The Press 2024 Football Preview
Footballseason gets underway in East County
Our favorite time of year is back.
Fresh off a classic East County hot summer, we finally get to look forward to the (soon-to-be) cool nights under the Friday Night Lights, and not to be forgotten, the new Monday and Wednesday night flag football nights.
Ahead, we take a look at the storylines entering both the boys varsity football seasons throughout the Bay Valley Athletic League, and for the first time, the girls flag football teams as both start their seasons this weekend.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Freedom wants to be ‘mean’ under new head
JEFF WEISINGER
Stephen Rodriguez knows what it means to be a Freedom Falcon.
He also knows what it looks like to be a Freedom Falcon and has brought back the team’s old blue helmets from its glory days a decade ago.
Now, as the new head coach of the football program, he’ll look to instill that previously lost sense of Falcon pride back into the program when they kick off their season Friday night against Lincoln in Oakley — and the blue helmet will make their much-anticipated debut.
”When I came here, I used blue helmets,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve always had a liking for the blue helmets, blue facemask. It’s very nostalgic and I think it looks a little meaner.”
”It’s a pride thing. I want to make (Freedom football) bigger again.”
The return to the all-navy look is just the visual of the sense of “new” that the Falcons bring to the field in 2024.
Last year, the team posted its worst record since 2009, going 1-9, while also losing their coach Zach Sims midway through the year after he was dismissed from the team.
Sims’ departure opened the doors for Freedom to rebuild its foundation and values, something that Rodriguez says has revived the program.
Freedom football players work on chase-andtackle drills during camp.
”We have a lot of buy-in,” Rodriguez said “There’s been a lot of kids who are wanting to come out here. We had numbers before we even tapped onto the field, and I think that’s such a blessing.”
One particular player who will look to not only benefit from the culture shift, but also look to rebound from a disappointing 2023 is senior quarterback Myles Hunt.
”I think we’re in good shape, better shape than we had the last couple of years,” Hunt said. “More people are participating, more parents are involved, and more people just trust the program and look at it with a more positive mindset
of the community.”
Following a solid sophomore debut in 2022 — 836 yards passing with seven touchdowns and just three interceptions in nine games — he struggled in 2023, throwing for 791 yards with five touchdowns and nine interceptions in five games.
Freedom is wasting no time in trying to get back to their winning ways in 2024. They open the season with four straight games against playoff opponents, starting with the opener against Lincoln, followed by back-to-back road games at Maria Carrillo and Vanden before returning home with a pair of games against Rancho
August 30, 7:00 PM vs. Lincoln
September 6, 7:00 PM @ Maria Carrillo
September 13, 7:00 PM @ Vanden
September 20, 7:00 PM vs. Rancho Cotate
September 27, 7:00 PM vs. Dublin
October 11, 7:00 PM @ Pittsburg*
October 18, 7:00 PM vs. Antioch*
October 25, 7:00
Cotate and Dublin, the lone non-playoff team in their non-conference schedule. They also have a tough start to their BVAL schedule, opening at Pittsburg on Oct. 11 before returning home for games against Antioch and Heritage. They’ll finish their schedule at Liberty and at Deer Valley for a rematch of last year’s season-finale shootout.
To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
Freedom flag football shows progress entering Year 2
JEFF WEISINGER
Freedom’s girls flag football team had a lot to learn and process in their first year last year, and that learning and growing process looks to continue this season in Year 2.
The Falcons had an up-and-down 2023, trading wins and losses throughout the first six games, including a win in the league’s first overtime game against Liberty in the inaugural girl’s Bell Game.
However, a loss to San Ramon Valley sparked a five-game losing streak for the Falcons that all but ended their shot at the inaugural NCS tournament, despite winning their final two games to close out the campaign.
This year, with a year’s experience under everyone’s belt, coaches and return-
ing players alike, Freedom is looking to find their way into the first NCS playoffs.
”That’s always the goal here,” head
Freedom flag football executes a pass on a play during their scrimmage in Oakley.
coach Kevin Hartwig said. However, Hartwig also added that there’s a bigger plan in place for the team.
”(Playoffs) always is (a priority),” he explained. “But, for us, our biggest priority is just to develop the girls in the game and teach them the lessons that you learn playing football.”
Hartwig added that having some of his players from last year return has been a huge boost to the team.
