High school football 2023 preview: PAL Bay Division

Top players & predicted order of finish in the six-school Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division

PENINSULA ATHLETIC LEAGUE BAY DIVISION

(Probable order of completion)

No. 1 LOS GATOS

Coach: Mark Krail

Record in 2022: 8-3

What to anticipate: This season, Los Gatos and longtime league partners Wilcox and Mountain View join forces with Menlo-Atherton, Sacred Heart Prep, and Burlingame to form a more competitive division. But, just like in the past, Los Gatos is the favorite to win. Coach Mark Krail, now in his 11th season as head coach of the storied program and 26th overall, has assembled another talented roster, led by standout WR/DB Xavier Johnson. Jaylen Thomas is a musician. Last season, the De Anza Division MVP helped the Wildcats win the league title and earn a home game in the CCS Division I playoffs. “Very versatile player,” said Krail. “Rarely comes off the field.” Ryan Vernale has also returned to lead the charge in the trenches. The senior OL/DL was named De Anza lineman of the year in 2022. Spencer Burg, a three-year starter on defense who earned all-league honors last year, is another senior. Senior DB/WR Scott Garwood provides team leadership and versatility, and junior LB/RB Henry Masters is a “very savvy” player, according to Krail. The non-league schedule includes two East Bay schools, Liberty on Sept. 1 and Pittsburg at home on Sept. 29.

Season opener: August 24 at 7 p.m. against Soquel.

No. 2 WILCOX

Coach: Paul Rosa

Record in 2022: 10-2

What to anticipate: The Chargers are coming off another successful season under longtime coach Paul Rosa, whose team is expected to challenge Los Gatos for first place once again. According to Rosa, one of the team’s strengths is depth, which is always a good thing in a contact sport. “We bring back our entire linebacking crew, which had a good year last year,” Rosa added. One of those LBs is Jeramiah Lewis. Last season, the three-year starter was named De Anza’s defensive player of the year. Senior offensive lineman Justin Hylkema, who stands 6-8 and 315 pounds, will be difficult to miss in the trenches. The Arizona commit starts at left tackle and will also see time on the defensive line this season. The Chargers return senior DE/OL Romeo Castillo as well as talented RB Elijah Walker, who was named De Anza’s offensive player of the year last season. Maulidi Saleh, a senior SS/WR, is another player to keep an eye on. “He is very explosive on special teams,” Rosa said, adding that Saleh had three kickoff returns for touchdowns. Wilcox concludes its league schedule on Oct. 27 at home against Los Gatos.

The season begins on August 25 at Valley Christian at 7 p.m.

No. 3 SACRED HEART PREP

Coach: Mark Grieb

Record in 2022: 9-2

What to anticipate: Last season, Sacred Heart Prep won the Bay Division title behind departed standouts such as WR Carter Shaw and LB Shae O’Kelly, going 5-0 to finish an 8-2 regular season and earn a spot in the CCS Division I playoffs. Many players from that team are still with Coach Mark Grieb, including junior OL/DL Aseli Fangupo and senior RB/LB Anthony Noto. Noto was described as a “ironman” by Grieb, who is “known for making game-changing plays in big games.” Three more seniors are expected to play significant roles: WR/DB Charlie Stuart, OL/DL Marat Misra, and TE/LB George Smith. SHP defeated Menlo-Atherton, Burlingame, and Mountain View by three touchdowns, and Los Gatos by three. This season, the Gators face Archbishop Riordan and Sacred Heart Cathedral from the West Catholic Athletic League.

Season opener: Aug. 25 at 3:30 p.m. at Archbishop Riordan.

No. 4 MENLO-ATHERTON

Coach: Chris Saunders

Record in 2022: 5-6

What to anticipate: Chris Saunders, who is in his fourth season as head coach, stated that his team is “very blessed” with a plethora of young talent. This group will be joined by a number of veterans, including seven varsity linebackers. Any list of M-A’s top players, however, must include college prospect Alek Marshall (6-7, 235), one of the Bay Area’s premier tight ends. “Mismatch nightmare,” said Saunders. Senior OLB Devin Hyde (6-5, 225) is a physical specimen who also serves as a WR/DB. Jayden Monroe is a force to be reckoned with. C Aidan Anguiano is the team’s most seasoned offensive lineman. While praising Anguiano’s physical abilities, Saunders stated, “His biggest strength is his IQ and ability to get the OL in the right calls and checks.” DE/OL Khayri Jett is an effective pass rusher as well as a run defender. The team’s first two league games are at home on Oct. 6 against Wilcox and on Oct. 13 against Sacred Heart Prep.

Season opener: August 25 at 7 p.m. at San Jose City College against Bellarmine.

No. 5 BURLINGAME

Coach: John Philipopoulos

Record in 2022: 5-6

What to anticipate: Burlingame’s longtime coach, John Philipopolous, hasn’t had many sub-.500 seasons, with last year being the program’s first since 2012. The Panthers face new challenges in the revamped Bay Division, as they return only one first-team all-league player from last season, senior DB/TE Zach Shapiro. Ivy League universities have expressed interest in him. The quarterback and the top three rushers from last season have all graduated. Eddie Gill, a junior this year, is the only returning player who attempted a pass last season. Shapiro and Eric Breazeale are the only players back in 2022 to have caught more than two passes. Because the top five teams in this division make the playoffs, a postseason berth is very likely.

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

No. 6 MOUNTAIN VIEW

Coach: Tim Lugo

Record in 2022: 4-8

What to expect: The Spartans return several skill players from last season’s team that advanced to the CCS Division IV semifinals. After throwing for 2,130 yards and 21 touchdowns with 20 interceptions as a junior, quarterback Kevin Conway, now a senior, should be more at ease in coach Tim Lugo’s system. “We are expecting big things from him,” Lugo said. LB Alex Bocchieri has returned after being named first-team all-league. According to Lugo, he will play tight end this fall. Senior Wide Receiver/Defender Lex Silver is coming off a season in which he caught 54 passes for 813 yards and nine touchdowns, and FS/WR Viliami Sekona is starting his third varsity season. Over the summer, he displayed excellent instincts as a free safety, according to Lugo. RB/DE Arturo Hernandez, the team’s sack leader last season, has grown bigger and stronger in the offseason.

Season opener: August 25 at 7 p.m. at The King’s Academy.

In the coming two weeks

The high school football preview package from the Bay Area News Group will be released over the next two weeks. Please subscribe if you have not already done so. Your contributions enable us to continue operating.