BVAL Football 08.04.17

AUGUST 4, 2017

The Press 2017

BVAL Football

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ANTIOCH TEAM PREVIEW

New look for Panthers this season by

MICHAEL DIXON Correspondent

Antioch’s football team will look to undertake a significant task in 2017, replacing running back Najee Harris, now at Alabama as one of the NCAA top freshmen in the country.

But for coach John Lucido, the Panthers still have a great deal of talent.

“We have expanded the playbook, but we’re not going to do things too different,” Lucido said. “We lost Najee, but we still have a lot of talent, with most of our core group.”

RETURNING PLAYERS: The running game will be spearheaded by a pair of seniors. Dalaan Green, who was Antioch’s second leading rusher in 2016, and the Cal commit Omari Harris.

Omari will also have a prominent role on the defense as a linebacker.

While the Panthers will remain a running team, the offense will be expanded slightly with returning junior quarterback Willem Karnthong.

ON THE COVER: Heritage High senior quarterback Luke Lang, seen here handing off to running back AJ Owens, is expected to take over for Nick Zell, who graduated in June.

Photo by Tony Kukulich.

August 4, 2017

Antioch junior quarterback Willem Karnthong, who averaged 179.2 passing yards a game in 13 contests last season, will continue to see plenty of time behind center.

Press file photo

Karnthong started for Antioch as a sophomore and passed for over 2,300 yards.

“He can run, too,” Lucido said of his quarterback. Running is still the strength of our team, but you’ll see a good mixture. You’ll see more motion and movement. We’re excited. It’s been really good.”

Protecting Karnthong on the edge will be a pair of returning starters in senior tackle Garrett Robinson, and junior tackle Alberto Sandoval.

When the Panthers go down field, junior receiver Gaudie Campbell and

senior Isaiah Avery will be the primary playmakers.

Antioch has experience on the defensive side of the ball, as well.

Junior Vinny Ballardo led the team in tackles as a sophomore, while senior Timmy Dorsey and his 4.5 sacks from 2016 return to the defensive line.

NEW PLAYERS: A nucleus of young players will also be prominently featured for Antioch in 2017.

That includes senior safety Ti’yahti Harris, senior linebacker Tevin Holmes and senior lineman Josiah Simmons.

BVAL Football Preview

Junior linebacker Julian Rios will add youth to an experienced group of linebackers, and junior lineman Jake Hope will be integral in the team’s rushing and passing attacks.

OVERVIEW: There’s no doubt that Najee’s graduation leaves the Panthers with something of a question mark. But the cupboard is far from bare at Antioch.

The Panthers have made the NCS playoffs in all but two seasons since Lucido became the program’s head coach. They do enter 2017 having to replace a supreme talent, but also have proven players at key positions.

The Big Little Game against Pittsburg is certainly Antioch’s rivalry game. But a preseason game against Clayton Valley Charter will give an early indication as to the kind of team that the Panthers will have.

Over the last three seasons, the Eagles have gone 37-5 as a team that truly wears its opponents down.

A strong showing against one of Northern California’s best programs in the penultimate preseason game would be a good indicator that Antioch is ready for the Bay Valley Athletic League slate.

Pittsburg is clearly the favorite in the

PANTHE RS 2 017 S C H E D U L E August 25, 7:00 PM @ Lincoln (Stockton) September 1, 7:00 PM vs. Soledad September 8, 7:00 PM @ San Leandro September 15, 7:00 PM vs. Clayton Valley September 22, 7:00 PM vs. Newark Memorial October 6, 7:00 PM @ Heritage* October 13, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom* October 20, 7:00 PM @ Liberty* October 27, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley* November 4, 1:30 PM @ Pittsburg* *BVAL games

BVAL and defending champions Freedom return a great deal of talent, as well. But it’s not unrealistic to think that Antioch will again make the playoffs and finish in the top half of the league’s standings.

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DEER VALLEY TEAM PREVIEW

Wolverines hope to improve this season

by NATE SMITH Correspondent If you talk to current players in the Bay Valley Athletic League (BVAL), it would become easy to forget that Deer Valley was a league powerhouse all the way through the 2013 season, when the Wolverines went 11-2, including a 4-1 mark in league play.

Since then, however, it has been a rough ride for a program, which went undefeated in league play in both 2006 and 2009.