”The returning players have played such a huge role,” he said. “Not just with the experience, but helping teach the new girls coming in.”
Freedom opened their season Thursday at home against Dublin as the Falcons open the campaign with five of their first seven games in Oakley..
Schedule available at https://t. maxpreps.com/3AC9GM2
To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Young Deer Valley looks to take more strides forward
JEFF WEISINGER
Deer Valley took several strides forward in 2023 and will look to build on that in 2024.
For starters, they won a game last year, defeating Mt. Eden in Hayward to end their then-18-game losing streak dating back to 2021, and they ended their season with a win in a shootout at Freedom, 49-41.
They also finished with a winning record –going 3-2– in non-conference play last year for the first time since 2018.
And they did all of that on the road as their stadium was being renovated.
Deer Valley opens their renewed stadium Friday night against Mt. Diablo, with their new black jerseys as head coach Matthew Mills, now in his fourth season, continues the program’s rebuild.
Mills’s biggest takeaway with the program this year is the sense of progress that the team has made since the end of last year through summer camp.
”I think the guys have made a lot of strides from the summer,” Mills said. “The biggest thing for them is that it’s hard to practice and simulate game-time situations.”
The Wolverines got their first taste of those game-like situations in last week’s scrimmage jamboree at Miramonte and showed
DEER VALLEY FOOBALL 2024 SCHEDULE
August 30, 7:00 PM vs. Mt. Diablo
September 6, 7:00 PM vs. Mt. Eden
September 13, 1:30 PM @ Berkeley**
September 20, 7:00 PM vs. Castro Valley
progress, but also one big opportunity.
Deer Valley started sessions strong, but that energy tapered off quickly following the team’s opening drives.
”For us, it’s about putting together a full 48 minutes,” Mills said. “It’s something I talked to my coaching staff about and it’s on us coaches to understand what our guys do well and what their weaknesses are.”
This year’s roster will be relatively young, leading to a lot of mistakes, coaches said. Of the roughly 40-man roster, just eight are seniors.
”We hope that they can learn and take the coaching and experiences that we’ve had,” Mills said. “Having a young group isn’t
Deer Valley flag football aims for progress in 2024
The only direction that Deer Valley can go this year is up. And with several players returning from the experience of their 2023 winless (0-13) debut, the focus on progress should have the team start to trend upward in 2024.
“Progress is one of the big, major things,” Wolverines head coach Gozie Obunse said. “It’s just also exciting to have a lot of the returners that are excited to come back and want to get better at their craft.”
Deer Valley showed those signs of progress in last weekend’s league scrimmage in Oakley, specifically getting the big plays deep with converted junior wide receiver Isabella Lacy able to stretch defenses vertically, something Deer Valley didn’t have last year. Lacy started the season as the team’s starting quarterback in 2023. Freshman Lalo Asoufua takes the helm of the offense this year.
“Now we have a quarterback that can get it out there to receivers that we know are going to be out there,” Obunse explained. “We have Lacy at her true position that she needs to be at because her hands are just phenomenal and her route running is just better.”
Deer Valley also has other key returners like seniors Mia Russell and sophomore Kalena Labra-Greer, both of whom played
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Deer Valley’s Destiny Washington tries to escape a defender during theWolverines scrimmage against Antioch in Oakley.
significant minutes last year, giving the Wolverines necessary experience to turn things around in 2024. Obunse says both have made progress along with the teams.
“There’s a lot of progress for sure,” he said. “A lot more unity and communication.”
Deer Valley opened their season at Foothill on Tuesday and will make their home debut in the first of a three-game homestand on Sept. 4 against Alameda. The Wolverines kick off BVAL play against Heritage on Oct. 7.
Schedule available at https://t. maxpreps.com/4fZ2jP7
To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
An offensive lineman from Deer Valley pancakes a defender from Miramonte during the team’s scrimmage in Orinda.
necessarily a bad thing.”
Two of the team’s newest faces that stood out in the scrimmage will also look to continue the team’s growth in 2024. Junior quarterback Adrian Masanai looked in control of the offense throughout the scrimmage, and Freedom-transfer, senior Gabriel Reis, showed off his explosive play and capabilities, including taking a jet sweep 40 yards for the score against Heritage in the scrimmage.
