BVAL Football Preview 08.20.2021

AUGUST 20, 2021

The Press 2021

BVAL Football

Preview

Gridiron action returns in its normal fall slot The high school football season is upon us, and I think fans, coaches, players and anyone else interested in the action is hoping for one thing: sustained normalcy.

Last season was wrought with sustained bouts of uncertainty and lots of waiting, before the roughly 16-month delay gave way to abbreviated five- or six-game seasons for teams in March and April—void of postseason play.

For those who need a refresher, perennial league powerhouse Pittsburg ran the table at 5-0, with Liberty finishing 4-1, Heritage 4-2 and Antioch and Deer Valley 1-4. see Football page 3B

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BVAL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Lions confident heading into season JESUS CANO At the end of last season, head coach Matt Hoefs decided it was best for his team to have a full eight weeks off from football activities, in contrast to most teams who went into spring ball 2.0 after the shortened high school season.

Liberty struggled with numbers.

As the season approached, 65 kids were expected to suit up for the Lions in August 2020. When the season was delayed, those numbers dwindled. By their last game of the season against crosstown rival Heritage, Liberty fielded its team with just 31 players.

Now, Hoefs said, his program has around 50 kids on the varsity roster.

“We feel comfortable there and we know with all the protocols that are still in place that we might be without a player for a week or two,” Hoefs said.

“So we have to really have that old cliche

‘next man up’ mentality. I anticipate we’ll be very competitive.”

One key player who returns for the Lions is Nate Bell, who had 856 passing yards and a 60% completion rate and is constantly improving, according to Hoefs. Bell will have Deuce Carr, Charles Lindsey and Khiron Green to throw to.

Deovion Hill will be the team’s featured running back, with plenty of others hopeful at getting some time at tailback.

The Lions offensive line won’t be as big compared to previous years, but Hoefs said there is good competition among players like Ryan Harper, Zay Reed, Montez Woods, Noah Blake and Olugbenga Komolafe.

But position battles within the team haven’t affected the team’s chemistry— it’s only seemed to make everyone better.

“Everybody knows they have to fight and compete for these jobs, and I don’t think people are settled in, especially

It was just a little over two months ago that Zach Sims was informed he would be the new head coach at Freedom High School.

And while he is still adjusting to taking the helm with the Falcons, he’s impressed with the results he’s seen during summer workouts and fall camp.

“In my first months, I’ve seen that the majority of my players display a work ethic that shows they truly want to win,” Sims said. “We worked out five days per week all summer and attendance was phenomenal.”

Sims is taking over a Freedom program that’s coming off a rough note.

In the shortened spring season, the Falcons went 1-4, which is the program’s worst league record since 2010. They even lost their final game against Deer Valley, who at the time were riding a 16-game losing streak dating back to

2019.

Sims said he will be changing up the way Freedom manages its style of play, as the former College Park offensive coordinator indicated that he will incorporate a new offense and defense for the team.

One player who has been earning great praise from Sims is sophomore quarterback Taylor Edmon. Not only does Sims expect Edmon to be the team’s starting quarterback — last year’s starter Les Callen moved to Georgia — but he also predicts that by the end of the season Edmon will be one of the league’s breakout stars.

“Our team excels when we play fast. Our speed is definitely our greatest asset,” Sims said. “We are a young team with a lot of inexperienced players in key positions, so that is a struggle for us at times.”

Sims also points out Shamond Brooks and Herschel Turner as other

September 3, 7:00 PM vs. Los Gatos September 10, 7:00 PM vs. Canyon Springs September 17, 12:00 PM @ Monte Vista September 24, 7:00 PM vs. Dublin

with everything that’s been happening this summer, and everything else,” he said. “There are times where a kid’s on vacation and another guys steps in, and he plays very well. Then the other guy shows up and we say, sorry, you’re in the second group now.”

One area Hoefs is confident about is his linebacker core, featuring Colin Borrelli, Dominic Bustos and John Addison. Anthony Muñoz, who suffered a season-ending injury in the spring, will be a featured defensive back.

Following great seasons isn’t exactly new to Pittsburg’s football team. It’s a product of a program that, year in and year out, is one of Northern California’s best. That said, it will be a challenge replacing last year’s team, which went 5-0 in last spring’s abbreviated season, winning its games by an average of 42 points and all games by at least 19.

The task of following that team will go to a team that’s young and inexperienced in some spots but talented across the board.

One place where the Pirates have varsity experience is at quarterback. As a sophomore a season ago, Jaden Rashada split the time with Eli Brickhandler. Rashada completed 59% of his passes, with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Now that Brickhandler has graduated, the job is Rashada’s.

