La Jolla High senior Nico Bardaro is one of 13 nominees for the Hollandia Dairy Fan Favorite award at the 2026 Silver Pigskin Gala, making him the only Viking on the ballot.
FOX 5 San Diego published the full list of nominees Nov. 9. The gala, which honors the best in San Diego high school football across 10 categories, will air at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 on KUSI-TV.
The Fan Favorite winner gets a distinctive prize. According to FOX 5's Student Athlete Spotlight feature, the winner's image and likeness will appear on a line of Hollandia Dairy products.
Bardaro earned his spot on the ballot after being featured as the Week 1 Hollandia Dairy Student Athlete Spotlight in August. FOX 5 described him as a three-sport athlete who puts academics first while balancing a busy schedule.
A two-way force for the Vikings
The numbers back up the recognition. Bardaro, a senior tight end and defensive end, leads La Jolla in receiving yards per game (64.8), receiving touchdowns (six) and sacks (three) through 10 games, according to MaxPreps. He has hauled in 43 catches for 648 yards this season, averaging 15.1 yards per reception with a long of 68 yards.
He is tied with junior running back Kali Deberry for the team lead in total touchdowns with nine. Four of those came on the ground.
On defense, Bardaro has recorded 99 total tackles across his four-year varsity career, along with 13 career sacks and three caused fumbles, according to his MaxPreps player page. His career receiving totals stand at 96 catches for 1,278 yards and 14 touchdowns over 27 varsity games.
Vikings alive in CIF playoffs
Bardaro's nomination comes as head coach Tyler Roach's squad is still playing. La Jolla (4-7) beat Central Union 31-14 on Friday, Nov. 6, in the first round of the CIF San Diego Section Division 3 playoffs, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Quarterback Brody Bukich threw for 205 yards and a touchdown, while Deberry rushed for 105 yards and a score.
The fifth-seeded Vikings travel to No. 4 University City for the quarterfinals on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m., according to MaxPreps. The Star News reported that Division 3 semifinals are scheduled for Nov. 20, with the championship game set for Nov. 28 at 3:30 p.m. at Escondido High School.
Bardaro joins Jackson Aune of Del Norte, Sawyer Bryant of Maranatha, Jovani Ceja of Eastlake, Ruby Cortez of San Pasqual, Jaxson Giusti of Mira Mesa, Jesus Jimenez Jr. of Lincoln, Quinn Nikkel of Santa Fe Christian, Cayden Phillips of Granite Hills, Dylan Sims of Carlsbad, James Stough of West Hills, Xavier Wilson of San Diego and Tucker Wojdowski of University City on the Fan Favorite ballot.
La Jolla kicks off at University City on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m.
