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December 26, 2002

Three area football players named to ANG's first team

From: The Argus, CA - 26 Dec 2002

James Logan High's Ting, the school for the deaf's Harvey and Washington's Macciola honored

By Kent Elola, STAFF WRITER

The 10th edition of the ANG Newspapers' Best of the Best football team features one of the nation's top quarterbacks, a standout junior defensive end and an impressive collection of the East Bay's finest high school players.

Three Tri-City players were named to the first team. James Logan High School's Ryan Ting and the California School for the Deaf's David Harvey each led their schools to league championships, while Washing-

ton High School's Jason Macciola was a dominating force who was named the Mission Valley Athletic League's defensive player of the year.

The teams are selected by ANG prep sportswriters from The Argus, The Oakland Tribune, Tri-Valley Herald and The Daily Review.

Ting was chosen as a first-team All-ANG receiver and a second-team defensive back. Along with twin brother Brandon Ting (second-team utility selection), the Ting connection led Logan to three straight MVAL

championships, going undefeated in league during their illustrious careers.

The Tings, who will participate in a California vs. Florida All-Star game on Jan. 4 in Southern California, each graduated early from Logan and will enroll at the University of Southern California next month where they will begin their collegiate careers as defensive backs.

An incredibly athletic linebacker, Harvey was the key cog in a California School for the Deaf defense that recorded an amazing six shutouts during the season, including five in a row during one stretch. A three-year varsity star for the Eagles, Harvey also was named to the second-team All-ANG offense as a tight end. The school went 9-3 overall, reaching its first-ever North Coast Section championship game and smashing the previous school record for wins in a season (six).

Harvey plans on playing college football, but isn't sure where yet, much like Washington's Macciola. A two-year All-MVAL first-team selection, Macciola almost singlehandedly took over some games for the Huskies this season. He was rewarded for his efforts by being named a first-team All-ANG defensive lineman.13-0 Mustang record

Monte Vista quarterback Kyle Wright was selected the ANG Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Mustangs to a 13-0 record and the North Coast Section 3-A title.

The 6-foot-4 Wright threw for 2,825 yards, 37 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He is the first quarterback to earn player of the year accolades since Amador Valley's Scott Peters shared the award in 1996.

Wright was named the Gatorade state player of the year and followed that up by being named Gatorade national player of the year. Touted by numerous recruiting experts as the No. 1 prep quarterback in the nation, Wright will attend the University of Miami.

Phillip Mbakogu of Hayward was tabbed as the Defensive Player of the Year after helping the Farmers to a 10-2 mark and a berth in the North Coast Section 4-A semifinals.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder totaled 17 sacks and 78 tackles this season. He is the first player from the Hayward Area Athletic League to earn player of the year since Bishop O'Dowd's Langston Walker shared the offensive award with four others in 1996.John Beam named top coach

Skyline's John Beam captured Coach of the Year honors for the first time after leading the Titans to an 11-0-1 record and the Silver Bowl title. California School for the Deaf's first-year coach Kevin Bella tied for second place in the coach of the year balloting.

Skyline and De La Salle led the way with four first-team selections, while San Ramon Valley placed three players on the first-team offense. San Leandro star wide receiver/defensive back Sam Cheatham was the only player to be selected as a two-way first-teamer.

The Hayward Area Athletic League has the most first-team picks with seven. The East Bay Athletic League and Oakland Athletic League each placed five players on the first team, while the Bay Valley Athletic League has four. The MVAL is represented by two first-team players. The Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League, Bay Football League, Bay Shore Athletic League and Diablo Foothill Athletic League each put one player on the first team.

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