Deer Valley looks to break a three-year winless streak in the BVAL, having gone 0-15 over the past three league campaigns.

Third-year head coach Robert Hubbard saw progress with a very young team last season and is looking for a breakthrough in 2017 with a team full of veteran leaders and plenty of talent at key positions.

After winning just one game in 2016, the bar is set significantly higher entering this fall.

“We were really young last year and played a real tough schedule,” Hubbard said. “We should be much improved this season.”

Deer Valley senior quarterback Dior Walker, who threw for 1,205 yards and rushed for 749 more, figures to be a continued dual threat for the upstart Wolverines.

Press file photo RETURNING PLAYERS: He may be undersized for the position, but multitalented senior Dior Walker leads a deep cast of returners for the Wolverines as the team’s returning quarterback, although Hubbard has more in store for his team captain this season.

As a three-sport athlete, Walker brings plenty of competitive experience to the table and will likely be used on both sides of the ball in his final year of high school ball.

“He’s the best on the team

in whatever sport he plays and is a great teammate,” Hubbard said.

“He was our quarterback last year, because he was our best at the position. But he can play anywhere, and we will showcase more of his skills this year.”

Another key returner for Deer Valley is utility athlete Evan Bittle.

Bittle never left the field last year and will play safety, linebacker and receiver this year for the Wolverines. He will be Walker’s top target in the passing game, which is complemented in the backfield by the return of junior running back

Patrick Robinson, who not only emerged on the field as a sophomore but also in the classroom with a 4.0 GPA. Most exciting, however, is the return of four starting offensive linemen. Senior Donovan Picazo anchors the group and is joined again by AJ Matu, King Matu and Daniel Lockette.

“Our offensive line was young last year, so I’m very excited to run behind them this year,” Robinson said. “Defenses can’t focus on either myself or Dior, because we can both get it done.”

Another key returner for the Wolverines is defensive leader Josh Scott, who earned all-league status as a sophomore in the secondary last year. This season, Hubbard plans on Scott not only being a leader at cornerback, but also to be a playmaker at receiver.

NEW PLAYERS: With many of the starters this season back from last year and a thin group coming up from the junior varsity, newcomers expected to contribute right away only include a few names at this point.

One of those players is twoway lineman Timothy Harrison, a

WOLVE R INE S 2 017 S C H E D U L E August 25, 7:00 PM vs. Monte Vista September 1, 7:00 PM @ Northgate September 8, 7:00 PM vs. Castlemont September 15, 7:00 PM vs. Kennedy September 22, 7:00 PM @ Clayton Valley Charter October 6, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty* October 13, 7:00 PM @ Pittsburg* October 20, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom* October 27, 7:00 PM @ Antioch* November 3, 7:00 PM vs. Heritage* *BVAL games

6-foot-2, 280-pound junior who can be the missing piece along with the four previously mentioned returners. Another is tight see Wolverines page 9B

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August 4, 2017

FREEDOM TEAM PREVIEW

Falcons seek return to NCS playoffs by

KYLE SZYMANSKI Staff Writer

The graduation of MVP Ronnie Rivers and all-league first team quarterback Jonathan Pierce means the team’s offensive firepower will need some replacement parts this season.

But a combination of returning players and quality newcomers has 15-year head coach Kevin Hartwig believing the Falcons will continue to soar.

“We have to make up 5,000 yards (with the loss of Pierce and Rivers),” Hartwig said. “That’s a lot, but we have a good supporting cast, and we’ll need a couple of kids to fill those two voids. I think we’ve got the guys to do it.”

Rivers (2,239 yards and 34 touchdowns) and Pierce (2,704 yards passing and 37 touchdowns) guided the Falcons to an undefeated regular season, and trips to the North Coast Section (NCS) Open Division title game and the Division I state playoff semifinals last year.

Now, a new quarterback and running back will try their hands at making the Falcons fly this season.

August 4, 2017

Freedom senior wide receiver Baylei Coston, who’s made 106 catches for 1,994 yards and 20 touchdowns in two seasons for the Falcons, is likely to be one of the top receivers in the league this season.

Press file photo RETURNING PLAYERS: The powerful Falcons offense of last year retains its spark in the return of its top two receivers, senior Baylei Coston and junior Giles Jackson, who combined to grab 110 receptions for 2,179 yards last season.

