This week, Prep2Prep takes a look at 10 teams to watch in each section of our coverage area. Keep in mind, these are not what we consider to be the 10 best teams, or any sort of preseason ranking. Rather, they are teams who bear watching, teams which could contend for a league or section title, or may be poised for a breakthrough year. Teams are listed in alphabetical order.
Bishop O’Dowd
The defending WACC-Foothill, NCS Division III, and CIF champions are on everyone’s radar this season, especially with the return of Oregon commit Jevon Holland and junior running back Austin Jones. Replacing quarterback Joe Deluca is a priority, but Justin Ross has some experience behind center, as does junior transfer Alec Elliott, who played in six games at the varsity level for Dougherty Valley last season.
The offensive line is anchored by returner Miles Owens, but the defense is really where O’Dowd figures to win games and championships. Aside from Holland, the secondary also boasts Quinn Brinnon and Kenyan Branscomb, while linebacker Chris Lucas also made plenty of big plays last season. Linebacker Isaiah Henry is another name to watch.
De La Salle
Last season, the Spartans faced the prospect of a re-tooled offensive line and only a couple seasoned veterans on the varsity level. Regardless, they captured their 25th straight section title by winning the first-ever NCS Open Division. This season, there is plenty back for coach Justin Alumbaugh on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, that starts with senior running back Kairee Robinson, who topped the 2,000-yard mark last year. Juniors George King and Henry To’oto’o are two more names to look for in the offensive backfield, while junior quarterback Andrew Jones has the size and the arm strength to spread the field. The offensive line is the place hardest hit by graduation, but they were also new last year, and having tight ends Luke Freeman and Isaiah Foskey back solidify the edge. Senior Luke Ogburn also returns on the offensive line after earning All-EBAL honors last season, as does Christian Villasenor and John Deitchman.
The defensive front seven is anchored by To’oto’o at linebacker, with big Tuli Letuligasenoa in front of him holding down the interior line. Robinson, Angel Asiasi, and Brenden Riso are athletic linebackers, and junior Taveis Marshall is a playmaker at both defensive back and receiver. In short, this team should be ready to contend for another section title and state berth.
Encinal
The Jets have come a long way heading into coach Ricky Rodriguez’ fourth year at the helm, and after winning the WACC-Shoreline title last season, seem to have reloaded for another run. That includes the return of third-year starting quarterback Theori Oliver. Encinal did lose some exceptional talent, including Derrick Purvis, Brandon Duckett, and Akil Francisco, but the Jets return running back Abdul Holland and receiver David Hamilton, both of whom also play defensive back.
The return of Taj Banks gives Encinal some flexibility with his ability to play multiple roles, while receiver Kenden Robinson is a big-time transfer from rival Alameda. Senior Delayo Faatiliga anchors the offensive line, and can play both ways, while Jacob Tolbert was an all-league selection on the defensive line last year as a junior. Two of the Jets’ three losses last season came by six points or less, leaving them tantalizingly close to a perfect regular season.
Foothill
Two years ago, the Falcons found themselves in the NCS Division I title game opposite De La Salle. This year, with some key components back on the field, the Falcons are primed to make a run in the EBAL after a somewhat down year in 2016.
Fresno State commit Ben Wooldridge is one of the primary reasons for that optimism, as he leads the offense at quarterback for the third straight year. Senior Roman Sahagun has transferred from California to make an impact on the receiving corps, while Jake Jackson has also looked good in the summer.
The offensive line is anchored by 6-foot-4 senior Zach Walsh. The defensive line has an undersized, yet disruptive nose guard back again, in junior Alan Zlotinkov, while Noah Burke is another top returner at outside linebacker. Jake Simons and Donovan Mayer both also return at linebacker after earning All-EBAL honors last season.
Kennedy-Richmond
The Eagles caught plenty of people by surprise last season by winning 10 games and capturing the TCAL-Stone title, despite coach George Jackson’s optimistic predictions prior to the year. Now, everyone is taking Jackson and his crew seriously, especially with Stone Division Offensive Player of the Year Micah Barnes back for his senior year at quarterback.
Barnes is far from the only weapon back, in a senior class which Jackson has touted for the past couple years. Ronnie Foote and Manny Aguero return to anchor the offensive line, while Larry Washington is a threat from anywhere on the field. Defensively, Kennedy returns three all-league linebackers in Christian Qualls, Darion Ellinson, and junior Tyrik Daniels. Ellinson is also the team’s top threat offensively at running back.
