Each week during the 2025 San Joaquin County high school football season, The Record will honor one standout player with the Martin Dentistry Football Athlete of the Week award.
The winner is decided by you, the readers.
The Martin Dentistry award highlights the top performances from 209-area schools. This week’s ballot features 10 nominees from Stockton, Manteca, Lathrop, Tracy, Oakdale, Linden and Ripon.
Everyone is encouraged to submit nominations for the upcoming week to dackermann@gannett.com.
The poll at the bottom of this page closes at noon on Thursday. There are no voting restrictions, so vote now and vote often.
Here are Week 4’s nominees (Athletes listed in alphabetical order by last name).
Jackson Batch, Wide Receiver, Chavez
Before boarding a plane for an official visit to Washington State, Jackson Batch made sure to leave an impression that could be talked about when he arrived.
Just a day before heading to the Apple Cup, Chavez’s three-star wide receiver — who picked up a Huskies offer in June — hauled in seven passes for 160 yards and four touchdowns.
Against Tokay, the junior showcased the size, speed and hands that have already made him one of the most sought-after players in the area.
His future destination isn’t set yet, but outings like this make it clear Batch has the tools to play on Saturdays.
Case Borges, Linebacker, Tracy
Watching Tracy, one might think they have a nationally ranked punter — and linebacker Case Borges is the reason why.
He averages 40 yards per punt, with a long of 79, before even stepping onto the field on defense.
“Case has been all over the field blocking kicks and creating fumbles over the past two weeks,” coach Jeff Pribble said.
The junior piled up 13 tackles, six for loss, against Pleasant Valley and totaled 24 tackles over the last two games, proving he can dominate every phase of the game.
Even in back-to-back losses, Borges has shown he can flip the field in ways few players can.
Brayden Camara, Running Back, East Union
Another week, another showcase for Brayden Camara.
The East Union senior running back turned just 10 carries into 145 yards and four touchdowns as the Lancers crossed the 50-point mark for the fifth straight game.
It was Camara’s second consecutive four-score performance, pushing his total to 14 touchdowns.
After making the poll a week ago with 183 yards, Camara doubled down, proving that his production isn’t a one-week highlight but the standard for East Union’s explosive offense.
Darien East, Running Back, Sierra
Sierra turned to a sophomore for answers, and Darien East responded with grit.
The running back shouldered the load, touching the ball 35 times and battling for every inch against East Union.
East fought for 242 rushing yards, 265 total yards and a touchdown, refusing to let the Timberwolves go quietly.
Even in a lopsided loss, East’s relentless effort gave Sierra something to rally around.
Richard Flores, Running Back, Oakdale
Every Tom needs his Jerry. Every Han Solo needs his Chewbacca. Every Batman needs his Robin.
For Oakdale, Richard Flores is all of that and more.
Even with limited carries — never more than 10 in a game — Flores has produced in every outing.
Week 2 against Lincoln, he exploded for 122 yards and four touchdowns; this week, versus Mountain House, he ran for 124 yards and two more scores on six carries.
The senior running back has now scored in every game, totaling 10 touchdowns, 489 yards and an average of 14 yards per carry, providing a critical complement to Air Force commit Wes Burford.
Owen Gully, Quarterback, Manteca
The victory over Marin Catholic was behind them, but Owen Gully wanted more.
“Our air raid and our passing game was not on its top notch,” Gully said. “So I feel like I had something to prove this week.”
The senior quarterback proved it with five touchdown passes — a career high — in Manteca’s win over Lincoln, one of San Joaquin County’s top-10 programs.
Each throw showed a different touch: slants in stride, fades to the corner, deep balls dropped in perfectly.
It was the kind of performance that silenced doubt and underscored Manteca’s offensive firepower.
“The offensive line gave me a clean pocket, receivers made plays and everything just came together,” Gully said. “It showed on the scoreboard. If it wasn’t for them, none of that happens.”
Pablo Peña, Fullback/Linebacker, Lathrop
“Every time I touch the ball, I just don’t want to get down. I want to take as many people with me as possible.”
Peña lived up to those words in Lathrop’s Western League opener.
The senior, fresh off being named The Record’s 2025 Preseason Player of the Year, powered the Spartans with 24 bruising carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, he was just as disruptive, flying to the ball and delivering hits that matched his reputation for physical play.
In a road test against Pacheco, built on toughness, Peña showed he could impose his will on both sides of the field.
Devin Rasmussen, Quarterback, Edison
Must-win, must-deliver — and Devin Rasmussen rose to the occasion.
The Edison senior passed for 218 yards on 10 of 16 completions, with half of his throws going for touchdowns, and added 55 yards and a score on the ground.
More than stats, it was his poise and command of the offense that stood out, keeping the team on track when they needed it most.
For a Vikings program still searching for its identity, Rasmussen’s performance led Edison to its first non-league win since 2023.
Jacob Ricketts, Quarterback, Linden
Flawless. That’s the only word for Linden quarterback Jacob Ricketts.
In his second varsity start, the senior went 7-for-7 with 193 yards and two touchdowns — all before halftime of the Mother Lode League opener.
Ricketts set the tone with quick reads and pinpoint throws, pushing the Cougars out to an insurmountable lead.
By the break, the game was over, his night was finished and Linden coasted to a 55-0 blowout behind its perfect passer.
Andrew Shaw, Quarterback, Ripon
Ripon came into Trans Valley League play undefeated, but the matchup against defending champion Hughson had many questioning the Indians’ legitimacy.
Ripon made a statement, thanks largely to quarterback Andrew Shaw.
Shaw’s quick legs and clutch runs kept Ripon in the game and gave the team a chance to win until the final minutes.
The junior quarterback ran for 103 yards and scored all four of the Indians’ touchdowns in a 31-28 loss.
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This article originally appeared on The Record: Who’s up for Week 4 Martin Dentistry Football Athlete of the Week?