“With the craziness of the season, it felt like the right thing to do to let them both play,” Pittsburg coach Vic Galli said. “It wasn’t the year he wanted. But I felt he did

some good things and made it work. We averaged 54 points a game.”

He’ll have a talented group of weapons at his disposal. The group of pass catchers will include returning players like seniors Rick Camacho and Khamani Blakney, and juniors Rashid Williams, Israel Polk and Kenyan Higgins. Among the new players are senior Khamani Blakney, juniors Khai Taylor and Zack Card, and freshman Jadyn Hudson, whom Galli called “one of the best freshmen to come through our halls.”

The running game will be led by Charles Brown, who didn’t play as a sophomore last season but was on the Pirates in 2019 as a freshman. Senior Kai Green will also get some carries. Opening holes for them will be a senior heavy offensive line that includes Aiden Bandes, Nick Quintero, CJ Falevai, Lisala Takafua, Pablo Perez and Angel Cortes.

The defense will be similarly experienced in the trenches, with most of the offensive linemen playing on both sides of the ball. The linebacking unit will include Green, juniors Kylil

October 8, 7:00 PM @ Deer Valley* October 15, 7:00 PM vs. Pittsburg* October 22, 7:00 PM @ Freedom* October 29, 7:00 PM vs. Antioch* November 5, 7:00 PM @ Heritage* *BVAL games

FREEDOM 2021 SCH E DU L E August 27, 7:00 PM @ Hayward September 3, 7:00 PM vs. San Leandro September 10, 7:00 PM vs. California September 17, 7:00 PM @ Foothill September 24, 7:00 PM @ James Logan October 8, 7:00 PM @ Antioch*

dynamic players on offense. Turner will also be a heavy contributor on defense, along with safety Jayden Smith and defensive lineman Sean Hayes, Sims said.

Freedom opens the season on Aug. 27 at Hayward.

The squad’s first league game is scheduled for Oct. 8 at Antioch.

The Bell Game is scheduled for Oct. 22 at home.

Pirates eager to return to gridiron MICHAEL DIXON

LIBERTY 2021 SCH E DU L E August 27, 7:00 PM vs. Bishop O’Dowd

New head coach hopes to fuel Falcons JESUS CANO

AUGUST 20, 2021

October 15, 7:00 PM @ Heritage* October 22, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty* October 29, 7:00 PM vs. Pittsburg* November 5, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley* *BVAL games

PITTSBURG 2021 SCH E DU L E August 27, 7:00 PM vs. Serra September 3, 7:00 PM @ Folsom September 10, 7:00 PM vs. Valley Christian September 17, 7:00 PM @ Wilcox October 1, 7:00 PM @ McClymonds

Carpenter, Odera Okaka and Jakobe Harmon, and sophomore Josh Dollarhide-Watson.

Going into the season, the secondary will be the biggest question mark for the Pirates. The team that starts the season on Friday, Aug. 27, against Serra will bear no resemblance to the team that finished last year’s season. Looking to fill those holes will be junior Robin Boyd and sophomore Izaiah McGee-Prince, along with the aforementioned receivers and running backs like Polk, Taylor, Higgins, Brown, Williams and Card.

October 8, 7:00 PM vs. Heritage* October 15, 7:00 PM @ Liberty* October 22, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley* October 29, 7:00 PM @ Freedom* November 5, 7:00 PM vs. Antioch* *BVAL games

BVAL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

AUGUST 20, 2021

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Heritage hopes to build on spring success JESUS CANO The Heritage Patriots surprised a lot of people with their performance in the shortened spring 2021 season, posting a 3-2 league record, the team’s best since 2012.

Many players attributed the team’s performance to the culture change that longtime teacher and first-year head coach Dave Fogelstrom was able to incorporate.

From investing more time in the weight rooms to cashing out on new uniforms for the team, Fogelstrom made it clear that it was a new era for the Patriots.

Now he and the other coaches want to make sure the success from the spring carries into the fall.

“We want to build on what we started with last year’s group,” said Fogelstrom. “We are reinforcing our ideals all of the time and showing the players what it means to be a Heritage Patriot. Not time to throw a lot of new stuff into the program.”

Football

from page 1B

This season is thankfully on track to begin in its normal fall slot, and with it the opportunity to watch marquee non-league matchups we missed last season. The slate is expected to feature Pittsburg clashing with Serra, Folsom and Valley Christian; and Liberty and Heritage participating in the two-day Honor Bowl at Liberty High School in Brentwood against Canyon Springs and Clovis East, respectively. Other matchups slated to occur at the event include Sutter Union vs. Campolindo; Pleasant ON THE COVER: Heritage quarterback Jacob Wasso drops back for a pass during a scrimmage last week. The regular season begins for Bay Valley Athletic League teams on Aug. 27.

