As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
OAKLAND ATHLETIC LEAGUE
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 MCCLYMONDS
Coach: Michael Peters
2023 record: 8-3
What to expect: McClymonds is still the class of the OAL, especially after longtime coach Michael Peters ended his retirement after a few months and returned to the sideline. For the first time since the 2021 state championship-winning team, Mack expects to have a potent passing game after junior quarterback Berell Staples (34 touchdowns) transferred in from Edison-Stockton. He’ll have plenty of weapons between powerful running back John “Sharky” Tamale, De Anza transfer Desmond Sparks and returning sophomore Rahsjon Duncan. Senior lineman Sione Vailea is the best blocker in the OAL, and Master Scott brings experience as a transfer from Oakland Tech. Many of those players are also expected to shine on a defense that will be tested early. McClymonds, as it usually does, has loaded up its non-league schedule. Archbishop Riordan travels to the Mackhouse to open the season, and then the Warriors will go down to Mountain View to play St. Francis.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Archbishop Riordan, 7 p.m.
No. 2 CASTLEMONT
Coach: Ed Washington
2023 record: 6-5
What to expect: This team has a chance to secure back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in the MaxPreps era (2004 to present). The Knights return arguably the league’s best player in Oregon State commit Elijah Washington, a wide receiver with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash. Experienced quarterback Elvin Smith wowed at a college showcase in May and will try to bring that momentum into a season that starts with a home game against storied Dorsey-Los Angeles. Coach Ed Washington says defensive lineman Kyree Hardge and T’onte Moore both have the size and work ethic to play in college. Defensive back Jaymes Evans put on 10 pounds of muscle and is expected to be the team’s shutdown corner. The Knights’ non-league schedule includes road games at San Leandro and Mt. Diablo.
Season opener: Sept. 6 vs. Dorsey-Los Angeles, 7 p.m.
No. 3 OAKLAND
Coach: Terry Hendrix
2023 record: 5-5
What to expect: After enduring a 21-game losing streak across three years, Terry Hendrix’s first season in charge was a breath of fresh air for the struggling program. This year’s goal is to make the Silver Bowl, and the Wildcats might have the talent to do it. Ymer Belvine and Aaron Boulware stood out on each side of the ball and are back for their senior season. Hendrix described athlete Malachi Sanchez as a player who can line up all over the field, and 6-foot-2 Yasser Jackson as having “great ball skills” and someone who will be a top target for quarterback Lenix Colvin. Amir Lawrence is a bowling ball at running back and a hard-hitter at linebacker.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. American, 7 p.m.
No. 4 OAKLAND TECH
Coach: Anthony McCrady
2023 record: 6-6
What to expect: For the first time in a decade, Oakland Tech has a new coach. Anthony McCrady inherits a team that went to the Silver Bowl under current Skyline coach Virdell Larkins III. If there’s one thing the Bulldogs can lean on, it’s size up front. Sophomores Robert Whittaker (6-3, 330) and Ahzan Jones (6-6, 350) are big enough to block out the sun and pave the way in the run game. State basketball champion Caleb Rollins is also one of the best players on the football team as a WR/DB, and sophomore Vernard Scott should build upon a strong freshman season. Silas Pannell is a standout on the soccer team and should bring consistency to Tech’s field goal unit. The Bulldogs have scheduled Miramonte, Salesian and state championship contender El Cerrito in their preseason to prepare for the OAL schedule.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Miramonte, 7 p.m.
No. 5 SKYLINE
Coach: Virdell Larkins III
2023 record: 2-7
What to expect: It’s another fresh start for Skyline, which will employ a new coach for the fifth time in the past seven seasons. This time, Skyline has gone with an OAL stalwart in longtime Tech coach Virdell Larkins, who counts legendary Skyline coach John Beam as a mentor. It will be another rebuilding season for the school in the Oakland hills, but the Titans do return some talent. Receiver De’Maria Lockson should be a top target as a senior, and linemen Khaled Johnson and N’gai Washington-Natson are both over 270 pounds on the offensive and defensive lines. With an experienced coach, a manageable non-league schedule and the bottom of the OAL in flux, don’t be shocked if Skyline manages to approach .500 this season.
Season opener: Sept. 6 vs. Washington-San Francisco, 7 p.m.
No. 6 FREMONT-OAKLAND
Coach: Tyler Newell
2023 record: 1-9
What to expect: All-OAL running back Aaron Lipscomb, a senior, will once again be asked to carry the Tigers’ offense. After that, it is anyone’s guess. With the graduation of Naki Tuakoi and a few other talented seniors, first-year coach Tyler Newell will have to find new contributors on both sides of the ball. Tight end Alejandro Loud should also be a force on the defensive line alongside sophomore edge rusher Lotima Fonua. Emanuel Funches, a 350-pound lineman, helped open holes for Lipscomb last season.
Season opener: Aug. 31 at Lincoln-San Francisco, 2 p.m.
Source: www.mercurynews.com