The primary target at the top of the Bay Valley Athletic League remains the same entering the 2015 season, as Pittsburg has won 11 league titles in the last 15 seasons. The Pirates have won nearly 76 percent of their games all-time in the league, and their 128 wins all-time in league play is 59 more than the next closest program, Antioch.
It is difficult, however, to remember a time when the current configuration of the league has been as deep as it is this season. Five of the six teams went to the playoffs last year, and four of the five teams advanced to the section quarterfinals.
Adding to the hype this year is the return of the league’s Most Valuable Player from 2014, Antioch’s Najee Harris. After running for 2263 yards and 23 touchdowns last year, Harris is the talk of not just the league, but the entire country after the junior gave an early verbal commitment to Alabama. And if there was any question as to how he would perform on the biggest stages, Harris shredded San Leandro in the first round of the playoffs for a school-record 371 yards and four touchdowns.
In fact, many coaches around the league see Antioch as a primary team to watch this season, citing a growing excitement throughout the school and its football program.
“(Antioch) has the best player in the country and a new stadium to build excitement, so it could be a perfect storm happening there,” said Pittsburg coach Vic Galli. “We expect the league to be very competitive from top to bottom. Deer Valley has talent, Liberty has really burst on the scene the past couple years, and Freedom is always good and plays us tough.”
Those sentiments regarding the talent level from top to bottom were echoed by Liberty coach Jeff Walters, whose team is aiming for its third straight playoff berth.
“We have a few top-tier teams to be sure, but all the teams in our league can knock anyone off,” Walters said. “And you really can’t discount any of the many rivalry games in our league either. Anything can happen in those games.”
Even new Deer Valley coach Robert Hubbard, who had a successful collegiate playing career as a running back at Nevada, was impressed by what he saw throughout the league this summer.
“We saw (all BVAL teams) this summer in passing tournaments, and everyone looked really good,” Hubbard said. “You definitely have to have a one week at a time type of approach playing in this league.”
Third-year Heritage coach Don Sanders added a final statement regarding the strength of the league heading into 2015.
“I really think this league will be on par with the East Bay Athletic League this season,” Sanders said, speaking about the usual measuring stick in Bay Area football. “Every week should be very competitive.”
ANTIOCH (7-5, 2-3): It is hard to imagine another athlete emerging from this league with a bigger bulls-eye on his back than Harris (6-2, 222). While there have been plenty of outstanding collegiate and professional players to emerge from the BVAL over the years, none have been expected to carry their program in quite the same way as the top-ranked running back for the Class of 2017 is expected to continue progressing the recent fortunes of the Panthers.
That being said, Harris is far from the only weapon in Antioch’s arsenal, and does not need to even carry the load all the time in the backfield, as the Panthers boast depth at a number of the skill positions.
Senior Nick Perry (5-8, 190) was a second-team all-league running back last season, and looks to be a leader on both sides of the ball again for the Panthers, also playing linebacker/strong safety. He had nearly 700 yards on the ground with six touchdowns last season. Senior transfer Dawon Boyd (5-8, 190), who started for Deer Valley last year, could also take some of the load off Harris while playing on both sides of the ball.
Senior Ryan Payne (6-1, 185) is the lone top returning threat at receiver, but is joined there by an influx of talent, which includes senior transfer Keonte Taylor (6-1, 175), who started for James Logan last year. Other top newcomers at receiver include Isaac Freytes (6-1, 178), who transferred from Freedom, and junior Antione Tanner (5-10, 160), who is up from the junior varsity this season.
Getting the ball to the backs and receivers will also be a new face on the varsity level, senior Numan Najib, who played primarily as the starter on the junior varsity last year. Najib has earned the starting nod over junior Abram Karnthong, who got significant playing time last year as a sophomore.
“He looks really good right now,” said Antioch coach John Lucido, referring to his senior signal-caller. “He’s flinging the ball around real nice, and we’ve enjoyed some great competition at that position.”
Lucido conceded that the Panthers will also have some designed packages for Karnthong at quarterback, while also expecting the junior to contribute at receiver, safety, and kicker.
Up front is where the Panthers could really enjoy a combination of returning talent with new size and ability. Senior Kyle Jarvis (6-3, 240) returns on the offensive line, where Lucido describes him as “just nasty on the field.” He is joined by fellow returners Cameron Combs (5-10, 200) and junior Justin Kennard (6-3, 275).