Photo by Angelo Garcia Jr.

3B

HE R ITAGE 2021 SCH E DU L E

It will be a tough task, considering 17 of last season’s 22 starters were seniors.

But one key contributor to the offense who will be returning is Devon Rivers, who led the league in rushing with 911 yards.

Heritage will be suiting up a new offensive line, which includes returning player Anthony Meadows, who is transitioning into the position. The Patriots will also have Tanner Smylie playing fullback; Fogelstrom said he’s improving each day.

Sophomore Jacob Wasso will be the team’s starting quarterback, coming off an injury he suffered last season.

Fogelstrom also expects Jayden Ennis, Jeremiah Ruffin and Kimani Stafford to be a high-quality group of players to help the team’s receiving core.

Stafford and Ennis are set to be impact players on defense as well, along with Keon Wolfe and Ryan Simonds as linebackers, according to Fogelstrom. Brock Lombardi, a De La Salle transfer, will also help out on defense. Fogelstrom said sophomore Cody

Wong is a rising player to watch.

“Right now I believe our players excel at being committed to getting better all the time. We preach the ‘all In’ concept, and our summer attendance was good.

We are struggling right now with leadership and maturity,” Fogelstrom said. “We are incredibly young and inexperienced at many positions. Our entire OL and DL are brand new, plus our quarterback. We lost our top two WRs and an all-league corner.

We have some big shoes to fill right now.

We are fighting to get better every day.”

Valley vs. Menlo-Atherton and Liberty (Bakersfield) vs. Clayton Valley.

As the calendar flips to the second half of the season, a host of always entertaining friendly rivalries await: Antioch and Deer Valley clash at Antioch High on Oct. 16; Freedom hosts Liberty in the Bell Game on Oct. 22; and Heritage welcomes Liberty in the Brentwood Bowl and Antioch travels to Pittsburg in the Big Little Game on Nov. 5. The North Coast Section playoffs are set for mid-November.

Matchups aside, the dawn of a new season will also allow new players to emerge as playmakers and superstars.

Last year’s MVP, Pittsburg running dinator at College Park High School in back Daytuawn Pearson, and Defensive Pleasant Hill for two years, where the Player of the Year, Pirate Maurice program went 8-8 during his tenure.

Jamison, and around 40 other allSims was also on staff at St. league players have all graduPatrick-St. Vincent High School in ated, meaning opporVallejo when the team won two tunities abound for consecutive North Coast Section titles, players to fill the with the addition of one Northern gap. Leading the California title and a California State way will be an estiChampionship. mated 20 returning The regular season kicks off for all-league players, led all Bay Valley Athletic League teams

by Heritage running on Aug. 27, with Heritage at Dublin; back Devon Rivers, last Pittsburg hosting Serra; Liberty year’s offensive player of welcoming Bishop O’Dowd; Freedom A good SheffieldtoSmile can change lives.hostthe year. smile can open doors. A traveling Hayward; Deer Valley Joining the cast of new characing Northgate; and Antioch and Monte ters will be new Freedom head coach Vista battling in Antioch.

Zach Sims, the lone first-year head Until then, enjoy this Bay Valley coach in the Bay Valley Athletic League Athletic League preview. Football is this season. right around the corner.

Sims served as the offensive coorTo comment, visit www.thepress.net

August 27, 7:00 PM @ Dublin September 3, 7:00 PM @ Granada September 11, 12:00 PM vs. Clovis East (at Liberty High School) September 17, 7:00 PM vs. James Logan September 24, 7:00 PM @ De Anza October 8, 7:00 PM @ Pittsburg* October 15, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom* October 22, 7:00 PM vs. Antioch* October 29, 7:00 PM @ Deer Valley* November 5, 7:00 PM vs Freedom* *BVAL games

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BVAL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Wolverines driving for success KYLE SZYMANSKI Deer Valley High School’s football team struggled to a 1-4 record last season, but it couldn’t have ended the campaign better, defeating Freedom 34-32 in its final contest to break a 16-game losing streak dating back to 2018.

Now the Wolverines are hoping to carry that success into the fall.

Deer Valley head coach Robert Hubbard couldn’t be reached by press time, but noted high school football website Calpreps.com reports that quarterback Ayanfe Adediran and wide receiver/defensive backs Semaj Moronkola and Carlos Perez will lead the squad.