”I thought Adrian did a great job for us,” Mills said. “He consistently moved the ball and made some great throws. There’s still some kinks to work out, because he’s new to the system, but I thought he took a lot of great
September 27, 7:00 PM vs. Dougherty Valley
October 11, 7:00 PM @ Heritage*
October 18, 7:00 PM @ Liberty*
October 25, 7:00 PM vs. Antioch* **
November 1, 7:00 PM vs. Pittsburg*
November 8, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom* *BVAL games
strides tonight and gave the team a lot of confidence in him.”
Both will look to improve and add stability to an offense that recorded only an average of 168.2 passing yards per game, but also ran for nearly as much, recording 142.6 yards per game on the ground, according to MaxPreps.
With the new stadium set to open, the Wolverines will also have the opportunity to stay home, compared to being on the road all of last year. Deer Valley will host seven of its 10 scheduled games, including four of its five non-conference games, starting with Mt. Diablo and Mt. Eden.
To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
Photo by Jeff Weisinger **At Antioch HS
JEFF WEISINGER
Liberty enters 2024 with ‘chip on our shoulder’
JUAN CEBREIROS
The Liberty Lions enter 2024 with extra motivation after their season ended short of the playoffs last year.
Liberty finished 2023 with a 7-3 record, but failed to qualify for the North Coast Section playoffs. Head coach Mike Cable said the news was difficult, but it has added fuel to the fire as the Lions get ready to open their season at home Aug. 30 against Frontier High School who went undefeated last year in the regular season.
“It was extremely difficult to end the year like we did last year,” Cable said. “When it was decided that we couldn’t continue, it was frustrating to say the least. So we took it as a chip on our shoulder.”
Cable added the way last season ended played a role in the Lions’ schedule this season. The Lions’ five preseason games are all against teams that made the playoffs last season, including Division 2-A state runner-up Los Gatos High.
“We decided to go out and schedule some tough opponents in the preseason and just get after people,” Cable said. “Coaching staff and players alike, we’re hungry. We got a chip on our shoulder. We feel like we’ve got something to prove this year.”
While the Lions’ preseason schedule is difficult, the Bay Valley Athletic League will always be a challenge with Pittsburg having won six of the last seven league titles. The Pirates have not lost a league game since 2018 when Liberty defeated Pittsburg 24-21 and went on to win the state title.
BVAL title repeat a ‘priority’ for Liberty girls flag football
Liberty girls flag football head coach Matt Malzahn and the team are focused on one thing and one thing only — repeating as Bay Valley Athletic League champions.
”Championships always get priority,” Malzahn said. “And I know we’re going to try to get that win again.”
Following an opening-night loss at Heritage last year, Liberty won eight of their final nine games, including getting revenge against Heritage in a blowout win in the BVAL title-clinching game to end the regular season, before losing to top-seeded California High School in the inaugural North Coast Section tournament.
This year’s team will look a lot different. Gone are the team’s inaugural senior leaders like Madison Perea, Gabriella Pantoja, and Lea Beamen, and returning are eight seniors to fill those roles, including Shyanne Smith, Kaleigh Cook, and Bella Garcia – each of whom bring valuable experience to an overall relatively inexperienced senior class of eight in the roster.
”This is a team that has some seniors, but not just field-experienced seniors,” Malzahn said. “I know we have talent, but at the same time, I know the other teams have talent. It’s just going to be about how we execute every week.”
Liberty opened their season on the
Liberty works through run plays during the team’s training camp.
August 30, 7:00 PM vs. Frontier (Bakersfield)
September 6, 7:00 PM @ Los Gatos
September 13, 7:15 PM vs. Tracy
September 20, 7:00 PM @ Amador Valley (Pleasanton)
September 27, 7:00 PM vs Clayton Valley
October 4, 7:00 PM @ Antioch*
October 18, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley*
October 25, 7:00 PM @ Pittsburg*
November 1, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom*
November 8, 7:00 PM @ Heritage*
road this week with a pair of non-conference games at Foothill and Campolindo and will conclude their three-game road-trip to start the season at San Ramon Valley on Sept. 4. They return to Brentwood for their home debut on Sept. 5 to take on Amador Valley for just one of their two home nonconference games through their 10-game non-conference schedule.
