Mt. Diablo’s Herschel Turner gains a slew of post-season recognition
CONCORD, CA (Jan. 31, 2024) — Befitting an unprecedented senior football season, Herschel Turner Jr. of Mt. Diablo High has racked up numerous post-season honors.
Turner transferred to Mt. Diablo in the latter half of his junior year and last fall rewrote the school record book with 43 touchdowns (all but one rushing) and 3027 yards from scrimmage on only 177 carries, averaging 17 yards a carry and 275 yards per game.
The Red Devils runningback helped his Concord team to the North Coast Section playoffs where they were eliminated in the first round by eventual State 3-AA champions Acalanes. First-year head coach Fetuao Mua’s team finished 8-4 and Turner’s heroics have not gone unnoticed.
He was selected Diablo Athletic League Foothill Division offensive MVP. He was named to the all-Bay Area News Group first team and also was all-Metro first team chosen by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Mitch Stephens.
With his rushing total among the national leaders Turner was recently tabbed all-state first team by MaxPreps on a team dominated by national powers Mater Dei and Saint John Bosco. MaxPreps selected De La Salle defenders Chris Biller and Andrew Cunningham second team all-state.
The all-Metro team also had Biller, Cunningham and Clayton Valley Charter’s Manuel Serna on the first team defense.
All-Diablo Athletic League Football
VALLEY MVP Offense – Herschel Turner Jr. (Mt. Diablo); 1st team – Monte Beam, Marcelous Rivera (Concord), Fred Fine (Ygnacio Valley), Jakorey Robinson, Jalen Dowens, Aidan Vanhoose, Jeremiah Owens, Taishaun Glover (MD); 2nd team – Tatum Laxa (MD), Julian Martinez, Isaac Schwartz (Con), Maurillo Herrera (YV).
FOOTHILL 1st team – Ben Hosler, Tony Pucci, Max Anum (Northgate), Langston Cook (College Park); 2nd team – Jake Berger (NG), Julian Abeyta, Hunter Pelayo (CP).
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Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.