The receiving corps will be boosted by seniors Thomas Houston and Jaelyn Thomas, who played safety last year. Hartwig hinted that Jackson could also get some time at running back this season.

While the Falcons will usher in a new quarterback and running back, both newcomers will be relieved to know that the offensive

line that protected Pierce and created holes for Rivers will remain largely intact with the return of seniors Caelan Merryman, Camryn Cobbs and Tristen Rendler.

“Between our offensive line and our wide outs, those guys have done a good job developing the young running back and quarterback,” Hartwig said.

Defensively, the Falcons will surely miss graduated linebacker Kyle Harmon, who grabbed the Defensive Player of the Year award last season after making 103 tackles, 4.5 sacks and four interceptions.

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Hartwig said seniors Richard Kabasinskas, Chris Fender and Houston are among the players hoping to fill the void this season.

The defensive line will feature returning seniors Tyler Dixon and Fender. Rendler is also expected to see time on the line, Hartwig said.

Thomas, Coston and Jackson will also see time in the secondary this season.

NEW PLAYERS: The battle is on between sophomores Jake Byrne and Joey Aguilar for the starting quarterback position, but it appears senior Jeror Boakai will start at running back, said Hartwig.

Junior Mekel Ealy is expected to complement an already strong receiving corps this season. Junior Taleni Lepolo, who appeared in only two varsity games last season, has carved a spot on the offensive line, while senior Isaac Zatezalo, who played in three games last season, has secured a spot on the defensive line. Junior James Dziedzic will also jump in at linebacker.

Additionally, it’s expected that senior Ronnell Snell, who appeared in two games last season, and junior Jeloni Brown will see

FALCONS 2 017 S C H E D U L E August 25, 7:15 PM @ Turlock September 1, 7:00 PM vs. Windsor (Homecoming) September 8, 7:00 PM @ James Logan (Union City) September 15, 7:00 PM @ San Leandro September 22, 7:00 PM vs. Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) October 6, 7:00 PM vs. Pittsburg* October 13, 7:00 PM @ Antioch* October 20, 7:00 PM @ Deer Valley* October 27, 7:00 PM @ Heritage* November 3, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty (Bell Game)* *BVAL games

plenty of time in the Falcons’ secondary this season.

OVERVIEW: Although the Falcons will need to replace key players on see Falcons page 9B

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HERITAGE TEAM PREVIEW

Patriots confident heading into season by

KYLE SZYMANSKI Staff Writer

After making history in both the regular and postseasons last year, the Patriots know that anything can happen on the gridiron.

Heritage (8-4 and 2-3 in league play last season) shot out to a school record 6-0 start last year, then pulled off a magical 32-point comeback against San Leandro in the first round of the North Coast Section (NCS) playoffs to win the team’s first Division I playoff game.

Now, a mix of returning players and newcomers will set their sights on creating more magic in 2017.

“We do have some components,” said Heritage head coach Don Sanders. “We are looking like we will be pretty competitive this year. How it all unfolds, you never know, but we are looking in pretty good shape.”

RETURNING PLAYERS: The Patriots’ rushing and passing attack should be solid this season with a trio of seniors returning – all-league running back Aidan Quinn and allleague receivers Josh Wishom and Hasaan Williams – and four of five starting offensive linemen.

Heritage running back Aidan Quinn, seen here against San Leandro last season, will be a major offensive threat for the Patriots this season.

Press file photo

Quinn, an all-league honorable mention selection last season, carried the ball 115 times for 628 yards and 3 touchdowns to go along with 12 receptions for 28 yards and 3 touchdowns receiving last year.

Quinn will remain the starter, getting plenty of support from returning offensive linemen in seniors Jett and Jordan Stanley, Max Peterson, Austin Lamunyon and new starter Adam Moore.

The graduation of receivers Tyrese and Tyriq Mack, who combined for 107 receptions for 1,681 and 31

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touchdowns last year, will hurt the potency of the Patriots’ offense, but the squad’s third and fourth receivers from last season, Wishom and Williams, should make the post-Mack transition a little easier.

Williams made 43 catches for 491 yards last year, and Wishom checked in with 28 catches for 296 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Beau Baddeley, a new starter on the defensive line this season, will be joined by a mixture of the previously mentioned starting offensive linemen along the

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Patriots’ defensive line this season, Sanders said.