Liberty opens league play against Antioch on Sept. 30.. Schedule available at https://t. maxpreps.com/3yWYVUk
To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows
However, during Cable’s first year, the Lions almost defeated the Pirates, but fell 31-29 on a late field goal.
“It’s always tough,” Cable said on going against Pittsburg. “They’re a great program that’s been doing this for years. I feel very strongly that we have everything we need to get the job done. But it’s going to take a championship effort, and I feel like that game is going to be a championship-like game.”
Despite the tough schedule, Cable said he believes his team is up for the challenge. He added that he feels his goal of more passing would help their potent run game led by Jaxon Bell.
“We know what we have in Jaxon Bell, we know our offensive line is going to be very strong and tough again this year, and we fully expect to dominate the ground game,” Cable said. “If we can help him out with the passing game, which
I anticipate we will this year, it’s going to open things up for him and for our offense.”
Liberty participated in a 7-on-7 tournament over the summer, which Cable said he believes helped senior quarterback Sage Robertson develop his progressions in different concepts. The belief entering this season is that the offense will be able to throw the ball around more to different receivers.
“Last year, we had Ryan McKendry who is a great receiver. He was pretty much our number one and only option,” Cable said.
While Cable won’t see the full potential of his team until Week 1, he said he does see the talent and the development as the team inches closer to their Aug. 30 kickoff.
“I see the flashes of greatness and I know we have a lot of great talent on this team,” Cable said. “It’s going to be a process for us to work through adversity and continue to develop as a team. If we do that, the sky’s the limit for us.”.
To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
Photo by Juan Cebreiros
JEFF WEISINGER
Liberty’s Jordyn Pokrywka grabs an interception during the Lions scrimmage jamboree against Deer Valley in Oakley.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Antioch football enjoys ‘underdog’ role
JEFF WEISINGER
The 2024 Antioch Panthers have adopted the mentality that they are an underdog of sorts entering this season, and head coach Brett Dudley is excited for it.
“I’m happy to be the underdog,” he said. “I think we’ll surprise some teams.”
Their performance during their scrimmage jamboree Friday night and entering Week 1 may say a different story.
The Panthers looked sharp in Friday night’s scrimmage at home against Campolindo, San Ramon Valley, and Encinal – the first two of which were playoff teams last year.
“Very pleased with the night,” Antioch head coach Brett Dudley said. “Number one goal in a scrimmage is to always come out of it healthy. So everybody feels good right now, so that’s a plus. The kids executed for the most part, we got stuff that we’ve got to clean up and get better at, but overall I was really happy with it.
Antioch may have responded to those who were wondering how the program would look a year after graduating 24 seniors, some of which at key positions, like quarterback.
“We have a ton of young guys,” Dudley
said. “Most of our junior class hasn’t played varsity football before, so doing enough things like this (adds to) the experience, the confidence, all of it kind of working together and them seeing like ‘hey, we can play at this level.’”
Enter sophomore quarterback Jelani Carter, who is expected to be the team’s Week 1 starter at Arroyo, according to Dudley.
Carter took the first-team reps in Friday’s scrimmage against Campolindo and San Ramon Valley and the offense looked as sharp as he did.
“It was his first varsity action, but he’s got just a lot of experience having played his whole life,” Dudley explained. “Good athlete,
Senior Curtis Tucker runs through the gap during the Panthers’ scrimmage against Campolindo.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
got a couple of shots down the field and hit some underneath stuff. I was happy with it.”
“(The night) was great,” Carter said. “I got to see what I could do. (The scrimmage) was very important, we got to run our offense.”
Antioch was also just as strong on defense. The Panthers’ front seven wreaked havoc at the line, getting pressure throughout the night, while the secondary had their share of plays.
“I thought we held our own,” Dudley said.
The Panthers open their season next Saturday at Arroyo High School in San Lorenzo (Aug. 31, 2 p.m.) Antioch defeated Arroyo on
ANTIOCH FOOTBALL 2024 SCHEDULE
August 31, 7:00 PM @ Arroyo
September 6, 7:00 PM @ Weston Ranch
September 13, 7:00 PM @ James Logan
September 20, 7:15 PM vs. College Park
September 27, 7:00 PM vs. Monte Vista
October 4, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty*
October 18, 7:00 PM @ Freedom*
October 25, 7:00 PM @ Deer Valley *
November 1, 7:00 PM vs. Heritage*
November 8, 1:30 PM vs. Pittsburg* *BVAL games
opening day last year 41-8 at home.
