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:
DIABLO ATHLETIC LEAGUE VALLEY DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 COLLEGE PARK
Coach: Jack Schram
2023 record: 4-6
What to expect: In what could be a wide-open league, College Park should be among the contenders. New coach Jack Schram takes over the Falcons with 29 seasons of head-coaching experience overall, most recently at Miramonte. They will be tested early by a tough non-league schedule that leads off with San Marin, Clayton Valley Charter and Salesian. “There is a good nucleus of players willing to learn a new system and compete at a high level,” Schram said. “With an extremely tough preseason schedule, we will need to keep focus on the task at hand. I’m sure nobody in NCS will be playing as many teams with NCS, NorCal or state championships in the last several years as us.” Senior quarterback James Voorhies is an excellent athlete who will get to showcase his talents in College Park’s new spread offense. Senior running back/defensive back Izaac Jinks is a “gifted athlete with a great work ethic” who “has explosive speed and great vision,” Schram said. Senior WR/DB T.J. Lanza has “great top-end speed and catching ability” and “will develop into a shutdown CB,” according to Schram. Senior two-way lineman Brady Mize “has the size and agility to be a standout lineman,” Schram noted.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. San Marin, 7 p.m.
No. 2 ALHAMBRA
Coach: Alan Hern
2023 record: 8-4
What to expect: Hern enters his 19th year coaching at Alhambra and looks to have a team that could repeat as DAL Valley champions after an undefeated league campaign in 2023. “We have the potential to be a good team this year,” Hern said. “We have several quality players returning from a league championship team last year who understand what it takes to win. Not as deep as last year, so we need to stay healthy.” Senior OL/DE Darrian Thornton was first-team all-league at DE as a junior, a “dominant force on the line” who “causes havoc in the backfield,” the coach said. Senior K/DB Mason Stinson was second-team all-league and did not miss an extra point or field goal last year, going 62-of-62. Senior QB Louie Lakeman is “smart, capable, and hardworking” and “sets a great example for his teammates,” Hern noted. Senior LB/FB Colton Banchero had an impact on both sides of the ball last season. He has a high football IQ and is tough, with “excellent hands,” Hern said. Senior DE/TE Chael Collins is tall and athletic with great hands and is an excellent route runner. Senior RB/CB Shea Murphy is an “explosive athlete,” the “strongest and fastest player on the team,” Hern noted. Senior WR/DB Sutter Allio is an “old-school football player,” a vocal leader who “does a lot of little things well,” Hern said.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Sonoma Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 3 NORTHGATE
Coach: Ben Ballard
2023 record: 3-7
What to expect: Northgate will look to bounce back from a rough season in 2023 and contend in a DAL Valley that is open for the taking. The Broncos placed fifth of seven teams last year in the loaded DAL Foothill Division. Northgate finished 2-4, ahead of College Park, which went 1-5. The Broncos lost four all-league players from last season: first-team offensive player Ben Hosler, second-team offensive player Jake Berger and first-team defenders Max Anum and Tony Pucci. They return free safety/quarterback Brady Willis, who compiled 47 tackles last season. WR/DB/K/QB Blayne Ballard was a valuable all-purpose player for Northgate a year ago, collecting 528 receiving yards, 252 passing yards, 157 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Dougherty Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 4 BENICIA
Coach: Ryan Sarna
2023 record: 2-8
What to expect: Benicia will aim to find success in its first season under Sarna, the Panthers’ new man in charge. The team went 0-6 in the DAL Foothill last season and swapped coaches from Scott Swartz to Sarna. Sarna’s is a celebrated name in the flag football community, where his “The Coach Sarna NFL Flag Football League” has grown into a resounding success in Vallejo. Benicia lost all-league seniors Daniel Valdez (first-team offense) and Jordan Snowden (first-team defense) to graduation. Junior DB Anthony Jordan returns after collecting four interceptions in 2023.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Vallejo, 7 p.m.
Source: www.mercurynews.com