Adding to the mix on the offensive line will be juniors Kyle Brown (5-10, 220), who will be one of the team’s top pulling guards, and Sir Forbes (6-3, 230). Senior Fine Hafoka (5-9, 205) also returns as a possible blocking back.
Defensively, the Panthers could be relying on some youth up front, but will be talented and experienced in the back seven. Harris could see time at free safety this season, where he would be playing behind returning first-team all-league linebacker Kobie Beltram (6-2, 225). Payne also figures to play in the secondary, along with Tanner and Boyd.
Hafoka is another top returning talent at linebacker, where he had nearly 100 tackles and seven sacks last year. Another name to keep an eye on at the second level is senior Jason Riley (5-10, 205), who Lucido simply said is “going to be really good.”
Helping some of the youth up front will be the return to action of senior defensive lineman Gio Navarro (6-1, 200), who missed last season with an injury but is healthy this fall. Junior Cameron Nathan (5-11, 180) is another newcomer who could rotate at linebacker.
Early in the off-season, it was announced by the North Coast Section that the Panthers had dropped down a division in the section due to declining enrollment. Later, with adjusted enrollment numbers, Antioch was moved back to Division I. As a result of the early announcement, the Panthers face just two Division I opponents in their non-league schedule, San Leandro and Milpitas. All five of their opponents, however, are expected to be teams who will challenge for league titles and have an opportunity to advance in the post-season.
DEER VALLEY (4-6, 0-5): After suffering its worst season since 2002, when the team went winless, Deer Valley has a new coach at the helm and a new attitude on the field. With an influx of returning talent, the Wolverines have renewed expectations for success in 2015.
One marquee name returning for the Wolverines is running back and defensive back Ray-Shian Alexander (5-10, 180). Alexander reached the end zone nine times in 2014, and averaged over six yards per carry. He is joined in the backfield this season by senior fullback and linebacker Brandon Faatalale (6-1, 220), who also played tight end last year and could still see time at his former position.
Another name back at a crucial position is senior quarterback Devin Gould (6-0, 180). After completing 56 percent of his passes last season, Hubbard has been pleased with the progress he has seen from his signal-caller.
“The pieces around (Devin) are looking good, and he has been getting comfortable as a result,” Hubbard said. “He should have a big year.”
The Wolverines return just one primary target from last year at receiver in senior Elijah Womack (6-1, 185), but are pleased with the early indications they have seen from junior Adrian Dolo (5-10, 165) and senior Telvin Haines (5-9, 160), two athletes who also shined on the track in the spring. But the position that has to excite the Deer Valley staff the most has to be the offensive line.
Hubbard was able to honestly say that he has three leaders on the offensive line, while returning five players with solid experience up front. The first three singled out by Hubbard were seniors Troy Decuir (6-4, 240), Bosah Osakwe (6-3, 280), and Latu Toetuu (6-1, 270).
“Those guys have put in a lot of work,” Hubbard said, referring to the trio. “They are big, agile, and experienced, and should have a great season.”
Joining them up front to add more experience is senior center Brian Phelan (6-2, 205) and junior offensive tackle Jamarr Hardy (6-4, 280).
With returners all over the offensive side of the ball, the only possible downside for Deer Valley could be the fact that many of these same players will be expected to carry the load defensively as well, albeit in rotation with each other.
Alexander, Dolo, and Haines will all see significant time in the secondary, along with cornerback Jalen Threatt (5-9, 155). Faatalale and Womack will both be key players at linebacker, while Decuir, Osakwe, and Toetuu will all rotate on the interior defensive line. Hardy plays at a defensive end spot, and senior De Vaundre Torres (6-0, 230) could be another key figure on the defensive line. The Wolverines also expect many younger players to step up on this side of the ball.
“We’ve put in a lot of great work over the summer,” Hubbard said. “Now we are just excited to go out there and put all that work to use on the game field.”
FREEDOM (7-5, 3-2): There have not been a ton of seniors playing quarterback for the Falcons throughout school history, but when such an occurrence takes place, it seems to always be a veteran leader, and the results are usually outstanding.
In 2012, it was three-year starter Dante Mayes, now at Nevada, who led Freedom to a league title. In 2008, two-year starter Ryan Rodriguez guided the Falcons to a 9-1 regular season and a playoff win over James Logan. Go back to 2006, and it was three-year starter Diondre Borel leading the team to a then-school record seven wins before he would go on to start for three years at Utah State.