Williams and Wishom, along with returning senior free safety Shane Johnson, nail down the Heritage secondary.

NEW PLAYERS: Former junior varsity quarterback Luke Lang, a senior, will step into the starting position vacated by the graduated Nick Zell, who passed for 4,531 yards and 55 touchdowns in two stellar seasons for the Patriots.

Aside from quarterback, Heritage’s linebacking corps will take on a new look this season, with the graduation of all-league selections Devan Lance and Nik Filardo.

The trio of juniors, Adam Prestosa, Ryan Briggs and Jimmy Grossi, will fill the void, Sanders said.

Sophomore James McNorton is an intriguing newcomer for the Patriots on the defensive line. Sanders noted that McNorton is young and will need experience, but will be helping out in certain situations.

OVERVIEW: With key returners at the running back, wide receiver and offensive line positions, the core of the Patriots’ passing and running attack appears intact. A lot will ride on the shoulders of Lang, but

PATR IOTS 2 017 S C H E D U L E August 25, 7:00 PM vs. Tokay (Lodi) September 1, 7:00 PM @ Pacheco (Los Banos) September 8, 7:00 PM vs. Kennedy (Fremont) September 15, 7:00 PM vs. Edison (Stockton) September 22, 7:30 PM @ Berkeley September 29, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty (Brentwood Bowl)* October 6, 7:00 PM vs. Antioch* October 20, 7:00 PM @ Pittsburg* October 27, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom* November 3, 7:00 PM @ Deer Valley* *BVAL games

Sanders said he’s progressing well.

The Patriots’ defensive line and secondary are experienced, but the development of Heritage’s see Patriots page 9B

August 4, 2017

LIBERTY TEAM PREVIEW

Lions stock playoff berth under new coach

by NATE SMITH Correspondent New Liberty head football coach Ryan Partridge, who inherited a team coming off back-to-back 4-6 seasons, will rely on an experienced group of returners at the skill positions to go with a young, but sizable offensive line as the Lions attempt to get back to the playoffs for the first time in three years.

Partridge enters his second season as a head football coach at the high school level, taking over for Jeff Walters, who left Brentwood for the head job at his alma mater – Del Oro-Loomis.

Walters led the Lions to a 2221 record during his four years. Partridge, meanwhile, took the reins of a high school program for the first time last fall when he assumed the head position at Livermore.

In his one season at Livermore, Partridge led the Cowboys to a 5-5 mark during the regular season, their best season since 1999. Livermore then captured a first-round playoff victory. Now, he will look to build on the success of his first season as a head coach, while capitalizing on the foundation in place at

August 4, 2017

Senior quarterback Ryan Dutt, who passed for 1,723 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, is in a battle for the starting position with rising sophomore Jay Butterfield.

Press file photo

the downtown Brentwood campus.

One thing is for certain – Liberty will have to come out of the gate at a fast pace. An opening game with Sac-Joaquin power Vacaville leaves no room for error, and that game is followed by a visit from San Leandro, a program no doubt still smarting from a one-point loss to the Lions last season. Other nonleague games against WoodVacaville, Concord and Tracy each represent challenges before the always tough BVAL slate of games.

RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior receiver Zane Hinojosa rewrote Liberty’s record book last year, setting

the single-season mark for receiving yards with 795. He is joined at receiver by 6-foot-3 Max Lawrence, who was an all-league defensive back last year after snagging five interceptions.

The offensive backfield appears equally loaded, with the speedy Kenroy Higgins and junior Tyerell Sturges-Cofer back after gaining valuable experience last fall. The 6-foot-2 Higgins was also the NCS Tri-Valley champion in the 200-meter dash, while SturgesCofer ran for 481 yards and 3 scores as a sophomore. Both sides of the ball should also get a boost

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from junior transfer Sione Vaki, who played fullback and linebacker on Antioch’s varsity as a sophomore last fall.

“I’m excited to work with an athletic, hard-working and receptive group of athletes,” Partridge said. “We have a lot of potential and a lot of players working hard to prove themselves and prepare for success this season.”

Lawrence will perform double duty as receiver and defensive back – joined again by senior cornerback Devon Willis, who started opposite Lawrence last year.

Last year’s starting quarterback, Ryan Dutt, is back for his senior year, but is in a battle for the position with rising sophomore Jay Butterfield, who led the freshmen team to a 9-1 mark last season.

