Two Turlock-area football players have been named to a prestigious all-star team by a prominent local sports expert.

Patrick Green and Aaron Lusher were both named as members of the 2013 All-Black Hat Football Team, representing the best players from across the region.

Green, a defensive lineman and tight end for Turlock High School, earned first-team honors, while Lusher, an offensive lineman for Pitman High School, was named to the second team.

The 2013 All-Black Hat Football Team was selected from the more than 3,000 varsity football players on 67 teams in the Northern San Joaquin Valley and foothills.

Green blossomed into one of the nation's top players in his senior year, ranking No. 43 among all tight ends nationwide according to ESPN. Though Green was dominant on both sides of the ball, he was honored for his outstanding defensive play.

“The 6-foot-4, 232-pounder is a tremendously athletic kid who plays tight end and could have been picked for the first-team All-Black Hat on either side of the ball,” said Black Hat Football owner Richard T. Estrada.

Green received scholarship offers from the University of Arizona and the University of Nevada. He committed to play for Eastern Washington University next year.

Lusher is a 6-foot tall, 275-pound junior who could well play Division I NCAA football in 2015. He was dominant in run blocking, helping Pitman High School to establish one of the region's best running games.

Pitman High School coach Tom Tyler referred to Lusher as, “One of the best linemen I've ever coached.”

To view a highlight video of Green, visit http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/624110/highlights/63113381.
To view a highlight video of Lusher, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVYmbKe34Es.