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 SANTA TERESA-FOOTHILL DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 PIEDMONT HILLS
Coach: Matt Kiesle
2023 record: 4-5
What to expect: The Pirates will chase a league title in Matt Kiesle’s final season as head coach after 27 years in charge of Piedmont Hills and 44 years of coaching overall. Piedmont Hills boasts five players who have started since their sophomore seasons and seven returning offensive starters, plus eight on the defensive side of the ball. “We are an experienced group, with five three-year starters returning who will be supported by an excellent class of juniors up from a couple of successful JV seasons,” Kiesle said. Third-year starter Alonzo Johnson will feature at wide receiver and running back. Johnson led the Pirates with 51 receptions for 543 yards and four touchdown catches. He added 52 tackles and four interceptions (two pick-sixes) defensively. Two-time all-league senior lineman Andres Sepulveda will start at offensive guard and defensive tackle. “An excellent technician” according to Kiesle, Sepulveda is a solid run and pass blocker and recorded 16 tackles (four for loss) and a sack defensively last season. Senior two-way lineman Leo Saludo is another three-year starter, playing at tackle on both sides of the ball. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 310 pounds, the athletic two-way tackle recorded 16 tackles last year.
Season opener: Aug. 23 vs. Lincoln-San Jose, 7 p.m.
No. 2 OVERFELT
Coach: Carlo Maningo
2023 record: 6-5
What to expect: The Royals were just above .500 overall in 2023 but finished second in the Santa Teresa-Valley Division with a 3-2 record. They should have a shot at contending in the Santa Teresa-Foothill Division in 2024. They’ll no longer have to deal with Leigh, which won the Santa Teresa-Valley last year and has moved up to the Mt. Hamilton Division. Instead, their top competition will likely be Piedmont Hills, which played in the Santa Teresa-Foothill Division last season. Overfelt lost Santa Teresa-Valley senior of the year John Stowers and multiple all-league honorees but returns first-team all-league selection Lino Eti on the defensive line. Second-team all-leaguers Javier Mendoza (RB) and Olomaga Vaifale (OL) return to anchor the Royals’ rushing attack.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Woodside, 7:15 p.m.
No. 3 PIONEER
Coach: Eric Perry
2023 record: 4-6
What to expect: After a sub-.500 record last season, Pioneer has an eye on contending for the Santa Teresa-Foothill crown this year. “Starting the season healthy. Injuries hurt us last season,” coach Eric Perry said. “Our RB Jesse Herrera and WR Brady Montgomery are healed up from injuries last season. Defense should also be improved with returners.” Herrera, who also plays safety, has “worked hard this off-season to have a great senior year,” Perry said. Montgomery is “also ready to ball out” at wideout and defensive back after missing significant time with injury in 2023, according to Perry. Senior fullback/defensive end Julian Lopez “has had a great off season and he’s ready to go” as a leader for the Mustangs on both sides of the ball, Perry said. Senior linebacker Tommy Fries is the returning starting leader on defense. Fellow senior LB Jordan Nunez will accompany him in the defensive backfield, “another starter from last year’s defense ready to rock,” according to Perry.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Aragon, 7 p.m.
No. 4 SILVER CREEK
Coach: Eric Luescher
2023 record: 7-4
What to expect: The Raiders have some pieces in place for another winning campaign in 2024. “The WRs and RBs group both look very strong,” coach Eric Luescher said. “Our offensive line will be young.” Senior wide receiver and defensive back Austin Price returns after a productive junior campaign and has “had a great summer on both sides of the ball,” according to Luescher. Fellow senior WR/DB Noa Wooden “really improved in his junior season,” Luescher said, and “had a great summer, catching everything thrown his way.” Junior offensive tackle/defensive lineman Cameron Williams is “smart,” with “great speed for a big lineman,” said Luescher. Williams stands at 6-foot-4 and is 260 pounds. Senior Calvin Tieu is the only returning offensive line starter, a strong player at center. Additionally, he is “a great long snapper,” Luescher said. Senior running back/linebacker Jamantay Amataga has a “great combination of explosive speed and strength,” Luescher said. Senior quarterback Gio Mejia is set to be Silver Creek’s next starter under center.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Evergreen Valley, 7:15 p.m.
No. 5 INDEPENDENCE
Coach: Jay Braun
2023 record: 3-6
What to expect: Independence will rely on a solid core of returning players as the 76ers look to contend in 2024. The team lost a lot of production from the Class of 2024, but quarterback Myles Pagaduan is back after tossing 14 touchdowns in 2023. Pagaduan was second-team all-league as a junior and will be relied upon to anchor Independence’s offensive production this season. Senior inside linebacker and tight end Johnny Lamas was a first-team all-league player last year who led the Sixers in tackles. Senior running back/linebacker Lio Sevello returns as a starter and was a first-team all-league linebacker in 2023. Senior two-way lineman Santiago Hernandez will anchor the offensive line at center after being named all-league last season. Senior cornerback Cena Im returns after leading the Sixers in pass breakups.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Cupertino, 7:15 p.m.
No. 6 DEL MAR
Coach: Robert Chapman
2023 record: 7-4
What to expect: Del Mar moves up to the Santa Teresa-Foothill Division this season, and the Dons are hopeful they’re ready for the new challenge. “We have a great group of young men returning to this year’s team who will do their absolute best to replace the players we lost to graduation,” coach Robert Chapman said. “It will be a big challenge moving up to the Santa Teresa league, but we are looking forward to giving it our all.” The key players for Del Mar start with senior tight end/linebacker Miguel Medina, a team captain and leader of the Dons’ defense. Medina led Del Mar in tackles last season despite missing the Dons’ last two games with a knee injury. Senior defensive end/offensive tackle Julian Reyes was a defensive all-league selection last season. Senior wide receiver/running back/strong safety Jake Schwoob is another team captain for the Dons and “the hardest-working player in our program,” according to Chapman. Junior two-way lineman Jonathan Tanori is a three-year varsity starter and was an all-league lineman in 2023. Senior two-way lineman Alejandro Estrada is a four-star varsity starter with a “relentless motor,” Chapman said.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Harbor, 7 p.m.
Source: www.mercurynews.com