The article below originally appeared in the Palo Alto Daily News and is being reprinted with permission.

Eddie Elder of College of San Mateo has been selected the top defensive player in community college football.

The 6-foot, 190-pound sophomore defensive back tops the All-America defensive team of the nation’s largest JC/CC football organization, the California Community College Athletic Association.

CSM lineman Matangi Tonga (6-3, 285) out of Aragon-San Mateo joins Elder as well as Foothill linebacker Jeff Thomas (Serra-San Mateo) on the 14-man defensive All-America selected by the California Community College Football Coaches Association and the JC Athletic Bureau.