Adarius Pickett was the definition of a "shut-down cornerback," intercepting nine passes for El Cerrito and returning three of them for touchdowns in leading El Cerrito (12-3) to its first North Coast Section title. He is the No. 13 cornerback in the nation according to 247Sports.

The senior, headed for UCLA in the fall, also shined on offense and special teams.

"He's a great player," said Sacred Heart Prep coach Pete Lavorato, whose team defeated El Cerrito in the CIF-State NorCal title game. "He's athletic, strong, fast and tough. He had the combination of size, speed and athletic ability to be a dominant player. I think he'll do really well (in college)."

Pickett was moved from slot receiver to running back at the beginning of Tri-County Athletic League-Rock play. He finished the season with more than 1,800 yards rushing and 31 TDs, including the three on interceptions. In the NCS Division III title game, he rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns in a 54-38 victory against Marin Catholic.

"There's nothing he couldn't do or wouldn't do to help us win," El Cerrito coach Kenny Kahn told the San Francisco Chronicle. "Big run, big interception, big return, big everything. And a model student and citizen off the field. He's a do-it-all kid."

Following the season, Pickett played in the Semper Fidelis All-American game.

Also a standout in baseball, Pickett hit .400 and stole 28 bases last season. He has a 3.9 grade point average and will enroll early at UCLA in March.

Also considered: Ian Bonde, QB, St. Mary's-Albany.

Ian Bonde (St. Mary's Football)

St. Mary's-Albany quarterback Ian Bonde wasn't exactly groomed to be a football player or even an athlete.

Bonde didn't play football until his freshman year, and is in fact adopted.

"My parents told me when I was old enough to comprehend what it was," Bonde said. "I met my birth parents when I was young -- fourth or fifth grade -- but I don't think they were super athletic."

Bonde tried a variety of sports as a kid but only played basketball on a consistent basis. But he found he had a knack for throwing a football and tried out as a ninth grade, though he didn't become the varsity quarterback until this year (he played receiver and defensive back last season).

"I enjoy being the leader of the team and the person everyone looks to," Bonde said. "I like being the guy."

Bonde has been just that for St. Mary's, completing 160 of 279 passes for 2,689 yards and 31 touchdowns, with 14 interceptions.

Since he didn't play QB last season, he's received limited interest from colleges, though a few small colleges have contacted him. Meantime, his adoptive parents have enjoyed watching him play this season.

"They've been very supportive," Bonde said. "They sit in the stands and later they tell me all of the good things people say about me. I think they've been surprised."

Marquis Perrilliat (Perrilliat Family)

Perrilliat averaged 3.3 tackles per game and had five interceptions. He also caught 23 passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns.

Glover had 6.1 tackles per game and 12 sacks.

Hodgins caught 33 passes for 539 yards and four TDs.