High school football 2023 preview: EBAL Valley Division
Top players & predicted order of finish in the five-school East Bay Athletic League Valley Division
East Bay Athletic League Valley Division
(Probable order of completion)
No. 1: AMADOR VALLEY
Coach: Danny Jones
2022 record: 5-6
What to anticipate: Danny Jones, the Dons’ coach, is fired up for this season. “The next two years will be my best two teams I’ve had in (my) 8-year tenure,” he wrote in a Bay Area News Group survey of coaches. After two years in the Mountain Division, the Dons are returning to the Valley Division. It means no more regular-season games against De La Salle, Clayton Valley, or San Ramon Valley. Jones predicted that junior quarterback Tristan Tia “will be one of the best in Northern California over the next two years.” After transferring from Granada, the 6-2, 190-pounder will miss the first five non-league games. The schedule is brutal, with El Cerrito, Campolindo, Acalanes, and Monte Vista as the first four opponents, but Tia will be eligible when league play begins. While Tia is out, seniors Jake Goldsworthy (RB/LB) and Nate Jetter (WR/DB) will pick up the slack, as they are dangerous from anywhere on the field. The offensive line averages 280 pounds per player. Jones believes junior offensive lineman/defensive lineman Cooper Longmire will be a Division I recruit. Anthony Harrington, a sophomore wide receiver/defensive back, is another rising star.
Season opener: August 25 at 7 p.m. against El Cerrito.
No. 2: DUBLIN
Coach: Brandon Black
2022 record: 6-4
What to expect: If defense wins in football, the Gaels are to be avoided. They have two all-league linebackers back in Troy Matheny and John Ortiz. The secondary is also well-experienced, led by CBs Rionne Simpson and Jonah Dixon. The DL is young, but nose guard Nehemiah Suga, who missed most of last season due to injuries, could help make up for it. “Our defense will be quick, strong, and athletic,” according to Dublin coach Brandon Black. On offense, WR Garrett Esomonu will be crucial. He stands 6-1, 170 pounds and moves quickly. He caught 24 passes for 561 yards and five touchdowns in nine games last season. After missing the 2022 season due to a broken leg, senior Elijah McDaniel will take his place. After transferring from Amador Valley, junior Jack Duncan takes over at quarterback. “He can run the ball,” said Black. “He makes plays with his feet.” Sean Collins, a senior, serves as the backup. Last season, he appeared in six games and threw for 741 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception.
Season opener: August 25 at 7 p.m. against Washington-Fremont.
No. 3: GRANADA
Coach: Marc Moses
2022 record: 4-7
What to expect: The Matadors will find out quickly what kind of team they have. They face Monte Vista, Heritage, and Berkeley in three of their first four games. Quinn Boyd, a senior, is their starter at quarterback. Last season, the 6-4, 195-pounder passed for 1,758 yards and 13 touchdowns. He can throw to Christian Clouser. Clouser and Boyd were both named first-team all-league last season. Juniors Peyton Richards (6-3, 190 pounds) and Estevan Duarte (6-0, 195 pounds) anchor the running game. Gabe Moncada, Dawson Kerezsi, and Cal Duarte provide good size for Granada up front. They are all at least 250 pounds. Landon Datillo and Jacob Sanchez are the defensive leaders. Last season, K/P Brandon Niemeyer was 5 for 6 on field goals, with a long of 53 yards. He was successful on all 24 of his extra-point attempts.
Season opener: Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. vs. Monte Vista.
No. 4: LIVERMORE
Coach: John Wade
2022 record: 8-3
What to anticipate: Coach John Wade will spend the first few weeks of the season breaking in two young quarterbacks. Junior Matthew Benson and sophomore Matteo Lortie are vying for the starting spot in a battle that could last the entire non-league season. “Both can throw, but in terms of experience, they are very young,” Wade said. “Hopefully, the run game can take some of the pressure off the quarterbacks.” Last season, junior Kamarri Robinson filled in as a backup. Seniors Joel Indrebo and Justin Matchett are solid receivers for Livermore. In 2022, both were varsity players. The Cowboys’ star will be senior offensive tackle Xavier Thorpe. The 6-5, 270-pounder is a three-star recruit who has received interest from several schools, including Washington State. “He’s a really athletic, large kid,” Wade said. “He’s faster than almost anyone on our team.”
The season begins on August 25 at 7 p.m. against Hillsdale.
No. 5: DOUGHERTY VALLEY
Coach: Aaron Speaks
2022 record: 6-4
What to anticipate: For the first time in school history, the Wildcats have had back-to-back winning seasons. The problem is that they are 11-0 against non-league opponents and 0-8 against EBAL opponents. They have now lost 16 consecutive league games and are 1-34 since winning twice in 2015. Former line coach Aaron Speaks will serve as interim head coach after Roberto Clemente was hired as an assistant at Milpitas. “It’s a great opportunity to lead this team into a new era,” Speaks said. He’ll have to do so without his best player, running back Devin Garcia. Garcia broke his ankle and will miss the rest of the season. Last year, he had over 1,000 all-purpose yards. LB Joseph Halim, the team’s leading tackler in 2022, will miss the first few games of the season as he recovers from a foot injury suffered during summer camp. To lead the young Wildcats, Speaks has a pair of solid seniors in WR/CB Gavin Bergstedt and 6-3, 255-pound DE Erimi Oshewa. QB Tyler Robbins (6-4, 185) and MLB Ali Wassie, both juniors, offer hope for the future.
The season begins on August 25 at Milpitas at 7 p.m.
In the coming two weeks
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