BVAL Football Preview_08.09.19

AUGUST 9, 2019

The Press 2019

BVAL Football

Preview

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ANTIOCH �������������������������������� 2B DEER VALLEY �������������������������� 3B FREEDOM ������������������������������� 4B

HERITAGE ������������������������������� 5B LIBERTY ��������������������������������� 6B PITTSBURG ����������������������������� 7B

ANTIOCH TEAM PREVIEW

Panthers in search of fresh start this season

by JESUS CANO Correspondent After earning the No. 1 seed in the North Coast Section Division I playoffs last season, the Antioch Panthers appeared to have their second opportunity at taking home the crown.

However, a slow-sailing field goal in double overtime saw No. 8 Vintage upset top-seeded Antioch 24-21.

“That’s all they talk about,” said head coach John Lucido.

“They took the team a little lightly.

They understand that. Lucky, all those guys are young and they know what not to do now.”

Junior quarterback Rocco Borelli will be handed the rock.

Last season, three-year veteran Willem Karnthong spent some time on the shelf with multiple injuries and illness. Thus, Borelli carries experience this season.

“He’s improved so much,” said Lucido. “He is a very talented young man. We changed our passing system a little bit and he’s picked it up fast. He has a strong arm.”

The running back duo of seniors Jaysn Wade and Dwight

Antioch running back Dwight Turner, seen here last season against Freedom, figures to be a key offensive contributor for the Panthers this season.

Press file photo

Turner lit up the backfield and both will be key in orchestrating offensive production. The duo combined for a total of 1,265 rushing yards in 2018. Wade battled the year with a thigh injury, but managed to secure an offer from Georgetown University. The size up front of Antioch will serve important with 6-foot-2

inch senior Kwamayne Sims and 6-foot-7-inch junior Jailen Weaver.

Gaston Dorsey is also a good interior body.

The wide receiver core will see Wade and Turner line up in the slot. University of California, Berkeley commit Dejuan Butler adds plenty of speed at receiver.

Lucido, like many coaches,

will be using his players on both sides of the ball. The Panthers transitioned to using a 3-3 stack formation this year.

“We have so many talented athletes and want to use as much of them as we can,” said Lucido.

Sims, Weaver and Dorsey will be running the gauntlet, playing defensive line as well. Linebackers Raider Vreonis and Oggo Delaney will anchor that position. Delaney saw significant playing time while Vreonis was called up to the varsity team in the playoffs and ended up starting for the Panthers.

Borelli will use his 6-foot 1-inch frame to his team’s advantage by seeing some time on defense, too. Donavan Fells is also one of Antioch’s key skill players.

He will be playing defensive back while Wade will play on both sides of the field.

Butler settles in nicely at cornerback, the position he is being recruited for at Cal. Antioch has improved steadily over the years. After making the playoffs in 2014 for the first time in a while, the Panthers have not missed the playoffs and had a division I championship appearance.

PANTHE RS 2019 SCH E DU L E August. 23, 7:00 PM vs. Amador Valley August. 30, 7:00 PM vs. California September 6, 7:15 PM @ Lincoln (Stockton) September 13, 7:00 PM @ San Ramon Valley September 20, 7:00 PM vs. Marin Catholic September 27, 7:00 PM @ Heritage* October 4, 7:00 PM @ Liberty* October 18, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley* October 25, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom* November 2, 1:30 PM @ Pittsburg* *BVAL games

Lucido has scheduled an East Bay Athletic League heavy non-league schedule involving California, San Ramon Valley and Amador Valley, along with Marin Catholic.

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BVAL Football Preview

August 9, 2019

DEER VALLEY TEAM PREVIEW

Inexperienced Wolverines hope to impress

by KYLE SZYMANSKI Staff Writer Four of five Deer Valley High School all-league players from last season’s 4-6 squad have graduated, and now a host of mostly inexperienced returners and promising newcomers will work to push the Wolverines into the future this season.

