High school football 2023 preview: TCAL Stone Division
Tri-County Athletic League Stone Division
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 ST. MARY’S-BERKELEY
Coach: John Trotman Jr.
2022 record: 11-1
What to expect: The Stone Division appears to be in good working order. Any of the four teams could win the championship. So why not go with the defending champion? The Panthers won 11 straight games before falling to eventual CIF State 7-AA champion Pinole Valley in the North Coast Section playoffs. The running game will be led by seniors Elijah Hines and Samadi Scott. They are both well over 200 pounds. They both had 119 tackles last season as linebackers.Marley Filson, who was named first-team all-TCAL Stone in 2022, returns at free safety. He’s also a talented wide receiver, which will help the Panthers as sophomore Sutton Ralls and junior Anthony Commack take over at quarterback. St. Mary’s will have experience on the offensive line with juniors Avi Coty-Moran (6-5, 240) at tackle and Jason Rodriguez (5-10, 250) at guard. Both started all 12 games as sophomores. The Panthers’ schedule has been improved, with a Sept. 23 home game against Cardinal Newman of North Bay.
Season opener: Aug. 26 vs. Moreau Catholic, 1:30 p.m.
No. 2 KENNEDY-RICHMOND
Coach: Greg Marshall
2022 record: 6-4
What to expect: The Eagles will not be the same team that finished 6-4 last season. They will rely on speed over size. The most important player, however, could be senior Emilliano Rodriguez, who returns for his third season as Kennedy’s starting quarterback. “He’s one of the hardest-working kids I’ve ever had,” says coach Greg Marshall of the 5-11, 170-pounder. He has excellent offensive command.” When Rodriguez went down with a concussion last season, JFK was 5-1. Richmond’s only victory after that was a forfeit. Rodriguez will have two good WR targets in senior Deondre Prim and junior Desmond Johnson. Jerry Graham, a senior, returns at running back. On defense, the main source of concern is a young group of linebackers. Danico Canal, a first-team all-TCAL Stone OL, has been moved to LB, which should help. Donte Blueford and Noah Faataui form an effective defensive line.
Season opener: Aug. 25 at Napa, 7 p.m.
No. 3 ST. PATRICK-ST. VINCENT
Coach: Dominguez Dickerson
2022 record: 8-2
What to expect: For the first time since 2014, the Bruins will have a new coach, with assistant Dominguez Dickerson taking over for Lane Hawkins, who will continue to assist with football. The rookie coach’s biggest challenge may be finding a new quarterback. The SPSV roster includes two players: junior Trevor Moelk and sophomore Solomon Alexander. Aderion Prater, the team’s leading rusher, is back, and he’s a good one. Last season, he rushed for 707 yards and 13 touchdowns while earning all-league honors. The Bruins also have a strong receiving corps, led by wideouts Josiah Jones and Jalil Christoff, as well as tight end Isaac Nguyen. That trio will help the team cope with the loss of WR Judge Nash, who transferred to Riordan. Jones had two fewer catches and two fewer yards than Nash but five more touchdowns. With seven starters returning, the defense should be capable.
Season opener: Aug. 25 vs. Elite Charter-Vallejo, 7 p.m.
No. 4 VALLEJO
Coach: Michael Wilson III
2022 record: 5-4-1
What to expect: In 2022, Vallejo experienced a watershed moment. The Red Hawks won more games than they lost for the first time in MaxPreps history. They finished 5-4-1, snapping a 16-year losing streak that dated back to 2005. They also snapped a six-game skid against crosstown rival Bethel. This year, expectations are a little higher. On offense, eight starters return, led by quarterback Jasier Smith. Last season, the 6-4 senior threw for 1,184 yards and 11 touchdowns while earning first-team all-TCAL Stone honors. He has a strong receiving corps that includes explosive junior Sedrick Vaughn, sophomore Cal baseball commit David Bernstine, Benicia transfer Darrell Hurd, and versatile TE Julian Williams, who can also play OL or DL. A young defense will have to mature.
Season opener: Aug. 25 at Center-Antelope, 7:15 p.m.
No. 5 RICHMOND
Coach: Marcus Arnold
2022 record: 1-7
What to expect: This season, there is a new attitude surrounding the Richmond football program. Marcus Arnold, the Oilers’ first-year coach, is a former player. He has about 40 players so far and intends to field varsity and JV teams. “Our varsity will surprise people,” Arnold, who worked as an assistant coach at Richmond from 2008 to 2012. “We’ve had about 20 (core) players here for a (weight) lifting program, and they’re all eligible.” The team will be led by junior quarterback Josue Prado, senior wide receiver/special teams specialist Jordan Vargas, and twin brothers Matthew and Joshua Rosales. Both are LBs. During their 1-7 season in 2022, the Oilers played only four games. Their lone victory came by forfeit against Galileo. Richmond also forfeited three games. This season, the Oilers will play nine games.
Season opener: Aug. 25 vs. San Lorenzo, 5:30 p.m.
Coming the next two weeks
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