Still, Danny Bates of Los Gatos and Anthony Reyes of Wilcox had much in common in the 2003 high school football season. Both were outstanding running backs for their respective teams, and both were winners of a Most Valuable Player award in the rugged De Anza Division.

Bates and Reyes topped a list of 17 special honors winners when they were selected the co-MVPs in the division.

Four other Wildcats were named among the winners of special awards on the all-league squad. Linebacker Ivan Batinich was named the Outstanding Defensive Player, senior tackle Chris Danser was picked the Outstanding Offensive Lineman, senior pass catcher Matt Martini was selected along with Adam Dexter of Palo Alto as the co-Outstanding Receiver and Mike Brienzo was tabbed the Outstanding Junior.

Homestead's Chris Morris, another speedy and powerful running back, was voted the award as the Outstanding Offensive Player in the division.

Joining Reyes on the special honors list for Wilcox were Andre Robinson, the co-Outstanding Lineman along with James McCluskey of Palo Alto; Tasi Utuga, the Outstanding Linebacker; Jeremy Belligan, the Outstanding Defensive Back; Jeff Stream, the Outstanding Senior; and Woody Freitas, Coach of the Year.

Nathan Ford of Palo Alto was picked the Outstanding Quarterback, with the rest of the awards going to players from Mountain View—Daniel Croom, Outstanding Defensive Lineman; Derome Fowler, Outstanding Sophomore; and Joape Pela, Outstanding Freshman.

Bates won a share of the league's top honor after a sensational senior season for the Wildcats. The back combined speed and power as he rolled up 2,392 yards rushing to lead all ground-gainers in the Central Coast Section this fall. He also topped the CCS in scoring with 188 points, coming on a 31 touchdowns and a 2-point conversion.

"He has speed and strength and balance," said Los Gatos coach Butch Cattolico of Bates during the regular season. "He's like a horse coming down there. He's just hard to tackle. He hits inside, he hits outside—he can outrun you or he can run over you."

Batinich was the area leader with 143 tackles on his way to the division's Outstanding Defensive Player award, and Martini was second only to Leigh's Tom Bingham in receiving yardage. Bingham caught passes for 907 yards and Martini was second with 895.

Los Gatos quarterback Erik Rollin, who threw for 1,602 yards in his junior season, won all-league first team honors at his position along with Thomas Russell of Wilcox.

Offensive linemen Ryan Lecznar, Danny Starick and Evan Wynne were other Wildcats picked to the all-league first team.

Defensive back Dave Holtzman and lineman Devin Scott were Los Gatos players named to the all-league first team defense. Placekicker Nick Reimnitz also won a first-team spot as a specialty player.

Los Gatos players nailing spots on the all-league second team were offensive lineman Liam Smith, tight end Mark Ericson, defensive back Matt Kinser, defensive end Chad Blanchard, defensive back Vince Bellotti, defensive lineman Chris Cuthbert and defensive end Chas Talpas.

Linebackers Brian Perin and Eric Chen won all-league honorable mention spots.