The squad, which last year picked up its first Bay Valley Athletic League win since 2013 en route to finishing its league slate 1-4, will need to replace its starting quarterback (Joshua Scott), leading rusher (Patrick Robinson), top receiver (Robinson) and best tackler (Logan Fontaine) in 2019, and plenty of candidates have stepped forward.

“They have a lot of potential, but very little playing experience,” said head coach Robert Hubbard.

Senior Willie Williams, who saw action as running back last season, and newcomer Pacifica Tumanuvao may be in a battle to start at quarterback, after previous starter Scott graduated in the spring.

Hubbard said Williams is an explosive player with the ability to make throws all over the field, while the 6-foot, 225-pound, nimble Tumanuvao has a world of potential and could

Join the

Senior James Terrell Knaules, seen here last year against Heritage, returns this season to bolster the Wolverines receiving corps.

Press file photo

ultimately find himself at tight end, running back, linebacker or on the defensive line.

“He could be a real special player for us,” said Hubbard, who described Tumanuvao as “huge” and as a player who “can really, really move.”

Senior Larin Hamlin (six carries for 82 yards in his only varsity game last season) appears set to become the team’s starting running back, replacing the graduated Robinson — an all-league player and the team’s leading rusher, who racked up 2,037 yards on the ground in three varsity seasons.

The team’s eventual quarterback and Hamlin will both rely on what Hubbard describes as a very inexperienced offensive line, comprising all-league

!

senior Jacob Caguyong, returning senior Kyair Stewart, returning junior Keion Venson along with several undisclosed newcomers.

Returning junior Reggie Hill (12 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns last year) will join forces with senior James Terrell Knaules (six receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns in eight games last season) and newcomer Jaloni Washington — a senior — to lead the Wolverines’ receiving corps.

Washington looked especially impressive during the off-season, Hubbard said.

The Wolverines’ defense will also take on a different look this season, following the graduation of all-league

offensive and defensive lineman King Matu, all-league linebacker Fontaine and the talented Scott, who also played defensive back.

Caguyong, Stewart and Venson figure to anchor the defensive line as twoway players, while senior Kobe Decuir will lead the linebacking core, and Hill, Knaules, Washington and senior David Lockett (who’s appeared in a handful of varsity games) will hold down the secondary.

Deer Valley’s non-league schedule features four non-Division I playoff teams from a year ago, including North Coast Section Division II squads American Canyon and Campolindo, the Sac-Joaquin Section’s Division IV Wood High (Vacaville) and North Coast Section Division 4 Kennedy. American Canyon, Wood and Kennedy all reached the second round of their respective playoffs last season, while Campolindo reached the semifinals.

The Wolverines will also clash with North Coast Section Division I foe Dublin in non-league play. The Gaels finished 4-6 last season and missed out on the playoffs.

Deer Valley opens league play at 7 p.m. on Sept. 27 at powerhouse Pittsburg.

“I am really fortunate that a lot of the players who are coming in

WOLVE R INE S 2019 SCH E DU L E August 23, 7:00 PM vs. American Canyon August 30, 7:00 PM @ Campolindo (Moraga) September 6, 7:00 PM vs. Wood September 13, 7:00 PM vs. Kennedy September 20, 7:00 PM vs. Dublin September 27, 7:00 PM @ Pittsburg* October 4, 7:00 PM vs. Heritage* October 18, 7:00 PM @ Antioch* October 25, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty* November 1, 7:00 PM @ Freedom* *BVAL games

inexperienced have a world of potential,” Hubbard said. “They really, really do. If they can live up to that potential, make some of these big plays, bounce back when the plays aren’t so big and stay healthy, we’ll be fine this season.”

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FREEDOM TEAM PREVIEW

Revamped Freedom Falcons set to soar

by KYLE SZYMANSKI Staff Writer After last year’s 9-4 campaign that led Freedom all the way to the North Coast Section (NCS) Division I championship game for the second consecutive year, graduation hit the Falcons hard.

Only three of the 14 all-league selections from the 2018 team return to the Falcons this season, but a younger group of players and a handful of returners hope they, too, will take flight.

