KUSI-TV’s celebrated “Prep Pigskin Report” remains the source for high school football in San Diego County. The PPR, as it’s known by viewers, held its annual Silver Pigskin Gala on Dec. 3 at the Rock Church in Pt. Loma.
Eight categories were up for awards, including the Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Two-Way Player of the Year, Lineman of the Year, Special Teams Player of the Year, Underclassman of the Year, Coach of the Year and Fan Favorite Student-Athlete.
South County was included among the award-winners as Mater Dei Catholic senior Isaiah Cook shared the Two-Way Player of the Year award with Christian High School senior Brady Eads.
Cook logged 1,062 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on offense and 63 tackles, four interceptions, one blocked punt and one blocked field goal on defense.
“PPR does a great job covering high school football in San Diego. It was good to see Isaiah get recognition for efforts,” Mater Dei Catholic head coach Rashard Cook said. “Isaiah took pride in being the best player he can be on both sides of the ball. This award is also great as it shines a positive light on Mater Dei Catholic players and coaches.”
Eads led the Patriots in scoring with 18 touchdowns — 13 receiving and five rushing. He had 773 receiving yards and 129 rushing yards on offense while making 49 tackles with 1.5 sacks, two interceptions and one caused fumble on defense.
“It’s a well-deserved honor for Brady,” Christian coach Patrick Bugg said. “It’s great to see him be rewarded for all the hard work he has put in over his career. He made everyone around him better and was the epitome of a team captain.
“He plays the game the way it’s meant to be played. He is tough, smart, and disciplined. I have been blessed to have the privilege of coaching him and I look forward to following his career. Whoever lands him is getting an amazing young man who instantly makes their locker room better. I wish him nothing but the best.”
Other Metro Conference nominees included Otay Ranch senior kicker Alejandro Farias (Special Teams Player of the Year) and Bonita Vista senior Hayden McMackin (Fan Favorite Student-Athlete).
Farias averaged 51.0 yards per kickoff in nine games while leading the Mustangs in scoring with 39 kicking points that included 24 of 25 PAT conversions (96 percent) and five of seven field goal attempts with a long of 50 yards (71.4 percent).
McMackin led the Barons with 419 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 13 games with a longest play from scrimmage measuring 58 yards. He also rushed 11 times for 56 yards.
Granite Hills senior Max Turner received the Offensive Player of the Year award while Christian High School senior Brady Eads tied for the Two-Way Player of the Year award.
Turner, the Grossmont Hills League Offensive Player of the Year, rushed for 2,036 yards and 32 rushing touchdowns in 14 games as the Eagles finished as San Diego Section Division I champions. He also recorded 22 catches for 211 yards and four touchdowns for 36 total touchdowns in 14 games.
“I’m very excited for our program,” Granite Hills head coach Kellan Cobbs said. “Max has been a key player in our three championships that we have won. He’s a great kid with a bright future.”
Granite Hills safety Parker Vance was among the nominees for Defensive Player of the Year while Mt. Miguel receiver A.J. Logan was nominated for Underclassman of the Year and Steele Canyon senior Ethan Snook was nominated in the fan favorite category.
Vance, the Grossmont Hills League Defensive Player of the Year, recorded 91 tackles, nine interceptions, one fumble recovery and three caused fumbles during his senior 2024 season for the Southern California regional runners-up.
Logan, a junior, led the Grossmont Hills League runners-up with 1,197 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, finishing a productive season with 13 touchdowns overall, as Mt. Miguel advanced as far as the Division I quarterfinal playoffs.
Lincoln senior quarterback Akili Smith Jr. took home the top prize from the awards ceremony — the Silver Pigskin trophy — as the 2024 season MVP, He threw for 2,478 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 508 yards and four additional touchdowns as the Hornets captured the Division 1-AA state championship.
Other award-winners included La Jolla senior offensive/defensive lineman Jett Thomas (Iron Hog), Lincoln senior defensive lineman Eugene Rice (Defensive Player of the Year), St. Augustine sophomore Pai Polamalu (Special Teams Player of the Year), Rancho Bernardo freshman quarterback/safety Gaige Weddle (Underclassman of the Year), La Costa Canyon’s Sean Sovacool (Coach of the Year) and Kearny senior Brodie Stump (fan favorite).
