Reis Smith, a standout junior defensive back/linebacker with Ceres High’s football program, earned Western Athletic Conference honors for the second year in a row.
Smith and Bulldog teammates Manny Mendoza (senior), Manny Mendoza (junior), Nikahli Garcia (junior) and Elias Carrera (junior) were recognized during the WAC year-end head coaches’ meeting earlier this month in Los Banos.
“I’m really happy for them,” Ceres High head coach Brett Johnson said. “They deserved it. You spend so much time with these kids and watch them grow. You want all of your players to get recognized.”
Smith was selected to the WAC First Team for the second straight season.
Smith’s main position was cornerback but he also logged playing time at safety and linebacker.
“I’m pretty satisfied,” he said. “I did what I could. Honestly, I wasn’t really expecting it.”
“He earned it,” Johnson said. “Reis is very coachable. He’s a big team kid. Just a fun guy to coach.”
Smith ranked first on the team in interceptions with 2, second in pass deflections with 5 and sixth in tackles with 34.
He totaled 40 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass deflections as a sophomore.
Smith’s side was rarely targeted this fall when he contributed at cornerback.
“Last year, he made a name for himself,” Johnson said. “This year, teams threw away from him most of the season.”
“At times, it was frustrating because I didn’t get much action,” said Smith. “Whenever they ran or passed to my side, I did what I was supposed to do. It’s really an honor they (WAC head coaches) recognize stats aren’t the only things that matter. I played my hardest. I tried to be a leader.”
Senior Manny Mendoza was named to the WAC Second Team, along with junior Manny Mendoza, Garcia and Carrera.
Coach Johnson was surprised senior Manny Mendoza and Garcia didn’t earn first-team all-league honors.
Mendoza led the Bulldogs in receptions (49), yards (785) and touchdowns (8).
He ranked first in the WAC in receptions, yards and yards per game, and second in touchdowns.
He caught 15 passes for 319 yards and four TDs as a junior.
“It’s disappointing,” commented Johnson. “Statistics wise and what he did in league, I really thought he was a lock for first team. He shined this year.”
“It’s pretty cool getting recognized,” said senior Manny Mendoza, who shared team-captain responsibilities with Carrera and David Diaz DeLeon. “Going into the season, I thought I could definitely get first team. I got what I got. I’m proud of how I played. I did a lot better this year.”
Junior Manny Mendoza ranked first on the team in forced fumbles (3), second in tackles (62), fumble recoveries (1) and interceptions (1), third in pass deflections (4), and fourth in sacks (0.5) while logging playing time at linebacker.
“I had really high expectations for him,” Johnson said. “He met them. He did a really good job. He helped us tremendously. He’s a great kid. He’s a hard worker. He’s tough. He’s really competitive. He’s a fun guy to coach.”
Garcia ranked first on the team in tackles (64) and sacks (4.5), and second in fumble recoveries (1) while logging playing time at defensive end.
He totaled 34 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble during his first season at the varsity level.
“We brought him up last year as a sophomore,” Johnson said. “He has a motor that is unbelievable. He’s a snap-to-whistle kid. He’s got a good football IQ. He has an ability to sniff things out and help others.”
Carrera started on Ceres High’s offensive line for the second straight season.
“He really deserved it,” Johnson said. “He’s a hard-working, smart kid. He anchored our offensive line. He was our most consistent lineman. He’s very coachable.”
Ceres High compiled a 2-5 record in route to a sixth-place finish in the WAC standings.
The Bulldogs lost four of their league games by seven points, including 35-28 to WAC-champion Los Banos, 28-21 to second-place Lathrop, 10-3 to fourth-place Johansen and 20-13 to fifth-place Grace Davis.