“It’s a work in progress, but we are excited about the season,” said Freedom head coach Andrew Cotter.

The Falcons will need to replace their leading 2018 passer (Joey Aguilar) and their top four receivers (Giles Jackson, Mekel Ealy, Jaimier Parker and Kimahni Tolefree) on offense, while also working to overcome the loss of their two best tacklers (allleague linebacker Hunter McAllister and all-league defensive back Daniel Roanhorse) on defense.

Returning senior quarterback Jake Byrne, who completed 31 of 75 passes for 456 yards and nine touchdowns in eight games last season, will assume the full-time quarterback

Freedom running back Roy Lee, seen here last season, will man the Falcons backfield this season.

Press file photo

role this year.

Returning senior Roy Lee, the team’s 2018 leading rusher (119 attempts for 751 yards and two touchdowns), returns to anchor a run game that will also feature his brother, newcomer junior Jordan Lee. Returning junior Seth Hartshorn and returning senior Nolan Phillips will hold down the offensive line, along with newcomers, senior Angel

Gonzalez, junior William Baldwin and Jacob Stephano.

The receiving corps is expected to feature returning seniors Juan Sanchez and Julian Partida and promising juniors Matthew Quesada and Deniro Killian Jr. Defensively, returning junior Caleb Hunter will anchor the line, along with Baldwin, junior Gavyn Tobin and senior Tyler Miller.

Familiar faces Brett Bausola and

Robert Garcia — both all-league second team members a year ago — will hold down the linebacking core with fellow returners, junior Tyler Lepolo and senior Trevor Fleming.

Lee is also expected to hold down the team’s secondary with a number of other undisclosed candidates, Cotter said.

“We had a great group of seniors last year and there is a lot of production offensively and defensively that we are losing,” Cotter said, “but we are excited about the younger guys who are coming through, and hopefully they will fill in those shoes that the other guys left.”

In traditional Freedom fashion, the Falcons aren’t backing down from the area’s top talent, with games scheduled against five playoff teams from a year ago, including a matchup with reigning NCS Division 1 champion San Ramon Valley, who grounded the Falcons 28-21 in the section championship game last season.

Freedom’s non-league schedule also features 2018 NCS Division I semifinalists Cal High, fellow 2018 NCS Division I playoff team San Leandro, and Turlock and Antelope

FALCONS 2019 SCH E DU L E August 23, 7:00 PM @ Turlock August 30, 7:00 PM @ San Leandro September 6, 7:00 PM @ California (San Ramon) September 13, 7:15 PM @ Antelope September 20, 7:00 PM vs. San Ramon Valley September 27, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty* (Bell Game) October 4, 7:00 PM vs. Pittsburg* October 18, 7:00 PM @ Heritage* October 25, 7:00 PM @ Antioch* November 1, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley* *BVAL games

— 2018 Sac-Joaquin Section Division I and III playoff teams, respectively.

“We always want to play the best,” Cotter said. “That is what Freedom football has always been about.”

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HERITAGE TEAM PREVIEW

Improved Patriots determined to shine

by KYLE SZYMANSKI Staff Writer After a 1-9 season last year, Brentwood’s Heritage High Patriots are taking the field this season with a renewed sense of optimism.

The young 2018 team is now stronger, more mature and better prepared for the challenging schedule that lies ahead.

“We are reaping the benefits of an incoming senior class that is pretty talented, and they definitely don’t want to repeat what happened last year,” said head coach Don Sanders, who noted the team should feature a strong run game, an efficient passing attack and continued growth defensively.

The upstart Patriots return four of six 2018 all-league players, including second-team wide receiver Kendrick Shaw, honorablemention offensive lineman Adam Smith, second-team linebacker Greg Filardo and honorable-mention quarterback Trevor Moorman — although Moorman is slated to play wide receiver, with returning junior Asher Haynes taking over the quarterback position, Sanders

Junior running back Hanai Muhammad, seen here last season, is expected to see plenty of action in the Patriots backfield this season.