For 2015, it is Joey Sweeney’s turn to be that three-year starter, and he has an arsenal of talent at his disposal at the offensive skill positions. In his first two years behind center, Sweeney has thrown for nearly 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. If Freedom’s offensive line can overcome its lack of experience after graduating four of five starters from last year, the Falcons can put up some serious numbers on offense.
Junior Ronnie Rivers is back at tailback after posting five 100-yard games last season, despite splitting some time with Sean Pinson. Rivers also scored 10 touchdowns and earned first-team all-league honors. He did not get to play in the post-season after a knee injury in the final regular season game against Liberty.
Junior Kevin Lonergan (5-11, 190) also returns in the backfield, playing both at fullback and in the slot for the Falcons after starting as a sophomore. Dominic Dominguez is a returner expected to start at the Z receiver position for the Falcons, while sophomore newcomer Baylei Coston (5-8, 145) will start opposite Dominguez at the X receiver position.
Derek Furr (6-3, 300) is the only returning starter on the offensive line for the Falcons, but does have some experience alongside him with senior Daniel Marchut. Helping the cause on the line will also be the return of dual-threat tight end Gio Fauolo, who had three receiving touchdowns last year and currently has one official offer from UNLV.
Freedom figures to be both athletic and experienced on defense, led by returning junior linebacker Kyle Harmon (6-1, 205). Harmon had 122 tackles and eight tackles for a loss last season while also earning first-team all-league and Prep2Prep All-NCS honors.
He is joined by outside linebacker and strong safety Derrick Huey (5-6, 175), who has looked good through summer and early fall camp. Currently fighting for the other starting safety spot has been juniors Cory Cox and Demiere Wright (5-11, 150), who had two interceptions last year as a sophomore on the varsity. Ryan Mucher (5-9, 160) also returns at cornerback after posting 54 tackles last year.
Senior Danny Parangan (5-8, 170) returns on the defensive line after earning all-league honors there last season, and will be joined as a returner by defensive tackle Martin Rocha. Parangan had 43 tackles and two forced fumbles last year.
The Falcons have little room for error in the schedule this season, opening at home against Tracy, Foothill, and Amador Valley before traveling to San Leandro and Will C Wood in the non-league slate. They open league play this season with two-time defending champion Pittsburg.
HERITAGE (5-6, 2-3): After going to the playoffs in their first five seasons as a varsity program, the Patriots went through a two-year drought before returning to the post-season last year. Heritage won just four games between the 2012 and 2013 seasons before rebounding with a five-win campaign last season.
With Division III state champion Campolindo and section finalist Marin Catholic gone from the schedule in 2015, the opportunity seems present for the Patriots to improve on that win total and once again advance to the playoffs.
“Getting back there (to the playoffs) was a big accomplishment last year,” Sanders said. “It was a big turnaround, and enables us to set higher goals going forward.”
A big reason for optimism on the offensive side of the ball is the return of four key veterans on the offensive line. Adam Morris (5-10, 220) and James Wilson (5-10, 250) were key figures on the offensive line last year, and are joined again by Jacob Snyder (5-9, 240) and David Letuligasenoa (6-0, 285).
Snyder started primarily on the defensive line last year, but will go both ways this year. Letuligasenoa has been a first-team all-league performer on the defensive line in each of his first two varsity seasons, along with being named Prep2Prep All-NCS and a two-time Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass honoree. He is currently being recruited by Big Sky schools, plus FBS schools Missouri and Colorado.
Junior Nick Zell (6-2, 170) has played well enough in early camp plus the Patriots’ opening scrimmage against Foothill to get the nod as the starter at quarterback to open the season against Amador Valley. He will be joined in the backfield by Ryan Sanchez (5-10, 180), who replaces all-league fullback Leeandre White.
Sanchez has drawn early praise from the staff for his ability to hit the hole quickly and with explosive movement as the dive back in Heritage’s option scheme and the fullback in their I-back sets.
Ezra Magalei (6-3, 185) will be expected to perform as a utility player for the Patriots this season, after making a splash with arguably the biggest single play of the year in 2014 for Heritage, a game-winning leaping touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone to beat rival Liberty.
Another returner who could be used a weapon in a variety of roles offensively is junior Tyrese Mack (6-0, 180), who should see time at both running back and receiver. Mack and Magalei combined for nearly 600 yards from scrimmage last year.
