Next man up: New cast of stars look to lead Buffaloes

Manteca High freshman Nikko Juarez made an immediate impact. After a midseason callup, Juarez accounted for eight touchdowns in five games. (Wayne Thallander)

By GABRIEL MARTINEZ
The Tower

After a disappointing 41-12 loss in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals to end the season, the Manteca football team must turn its focus towards the 2024 season.

With standout seniors like running back Bryson Davis, quarterback Garrison Reis, and linebacker Tommy Perea set to graduate in 2024, it is important to turn our attention to the future of Manteca football.

One player that could make a big impact is sophomore running back and safety Jhadis Luckey. Offensively, Luckey had six touchdowns and 459 yards on 75 carries for an average of 6.1 yards per carry. With Davis set to graduate, Luckey could play a bigger role in the offense. Defensively, Luckey had three interceptions, one being returned for a touchdown, and four passes defensed. Before being called up to varsity last year, Luckey had 462 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

“I feel like I performed good as a player, also as a teammate,” Luckey said when asked how felt about his 2023 performance. “I feel like I was there if someone needed help on a coverage; if they got in their head, I was there to pick them up.”

Another standout returning to the football program for the 2024 season is Nikko Juarez. Juarez, a freshman, had six rushing touchdowns, one passing touchdown and one kickoff return for a touchdown in five games played this season.

“I thought I performed good. I had a fun time (with my teammates), it was a fun season,” Juarez said about his first year on the varsity football team.

Another player that could make a big impact is sophomore safety Carson Sablan. Sablan had three interceptions this season, with one being returned for a touchdown. Sablan also had 46 total tackles with half a sack. As a freshman, Sablan totaled 346 offensive yards and three touchdowns.

Another player to watch out for is junior Chris Chavez, who had 42 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles, and two pass deflections. As a freshman, Chavez had five receiving touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns with 549 total yards. In Chavez’ first year on the varsity football team, he had one interception and seven passes defensed.

A key defensive player returning to Manteca in 2024 is Isaiah White.

As a freshman, White, a defensive lineman, had 29 total tackles, five of which were for a loss, three sacks, and one interception.

In 2022, White played his first season at varsity level. In his first varsity season, White had doubled his total tackles since the previous season with 59 tackles and seven tackles for a loss. White was a special teams contributor, as well, with a blocked punt and blocked field goal. In 2023, White had a breakout season with 93 total tackles, four sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, and a forced fumble.

Even though Manteca will have to say goodbye to key players like Tommy Perea, Bryson Davis and Garrison Reis, the future remains bright as there are many returning players looking to take this team to the next level.