Press file photo

said.

The returning one-two punch of junior Hanai Muhammad and senior Tony Zalec figure to hold down the running back position, while returning seniors Kevin Moore and Smith along with returning junior Jacob Fucci, will anchor the offensive line, joined by new juniors Vicente Hughes and Ajay Lozada.

Returning senior James Williams and 2018 all-leaguer Shaw will be Haynes’ primary wide receiver targets, Sanders said.

“The kids are working hard and we feel we are making progress,” Sanders said. “We are further along this year than we were at this time last year.”

Returning juniors Gerrick Dacpano, Alex Peterson and

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Bennett Ricker will join Smith on the defensive line, while the linebacking core is expected to feature Filardo, Fucci and senior newcomer Alec Brannen.

Shaw, Williams, Muhammad, Zalec and sophomore newcomer Jayden Ennis will see time in the secondary, Sanders said.

“The team’s confidence is much higher this season than it was last season,” Sanders said.

If the Patriots are to improve, they’ll have to face down a challenging schedule that includes reigning North Coast Section (NCS) Division I champion San Ramon Valley, NCS Division I semifinalists California, 2018 NCS Division I quarterfinalists Amador Valley, and James Logan, who also reached the NCS Division I playoffs last season.

Then comes grueling Bay Valley Athletic League play against the likes of reigning state champion Liberty, NCS Division I runnerup Freedom and perennial powerhouse Pittsburg, who qualified for the elite NCS Open Division playoffs a year ago.

“It’s very loaded,” Sanders said of the team’s schedule. “It’s

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BVAL Football Preview

September 7, 4:00 PM @ James Logan (Union City) September 13, 7:00 PM @ Amador Valley September 20, 7:00 PM vs. California September 27, 7:00 PM vs. Antioch* October 4, 7:00 PM @ Deer Valley* October 18, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom* October 25, 7:00 PM @ Pittsburg* November 1, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty* (Brentwood Bowl) *BVAL games

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LIBERTY TEAM PREVIEW

Reigning state champ Lions back on prowl

by JESUS CANO Correspondent In a historic football season, Brentwood’s Lions put Corn Country on the map by winning the 2018 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division 1A state championship.

After claiming the Bay Valley Athletic League (BVAL) and a CIF state regional title, Liberty’s season culminated in Norwalk, California, with a 19-17 victory over Southern California powerhouse Sierra Canyon. Now it’s safe to say that everyone in the North Coast Section (NCS) has their eyes locked in on Liberty.

“I think it gives them more confidence,” said third-year head coach Ryan Partridge. “There is high expectations and we’re going to meet them head on. Right now, we’re worried about beating ourselves and getting better each day.”

Headlining the team is threeyear varsity veteran Jay Butterfield.

Liberty running back Brenden Bell, seen here last season, will be just one of a few talented running backs on the Lions roster this season.

Press file photo

The senior announced his commitment to the University of Oregon during the spring and has the numbers to back up why he’s one of the most recruited pro-style quarterbacks in the nation.

Many of Liberty’s aerial threats graduated, but senior Cody Muth is one of Butterfield’s few returning targets. Muth caught Liberty’s only

scoring play in its loss against De La Salle in the NCS Open Championship.

6-foot, 2-inch tight end Peyton Borelli will also be a threat for Liberty.

A pair of seniors is returning at running back with Brenden Bell and Darrion Bartley. Bell saw some carries last season behind former Lion Tyerell Sturges-Cofer. Both of these players have also lined up at receiver this

LIONS 2019 SCH E DU L E

offseason.

Bell and Bartley will have a pretty solid group to create lanes for them.

Payton Zdroik moved over to center.

He was awarded All-BVAL first-team honors on both sides of the ball last year. Akili Calhoun and Cel’mone Kennedy each made second team AllBVAL last season and will be factors in the Lions’ run game.

Many of these athletes will be two-way players. Calhoun recently started gaining offers from Pac-12 schools like Cal and Washington State, while Zdroik has reeled in offers from Cal Poly and Colorado State.

