There wasn't much Christian Rita didn't do to help Milpitas to an SCVAL-De Anza title and a 12-1 overall record.

Rita starred as a defensive back, intercepting nine passes and returning five of them for touchdowns. He also averaged 2.4 tackles per game. On special teams, he returned three punts for touchdowns.

Rita also starred on offense, catching 20 passes for 570 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 28.5 yards per catch and was named the SCVAL-De Anza Most Valuable Player.

Against highly touted Valley Christian in a 31-17 Milpitas win, Rita returned a punt 97 yards for a touchdown.

"I was just thinking I have to score," Rita told the San Jose Mercury. "We were already up. We had the momentum. It was just like I have to score right now."

He later caught a 77-yard TD pass from quarterback John Keller.

For his efforts, Rita is the Prep2Prep Senior of the Year.

Last year Rita starred in basketball but has elected not to play this season.

NOTE: We would like to thank our readers for all of the nominations you sent in for the season-ending CCS football awards. It is a daunting task to narrow down our selections to just the top few as we recognize there are lots of great players who make contributions on the football field that are not necessarily well-documented but mean a great deal to the success of their teams. We salute all of the players that have made this a wonderful season of CCS football.