Clipboard: Ducker’s playing time as a freshman increasing on the football field at Cornell

Palma High grad Tommy Ducker has found the field in Cornell’s past four football games as a true freshman, recording a sack in last week’s battle against Princeton.

Ducker has seven tackles on this season with a pair of sacks for 12 yards in losses.

The 6-foot-2, 238-pound defensive lineman anchored a Palma defense last season that won the county’s first-ever state football title.

Having earned all-Gabilan Division honors last year on offense and defense, Ducker was also an all-league lacrosse player at Palma.

Ducker’s father played football at Princeton, while his mother was a standout in lacrosse. His brother Gavin, plays baseball at William and Mary.

Injury cuts short Avalos’ season

Prior to an injury putting Salinas High grad Lorenzo Avalos on the shelf, the true freshman was among the team leaders in minutes played over his last five starts for the Villanova soccer team.

Avalos started seven of the eight matches he took part in for the Wildcats, logging 668 minutes. He did not come out of the match in six of those starts, while logging 88 out of a possible 90 minutes in the other.

In eight matches, the 6-foot-1 defender was credited with one assist — that coming in his collegiate debut, while being dynamic on defense.

Avalos, who played for the San Jose Earthquakes Academy team as a youth, is expected to play this summer for Monterey Bay FC2.

Milovale starting for Hawaii

Redshirt junior James Milovale is started this fall for the University of Hawaii football team at right tackle.

The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Seaside graduate opened holes and kept his quarterback upright in Hawaii’s 21-20 win over Fresno State — the program’s first road win of the year.

Milovale, an all-state selection at Hartnell College in 2022, is following in the footsteps of his older brother Mike, who started on the offensive line at Hawaii from 2012-13.

A former volleyball standout at Seaside, Milovale helped the Spartans football team to a pair of league titles. He earned all-league honors in football and basketball and was a PCAL Defensive MVP in volleyball.

Stevenson sailors podium

Claire Lee was part of two sailing teams for Stevenson that finished in the top five at the Northern California Regatta at Encinal Yacht Club on Alameda Island.

Taking part in the gold division, the junior teamed up with Patrick O’Hara to finish third in a six-race series. A day earlier, Lee joined forces with Liah Yamamura to take fourth in a seven-race series.

Pacific Grove High showcased a team, with Kieran Sherlock and Tyra Liljegard finishing in the top 10 in all seven races contested in the silver division.

Stevenson competed this past weekend in the Anteater Regatta at Newport Harbor Yacht Club.

Mena, Reynolds productive

The growing pains of a first-year college football program was evident in a winless season for Simpson University.

Two players to help build the defense around next season include linebacker Kacey Mena and defensive end Jabari Reynolds.

Mena played in six of the team’s eight games, finishing fourth on the team in tackles with 24. The former Palma High and Hartnell College all-conference selection also recovered a fumble.

Reynolds had 17 tackles coming off the edge. The 230-pound one-time Monterey Peninsula College and Rancho San Juan product forced two fumbles and recovered one.

The pair, who will be seniors next fall at Simpson, combined for 8.5 tackles for losses.

Nominations for MPC awards

Nominations for the Lobo Legends Celebration are now being accepted for the awards event, which will be held March 15.

The event will honor achievements from Monterey Peninsula College alumni, retirees and rising stars who have made a significant contribution to the college and the broader community.

There are four categories for the awards event – distinguished alumni and alumni athletes, along with newly added distinguished retiree and rising star class.

Nomination forms are available on the MPC Foundation website.

Coaches needed

Marina is looking for a varsity boys volleyball coach, and a varsity baseball coach. Go to www.edjoin.org/MPUSD.

Carmel is looking for a head wrestling coach. Apply online at www.carmelunified.org

Seaside is looking for head coaches for varsity baseball, softball and boys and girls swimming. Contact athletic director Steven Vasquez at stvasquez.mpusd.k12.ca.us

Officials needed

Peninsula Sports Incorporate is looking for high school and middle school officials for all sports this season. Varsity officials are paid $100 a game.

There is an immediate need for officials in the winter for boys’ and girls’ basketball, soccer and wrestling. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at (831) 241-1101.