“They never have a bad practice,” Partridge said. “They’re all good.”

Mason Padilla anchors linebacker core. The senior stepped up big time in the state championship game with the absence of the 2017 defensive MVP Nicky Einess. Padilla recorded 15 tackles in that game.

August 23, 7:30 PM @ Vacaville

see Lions page 7B

*BVAL games

August 30, 7:00 PM @ Oakdale September 7, 7:30 PM vs. Clayton Valley (@ James Logan) September 13, 7:00 PM vs. Monte Vista September 20, 7:00 PM vs. Cardinal Newman September 27, 7:00 PM @ Freedom* (Bell Game) October 4, 7:00 PM vs. Antioch* October 18, 7:00 PM vs. Pittsburg* October 25, 7:00 PM @ Deer Valley* November 1, 7:00 PM @ Heritage* (Brentwood Bowl)

Smooth Butterfield hopes to lead Liberty back to glory

by KYLE SZYMANSKI Staff Writer With the 2019 high school football season kicking off in a few weeks, East County residents will get one more year-long shot to watch senior Liberty quarterback Jay Butterfield.

And if the past is any indication, spectators won’t want to look away.

Butterfield — considered the nation’s third best pro-style quarterback in the 2020 class — guided the Lions

football team to its first North Coast Section (NCS) and state titles in backto-back seasons, all while launching his personal stock skyward.

The 6-foot-6-inch, 206-pound, four-star senior — son of former Stanford University and professional quarterback Mark Butterfield — fielded at least 15 Division I college scholarship offers before verbally committing to the University of Oregon in May, turning down the Universities of Michigan and Wisconsin and a slew

of other Pac-12 schools, among other 27th-straight section title win. the record books, Jay has his eye on colleges.

The loss, however, didn’t keep at least two new goals this season: “I really couldn’t think of a con Jay down for long. winning another state title and seekfor Oregon,” Jay said. “I really like the In the ensuing two weeks, he ing revenge against the one team, campus, the facilities, the coaches.” went on to guide the Lions to a 33- De La Salle, that left a blemish on his Jay has completed 270 of 21 win over Jose’s Valley A Christian perfect high school A good smile can San open doors.

Sheffieldotherwise Smile can change lives.varsity 439 passes for 4,688 yards and 58 and a 19-17 victory over Sierra Can- record as a starter. touchdowns in 25 games over two yon (Chatsworth), as Liberty secured “The main goal is to get back to seasons for the Lions, while compiling its first state championship in its 116- the state championship — that’s up a 17-1 record as a starter — his only year history. Jay completed 29 of 49 there,” he said. “But beating De La loss coming from powerhouse De La passes for 446 yards and three touch- Salle is probably up there, too.”

Salle in last year’s NCS Open Division downs in the two games, combined.

The Lions’ 2019 opening game championship game, the Spartans’ But with those games now in is at Vacaville, Aug. 23, at 7:30 p.m.

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August 9, 2019

PITTSBURG TEAM PREVIEW

Revamped Pirates look to repeat success

by JESUS CANO Correspondent Over the three-year existence of the elite North Coast Section (NCS) Open Division playoffs, Pittsburg High School has never been absent.

Pittsburg enters this season having lost some talent, but if the past is any indication, don’t count the Pirates out.

The quarterback spot is up for grabs, which has brought out a strong competition between seniors Jerry Johnson and Santino Chavez. Both players have varsity experience and excelled in Pittsburg’s seven-on-seven team this summer.

“They’re both starter caliber and both have gotten better as the years have gone on,” said 18-year head coach Vic Galli. “It’s a good competition. I can envision both of them playing.

They’re doing really well.”

No matter which quarterback wins the battle, one thing is certain: There will be quality targets at their disposal.

Jonny Blackmon III leads the receiving group, and James Battle adds depth to the team.

Pittsburg’s line is one of the team’s

Lions from page 6B Senior Anthony Orgolio missed out last season with an injury, but has experience under his belt — starting in the NCS Division I championship game in 2017 versus Freedom.