Partridge is still waiting to see how both players perform in pads and with live action around them, but has stated that both of them look very strong at this point.

The offensive line will be young, but is led by junior returner Reese Watkins-Nelson, who played defensive end last season.

NEW PLAYERS: Adding to the mix in the offensive backfield, aside

LIONS 2 017 S C H E D U L E August 25, 7:30 PM @ Vacaville September 1, 7:00 PM vs. San Leandro September 8, 7:00 PM @ Wood (Vacaville) September 15, 7:00 PM vs. Concord September 22, 7:15 PM vs. Tracy (Homecoming) September 29, 7:00 PM @ Heritage (Brentwood Bowl)* October 6, 7:00 PM @ Deer Valley* October 20, 7:00 PM vs. Antioch* October 27, 7:00 PM vs. Pittsburg* November 3, 7:00 PM @ Freedom (Bell Game)* *BVAL games

from Butterfield and Vaki, is junior John Fio, who started on the junior varsity last year and could contribute at both running back and see Lions page 9B

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PITTSBURG TEAM PREVIEW

Pirates look to reclaim BVAL crown

by MICHAEL DIXON Correspondent Pittsburg’s football team enters 2017 in an unfamiliar spot.

In each of the last two years, the Pirates have watched another team claim the league championship.

Coach Victor Galli made it clear that he and his team are “well aware of that.”

He also noted that with three weeks to go before the season gets underway, the team has a fair amount of work to do.

“We’re coming along, but we haven’t arrived yet,” Galli said. “We like what we see – we’re progressing to where we need to be – but we’re not there yet.”

Fortunately for Pittsburg, it has a strong group of veteran players to help move the process along.

RETURNING PLAYERS: The returning nucleus includes receiver/defensive back/returning A’Jae Boyd and defensive end Michael Pryor, both of whom are three-year senior starters.

They’ll be sharing the field with a lot of familiar teammates, including senior receiver/defensive backs Jalen Mitchell, Justin Sanders and Donovan Crosse. Returning juniors

Pittsburg wide receiver A’jae Boyd, who made 84 catches for 1,320 yards in two seasons for the Pirates, will lead the Pittsburg receiving corps this season.

Press file photo

include receiver/defensive back Willie Harts, running back Jack Lacy and defensive lineman Jacob Bandes, who’s already received a number of scholarship offers.

Under center will be another returning junior, Trey Turner. The quarterback’s continued development has his coach pleased.

“The leaps that he made from last year to this year is already a big improvement,” Galli said. “And we liked what we saw last year.”

NEW PLAYERS: With the majority

of the starting defense and a wealth of offensive skill players returning, the greenest part of the Pirates team will be the offensive front. Pittsburg will replace all five of its primary starters.

The line will rely heavily on seniors Nick Martin, Chris Nelson, junior and Isaias Sierra.

Sierra is new to both the program and the school. Martin and Nelson have logged varsity time with Pittsburgh, but primarily to replace injured players or in mop-up

time.

“This is our third year in this spread offense,” Galli said. “Now, the kids are coming in who have run it at the lower levels. Hopefully, we’re able to do more and expand more.”

OVERVIEW: For most teams, two full years without winning a league title is hardly noticeable. That’s not the case with the Pirates, which tells you all you need to know about the talent of the program.

Pittsburg is generally the deepest, most talented team in the BVAL, and this year doesn’t figure to be any different. The Pirates have had issues with the likes of Najee Harris and Ronnie Rivers in recent years, but both have graduated.

Naturally, having to replace a big group of players every year comes with the territory in high school sports. Pittsburg certainly has to do that. But if nothing else, the Pirates enter the 2017 season as the BVAL team with the fewest question marks.

Looking forward, a big contest will be the battle between Pittsburg and Freedom, which have developed quite a rivalry in recent years.

The Pirates and Falcons have won

PI R ATE S 2 017 S C H E D U L E August 25, 7:00 PM @ Centennial (Corona) September 1, 7:00 PM @ James Logan September 9, 1:30 PM @ Serra (San Mateo) September 15, 7:00 PM vs. Berkeley September 22, 7:00 PM vs.Vacaville October 6, 7:00 PM @ Freedom* October 13, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley* October 20, 7:00 PM vs. Heritage* October 27, 7:00 PM @ Liberty* November 4, 1:30 PM vs. Antioch* *BVAL games

six of the last seven BVAL championships and have met in the playoffs in three of the last four years. They’ll open BVAL play against each other see Pirates page 9B

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Wolverines

from page 4B

end and linebacker Jordan Pringle, who is expected to help right away at both positions in his junior season.

