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:
BLOSSOM VALLEY ATHLETIC LEAGUE MT. HAMILTON DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 LIVE OAK
Coach: Mike Gemo
2023 record: 9-1
What to expect: The perennial league contenders should have an excellent shot at another crown in 2024. The Acorns are led on defense by end Zurik Peery. Offensively, returning quarterback Luke Newell retakes the reins. Sophomore running back Gage Jones could surprise. Peery, last season’s BVAL junior of the year, “is bigger and faster this year,” according to coach Mike Gemo. Newell is a “solid QB that has worked hard to build off of a solid junior year,” Gemo said. One Mt. Hamilton opposing coach described Peery as a “very strong, high-motor kid who is going to be hard to block for four quarters in this league.” Senior offensive lineman/linebacker Mateo Robledo is a three-sport athlete who is “solid on both sides of the football.” Junior wide receiver/defensive back Tanner Holeman is in his second season on varsity and has continued to impress with his speed and ball skills. Jones ran for over 1,000 yards as a freshman on junior varsity.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Palma, 7:15 p.m.
No. 2 CHRISTOPHER
Coach: Adam Hazel
2023 record: 11-2
What to expect: The 2023 CCS Division II finalists return quarterback Jaxen Robinson, who holds Division I scholarship offers from Cal Poly and Northern Arizona. The Cougars return five offensive starters and seven defensive starters to a team now led by coach Adam Hazel, who replaces the retired Darren Yafai. Robinson, listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds by 247Sports, threw for 2,137 yards and 22 touchdowns and ran for five more scores last season. “He’s an incredible athlete for his size,” said one opposing Mt. Hamilton coach who picked Robinson as the league’s preseason offensive MVP. Aaron Davis-Beckford, Gabriel Jimenez Yanez and Hector Diaz are Christopher’s returning starters on the offensive and defensive line, “which will be the strength of our team,” Hazel said. Evan Vernon returns at slot receiver and linebacker after leading the Cougars with 128 tackles in 2023. Third-year starting safety Matthew Boles had two interceptions and will be a major target at wide receiver.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Carmel, 7:15 p.m.
No. 3 SANTA TERESA
Coach: Steve Papin
2023 record: 6-7
What to expect: Santa Teresa returns eight starters on offense. The class of freshmen when coach Steve Papin got the job in 2021 is now seniors. Many of those seniors played in CCS championship games in 2022 and 2023. “This team has a chance to be real good,” Papin said. Senior quarterback Brenton Gaches finally gets the quarterback job to himself. The three-year varsity QB and two-year starter will have “plenty of weapons around him,” according to Papin. Senior center Fabian Bustamante “anchors our offensive line,” Papin said. Bustamante is also a mainstay of the Saints’ defensive line. Junior Jaylen Malcolm is “one of the most electrifying players in the league.” He will play slotback and running back but “might be a better cornerback,” Papin added. Senior inside linebacker and running back Jacob Soria “might be the most talented player on the roster,” said Papin. “It’s his time to shine as a two-way player.” Junior two-way lineman Teki Pekipaki is the younger brother of all-league and Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star lineman Tevita Pekipaki, who graduated in 2024. Teki “has the potential to be better than his older brother,” Papin said.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Fremont, 7:15 p.m.
No. 4 LEIGH
Coach: Kyle Padia
2023 record: 8-4
What to expect: Moving up from the Santa Teresa-Foothill Division, Leigh has designs on contending for the Mt. Hamilton title in 2024. “We return both our offensive and defensive lines from last season,” coach Kyle Padia said. “Junior QB Charlie Lyon is preparing to have a great year.” Lyon led the Longhorns to a Santa Teresa-Foothill title as a sophomore. Lyon will throw to senior wide receiver/linebacker Nik Velikanovs, who Padia said “has an endless motor and will make plays all over the field.” Lyon will also look in the pattern for Michael Mogannam, a senior wide receiver/cornerback who is a “big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball” and the “best athlete on the team,” according to Padia. Junior Joel Juarez, a first-team offensive lineman last season, will head up Lyon’s protection detail. Juarez is 6-foot-3, 330 pounds and deadlifts 525. He’ll be joined by two-way senior lineman Gavin Gist, the “only three-year starter on the team” who is “steady as they come,” Padia said. Senior DL Jonathan Blanchard was the Santa Teresa-Foothill defensive player of the year in 2023.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Leland, 7:15 p.m.
No. 5 BRANHAM
Coach: Stephen Johnson
2023 record: 9-3
What to expect: Branham, also moving up from the Santa Teresa-Foothill Division, could have the requisite playmakers to compete in the rugged Mt. Hamilton race. “We have an electric cast of skill players on offense, headlined by Bellarmine transfer wide receiver Zayne St. Laurent,” coach Stephen Johnson said. St. Laurent holds Division I scholarship offers from the Air Force and the University of San Diego. “An unreal athlete that checks all the boxes,” Johnson said. Junior slot receiver Brayden Hodges, senior wideout Aden Newberg and senior tight end Jimmy Scibetta round out Branham’s receiving options, led by returning quarterback Jack Lewis. Lewis “dominated in his junior season,” said Johnson, and “has clearly put in the work this offseason to orchestrate this offense at a high level.” Scibetta will work the middle of the field. He put on 25 pounds this offseason, Johnson said, while improving his pass-catching and route running abilities. “Starting to really look like a complete tight end worthy of the attention received by college coaches this offseason,” Johnson noted. Four-year starting center Deegan Waldorph will anchor the offensive line. Johnson calls Waldorph a “bona fide leader” with a high football IQ who consistently finishes blocks.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Hollister, 7:15 p.m.
No. 6 LINCOLN-SAN JOSE
Coach: Kevin Collins
2023 record: 3-7
What to expect: Junior athlete Kyan Phillips will be a key piece for the Lions this fall, a “team leader by example,” according to coach Kevin Collins. Phillips plays all over the field, rotating between quarterback, running back, fullback, wide receiver, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, free safety, long snapper and punter. Returning senior starter Nick DeLuna will anchor the defense at inside linebacker. He is the Lions’ “most experienced returning defensive player,” according to Collins. He will also contribute as a fullback offensively. Returning starter Steavin Carbaugh “plays with a lot of energy” at nose tackle and is a tone-setter in the middle of the defensive line. Junior Jaymes Purvis “had an outstanding summer,” according to Collins, and “could be one of the better receiving tight ends in the area.” Purvis will also contribute at inside linebacker. Junior Jonathan Medina is the “strongest kid in the program” according to Collins. He plays tight end, running back and fullback offensively while starting at defensive end.
Season opener: Aug. 23 at Piedmont Hills, 7 p.m.
No. 7 OAK GROVE
Coach: Joel Cordero
2023 record: 4-6
What to expect: Oak Grove will be led by dual-threat quarterback Ryan Wright, a three-year starter who has “developed into a dual threat QB and has the ability to create big plays as a runner and a passer,” according to coach Joel Cordero. Isaac Achica, a three-year varsity starter, will anchor the defensive line. He is the reigning Mt. Hamilton Division defensive lineman of the year. Roman Ortiz leads the offensive line as a three-year starter. He plans to contribute on the defensive line this year for the Eagles. Malakai Dominguez was an all-league honoree and will contribute at middle linebacker and fullback. Jeremiah Vierra is a versatile piece that plays both ways as well as on special teams. Niko Campos will be Oak Grove’s go-to three-down back after impressive offseason work in the weight room. He is also expected to be a major contributor on defense. Solid 300-pounder Keanu Carrasco is a key lineman on both sides of the ball.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Milpitas, 7:15 p.m.
Source: www.mercurynews.com