Tribune names SLO County’s football MVP, Players of the Year and all-stars
In a year that produced some top-notch achievements in San Luis Obispo County football, for the second year in a row, one player stood out above the rest.
Caleb Clark, Arroyo Grande’s go-to weapon on offense, defense and special teams, led the Eagles (10-5, 4-0 Mountain League) to a league title, CIF-Central Section Division 2 title and a state CIF tournament berth.
Clark, a 6-foot-2 speedster who doubles as a running back and receiver, is The Tribune’s Most Valuable Player after earning the honor in 2024. Clark was a defensive back on defense and returned kicks as well.
Templeton’s Tyler Cunningham, who led his team to an undefeated regular season campaign and 12-1 season, earned The Tribune’s All-Purpose Player of the Year.
A full list of the San Luis Obispo County All-Tribune team is below.
Clark excelled on the field statistically, tallying 916 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns; 692 yards receiving and eight additional touchdowns; 76 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions on defense; and three kick return touchdowns.
Clark, a senior who played four years of varsity football at Arroyo Grande, signed his letter of intent on Thursday to play at Cal Poly next season, joining the program now led by first-year Coach Tim Skipper, who most recently served as interim coach at UCLA.
“(Clark) is a great athlete and a great football player,” said Arroyo Grande Coach Stephen Field. “He’s very smart. He’s an amazing young man who conducts himself well and exhibits quiet leadership. He’s well-respected and well-loved, and we couldn’t be prouder of Caleb and his accomplishments. I’m excited to watch him soar over the next few years.”
When the big game was on the line, Clark was at his best, dashing for touchdown receptions of 56 and 48 yards in the CIF section title win over Bakersfield to set up McPherson College-bound Dustin Reed’s 41-yard field goal and avenge a playoff loss to the Drillers last year.
The week prior, Clark recorded an 80-yard touchdown run and two interceptions in a 24-21 upset win over bracket No. 1 Tulare Union in the section semifinal. The CIF victory earned Arroyo Grande its first state title berth in school history, Field said.
“(Clark) literally played all over the place, on both sides of the ball, wherever we needed him,” Field said. “He was happy to do whatever we needed him to do, and he meant a ton to our football team.”
Clark helped turn Arroyo Grande’s season around after a 2-4 start, with the margin of each of those non-league losses within a score. Clark cited good team chemistry with the reversal of fortune.
“It was a rough start at first,” Clark said. “I didn’t know how the team was going to be, but later on we just kept on winning games, and it was just really enjoyable to play with my brothers.”
Clark said that his passion for the game motivates him to excel.
“It’s my favorite thing,” Clark said. “I just love having the ball in my hand. I love making tackles. I just love playing football.”
Clark, who will study business administration at Cal Poly, said that his decision to stay local was based on proximity to home and the outlook for Mustangs football.
“I just wanted to stay with my family, with my community, and just change the culture with my coaches at Cal Poly,” Clark said. “I had a good phone call with (Skipper). He’s just a great guy, great energy, and I’m super excited.”
All-Tribune Team
MVP: Caleb Clark, Arroyo Grande
All-Purpose Player of the Year: Tyler Cunningham, Templeton
Offensive Player of the Year: Sands Dougherty, Morro Bay
Defensive Player of the Year: Levi Childers, Arroyo Grande
Special Teams Player of the Year: Dustin Reed, Arroyo Grande
Offense
First Team
QB: Griffin Groshart, Nipomo; Colter Tannehill, Templeton
Running back: Nick Evans Nipomo; Zack Tayman, Arroyo Grande
Receiver: Anthony Campanario, Morro Bay; Colby Sims, Templeton
Tight end: Travis Barr, Nipomo
Kicker: Aidan Dellinger, SLO
Offensive line: Drew Howes, San Luis Obispo; Drake Sandoval, Templeton; Jose Diaz, Templeton; Anthony Murillo, Arroyo Grande; Maddux Amburgey, Arroyo Grande; Peyton Blume, Nipomo
Second Team
QB: Jacob Kreowski, Arroyo Grande; Blayne Lowry, Paso Robles
Running back: Ronnie Kardashian, Mission Prep; Colbin Garrison, San Luis Obispo
Receiver: Troy Simonson, Nipomo; Efrain Hernandez, Morro Bay
Tight end: Garrytt Lloyd, Arroyo Grande
Offensive line: Max Rodriguez, Atascadero; Jaydan Tesoro, Nipomo; Valentino Salguero, Nipomo; Diego Rodriguez, Paso Robles; Isaiah Ambriz, San Luis Obispo
Kicker: Luke Kahler, Templeton
Honorable mention: Tre Clark, Paso Robles; Michael Trejo, Atascadero; Zion Hegg, San Luis Obispo; Emmett Dobroth, Paso Robles; Damon Mitchell, Atascadero; Yannie Gelos, Paso Robles; David Sandoval, Atascadero; ; Kassim Williams, Paso Robles; Trevor Riddiough, Morro Bay; Santi Navarro, Arroyo Grande; Adan Mendez, Arroyo Grande; Cassius Dowler, SLO; Grady Garrison, SLO; Diego Rodriguez, Paso Robles; Noah Krebs, Nipomo.
Defense
First Team
Defensive line: Radden Batalla, Morro Bay; Matthew Milner, SLO; Gavin Rash, Arroyo Grande; Kess Youngkin, Arroyo Grande; Ethan Farelas, Mission Prep
Linebacker: Derek Brockenborough, Arroyo Grande; Jacob Goldsbary, Nipomo
Corner/safety: Leelynd Dean, Arroyo Grande; Evan Doll, Nipomo; Matt Amman, Paso Robles; Quentin Cramer, SLO; Copeland Hartford, Arroyo Grande
Second Team
Defensive line: Gavin Mussallem, SLO; Joseph Huitron, Nipomo; Nick Capaci, Templeton; Elijah Quezada, Nipomo; Weston Patch, Templeton
Linebacker: Gus Moody, SLO; Garret Davis, Templeton
Corner/safety: Cameron Stevens, Templeton; Aiden Shelton, Mission Prep; Trevor Oxley, Nipomo; Andrew Moreno, Arroyo Grande; Will Capaci, Templeton
Honorable mention: Luca Macari, Morro Bay; Seth Orozco, Mission Prep; Colton Rosenlieb, Morro Bay; Hayz Camarena, Templeton; Wyatt Litten, Atascadero; Andrew De La Motte, SLO; Cole Johnston, Arroyo Grande; Tony Kreider, Atascadero; Landen Riefers, Templeton; Logan Hobbs, Nipomo; Damon Mitchell, Atascadero; Troy Simonson, Nipomo; Alize Mota, Atascadero; Griffiin Groshart, Nipomo.