OVERVIEW: Deer Valley has a

Falcons from page 5B both sides of the ball, Freedom is well versed at reloading and winning, having reached the NCS

Patriots from page 6B linebacking corps will be key.

Heritage’s nonleague schedule, which features Tokay, Pacheco

Lions from page 7B strong safety.

Many of the key new pieces will be up front, including junior Josh McKey, sophomore Peyton Zdroik and a host of other young players fighting for the final two starting positions. At 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, McKey could be a key cog on the interior of the line.

Zdroik, meanwhile, will anchor the line from the center position.

Pirates from page 8B on Oct. 6.

Still, it’s hard to look beyond the opener on Aug. 25 against Southern California powerhouse

couple early tests on the nonleague schedule, opening with a rebuilt Monte Vista team at home before later facing a pair of defending league champions in KennedyRichmond and Clayton Valley.

After that comes the challenge of ending the 15-game losing streak in BVAL play. The closest game last year was a 31-21 loss to Liberty, but that was with a young team. The potential for

improvement is there this season, although there are certainly some key things that must happen in order to achieve those goals.

“We have a lot of returners, but not many numbers coming

up from the junior varsity, so our overall numbers will be low,” Hubbard said. “We won’t have many subs, so we must stay healthy to have a real shot at competing in our talented league.”

playoffs six years in a row.

The road to a seventh-straight appearance won’t be easy. The nonleague slate includes four

playoff teams from last season – Bishop O’Dowd, the division 5 AA state champions, Turlock, Windsor and San Leandro – all before

consistently tough play in the Bay Valley Athletic League. Windsor fell in the NCS Division II championship game to Campolindo last

season, and Turlock bowed out in the second round of the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs to Elk Grove.

and John F. Kennedy High School, will pose unique challenges for the Patriots heading into the consistently tough league portion of their

schedule.

Tokay features stud running back Cory Glasgow, who rushed for 900 yards last season. Pacheco

features the vaunted triple option, and Division III John F. Kennedy High School (Fremont) finished 10-1 and 5-0 in the Mission Valley

League last year. The Patriots round out their nonleague schedule against Edison and Berkeley high schools.

“We’re young up front, but we could average 285 across the line,” Partridge said. “We have a lot of guys competing for spots, and nothing is set in stone at this point.”

While Lawrence and Willis provide experience in the defensive secondary, two other names that could make an impact in 2017 include sophomore Brenden Bell, who will play safety, and junior

Jerrin Easter-Williams, who was a midseason call-up from the junior varsity last year.

The linebacker position, meanwhile, is one that will need to grow up in a hurry. Junior Ethan Dumond is one player who can make an impact in his first varsity season and senior Hayden Fordahl could provide veteran leadership despite missing last year with an injury.

OVERVIEW: The Lions have been

stockpiling talent at the lower levels over the past couple seasons, and coaches around the BVAL continue to mention Liberty as the up-and-coming program. The freshmen and junior varsity teams went a combined 18-1-1 last year, even with a number of sophomores up on the varsity level, which always bodes well for a program looking to combine talent with experience.

The schedule is tough, but

some early success could translate into confidence headed toward BVAL play. From there, a big turnaround will be necessary after losing four league games by large margins in 2016. The talent appears to be there, and the enthusiasm is certainly back among the ranks. What remains to be seen is how fast the young line can develop, with the league schedule looming in late September.

Centennial, one of the best teams in the county. More often than not, Centennial or St. John Bosco will meet De La Salle in the state championship game.

“If we play well, then it’s a sign that we played great and we’re a great team,” Galli said. “If we get killed, then we know that we’ve got a long way to go. It’s a great

measuring stick. And it’s a high school football game. What’s the worst that happens? We go down there and lose.”

Galli also noted that this will be

the first in a two-year run of roadtrip season openers for Pittsburg. In 2018, the Pirates will open at the Aloha Bowl in Hawaii against St. Louis.

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