High school football 2023 preview: Oakland Athletic League
OAKLAND ATHLETIC LEAGUE
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 MCCLYMONDS
Coach: Michael Peters
2022 record: 12-2
**What to expect:**McClymonds remains the undisputed king of the Oakland Athletic League, an elite program that expects to compete for state titles until proven otherwise. With 270-pound junior Sione Vailea and 6-7 senior Ahmad Robinson paving the way for the electrifying Tajir Golden, who totaled 689 yards from scrimmage in 2022 and is converting to RB this year, the offensive line should be elite. Senior quarterback Jacob Wasso, a transfer from Freedom, is expected to start. John “Sharky” Tamale and Amir Gobar lead a defense that lost nearly its entire defensive line.Redmani Albert, Jimmy Bush, and Tay’Shon Clayton are all DB mainstays. Isaac Espinosa, the kicker, has a 50-yard range. The non-league schedule for McClymonds includes games against Bellarmine, San Ramon Valley, and De La Salle.
First game of the season: Sept. 1 vs. Bellarmine at San Jose City College, 7 p.m.
CASTLEMONT NO. 2
Edward Washington is the coach.
Record for 2022: 6-6
What to expect: The Knights made an unexpected appearance in the Silver Bowl after playing every game on the road while their facilities were being renovated. Longtime coach Ed Washington will attempt to maintain that momentum in 2023, when his team will be led by his son, junior wide receiver Ellijah Washington. Pac-12 schools such as Washington State and Cal are showing interest in Washington.Anthony Ellis, a 215-pound senior running back, should have little trouble keeping up with senior lineman Lamar Lewis and junior Josiah Siona. Alex Hall, a senior safety, is expected to make plays in the defensive backfield. In Week 2, the Knights will travel south to face the storied Dorsey-Los Angeles.
Season opener: Sept. 1 vs. St. Patrick-St. Vincent, 7 p.m.
OAKLAND TECHNOLOGY NO. 3
Virdell Larkins III is the head coach.
Record in 2022: 8-3
What to expect: Longtime coach Virdell Larkins III will look to talented players such as Safir Stills Bey, a defensive back who should also see time at wide receiver, to replace the production that graduated in the Spring.Samuel Towns is a quick running back who showed promise in limited reps behind Anthony Alonzo, and offensive lineman Master Scott is expected to be a key member of the line. David “Speedy” Patton IV will provide Oakland Tech with a perimeter threat.
First game of the season: August 25 vs. Mission-San Francisco, 7 p.m.
FREMONT-OAKLAND NO. 4
Coach: Lloyd Johnson
Record for 2022: 5-6
What to expect: Fremont’s first-year coach, Lloyd Johnson, has some talented players on his team, including four-star and Stanford commit Naki Tuakoi.Isaiah Evans should be a leader on a hard-hitting defense. Offensively, the cupboard isn’t bare either, with all-OAL running back Aaron Lipscomb and his 812 yards back for his senior year.Cameron Scarbrough is the most versatile player on the team, capable of playing defensive end, running back, and even some wide receiver.
Season opener: August 25 at 7 p.m. at College Park.
SKYLINE NO. 5
Jonathan Carroll is the head coach.
Record in 2022: 2-8
What to expect: Skyline’s new coach, Jonathan Carroll, was the school’s running backs coach from 2016 to 2019, when the program reached the Silver Bowl. Senior running back Antonio Stanley is expected to lead the offense, running well behind senior guard Isaiah Jamerson and 310-pound blocker Trillion Robinson. Senior safety DeVajae Watts had six interceptions as a free safety in 2022 and is expected to shine in Skyline’s secondary alongside Khalid Frinson. Skyline will have the opportunity to win non-league games against Balboa-San Francisco and Richmond before league play begins.
Season opener: August 25 at 7 p.m. at Maria Carrillo.
OAKLAND NO. 6
Terry Hendrix Jr. is the coach.
Record for 2022: 0-9
What to expect: Former Fremont-Oakland coach Terry Hendrix Jr. has taken over the Wildcats program, which has not won a game since 2019. He stated that senior speedster Joshua Oludayo will be the team’s primary playmaker and that he and former Oakland Tech quarterback Rahshann Buffin will form a dynamic duo. On the other side of the ball, all-OAL selection Jamar Davis at DT, whom his coach referred to as Oakland’s “knight in shining armor,” and senior defender James Fatai lead the way. The secondary, led by juniors Aaron Boulware and Ymer Belvine, should be a strength, according to the new coach. Hendrix Jr. promised that his team, which he expects to field between 20 and 22 players this season, will win at least one game.
First game of the season: August 24 at Turlock Christian, 7 p.m.
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