Players will be battling for position in the secondary, with Bartley, Bell and Muth all seeing time on defense. Returning players like Josh Dinkins and Glenn Borlangan will also

PI R ATE S 2019 SCH E DU L E

fortes. Sami Fonongaloa and Ryan Lange bring in offers from Division I schools. Mark Hutchinson is another lineman highlighted by Galli. They’re going to have a talented running back in Avant Muldrow to block for.

He made second team All-BVAL last season. Muldrow also received AllBay Valley Athletic League (BVAL) honors on defense and is considered by many to be one of the best allaround athletes in the league.

On defense, the Pirates return many players at linebacker, with seniors

Joseph Luna and Alamana Tupouata along with junior Maurice Jamison.

The Harts twin brothers, consisting of seniors Damuarion and Damuarya, will also contribute for the Pirates.

“After having a ton of top-flight guys and returners in 2018, the best part of the 2019 offseason has been seeing this group find themselves as a unit,” said defensive coordinator Charlie Ramirez. “Every day, they seemed to grow as a unit more and more. The staff has been meticulous getting the incoming juniors up to par

with the returning seniors.”

Two new faces come to Pittsburg’s receiving core. Senior Brian Pierce comes into the season with his first Division I offer from the Air Force.

Freshman Rashid Williams is also expected to shine this season.

“He is mature beyond his years,” said Galli. “He can hold his own. I can only imagine how he’s going to look like when he’s out of here. He puts in good work, he’s a humble kid and a good player. His future is pretty bright.”

Pittsburg also has high hopes for Keointe Guess on both offense and defense. Along with him, the Pirates expect juniors Daytwuan Pearson, Areon Williams and Lamont Fortenberry to excel in skill positions. Kiani Washington, Carlos Warren and Mike Weiver are newcomers who will solidify the offensive and defensive lines.

Pittsburg is not afraid to play anyone, and year after year, its nonleague schedule continues to demonstrate that.

The orange and black scheduled a good mixture of opponents, like consistent Central Coast Section

be competing for spots.

It’s no secret the Lions lost key pieces to last year’s team, but they have a solid core of young players along with some athletes who transferred to Liberty.

Justice Jackson transferred from Berean Christian and will strengthen Liberty’s offense. He has three Division I offers and Partridge plans on using him at running back and wide

receiver. Jackson will need to sit out the first half of the season, however, due to the transfer rule.

“He’s fast, physical and has a great knowledge of the game,” said Partridge. “He is one heck of a player.”

James McNorton is another transfer player, this time coming from Heritage. The 6-foot, 5-inch athlete can play both offensive and defensive

lines. The University of Wyoming has expressed interest in him.

Jermaine Land and Leo Reichold make up another pair of two-way players named by Partridge who will have an immediate impact on the new campaign. The open division is being eliminated after the CIF ruling preventing runners-up from going to any state tournaments – meaning the old format will return, in which

Pittsburg running back and cornerback Avant Muldrow, seen here last season against Liberty, is considered one of the best all around athletes in the league.

Press file photo

August 23, 7:00 PM @ St. Mary’s (Stockton) August 31, 1:00 PM @ Serra (San Mateo) September 7, 2:00 PM @ Wooster (Reno, Nevada) September 13, 7:00 PM vs. Bishop O’Dowd September 20, 7:00 PM vs. Wilcox September 27, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley* October 4, 7:00 PM @ Freedom* October 18, 7:00 PM @ Liberty* October 25, 7:00 PM vs. Heritage* November 2, 1:30 PM vs. Antioch* *BVAL games

contenders Wilcox and Serra, along with Division II powerhouse Bishop O’Dowd. all NCS teams play in their respective divisions. For everyone in the BVAL, a trip to that state championship now has to go through De La Salle in the NCS Division I championship. It’s an obstacle the Lions are ready to face.

Despite the Lions’ successful season, it was hard for them to find opponents in non-league play. They kickoff the season on the road against Vacaville and Oakdale.

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