Gridiron Glory: Athletic Vision X 760 News Football Awards, imperial Valleys best.
Friday nights in the Imperial Valley are more than just football—they’re the heart and soul of the community. Heated rivalries like Brawley vs. Central, Holtville vs Calipatria Calexico and Vincent Memorial, these bring fans together, creating memories that last a lifetime. Now, The Valley Vision is here to capture those moments, ushering in a new era of digital sports for the Imperial Valley.
As the 2024 season concludes, Athletic Vision and 760 news media is proud to recognize the athletes who defined this year the honor of Valley Vision with our MVP , Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the year, and Valley Vision 1st and 2nd Team honors.
AV MVP: Matthew Gutierrez, QB/LB, Brawley Union High School
Matthew Gutierrez proved to be the most dynamic and impactful player in the Imperial V alley this season.
As a quarterback, he lit up defenses with:
1,780 passing yards (1st - IVL)
24 passing touchdowns (2nd - IVL)
476 rushing yards (1st - Among QB’S)
13 rushing touchdowns (2nd - IVL)
On defense, his presence was just as commanding with:
7 tackles for loss
2 sacks
2 interceptions
35 tackles
Gutierrez was the ultimate game-changer, leading Brawley with his dual-threat ability and unmatched leadership. Whether carving up opposing secondaries or delivering clutch defensive stops, Gutierrez’s versatility and poise made him invaluable, which led Brawley to the Bell Game and IVL Title and the first ever Imperial Valley Division 1 Football Program since the early 2000’s.
Any college lucky enough to recruit him will gain a standout player with the skill set to excel at the next level. His ability on both slides of the ball makes him The first ever Athletic Vision X 760 News Most Valuable Player.
AV MVP FINALISTS
Sergio “Bubba” Garcia (Brawley ‘25)
Jayden Ayala (Imperial ‘25)
AV Offensive Player of the Y ear: Sergio “Bubba” Garcia, WR, Brawley Union High School
Sergio "Bubba" Garcia was the most electrifying offensive player in the Imperial V alley this season. The transfer from La Costa Canyon was well worth it, as Garcia brought unmatched swagger and a shifty playmaking ability that left defenses in disarray. He dominated the competition with:
833 receiving yards (1st - IVL)
12 receiving touchdowns (1st - IVL)
255 rushing yards
1,192 all-purpose yards
15 Total Touchdowns
Garcia’s incredible performance in the Bell Game cemented his status as a player who thrives under the brightest lights. With Division I talent, any college willing to take a flyer on this exceptional ball player will be heavily rewarded. Paired with quarterback Matthew Gutierrez, Garcia consistently delivered
game-changing plays, proving to be the heart of Brawley’s offense, DB5 in memory of his late uncle
Derrick Barkum he put on the same uniform as his uncle and was crowned OPOY in his senior season.
AV OPOY Finalists:
Deren Hueso (Imperial ‘28)
Dominic Hawk (Calipatria ‘25)
Nico Viesca (Central ‘25)
AV Defensive Player of the Y ear: Danny Esquivez, LB, Imperial High School
Though often overlooked, linebacker Danny Esquivez quietly anchored one of the toughest defenses in
the V alley. His season stats were nothing short of elite:
19 tackles for loss (1st - IVL)
6.0 sacks (2nd - IVL)
76 total tackles (3rd - IVL)
What makes Esquivez truly stand out is his ability to disrupt an opponent’s game plan. A sneaky underrated star, he excels at reading plays, stuffing runs in the backfield, and pressuring quarterbacks relentlessly.. His leadership on the field set the tone for Imperial’s defense, and his impact was felt in every game. Esquivez’s consistent dominance and unrelenting work ethic made him an easy choice for
Defensive Player of the Y ear in his senior season.
A V DPOY Finalists:
Luis V asquez (Calexico ‘25)
Lucio Ascolani (Vincent Memorial ‘25)
Valley Vision 1st Team.
QB: Matthew Guttierez (Brawley ‘25)
RB: Deren Hueso (Imperial ‘28)
RB: Nico Viesca (Central ‘25)
WR & DB: Sergio “Bubba” Garcia (Brawley ‘25)
WR: Mario Gaxiola (Imperial ‘26)
WR: Brandon Porras (Brawley ‘25)
A TH: Dominic Hawk (Calipatria ‘25)
LB: Lucio Ascolani (Vincent Memorial ‘25)
LB: Danny Esquivez (Imperial ‘25)
LB Julian Jimenez (Imperial ‘25)
DB: C.J. Acosta (Central ‘26)
DB: Beau Zinn (Imperial ‘25)
OL: Smith Hilfiker (Holtville ‘25)
OL: Luis V asquez (Calexico ‘25)
K: Joshua Padilla (Brawley ‘25)
Valley Vision 2nd Team.
QB: Jayden Ayala (Imperial ‘25)
RB: Matthew Moreno (Brawley ‘25)
RB: Rashad Robinson (Imperial ‘26)
TE: Leonardo Carillo (Holtville ‘26)
WR: Emiliano Morales (Central ‘26)
WR: Gio Robles (Imperial ‘26)
A TH: Raul Briseno (Holtville ‘26)
LB: Gavyn Mora (Central ‘25)
LB: Matthew Lizaola (Central ‘26)
LB: Darian Romo (Imperial ‘25)
DB: Brandon Felix (Imperial ‘25)
DB: Joshua Garcia (Central ‘26)
DB: Israel Miranda (Holtville ‘26)
OL: Andrew Tigert (Brawley ‘25)
DL: Andrew Flores (Southwest ‘25)
DL: Xanders Sandoval (Central ‘25)
With the 2024 season coming to an end, Athletic Vision and 760 news look forward to covering the continued growth of these athletes and their impact on the region.
This is just the beginning for The Valley Vision, as we continue to highlight the stars, the rivalries, and the unforgettable moments that make Imperial Valley football so special. Volleyball and Flag Football awards are next