High school football 2023 preview: Bay Valley Athletic League

Top players & predicted order of finish in the six-school BVAL

BAY VALLEY ATHLETIC LEAGUE

(Probable order of completion)

No. 1 PITTSBURG

Coach: Charlie Ramirez

2022 record: 12-3

What to expect: It’s a new era in Pittsburg football, as Victor Galli will not lead the Pirates on Friday nights for the first time in over two decades. Longtime defensive coordinator Charlie Ramirez will take over as head coach. Last year’s team was defined by seniors Jaden Rashada and a slew of Division I wide receivers, but this year’s squad will be led by a star-studded defense and a stacked junior class. Junior safety Jadyn Hudson, like junior edge-rusher Jewelous Walls, is attracting national recruiting attention. Etene Pritchard, a junior linebacker, led the NorCal Division I-A champions in tackles. Junior quarterback Marley Alcantara threw for 14 touchdowns as a backup and spot starter and has the potential to be Pittsburg’s next great quarterback. Elijah Bow, a junior running back, is a tough runner who scored 16 touchdowns as a sophomore. Pittsburg’s non-league schedule includes visits to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Monterey Trail-Elk Grove, and Los Gatos.

Season begins on August 26 at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

No. 2 LIBERTY

Coach: Mike Cable

2022 record: 8-4

What to expect: Mike Cable’s Liberty team will try to challenge Pittsburg for the league title once more, and he expects the offense to be even more explosive than last year’s Nate Bell-led squad. He stated that senior wide receiver Ryan McKendry is “eyeing a 1,000-yard season” and that sophomore running back Jaxon Bell has “a tremendous ability to make tacklers miss” when he is not playing safety. Junior pass-rusher Zaire Calhoun had four sacks in six games and should be one of the East Bay’s best defensive players. Up front, senior guard Noah Blake and senior tackle Damian Perea provide experience and toughness.

Season opener: August 24 at 7 p.m. at Enochs.

No. 3 HERITAGE

Coach: Dave Foglestrom

2022 record: 6-4

What to anticipate: The Patriots graduated 23 seniors, including all-purpose back Devon Rivers and wide receiver Jeremiah Ruffin. Heritage, on the other hand, returns another college-caliber offensive weapon in Brooks Davis, a 6-foot-2 WR who is attracting interest from major FBS programs despite only having played football for two seasons. The Patriots also return some offensive line experience, led by three-year starter and captain Cody Wong. Senior guard Santana Roberts, according to Foglestrom, is “the strongest player on the team” and can bench press 400 pounds. Early games against EBAL teams Foothill and Granada will put Heritage to the test.

Season opener: August 25 at 7 p.m. at Foothill.

No. 4 ANTIOCH

Coach: Brett Dudley

2022 record: 4-7

What to expect: Although the Panthers have lost a lot of muscle and toughness up front, a lot of speed should return. All-BVAL teams included senior defensive backs Javion Smith, Issac Gaines, and Richard Turley, as well as slick quarterback Larenzo Mayfield. Mayfield gained 778 yards on the ground and 756 yards passing. Running back Elijah Stingley showed promise behind all-leaguer Charles Brown and could have a big season as the starter. Antioch’s non-league schedule is tough, with games against Vintage, College Park, James Logan, and Tennyson.

Season opener: Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. against Arroyo.

No. 5 DEER VALLEY

Coach: Matthew Mills

2022 record: 0-10

What to expect: The Wolverines only scored 50 points last season, but the offense should improve dramatically in Year 2 under Matt Mills. WR/DB Despite playing in a morbid offense, Ivan Padilla is a three-year starter who was named honorable mention all-BVAL. Jai’on Gary will return as a powerful runner who will also see time at linebacker. RB/LB According to Mills, Jabari McKinney is even stronger, benching 415 pounds. TE Coby Fosselman stands 6-foot-4 and is a multi-sport athlete who also plays basketball and runs track. In non-league play, Deer Valley will have the opportunity to pick up early wins against Mt. Eden and Kennedy-Fremont.

Season opener: August 25 at 7 p.m. at Mt. Diablo.

No. 6 FREEDOM

Coach: Zach Sims

2022 record: 3-6

What to expect: Freedom will be rebuilding this season, with only three starters returning from last year’s squad. Coach Zach Sims anticipates junior quarterback Myles Hunt to sling the ball around, saying Hunt “has the potential to put up some of the biggest numbers of any QB in the section this year.” Many of those passes will be caught by junior WR/SS Austin Callen. Freedom may not win this season, but the Falcons should still have an entertaining offense.

The season begins on August 26 at Marin Catholic at 1 p.m.

In the coming two weeks

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