Two newcomers have also shown tremendous ability for Heritage, diminutive running backs Aidan Quinn (5-6, 150) and Marquis Washington (5-3, 130). Quinn, a sophomore, was called up to the varsity during the playoffs as a freshman last year, and has earned a reputation for his work ethic and hard-nosed approach, while Washington is displaying both acceleration and elusiveness to start his junior campaign.
Along with the return of Letuligasenoa and Snyder on the defensive line, the Patriots return a few other starters defensively who should make an impact. Josiah Cerda (5-9, 175) and Austin Fernandez (6-0, 170) are back at linebacker, while Isiah Clement (6-0, 173) and Mack return in the secondary. A name to watch out for at defensive end could be sophomore Moises Cortez (6-4, 210).
The Patriots may not open the season with Campolindo, like they did in 2014, but must start fast regardless, traveling to EBAL opponent Amador Valley to start the year.
LIBERTY (9-3, 3-2): The Lions won nine games for the first time since 1965 last season, and claimed the first playoff victory in school history when they beat Amador Valley, 33-14, in the first round. With a number of returning starters that you can count on one hand, however, Liberty has its work cut out if it wants to make its third straight playoff appearance.
The Lions do boast two returners in the defensive secondary, including sure-handed tackler Riley Condon (5-11, 180) at safety. Condon will also be featured in the offensive backfield this season, and could be an impact runner between the tackles. Faizon Graham (5-11, 175) stepped in at cornerback last year, and the senior earned a reputation for his steady play over the second half of the season.
Pittsburg transfer Shurod Thompson will undoubtedly make an impact on the Lions’ secondary as well, but that will have to wait until the sixth game of the season when he becomes eligible to play after serving a five-game sit-out.
The defensive line could be another place where experience helps the Lions, as Trevor Robinson returns as a three-year varsity player on both sides of the ball, and is joined by veteran two-way linemen Brandon Hocter (6-4, 280), Jake Archibald (6-0, 220), and Zach Stellini. Hocter was selected to the Blue-Grey All-American game. A newcomer who is expected to start on both sides of the ball is junior Ryan Vandewerf, who Walters described as an “unquestioned leader” along both lines.
Linebacker is another story for Liberty, who lost nearly every starter and backup at the position from last year’s team. Senior Michael Evangelho (6-0, 210) is the lone returner who saw any playing time there last season, though Walters mentioned junior Wyatt Viss as a newcomer who was showing potential. Senior Christian Perez saw playing time at linebacker for the Lions last season, but has been playing mostly at defensive end so far this year.
Offensively, the Lions may not have the returning firepower that they boasted last season, but are excited nonetheless about some of the young players taking the field. Having lost school record-setting quarterback Joseph Tolentino to graduation, Liberty still expects the position to be a strength, especially with senior Christian Haffner behind center.
Haffner enters his first year for the Lions, but has plenty of big-game experience under his belt, having started in the Tennessee state semifinals last season as the quarterback for Oakland High School of Murfreesboro. Haffner is backed up by senior Darrin Prieto, giving the Lions two players who bring experience to the position.
Walters expects the running back position to be a joint effort, as Condon will get carries along with juniors Christian Liscano and Anthony Gripe. Wide receiver will be much of the same, as anywhere up to seven Lions could see significant snaps. Returning all-league kicker Stirling Strong (6-0, 185) saw time on the field last year at the receiver position, and demonstrated further athleticism last spring as the winning pitcher in Liberty’s baseball playoff win over Granada.
Other players who could play crucial roles in the receiver rotation are juniors Jordan Suckow, Tre Hawkins, Derick Gray, and Connor Capps, while senior defensive backs Graham and Thompson will also play offensive roles.
One thing is for certain – despite the heavy losses on both sides of the ball, Liberty has not taken it easy in its non-league scheduling, opening again with Fresno-area power Central High School, before taking on Chico, Berkeley, California, and San Leandro prior to league play.
“We have the motto of anyone, anytime, anywhere,” Walters said. “We would rather have some growing pains through our early scheduling than take a step backward.”
PITTSBURG (10-3, 5-0): The Pirates will be aiming for their third straight league title this season, having won 11 total league crowns, all coming in the last 15 years. The three-peat has been elusive in recent years for Pittsburg, however.
