As part of our high school football content to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
DIABLO ATHLETIC LEAGUE FOOTHILL DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER
Coach: Nick Tisa
2023 record: 5-6
What to expect: Welcome back to the DAL, Clayton Valley Charter. After four seasons in the East Bay Athletic League’s Mountain Division, the Ugly Eagles will rejoin the league that the rest of their sports already call home. CVC ruled the league before being moved to the EBAL, going 14-0 in league play during its last three DAL seasons. “We are excited for the opportunity to compete in a highly well respected and competitive league,“ coach Nick Tisa said. The Concord school brings plenty of muscle back to its roster in 2024. Senior tight ends Logan Knapp and Tony Keck each have Division I offers, and quarterback Tyson Lovett is capable of getting them the ball. The powerful Justin Underwood and quick Hayezon Jackson each bring a unique skillset to the backfield, and will benefit from blocks by San Diego State commit Chris Duarte. Tisa said linebacker Nate Underwood “can play sideline-to-sideline.” Even though they’re not in the same league anymore, CVC will still play De La Salle to end the regular season.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Spanish Springs, 7 p.m.
No. 2 CAMPOLINDO
Coach: Kevin Macy
2023 record: 7-3-1
What to expect: Longtime coach Kevin Macy always undersells his team in preseason, but the Cougars always find a way to exceed his public expectations. They have won five consecutive league titles and should be ready for the challenge CVC this fall. Macy said the team graduated 27 players from last season. But fortunately for the Moraga school, the team’s two best players are juniors now. Crosby Kelly is a top-notch 6-foot-6, 240-pound athlete who has college interested as both a tight end and pass-rusher. Running back Micah Parker has breakaway speed. Putting up a 1,000-yard season is not out of the question for Parker. The secondary is the team’s most experienced position group, as seniors Luke Bonardi, Mack Fisher and Joe Revelos were all major contributors last season. Macy has high hopes for RB Blaise Clancy, who missed last season with an ACL injury but is considered the team’s emotional leader. Wideout Thomas Berg ran the 100-meter dash in 10.7 seconds and is expected to be the team’s deep threat on the outside. Games against El Cerrito, Vanden, Windsor and Amador Valley are the highlights of the non-league schedule.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Vanden, 7 p.m.
No. 3 LAS LOMAS
Coach: Doug Longero
2023 record: 10-2
What to expect: Las Lomas returns almost every starter from last season’s 10-2 team, including perhaps the best QB-WR tandem in the the league. Junior quarterback Dylan Thomas threw for 31 touchdowns and 2,200 yards, and senior receiver Roman Mercado had 1,142 yards and 12 touchdowns. He averaged almost 20 yards per catch for the Knights. Kaden Lagaya has speed at tailback and will be a big-play threat out of the backfield. Coach Doug Longero believes tight end Danial Downes has the talent to play in college. Linemen Chase Martin and Troy Sequiera play both ways and excel on each side of the ball. Senior Landon Gilmore is entering his third year as starter at cornerback and will be asked to contain the many great pass-catchers in the DAL. After last year’s stellar season, it wouldn’t be shocking if Las Lomas challenged for a league title.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Vintage, 7 p.m.
No. 4 ACALANES
Coach: Floyd Burnsed
2023 record: 11-4
What to expect: What can Acalanes do as an encore to last year’s magical CIF Division 3-AA state title-winning season? Getting back there will be a tough ask for a team that graduated most of its top talent. But wily coach Floyd Burnsed knows how to get the best out of his players. Slot receiver Niko White brings back some of the track speed that made last year’s team so unstoppable. But while the 2023 squad for known for its speed, this year’s iteration will rely more on defense. Burnsed singled out junior pass-rusher Deonte Littlejohn and two-way lineman Drew McKenzie as team leaders, and guard Andrew Tresser is a physical force on the line. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Winkles should take the reins under center. Even as the Dons replace key players, they won’t be pushovers in the DAL.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Lowell-San Francisco, 7 p.m.
No. 5 MIRAMONTE
Coach: Nick Safir
2023 record: 9-4
What to expect: It might seem odd that a reigning NCS champion is being picked to finish last, but that speaks to the quality of the DAL’s top division. First-year coach Nick Safir will lead an offense that boasts a proven quarterback and a couple of high-level receivers. Junior Carson Blair won a tight QB race last season and threw for 24 touchdowns for the section’s Division V champs. His top target will be junior Andrew Bjornson, a 6-foot-4 three-star receiver who runs 4.59 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Jack Quinnild and his 13 touchdown receptions return, as does linebacker Luke Milmoe and the senior’s 127 tackles. Safir sees Andrew Davenport and his 600-pound squat as the anchor of the offensive line and an integral piece on defense. Mitch Reichenbach and George Gilbert are both versatile athletes. Because of a manageable non-league schedule against teams such as Oakland Tech and Alhambra, don’t be surprised if Miramonte manages to have a winning record despite the brutal league schedule.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Oakland Tech, 7 p.m.
Source: www.mercurynews.com