Marin Catholic
After reaching the NCS Division III title game last season, Marin Catholic looks to take the next step this year behind the strong arm of Oregon State commit Spencer Petras and the play-making ability of receiver Peter Brown.
Defensively, the Wildcats should be just fine in the middle, with the return of first-team All-MCAL linebackers Mack Roesner and Leo LeMerle, plus junior Cole Truex, who earned second-team honors last year. Offensively, Jack O’Hearn is back to anchor the center of the line, while seniors Anthony Marino and Nathan Gernhard look to make an impact in the backfield.
As usual, Marin Catholic is challenging itself with the non-league schedule, opening with Campolindo and Central Catholic-Modesto, while also facing St. Ignatius and Analy.
Miramonte
While the big talk has been surrounding the departure of quarterback Tim Tague, the Matadors have quietly reloaded with 17 returning starters, nine on offense and eight on defense. Tague’s loss will be considerable, as will the loss of receiver/defensive back Nick Foster and linebacker Ryan Walker, but there seem to be plenty of puzzle pieces ready to step in and carry on the tradition.
The entire offensive line returns, as does running back Peter Stehr, while Xavier Clark and AJ Frazier compete for the starting quarterback position. Top receivers Ethan Fischler and Will Cassriel also return, and both players are two-way starters. Stehr and Sam Walker lend talent and experience to the linebacker spots.
League play is brutal, with Clayton Valley, Campolindo, and Concord on the schedule, but if Miramonte can pass those tests, a run in the section playoffs is not out of the question.
Moreau Catholic
Prior to the 2015 season, a berth in the section quarterfinals would have cause for celebration on the small Hayward campus. As it was, the success of the 2015 season, which ended in a narrow semifinal loss to Marin Catholic, had created high expectations, and a quarterfinal loss to Salesian felt like a disappointment.
But last year’s team had five new starters on the offensive line, and this year’s version is much more experienced. Granted, Jullen Ison is gone at running back, having moved on to Northern Colorado, but Adi Anderson and Fresh Ison seem more than capable of filling the void, and Onijai Sellers is now an experienced signal-caller.
The Mariners do not lack playmakers at receiver or defensive back either, with the return of LJ Anderson, Josh Pullum, and Adonis Forrest. The defense, though, is spearheaded by the return of the MVAL’s Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Jordan Seiden, who is joined at the second level by juniors Javanz Dornners and Jeremiah Munoz. Like Marin Catholic, the non-league schedule is brutal, meaning this team needs to start fast, but if it does, can be in position for a strong run in the MVAL and NCS.
Pittsburg
At most schools, an 11-2 record will feel like a huge success. On the storied campus of the Pirates, it didn’t digest as easily, with both losses coming to BVAL rival Freedom. The truth is that last year’s team was explosive offensively, setting school records for points and yards. This year, though, could see the return of a fast and physical Pittsburg defense, which will be necessary to compete in the NCS Open Division.
Junior linebacker Jack Lacy III is back to anchor the defense, and looked impressive in summer action. He has a strong defensive line back in front of him, featuring junior Jacob Bandes and senior defensive end Michael Pryor. Josiah Murdoch is a big interior body as well. David Martija should complement Lacy at linebacker, while the secondary behind them appears strong as well, with the return of A’jae Boyd, Jalen Mitchell, and Justin Sanders.
Trey Turner is back to lead the offense as a dual-threat quarterback, and while the Pirates will miss Montaz Thompson at running back, Anthony Robinson and Aarone Holmes II would be clear-cut stars at most programs. Boyd, Willie Harts III, and Donovan Crosse add to the stable of playmakers. This team will find out where it stands early in the season, with non-league games against Centennial-Corona, Serra, and Vacaville.
Rancho Cotate
The Cougars nearly ended O’Dowd’s season in the Division III semifinals last season, leading by a touchdown late in the game. Now, with the return of quarterback Jake Simmons and receivers Logan Reese and Jaelen Ward, hopes are high in Rohnert Park.
New coach Gehrig Hotaling also welcomes back offensive linemen Nicholas Goldthorpe and Kyle Luque, both of whom were first-team All-NBL selections last year. Meanwhile, junior Elias Rantissi is back at linebacker to anchor the defense, while junior Connor Barbato should again be an impact player on the defensive line and Ward and Kobi Buckley will be strong in the secondary.
The North Bay League always contains some surprises, but after last year’s one-point overtime loss to Cardinal Newman for the league title, fans of Rancho certainly have one eye on the far-away November 3 rematch, which could once again decide who hangs the NBL banner.