Adediran, a junior, completed 40 of 80 passes last season for 483 yards and four touchdowns.

Deer Valley will play a non-league

schedule that includes Northgate, St. Mary’s (Albany), San Jose, Concord and Dougherty Valley.

Of those squads, Northgate finished 4-1 last season, St Mary’s 1-3, San Jose 0-2, Concord 1-3 and Dougherty Valley 0-4.

In league play, Pittsburg ran the table at 5-0 last season, with Liberty finishing 4-1, Heritage 4-2, Antioch 1-4 and Freedom 1-5.

The order of the Wolverines’ league schedule this season is Liberty, Antioch, Pittsburg, Heritage and Freedom.

If the past is any indication, the Wolverines will have their eyes on the Oct. 16 matchup against crosstown rival Antioch, where the coveted Mayor’s Cup will be on the line.

Deer Valley will likely enter its league matchup with Freedom feeling confident.

The Wolverines outscored Freedom

When Antioch High School’s football team kicks off its football season on Friday, Aug. 27, against Monte Vista, it will be trying to rediscover the winning habit that the program had not so long ago.

After making the playoffs every season from 2014 to 2018, the last two seasons haven’t gone as well. The Panthers went 2-8 in 2019, and while no playoffs were held last season, Antioch went only 1-4 in last season’s abbreviated spring campaign.

One edge the Panthers have is experience, which often plays well in high school sports, especially football.

During his junior season last year, Jorge Hernandez Jr. carried the ball 59 times for 381 yards with two rushing touchdowns, all of which led Antioch. It was also good enough for an all-Bay Valley Athletic League honorable mention selection as a running back. He returns this year as one of three senior captains, along with defensive back/

running back Andrew Campos and Sione Fetulimoeata.

Hernandez won’t be alone in an experienced backfield. Senior Cameron Ahokovi — second on the team with 21 carries for 121 yards a season ago — also returns. Lemarion Fountain, who played all over the field, including some time at quarterback, rushed for 67 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries as a junior. He also returns for the Panthers.

While much of Antioch’s offense a season ago was ground-based, its leading receiver will also return to the gridiron.

Isaiah Pino caught passes for 90 yards as a sophomore, earning All-Bay Valley Athletic League first ​team honors as a tight end in the process. He’s one of three junior captains on the Panthers this year, along with linemen Ben Ulufaleilupe and Siaka Tonga. Tonga and Fetulimoeata were both all-Bay Valley Athletic League second ​team offensive linemen last season.

The other side of the ball tells a similar story. Last season’s leading tackler, Cameron

DEER VALLEY 2021 SCH E DU L E August 27, 7:00 PM vs. Northgate September 3, 7:00 PM vs. St. Mary’s September 10, 7:00 PM @ San Jose September 17, 7:00 PM vs. Concord September 24, 7:00 PM @ Dougherty Valley October 8, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty*

12-6 in the fourth quarter last season to pull out their lone victory.

Deer Valley’s first regular-season game is scheduled for Aug. 27 at home against Northgate at 7 p.m.

The Wolverines open their road schedule at San Jose on Sept. 10.

The team’s first league contest is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. against LIberty.

Panthers look to rebound this fall MICHAEL DIXON

AUGUST 20, 2021

October 16, 1:00 PM @ Antioch* October 22, 7:00 PM @ Pittsburg* October 29, 7:00 PM vs. Heritage* November 5, 7:00 PM @ Freedom* *BVAL games

ANTIOCH 2021 SCH E DU L E August 27, 7:00 PM vs. Monte Vista September 3, 7:00 PM @ California September 10, 7:00 PM vs. Skyline September 17, 7:00 PM vs. San Ramon

Wright, has graduated. But senior linebacker Christopher Merino and Pino were second and third on the team, with 26 and 22 tackles, respectively.

Pino also recorded three sacks a season ago, which helped him earn an all-Bay Valley Athletic League second ​team selection as a defensive end. But opposing offensive lines can’t focus on him exclusively; senior defensive end Mateo Gonzalez, who also recorded three sacks last year, will return. Fountain, who recorded an interception last season and earned all-Bay Valley Athletic League first team honors as a defensive back, will be an anchor in the secondary.

September 25, 2:00 PM @ Marin Catholic October 8, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom* October 16, 1:00 PM @ Deer Valley* October 22, 7:00 PM @ Heritage* October 29, 7:00 PM @ Liberty* November 5, 7:00 PM @ Pittsburg* *BVAL games

Follow BVAL sports on Twitter: @thepress_sports