“If we can lean on what we have on offense, get our guys touches, play good defense, clean special teams, not turn the ball over, and with our size and speed, it should make us a tough team to beat.”
To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
Antioch girls flag football sets sights on BVAL title in 2024
In just their second season, Antioch’s girls flag football team is taking the lessons learned from their debut season last year to set their sights on the Bay Valley Athletic League title.
”Obviously the goal is to win the BVAL,” head coach Ashley Garcia said. “But on a lower scope it’s really to continue to learn the game as we build a real program.”
Garcia said that having several players return from last year’s debut squad helps with teaching the new players on the team, something that will benefit the team now and going forward.
”The returners are huge because there’s a huge learning curve,” she said. “If you have athletes who have already played, know the rules, and understand the game a little bit more and also understand your expectations, it’s a lot easier to bring in the new ones who are learning for the first time.”
Senior quarterback Fifita Grewe runs the ball in Antioch’s scrimmage against Freedom in Oakley
Antioch struggled a bit out of the gate last year, dropping their debut game to Pittsburg 12-6, followed by losing to eventual BVAL champion Liberty Lions 19-6.
But once they got their offense in rhythm, Antioch was one of the better offensive teams in the league. The Panthers
went on to win seven of their next eight games, scoring 20 or more points in four of them and scored 19 in two other games. The only loss in that stretch came against the Lions, 7-6, in the second matchup of the season.
Antioch was one of four overall teams to hold the Lions to seven or fewer points — the others being Freedom, Heritage, and California High in the North Coast Section tournament.
Antioch, however, lost all of that steam in the final two games of the season, falling to Heritage and Pittsburg by a combined score of 40-6.
Antioch opened their season Monday against Mt. Diablo and will open BVAL play on Sept. 30 when they take on Liberty.
Schedule available at https://t.maxpreps.com/3XvKHDr To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/ slideshows
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
JEFF WEISINGER
Pirates’ veteran leadership to play key role in 2024
JUAN CEBREIROS
Pittsburg has not lost a league game since 2018, and the defending BVAL champions are set up for another strong season in 2024.
Pittsburg’s last Bay Valley Athletic League loss was against then-eventual State champion Liberty 24-21, in 2018.
Pittsburg is returning nine of 11 starters from last season’s NCS title-winning team, along with several key positions being filled with veterans like senior running backs Jamar Searcy and Elijah Bow, senior linebacker Etene Pritchard Jr., and senior quarterback Marley Alcantara.
“The Jamar Searcy, Elijah Bow, Etene Pritchard and Marley, they’re able to help the new guys that are new to the depth chart and the rotation,” head coach Charlie Ramirez said. “They’re doing a great job of making sure that those new starters and rotators are learning and helping all that information be retained and stick, which is vital for us.”
The Pirates were returning a lot of players from last year’s North Coast Section Division 1 championship team, but the practices leading up to the team’s Week 1 matchup remain crucial for the freshmen and sophomores of the team, according to Ramirez.
“What we’ve been focused on is making sure everybody has the base of all of our scheme,” Ramirez said. “Right now you want to at least have your base defense, offense and special teams. Then we can start seeing how the new guys
Senior running back Jamar Searcy runs during the team’s scrimmage at Pittsburg.
start adapting, including this year’s seniors that didn’t play last year.”
Pittsburg left their preseason scrimmage jamboree last week with confidence up and down the roster, something that excites Ramirez.
“The biggest thing we were looking for was to see what the guys without varsity experience were going to do,” Ramirez said. “Honestly, there were some bright spots and some pleasant surprises out there. It was good to see those guys step up and actually show they could do it.”
Pittsburg has one of the toughest non-conference schedules in all of the North Coast Section this season, highlighted with a trip to Southern California in Week 3 to take on St. John Bosco, the third-ranked team in the country.
A big factor for this Pirates team that’s currently ranked 16th in the state entering
Photo by Juan Cebreiros
this season is going to be the leadership from his senior quarterback Alcantara. Ramirez praised him not only for his ability on the field, but his leadership on and off it.
