Sutter seniors (left to right) Trenton Duchene, Tristan Leal, Auckland Asiata, Keegan Perches and Josh Garvin were celebrated on Monday, May 20, as the five football players playing collegiately at four-year institutions in the fall. 

SUTTER, CA (MPG) - The Sutter Union football program celebrated five members of the 2024 senior class that are continuing their education and playing football athletically at the next level on Monday, May 20.

Defensive lineman Tristan Leal signed with the University of Southern Oregon, Keegan Perches inked with Simpson University and tight end Trenton Duchene signed with the University of Jamestown.

Defensive end Auckland Asiata (California State University, Fresno)  and Josh Garvin (Southern Virginia University) previously signed their national letters of intent (NLI) prior to May 20, but Sutter football head coach Ryan Reynolds told the Dispatch it was key to have all five of the boys together for the special moment.

Reynolds added that the football program has been fortunate to have a couple guys per season be fortunate to move on and play at the next level, but he couldn’t have hidden his excitement for the five guys moving on to the collegiate level this upcoming fall.

“We dedicate ourselves to our players, it’s important to us,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds added that the football program makes a point to press that if an athlete wants to continue playing at any next-level institution, they will do whatever they can for the athlete to continue their journey.

Reynolds told the Dispatch that each football athlete celebrated on May 20 had key characteristics that are going to make them successful at the next level.

Reynolds expressed that Garvin was a utility player who displayed unselfishness and showed what it meant to be a “team first” guy.

For Asiata, Reynolds said that he was a once in a lifetime generational talent and the best defensive lineman Sutter has had in his tenure.

He added that Asiata’s work ethic gave him great opportunities and he earned everything he received.

Reynolds said that Leal was the most dynamic defensive lineman during his time at Sutter, and a lot of opposing coaches feared of how to attempt to stop him on Friday nights.

“He’s got a motor that doesn’t quit and [he] plays with passion,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds expressed that Perches is a workhorse and a team player. He added that as Perches had great hands in the receiver role, what set him apart was the ability/tenacity to block, and he could see that being used a lot at the next level.

Duchene was described by Reynolds as a pure athlete, who was brought up to the varsity program as a freshman and was put into multiple positions as he was versatile and able to contribute multiple ways on the field.

Sutter football had spring ball football until the end of May and Reynolds said he is happy with the progression of everything so far and that he is excited for the 2024 football season.