn the right to play for all the marbles.
VC and Laney will kickoff at 1:00 pm on Saturday at Hughes Stadium on the campus of Sacramento City College. The game will be broadcast live in high-definition by Bay Area Online Sports Network and will be available online through the CCCAA's official website, www.cccaasports.org and at http://BAOSN.tv. The Championship will be broadcast to a nationwide television audience by Eleven Sports, which is available on national cable systems such as DIRECTV (channel 623), AT&T U-verse (channel 1665), and Verizon Fios (channel 597).