“Last year, taking this job I knew I wouldn’t want any other quarterback as a first-year head coach,” Ramirez said. “That hasn’t wavered whatsoever. Everybody buys in and follows Marley’s lead and as long as he’s on this team, that’s where he’s going to leave his trademark.”
While the Pirates’ offense last season scored 30 or more points in 12 of their 14 games, Monterey Trail held them to just 10. Ramirez said he expects the Mustangs to perform well like they did during last year’s matchup. Because of that, he wants his team to be able to jump on any opportunities.
Ramirez said he told his team that “the opportunities aren’t going to be there a lot because of the type of offense they
PITTSBURG FOOTBALL 2024 SCHEDULE
August 30, 7:15 PM @ Monterey Trail
September 6, 7:00 PM vs. Bishop Manogue
September 13, 7:00 PM vs. Archbishop Riordan
September 20, 7:00 PM @ St. John Bosco
October 4, 7:00 PM vs. Los Gatos
October 11, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom*
October 18, 7:00 PM @ Heritage*
October 25, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty*
November 1, 7:00 PM @ Deer Valley*
November 8, 7:00 PM @ Antioch*
*BVAL games
have, so you guys have to execute.”
“(Monterey Trail) have a high-efficient, high-octane offense that is going to execute at a high level,” Ramirez said. “Their defense puts their guys in a lot of opportunities to make plays, and that’s what they did against us last year. They held us to seven points until the last three minutes of the game, and I know our players remember that, and that’s what we’re going to keep them focused on.”
To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows
Pittsburg girls flag football looking to catch up with the rest of the teams in 2024
Pittsburg High’s girls flag football team looked as if they would be as dominant as the boys team has been in the Bay Valley Athletic League for the last several years. However, despite going 14-2 (8-2 in the BVAL) last year, the pair of losses to eventual BVAL champion Liberty held them out of the inaugural North Coast Section tournament.
In 2024, not only are the Pirates primed for the potential of an NCS playoff run, they’re aiming to continue learning the game as well.
“The biggest thing is that when we’re coaching these girls, they’re like sponges,” Pirates coach Paul Lacasse said. “They’re absorbing everything.”
One of Lacasse’s biggest concerns with the team in 2024 is the idea that the team isn’t as ahead of the curve as he wants the program to be.
“Looking at some of the teams, it’s like we’re behind a little bit, even though I thought we were on top of things,” Lacasse said. “But as far as (the girls’) development from Year 1 to Year 2, the understanding of the game is so crucial because it’s more
mental than it is physical most of the time, so that’s been a big help.”
Pittsburg opens their season with a two-game road trip to Benicia (Sept. 4) and Clayton Valley Charter (Sept. 11) before opening their home schedule against Alhmabra on Sept. 16. The Pirates start league play on Oct. 7 at Freedom..
Schedule available at https:// www.maxpreps.com/ca/pittsburg/ pittsburg-pirates/flag-football/girls/fall/ schedule/
To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows
Junior quarterback Alani Lopez throws a pass during the Pirate’s scrimmage in Oakley.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
JEFF WEISINGER
Heritage has “sense of urgency” for NCS title run in 2024
JEFF WEISINGER
Heritage has an opportunity to do something that the program hasn’t done in several years — reach the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2016-17.
Heritage knows that there’s a potential for a playoff return. They also realize that if they’re going to go on another run for a North Coast Section title, that the time is now, and they’re excited for it.
”There’s a sense of urgency,” head coach Dave Fogelstrom said. “But I don’t think that’s a bad thing. When you have a group of guys who are coming back after being in a playoff game last year, they realize the level at which they aspire to play.”
“It’s nothing but a positive for us.”
Heritage lost in the NCS Division II semifinals last year at eventual NCS Division II champion El Cerrito, ending the program’s five-year playoff drought. They defeated Redwood in Larkspur, 35-8, in the quarterfinals the week before for the program’s first playoff win since 2017.
”(When) we see an opportunity, we’re going to take it,” senior quarterback Phillip Babbitt said. “We’re going to do our best. We’re gonna go one game at a time, work hard through every game, and once we get to the playoffs we’ll kick butt there too.”
“They’ve had a little bit of a taste and now we want to get a home playoff game,” Fogelstrom added. “That’s our goal. If we do what we need to do, we give maximum effort every week, and play to our potential, I think we’ll be there.”
