Ryan Clifton named to All-State Grid-Hoop team

Ryan Clifton was named to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Grid-Hoop Third Team after standout football and basketball seasons during his senior year at Calaveras High School. Guy Dossi/Calaveras Enterprise

Even with his Calaveras High School athletic days behind him, Ryan Clifton continues to be recognized for his outstanding 2025-26 seasons on the gridiron and hardwood.

Clifton was named to the 40th Annual Cal-Hi Sports All-State Grid-Hoop Third Team.

In the fall of 2025, Clifton helped lead Calaveras to the greatest football season in program history. After missing the season opener while recovering from hip surgery, Clifton guided the Red Hawks to a 7-0 Mother Lode League championship and the No. 1 seed in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII playoffs.

Clifton and the Red Hawks went on to capture the first section championship in program history. In the championship game, Clifton recorded a fourth-quarter interception to seal the victory.

After winning the NorCal championship the following week, Clifton rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown in Calaveras’ 42-21 victory over Bishop Union in the CIF State Division 5-A championship game.

Clifton, who was named the co-Mother Lode League Most Valuable Player, finished his senior season with 603 rushing yards on 78 carries and 11 touchdowns. He also caught six passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, he led the team with five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. On special teams, he added a punt-return touchdown. Overall, Clifton totaled 726 offensive yards and scored 16 touchdowns.

In the winter, Clifton returned to the hardwood for his fourth season as a varsity starter. He led Calaveras to an 8-2 league record and an opening-round playoff victory at Liberty Ranch. Clifton joined the school’s 1,000-point club, earned first-team All-Mother Lode League honors and was selected to play in the 6-County All-Star Basketball Game.

As a senior, Clifton scored 239 points, made 54 3-pointers, grabbed 59 rebounds, dished out 58 assists, collected 35 steals and blocked three shots.

Clifton finished his Calaveras career with 108 games played. He averaged 10.9 points per game while scoring 1,175 career points. He also made 219 3-pointers and totaled 309 rebounds, 312 assists, 136 steals and six blocks.

Clifton will continue his basketball career at Sacramento City College.