JUCO gold mines from week one

Defense shined bright as the junior college football season opened up on Saturday for California.

Three defenders had four sack performances. One linebacker tallied 19 tackles in his season debut. Lastly, a couple of defenders hauled in three interceptions on opening day.

Here's who earned the gold mine recognition from CGM this week:

RANDY ALLEN, LINEBACKER, COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO

Allen overcame a knee injury that forced him out of action last year to finish with 10 tackles and four-in-a-half sacks, as CSM routed College of Siskiyous 31-3.

DYLAN DONAHUE, DEFENSIVE END, PALOMAR

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound lineman brought the pressure with his four sack day in PC's 35-28 win over Citrus. Donahue explodes off the football like a firecracker and wreaks havoc against running backs and quarterbacks. He currently holds a scholarship offer from Colorado State.

DEZMOND KAAIHUE, DEFENSIVE LINEMAN, REEDLEY

Reedley College has had one of the worst defenses in the state in the last few years, but Kaaihue could be one of the men who changes the culture. The freshman from Nanakuli, HI, made an instant impact for the Tigers with four sacks in the 37-16 victory over Mendocino. Reedley's last big-time defensive line prospect was Marcus Dallas, who held nearly seven scholarship offers and is currently playing on Texas State University's defensive line. Perhaps Kaaihue could be next for the Tigers' line.

WILLIE IRIBARREN, LINEBACKER, ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE

Despite the 28-26 loss to Santa Ana, Irabarren finished with 19 tackles and 11 solo stops. He's got size (6-foot-3, 225-pounds) and instincts for the Bulldogs' defense.

MARKIE BELTRAM, LINEBACKER, LOS MEDANOS

Beltram, from his linebacker spot, played like a ball-hawking safety with his three interceptions in the 19-16 win over Merced.

ROBERT SANDERS, CORNERBACK, AMERICAN RIVER

Despite being 5-foot-8, Sanders showed his nose for the football with three interceptions in ARCC's 37-27 victory over Modesto.

WYATT MCBEE, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, FRESNO CITY COLLEGE

The returning 6-foot-4, 265-pound McBee pummeled the DeAnza College offense with five tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery in the 52-7 pouncing on Saturday.

SAM AWRABI, DEFENSIVE END, FRESNO CITY COLLEGE

The former University of Wyoming linebacker commit didn't disappoint for the Rams, as he finished with three tackles, two sacks and two stops for a loss in FCC's 52-7 trouncing of DeAnza.