Banning's Ryan Seangelis is SBLive Southern California Athlete of the Week (12/2023)
Very late in his prep football career, Banning senior Ryan Seangelis might have found his calling.
The 6-foot, 170-pound standout had been the Pilots' second-leading receiver all season when the team needed help at running back.
With the season on the line, Seangelis rushed 28 times for 188 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-21 win over La Jolla Country Day for the CIF 5-A Southern California regional title.
For the breakthrough performance, Seangelis was added to an SBLive performance list where his numbers really grew.
He secured almost 75 percent of the vote among 12 football candidates to take the SBLive Southern California Athlete of Week Award for games played between Dec. 1-2.
Seangelis and the Pilots finished their season the following week with a 23-13 defeat to unbeaten Woodland Christian in the state finals, but it didn't take away from a stellar season or career for the versatile star.
He averaged 8.0 yards per carry against Woodland Christian for a team-high 56 yards and with one catch. He finished his senior season with 35 catches for 489 yards and three scores to go along with 355 rushing yards. He also had 38 tackles from his defensive back spot for the 9-7 Pilots.
Here are the other athletes Deangelis beat out to win the award.
Luke Fahey, Mission Viejo: Fahey had 208 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 79 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown against Granite Hills.
Koen Glover, St. Bonaventure: Glover had 147 total yards, two touchdowns and a sack in Saturday's 21-20 win over St. Augustine.
Royce Mendoza, Ramona: Mendoza had six tackles and two interceptions in Friday's 21-16 win over Torrance.
Jordan Pernillo, Jurupa Hills: Pernillo had 145 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 13 carries in Friday's win over Torres.
Kingston Tisdell, Birmingham: Tisdell passed for 225 yards and had four touchdown passes in Friday's 30-28 win over Del Norte.
Peyton Waters, Birmingham: Waters caught seven passes for 108 yards and a touchdown in Friday's win.
Xzavier Crews, Sweetwater: Crews had 150 total yards, two rushing touchdowns and an interception against St. Monica in Saturday's 47-27 victory.
Bryson Donelson, Central Valley Christian: Donelson continued his monster senior season with 347 rushing yards and five touchdowns in Saturday's win over Simi Valley.
Brice Hawkins, Simi Valley: Hawkins had 210 rushing yards, three touchdowns and a sack in a loss to Central Valley Christian.
Kenny Jackson, Mission Oak: Jackson had 240 all-purpose yards, scoring a rushing touchdown and a kickoff return for a touchdown against Rio Hondo Prep.
Nate Curtis, Rio Hondo Prep: Curtis caught three passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns against Mission Oak.
