The bowl-bound SBCC football team landed 14 players on the All-American Pacific League team, the most for the program in more than eight years.

Six Vaqueros were unanimous first team picks: Marcus Bellon (WR), Donavan Davis (OL), Jordan Tagaloa (DL), Tyler Haughney (ILB) and Kai Singleton (OLB).

Bellon scored his team-leading 10 touchdowns in a variety of ways this year, including six on special teams. The wide receiver led the team in receptions (42), receiving yards (582) and receiving touchdowns (4), and even had an interception in a blowout win over L.A .Pierce. He was also the only SCFA returner to average over 20 yards per punt return (21.7). He was one of just three players with two kickoff return scores and the only return man with multiple punt return TDs (4).

Davis was a unanimous pick on the offensive line. He helped lead a rushing attack that finished second in the conference with 153.3 yards per game and 15 touchdowns.

On the defensive side, Tagaloa clogged the middle all season long. He also had two sacks and two tackles for a loss. Haughney, an inside linebacker, recorded the third-most tackles (34) on the team, while forcing two fumbles. Singleton, an outside linebacker, was credited with 17 tackles, a tackle for a loss, a fumble forced and one recovered.

Jorge Figueroa was very reliable at place kicker, converting 11-of-15 field goal attempts, including a 46-yarder and two go-ahead fourth quarter field goals. He was also 41 of 43 on extra points. The former Las Cruces High School player heads into the Winter Festi-Bowl one field goal shy of the program’s all-time single-season record.

Running back Jerry Martin has the most rushing yards (642) of any Vaquero since 2017. He rounds SBCC’s first team honorees after averaging 5.3 yards per carry and finding the end zone three times.

SBCC also landed seven players on the APL second team: Alex Johnson (QB), Mekhi Norfleet (RB), Josiah Roa (OL), Jamari Cannon (CB), Jack Kilpatrick (S), Nate Miskella (P) and Xavier Bonds (KR).

Johnson took over at quarterback halfway through the regular season and showed a lot of growth over the final five games. The Bellevue, Wash., native threw for over 200 yards four times in five starts, totaling 12 touchdowns with just four interceptions. His efficient and steady play helped lead SBCC to a perfect November, a month in which he posted a 108 passer rating and had a 3-0 record as the starter.

Running back Mekhi Norfleet was the team’s second-leading rusher (350 yds) and led SBCC with five rushing scores. Cornerback Jamari Cannon contributed in a lot of ways, recording an interception, three blocks, and a punt return touchdown.

Safety Jack Kilpatrick led the team in tackles (39), pass breakups (7) and forced fumbles (2). Punter Nate Miskella averaged 33.8 yards per punt, putting 32% of his punts inside the 20. Wide receiver Xavier Bonds earned second team recognition as a Kick Return Specialist, averaging 46.5 yards per kickoff return after taking two of four to the house.