A standout cornerback during his first two seasons with Ceres High’s football program, Reis Smith made a name for himself at receiver this fall.

The senior and Bulldog teammates Kyle Phongsa, Gio Sio, Daniel Davis, Elias Carrera, Carlos Montano, Michael Solis, Tre Karriem, Manny Mendoza and Nathaniel Macias were rewarded for their outstanding play during the Western Athletic Conference’s year-end head coaches’ meeting last month in Los Banos.

Smith and Co. led Ceres High to a second-place finish in the WAC standings (5-2).

“They earned it,” Bulldogs’ leader Brett Johnson said. “They worked really hard.”

Smith was voted WAC Offensive Player of the Year.

He also earned first-team, all-conference honors for his production as a pass catcher.

“It’s an honor,” Smith said. “I worked very hard to obtain this award and I appreciate everyone who has helped me to get it.”

“I’m really proud of Reis,” Johnson stated. “I’m happy for him.”

Smith caught 40 passes for 539 yards and eight touchdowns during his final season with the Bulldogs.

“He was such a dynamic weapon,” Johnson said. “Team knew he was the go-to receiver and still couldn’t cover him.”

Smith led Ceres High in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

“He’s just an explosive player,” Johnson said. “He’s fast and athletic. He’s strong. He runs good routes and has good hands. He’s an intense competitor.”

“I attribute my success to my coaches and teammates,” Smith added. “They’ve always been there for me through thick and thin. Coach (Debin) Cowell had a big impact on me as a receiver in the way that I ran routes. He made sure I ran them to a T and finished strong. Coach Conner (Johnson) was also a huge factor in my growth as a receiver.”

Smith battled finger, groin and toe injuries during the course of the season.

“I feel I met expectations,” he said. “There are some factors that slowed me down a bit but that’s a part of the game.”

Phongsa, a senior quarterback, and Sio, a senior defensive end, were both named to the WAC First Team.

Phongsa completed 107 of 186 passes for 1,266 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

“We had a pretty intense QB competition throughout the summer,” Johnson said. “He fought through it and took charge. He’s a hard worker. He’s competitive. He’s very coachable. He was a fun kid to be around.”

A first-year starting quarterback at the varsity level, Phongsa contributed at slot receiver as a junior.

“Once he got his confidence up, he was faster on his release,” Johnson said. “He was a good leader. He took responsibility for everything. He didn’t point fingers. Tremendous amount of growth.”

Sio had 33 tackles, six sacks and one forced fumble during his lone season of varsity football.

“He ended the season really strong,” Johnson said. “He’s such a great kid. He’s a perfect team player.”

Davis, Carrera, Montano, Solis and Karriem were named to the WAC Second Team.

Davis, a senior tight end, caught 24 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns.

“He had so many big catches for us,” Johnson said. “Offensively, he was clutch.”

Carrera, a senior, started at guard on offense.

“Being a three-year varsity player, there was a lot of expectations,” Johnson said. “He didn’t disappoint. He was the leader of the offensive line with his experience and talent. He played solid football.”

Montano, a senior, started at tackle.

“I’m really happy for Carlos,” Johnson said. “He’s a hard-working kid.”

Solis, a senior linebacker, had 75 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one pass deflection.

“He was a great leader,” Johnson said. “He was a really smart player.”

Karriem, a senior defensive back, had 31 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble.

“He did awesome this year,” Johnson said. 

Mendoza and Macias were honorable-mention picks.

Mendoza, a senior, logged playing time at linebacker and running back.

He had 52 tackles, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one pass deflection.

Mendoza rushed for 275 yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries.

“Manny was a very selfless kid that did what was needed and did it very well,” Johnson said. 

Macias, a junior, logged playing time at safety, running back and slot receiver. 

He also returned punts.

Macias had 36 tackles, three interceptions, six pass deflections and two fumble recoveries.

He totaled 309 yards and two touchdowns on 11 punt returns.

He rushed for 56 yards and one TD on seven carries.

He hauled in six passes for 35 yards.