The Patriots enter 2024 with more experience compared to last year. This year’s team has 25 seniors, nearly half of the roster,
Heritage flag football ‘dialed in’ for 2024 season
Heritage debuted not only themselves, but girls flag football in general, last year with a 25-6 win over rival Liberty at home.
The energy from that game, and the wins, tapered off quickly as the Patriots struggled to gain any rhythm the rest of the way, going 5-7 overall (5-5 in the Bay Valley Athletic League). Heritage ended their year getting blown out at Liberty, then blown out again in the opening round of the North Coast Section tournament against Clayton Valley Charter.
With the experience from last year, the Patriots are eager to get the 2024 campaign going with the NCS playoffs on their mind.
“We are dialed in,” head coach Jessica Banchieri said. “We can’t wait. We just want to keep watching these girls develop as football players.”
Heritage has plenty of experience returning from last year’s squad with a roster that features seven returning players – three senior returners, three sophomore returners, and one junior).
“I’m really grateful I had last year’s experience,” returning senior Emma Haynes said. “Everyone’s still learning, but I’m definitely grateful that I got that one year of experience.”
Banchieri added that the expanded schedule should also help the team a lot more in 2024.
Heritage’s junior varsity girls flag football team celebrates during their scrimmage at Freedom High School in Oakley
“We needed more games (last year),” Banchieri explained. “We played against teams that had double the (number of) games as us. (This year) we’re going all over and I feel like we have a very wide breadth of competition, whereas last year was just our own league.”
Heritage opened up strong in last weekend’s Kickoff Classic in Merced, defeating Madera South 31-8 and Escalon 24-12, while losing to Merced by a point, 13-12. The Patriots host Mountain House for the first of their two-game series at home Thursday, Aug. 29, and kickoff their BVAL schedule on Oct. 7 at Deer Valley.
Schedule is available https://t. maxpreps.com/3Xm4gOq
To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows
Heritage senior JJ Kinnaird jumps to catch a touchdown pass during the Patriots scrimmage at Miramonte High School in Orinda.
adding to the team’s sense of urgency.
The defense returning in 2024 is also more experienced, something that showed in last weekend’s scrimmage at Miramonte. Heritage fielded a whole new starting defense in 2023 after the starters in 2022 graduated.
”We’re starting to figure out who our guys are (defensively),” Fogelstrom said.
Seniors Elijah Ruffin and JJ Kinnaird are two of the team’s top defensive players and returning leading tacklers from last year. Kinnaird led the defense in interceptions last year with three and was the leading junior tackler, according to MaxPreps. Ruffin led the team in average tackles per game with 6.9.
Offensively, Heritage’s offensive trio of Kinnaird, Babbitt, and Mekhi Adanandus return for their senior seasons. Kinnaird averaged 32.7 receiving yards per game,
August 30, 7:00 PM vs. Foothill
September 6, 7:00 PM @ Granada
September 13, 7:00 PM @ Dublin
September 20, 7:00 PM vs. Terra Linda
September 27, 7:00 PM @ Livermore
October 11, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley*
October 18, 7:00 PM vs. Pittsburg*
October 25, 7:00 PM @ Freedom*
November 1, 7:00 PM @ Antioch*
November 8, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty
Babbitt threw for 1,248 yards with 12 touchdowns, and Adanandus ran for 1,012 yards with 10 rushing scores.
”JJ and Phillip were both unanimous team captains,” Fogelstrom said. “Phillip now realizes that he’s the guy, he’s the quarterback. JJ is all over the place and kids look at him as a leader as well.”
Heritage opens the season hosting Foothill in a rematch of last year’s overtime classic in Pleasanton (Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.).
They’ll spend three of the next four games on the road, starting with back-toback road trips down Vasco to Granada (Sept. 6) and Dublin (Sept. 13) before returning home against Terra Linda (Sept. 20). The Pats finish non-conference play on the road at Livermore (Sept. 27).
They will host both Deer Valley and Pittsburg at home in consecutive weeks to open league play starting on Oct. 11, and will conclude the regular season in the Brentwood Bowl at home against Liberty on Nov. 8.
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Photo by Jeff Weisinger
JEFF WEISINGER
Photo by Jeff Weisinger