Freedom spoiled Pittsburg’s plans for a three-peat in 2012, when a blocked extra point by current University of Washington athlete Darrell Daniels preserved a 49-48 win for the Falcons. Three years earlier, in 2009, it was a Kristoff Williams-led Deer Valley team that beat the Pirates during the regular season and spoiled the bid for a three-peat.
The Wolverines also broke Pittsburg’s string of four consecutive league titles in 2006, when current Oakland Raider Taiwan Jones was the star of the Deer Valley backfield.
This year, the Pirates will not only be aiming for that elusive three-peat, but also to repeat their success in the post-season, after reaching the section title game in 2014. To do so, they will need to see a new formula work early and often, as heavy losses in the defensive front seven and a new scheme offensively give the black-and-orange a new look this year.
A big reason the Pirates are excited about their prospects offensively is the experience gained on the offensive line last season, when Pittsburg had little in the way of returning talent and struggled at times to move the ball. This season, senior captain and three-year varsity player Saia Fonongaloa (6-3, 265) returns after an all-league season as a junior, and will be counted on to produce on both sides of the ball.
Fonongaloa is joined by right tackle Devon Taylor (6-3, 280), who earned a starting position at the end of his sophomore year in 2014, and junior guard Tariq Wright (6-2, 240), who Pittsburg coach Vic Galli describes as “someone we are really high on.” South Carolina transfer Meeko Barjona (6-3, 265) also brings experience to the offensive line, stepping in at left tackle for the Pirates.
“We were hit really hard by graduation on the defensive line, and we have a question mark there,” Galli said. “Offensively, we went through some growing pains last year, and we feel much better this season.”
A handful of running backs should be the beneficiary of the improved offensive line, and should be able to take pressure off senior quarterback Christian Young (6-0, 165), who was named the week one starter following last Friday’s scrimmage, after a battle with junior transfer Stephan Drugan (6-3, 217) that has lasted through the spring and summer. Young will direct an offense that has transitioned from a run-heavy, slower approach, to one that is spread out and up-tempo between plays.
Senior running back Isaiah Turner (5-11, 190) looked especially impressive during the Pirates’ scrimmage on Friday, and averaged over eight yards per carry last year, but was joined by a trio of other backs who also looked capable of big things this season.
Senior CJ McClure (6-0, 205) could see double-duty as one of Pittsburg’s top returners defensively as well, while junior Montaz Thompson (5-8, 180) could be in line for a breakout season after playing on the junior varsity last year. Junior Michael Nelson (5-10, 155) is another back in the mix for the Pirates, and showed great speed getting to the perimeter.
Galli has gone so far to compare this group of running backs to his 2012 group, which featured the three-headed attack of Craijon Menefee, Jamal Lockett, and Harris Ross, and averaged nearly 240 yards per game on the ground.
Standout two-way senior Jordan Parker (5-11, 185), who has numerous offers from Pac-12 schools, was a favorite target of Young’s on Friday night in the opening scrimmage and led the Pirates in receiving touchdowns last year with five, but is surrounded by plenty of other top targets.
Senior Dushawn Thomas (6-1, 188) showed great one-on-one ability, especially on jump balls, while senior Namontte Grisby (5-10, 190) also shined in offensive action. One name to keep an eye on this season could be sophomore A’jae Boyd (5-9, 163), who figures to be in the mix at both receiver and safety, and was mentioned by numerous Pirate staff members as an up-and-coming athlete.
Defensively, three big names return as leaders of the Pittsburg defense. Parker, McClure, and senior linebacker Charlie Ramirez (5-10, 180) were all first-team all-league performers in 2014, and all were described by defensive coordinator Charles Ramirez as being true leaders on and off the field throughout the off-season. The younger Ramirez had 112 tackles last year, including an astounding 24 tackles for a loss.
Another senior who could make a big impact this season is linebacker Jose Vasquez (5-9, 190), who was a first-team all-league baseball player in the spring. Described by Galli as a “tough, hard-nosed kid”, Vasquez will play in the middle, and will need to lead a young defensive line in front of him. Grisby and senior Manuel Lopez (5-11, 195) have been battling for the other starting outside linebacker spot, opposite Ramirez.
The Pirates’ secondary should once again be difficult to throw on, with Parker back at one cornerback spot and McClure back at safety. That doesn’t include returning senior Mykel Harris (5-10, 155), who started late last year, including the section semifinal win over Foothill. The other safety spot looks to be filled by junior multi-purpose athlete Sam Dickson (6-1, 185), who can also play receiver and quarterback.
