Jake Maier's Offensive Player of the Year Helms No. 5 Long Beach Football's All-Conference Selections

The No. 5 Long Beach City College football team capped off an impressive 9-2 season by defeating No. 16 Bakersfield in the 2016 Western State Bowl by the final score of 47-41. At the conclusion of the season, the Vikings saw 14 athletes receive Southern California Football Association (SCFA) National Division All-Central postseason honors.

Highlighting the bunch is freshman quarterback Jake Maier (La Habra, CA) who was named the Offensive Player of the Year. Maier was the most dynamic and reliable weapon in the Central Division by leading in yards-per-game (335.4) and touchdowns (38). He finished the season with 3,689 yards passing while averaging 8.7 yards-per attempt. Maier threw for five touchdown on four separate occasions while tossing a career-high six touchdowns in a 41-14 win over Canyons. Furthermore, he was named the SFCA Player of the Week three times.

The receiving core was potent and active for the Vikings this season, with the core trio earning All-Conference honors. Sophomore wide receiver Jacob Welch (Huntington Beach, CA) earned a unanimous First-Team All-Conference nod, while freshman wide receivers Jabari Minix (Compton, CA) and Jaylen Watson (Los Angeles, CA) received Second-Team All-Conference recognition.

Welch led the Central Division in receiving yards-per-game with 82.5 and ranked second in receiving touchdowns with nine. Watson tied for first in the Central with 10 receiving touchdowns while ranking second in receiving yards-per-game with 75.6. Minix, while also seeing action in the backfield, finished the season tied for fourth in the Central in receiving touchdowns with eight. Furthermore, he ranked fourth in receiving yards-per-game with 65.9.

The running back tandem featuring sophomore running backs Jason Floyd (Compton, CA) and Tyree Harris (Pasadena, CA) earned All-Conference laurels with Floyd being named the to the Second-Team list and Harris receiving All-Utility honors. Harris led the Vikings in carries (121), total rushing yards (658), and touchdowns (6). His rushing touchdown mark ranks fourth in the Central. Floyd came on strong in the latter portion of the season with 95 carries, 471 rushing yards, and three touchdowns.

Freshman kicker Sergio Garcia (Long Beach, CA) earned Second-Team All-Conference honors after leading the squad with 77 total points. He booted home 9 field goals and 50 extra points with his season long going for 36 yards in a 38-31 upset over then top-ranked Riverside.

Sophomore offensive lineman Jacob Hines (Long Beach, CA) and freshman offensive lineman Jeremiah Paulo (Bellflower, CA) earned Second-Team All-Conference after helping shape a top-five offense in the state. They led a well-oiled machine that led to 513.4 yards-per-game and 38.3 points-per-game.

Freshman tight end Donald West (Compton, CA) earned Second-Team All-Conference for tight ends by hauling in eight catches for 76 yards. He was a staple on the special team unit as well. He finished the season with six tackles and one break up.

Long Beach had a strong representation of defensive players highlighted by two First-Team All-Conference cornerbacks featuring freshman Kobe Williams (Long Beach) and sophomore Kwentin Polk (Inglewood, CA). Polk finished the season with 26 tackles and averaged a hair under three tackles-per-game. Williams earned 21 stops on the season while recording one interception.

Sophomore linebacker Isaia Rostens earned First-Team All-Conference honors after pacing the defense with 42 tackles leading to a 4.7 tackles-per-game mark. Furthermore, he forced one fumble and picked off one pass. Sophomore defensive lineman Marcus Reynolds (Long Beach, CA) earned Second-Team All-Conference after leading the state in sacks with 14. His mark led to a loss of 74 yards, while he made 19 tackles for a loss of 103 yards. In addition, he forced two fumbles and averaged 3.4 tackles-per-game.