{"id":8713933,"date":"2023-01-12T06:00:20","date_gmt":"2023-01-12T14:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/?p=8713933&preview=true&preview_id=8713933"},"modified":"2023-01-16T10:45:52","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T18:45:52","slug":"bay-area-news-group-san-mateo-county-prep-football-player-of-the-year-jabari-mann-serra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/2023\/01\/12\/bay-area-news-group-san-mateo-county-prep-football-player-of-the-year-jabari-mann-serra\/","title":{"rendered":"Bay Area News Group San Mateo County prep football player of the year: Jabari Mann, Serra"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN MATEO —\u00a0It takes a special talent to stand out on a Serra defense in which playmakers dot every level of the field.<\/p>\n

Among the many great players in a program that has captured three consecutive Central Coast Section Division I championships, Jabari Mann separated himself from the rest as a do-it-all linebacker and short-yardage specialist.<\/p>\n

Mann had 87 tackles, 10 for loss, five sacks and an interception.<\/p>\n

The 6-foot, 200-pound junior also ran for 213 yards and six touchdowns when asked to carry the ball for Northern California\u2019s top-ranked team.<\/p>\n

For this, Mann has been named the Bay Area News Group\u2019s San Mateo County player of the year by our staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe coaches have told us that what Serra used to be is not what it is now,\u201d Mann said recently. \u201cIt used to be first- and second-round exits in the playoffs every year. It\u2019s heartwarming to know that we\u2019re part of something special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mann made it clear that Serra is more than any individual player. He was quick to heap praise upon fellow linebackers Danny Niu and Marley Alapati, who make up a unit Serra coach Patrick Walsh compared to a pack of \u201cvelociraptors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Serra allowed only 8.4 points per game against CCS opponents, a large reason the team completed its first 10-0 regular season in school history.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a brotherhood at this school, and it doesn\u2019t matter whether we\u2019ve known each other before high school or not,\u201d Mann said.<\/p>\n

Mann certainly did his part to tighten the bonds of that brotherhood. As Serra made a run to the Open Division state championship game against St. John Bosco-Bellflower, he had many responsibilities. He rushed the passer, covered receivers downfield and filled gaps in the run game.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlaying linebacker for us requires someone who has great instincts, and his attention for the football is like a moth being drawn to a flame,\u201d Walsh said. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like he\u2019s attached to the ball with a string, and he will play through people bigger than him to get to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mann is rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, with offers from Pittsburgh and San Jose State.<\/p>\n

But before he moves on to college, he has one more season at Serra.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very excited for next year because we\u2019re barely losing anybody,\u201d Mann said. \u201cEverybody knows what we have and what we\u2019re capable of, so we\u2019ll be ready for next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

ALL-BAY AREA NEWS GROUP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monday, Jan. 9<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kickers\/punters<\/a><\/p>\n

Offensive linemen<\/a><\/p>\n

Defensive linemen<\/a><\/p>\n

Athletes<\/a><\/p>\n

Tuesday, Jan. 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

Utility players<\/a><\/p>\n

Linebackers<\/a><\/p>\n

Running backs<\/a><\/p>\n

Wednesday, Jan. 11<\/strong><\/p>\n

Defensive backs<\/a><\/p>\n

Wide receivers\/tight ends<\/a><\/p>\n