In 2013 the Tri-Counties Athletic League-Rock had a banner year.
El Cerrito, St. Mary's-Albany and Salesian -- all teams in the newly formed TCAL Rock -- all won NCS titles and a fourth Rock Division team, Valley Christian-Dublin, fell to Salesian in the Division 5 championship game.
"In the history of the NCS, I'm not sure that's ever happened," Salesian coach Chad Nightingale told the West County Times. "It was like a perfect storm. To get all the teams into the playoffs that we did, and then to perform as well as we did, well that's pretty exciting for our league."
St. Mary’s is primed for another title run in Division IV, and Salesian and Valley Christian are among the teams to beat in Division V again in 2014. Heavy losses will likely hinder El Cerrito’s championship hopes but it will be a contender for the Rock division title.
EL CERRITO (12-3, 6-0): El Cerrito will try to follow up a great 2013 campaign; the Gauchos won the NCS Division III title and advanced to the state semi-finals, losing to Sacred Heart Prep. Coach Kenny Kahn’s squad is missing three key players from a year ago who accepted scholarships to Pac-12 schools -- running back/defensive back Adarius Pickett (UCLA) and linebacker D.J. Calhoun and wide receiver Jalen Harvey who both signed with Arizona State.
El Cerrito will be playing its home games for the second straight season away from campus this fall. The Gauchos will play their home game at De Anza High School in Richmond while their new $13.5 million stadium is completed. Construction on the project began in late February and is scheduled to be completed in October of 2015, meaning that the Gauchos may have to play a game or two at De Anza before finishing their home season at the new stadium.
The Gauchos will look to fill a lot of holes, but senior safety Rodney Washington (6-foot, 185 pounds) will anchor the defense.
Running back David Dunbar (5-11, 230) is the only significant offensive contributor returning for EC. Super soph Aaron Banks (6-7, 310) will be a fixture on both lines.
The Gauchos will open with a tough opponent, Sutter.
ST. MARY'S-ALBANY (10-4, 3-3): St. Mary’s won the 2013 Division IV crown, defeating Fortuna 42-21, capping a great season for coach Keith Minor. Eighteen starters return for the Panthers and another title run is expected.
On offense, eight starters will return led by senior offensive lineman Peter Sekona (5-11, 250) and wide receiver Ron Smith (6-1, 175). An experienceD offensive line with talent at skill positions will help the Panthers develop a quarterback.
Defensively, 10 starters return led by 2013 leading tacklers Smith (135 tackles), 6-2, 200 pound senior linebacker Aaron Mercadel (108), and Sekona (104). Roman Grace (6-0, 175) patrols the secondary.
St. Mary’s opens with Moreau Catholic before taking on a tougher opponent in Miramonte.
SALESIAN (8-5, 2-4): The Pride are the defending Division V champions, defeating Valley Christian-Dublin 19-13 in the 2013 title game. It was the Pride's third section title in the past four years, also including Division IV crowns in 2010 and 2011. Ten starters will return for coach Chad Nightingale’s squad, and a JV team that went 9-1 will help restock the 2014 squad.
The offense will be inexperienced but returns quarterback Dominic Parella. The line will be anchored on the left side by juniors Nicholas Mangle and Charles Lee.
The defense will be the strength for the 2014 Salesian squad. Senior linebacker Kyree Harvey (6-0, 205) and junior linebacker Gaulega Toailoa (6-2,200) form a formidable duo. Prentiss Reid, a 6-1, 180 senior patrols the secondary.
The Pride will open the 2014 season at Middletown on Sept. 5, then travel McClymonds- Oakland on Sept 12.
HERCULES (9-2, 5-0): The Titans move over from the Stone division where they were the 2013 undefeated champions. Hercules lost in the opening round of the Division III playoffs to Eureka 29-12. Coach Gerald Montgomery will hope a stiff defense will allow his young offense to gel.
Louis Michael (6-1, 185) returns at quarterback for the Titans and will help develop a young set of skill players. Offensive lineman Matthew Clarine returns after a 2103 season that earned him all league honors.
Safety Dmavrier Makenze (5-8, 150) was an all-league performer for a defense that looses its top four tacklers. Joseph Vasquez (6-2, 210) returns at linebacker after recording 51 tackles.
The Titans open the 2014 campaign against Tokay-Lodi on Sept. 6
VALLEY CHRISTIAN-DUBLIN (5-1, 9-4)]: The Vikings, who fell to league rival Salesian in the Division V title game, lost a ton of production and experience from the 2013 squad. New coach Justin Howell comes from Northgate and faces a rebuilding year.
On offense back-up quarterback Matt Suski appeared in six games in 2013 and returns for his senior season. Griffin Smith (5-11, 185) will help to replace Vince Volpatti, who rushed for over 1,700 yards in 2013.
Cornerback Thomas Navarro (5-10, 170) is the Vikings' leading returning tackler.
Valley Christian will open the 2014 season facing off against Stellar Prep.
PINOLE VALLEY (2-8, 2-4): The Spartans were young in 2013 and hope to turn fortunes around in 2014. Coach Luke Bodwin’s squad returns 13 starters with talent at the skill positions.
On offense junior quarterback Troyante McConico (6-2, 185) returns. His main target will be wide receiver Chris Salmeron.
Eric Chandler will lead the defense from the secondary. Other all-league returners include Dominic Martinez, Terrell Kennedy, and Tyler Smith.
Pinole Valley opens with a tough game at Miramonte on Aug 29.
ST. PATRICK-ST. VINCENT (5-6, 3-6): Lane Hawkins is St. Patrick-St. Vincent High’s fourth coach in as many years. Hawkins takes over a team with 12 seniors and a Bruins squad that lost in the first round of the Division IV playoffs, falling to Piner 43-29.
Sophomore quarterbacks Michael Pappas and Anthony Olmes are battling it out for the starting job. Seniors Quentin Bozman and Deo Boongaling are at running back and a talented group is at wide receiver, including seniors Marquis Perrilliat, Josh Cruz and Marcus Oducado, sophomore Tyler Chesney and Benicia transfer Tyler Gyant.
Returning middle linebacker Chris Stinchcomb said the team's upperclassmen have been the strength of the team throughout the summer. "It's a big gap. It's seniors and basically sophomores," he told the Vallejo Times. "The sophomores have really had to step up to compete with us."
Josh Cruz (5-11, 205) returns at the other safety spot and recorded 109 tackles.
The Bruins open the season at San Marin-Novato on August 30.
