Bishop Diego’s Qu’Ran Gosset moved a pile of tacklers and rushed for more yards better than anybody in the area this past football season.
On the other side of the ball, Pasefika Salatielu was force at the defensive end position for the Cardinals. He was a run stopper and his relentless pressure made life difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
The power, passion, intensity, athleticism and leadership these two players showed in every game this season is why they are the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year on the Noozhawk 2022 All-South Coast Football Team.
The 27-player team was presented at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.
Gossett and Salatielu were big reasons Bishop Diego went 9-4 playing a demanding schedule and advanced to the semifinals in Division 3 of the CIF-SS playoffs.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Salatielu was a team captain and a two-way starter. As a defender, he made 45 tackles (32 solo) and had four sacks and eight quarterback hurries during his senior season.
He was honored as an All-CIF selection in Division 3 and was named the Marmonte League Defensive MVP.
Salatielu signed a letter of intent with Cal Poly.
Gossett is the first repeat MVP of the All-South Coast Team.
He finished a tremendous high school career, rushing for 2,126 yards and 30 touchdowns in his senior season. For his three-year career, he gained 3,344 yards on 361 carries (an average of 9.3-yards per carry) and scored 57 touchdowns.
At 5-10, and a rock-solid 202 pounds, he was tough to bring down. He often moved the pile several yards to pick up first downs and was often still on his feet when officials blew the play dead. He averaged 9.8 yards a carry this season.
He set the county single-game rushing record of 404 yards and tied the county mark of six touchdowns in a win over Simi Valley in the Marmonte League.
Gossett was named the Offensive MVP in the Marmonte League and was picked to the All-CIF-SS Division 3 team.
He signed to continue his football career and education at the University of Texas, El Paso.
Here is the list of players named to the Noozhawk All-South Coast Football Team for the 2022 season.
OFFENSE
BACKS
Nathan Barrios, Sr., Santa Barbara High: A hard-nosed, gritty football player, he consistently picked up the tough yards for the Dons. An emotional leader that was key to the team winning a share of the Channel League title.
Andre McCullough, Sr., San Marcos: Tough and athletic, he rushed for over 1,000 yards for the second straight season. Always a threat to break a big play.
Abel Renteria, Jr., Santa Barbara: He tremendous dual threat at quarterback. He led the area with 2,158 yards passing and 20 touchdowns and had only five interceptions. He also ran 446 yards and scored 9 TDs.
David Buso, Sr., Dos Pueblos: A tough running back, who gave his all for the team. He rushed for 10 touchdowns.
Talon Trumble, Jr., Carpinteria: He carried the load for the Warriors’ offense at quarterback. He was the team’s leading rusher with 824 yards and passed for 462.
UTILITY
Bryan Trejo, Sr., Bishop Diego: A terrific athlete, Trejo was the top receiver for the Cardinals, he ran the football on jet sweeps, played in the secondary (three interceptions) and returned kicks and punts. He was third on team in all-purpose yards with 868.
RECEIVERS
Kai Mault, Soph., Santa Barbara: Mault had a stellar season, catching 42 passes for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named the Channel League Wide Receiver of the Year.
Winston Bartley, Jr., Santa Barbara: Bartley was the big-play receiver for the Dons. He hauled in 39 passes for 588 yards and and four TDs.
LINE
Toa Evagelia, Sr., Bishop Diego: Evaglia anchored an offensive line that paved the way for the Cardinals to rollup over 4100 yards on the ground this season. He signed to play at Arizona Christian.
Ebrahim Alfar-Diaz, Sr. San Marcos: A leader and a tremendous blocker for the Royals. An All-Channel League first-team pick.
Nic Bitar, Sr., Dos Pueblos: A solid blocker for the Chargers. Second-team All-Channel League.
A.J. Gomez, Jr., Santa Barbara: The leader of a rebuilt offensive line that did a tremendous job and was crucial to the Dons’ success. First team All-Channel League.
Sue’ Luamanu, Sr., Bishop Diego: A four-year varsity player, he was a big reason the Cardinals were so successful running the football. A first-team All-Marmonte League pick, he signed with Cal Poly.
KICKER/PUNTER
Greg Tripathi, Sr., Dos Pueblos: He started the season kicking a 44-yard field goal on the last play of the game to give the Chargers a win at Burbank. He had a 50-yarder vs. Channel Islands. 10 kickoff touchbacks; 46.7-yard punt average on 44 punts; 7 of 10 FGs; 16-16 PATs. All-Channel League first team pick.
DEFENSE
LINE
Harrison Boeddeker, Sr., Bishop Diego: First-team All-Marmonte League; 34 total tackles, 22 solo, seven for losses. Team leader.
Roark Norton, Sr., Santa Barbara: Six tackles for loss, key player for a Dons teams that allowed only 93 points in a strong Channel League.
Damian Stehno, Jr. Santa Barbara: Came on strong at the end of the season, and developed into an impact player.
LINEBACKERS
Henri Benoit, Sr., Bishop Diego: A dynamo at linebacker for the Cardinals. He made 44 solo tackles and had 69 total tackles, including five for losses.
Julian Castro, Sr., Santa Barbara: The leading tackler for the Dons with 59, total tackles, 15 solo tackles, 5 tackles for losses, 2.5 sacks and nine hurries.
Owen Lauderdale, Sr., San Marcos: He made plays all over the field as a hybrid linebacker/safety.
Misa Paiau, Jr., Bishop Diego: An impact player on both sides of the ball. As a linebacker, he had 51 total tackles, 44 solo and 11 for losses.
BACKS
Rylan Bohnett, Sr., Bishop Diego: A key part of the Cardinals’ defense, he had three interceptions, 31 solo tackles and 36 total tackles.
Isaac Burquez, Sr., Bishop Diego: A versatile player, he made 47 solo and 56 total tackles.
Jacob Navarez, Sr., Santa Barbara: He had three interceptions, eight pass deflections. He’s also quick to the ball, making 23 solo tackles and 43 total tackles
Andrew Tobin, Sr., Santa Barbara: The leader of the Dons’ secondary had three interceptions and nine pass deflections.