High school football 2023 preview: PAL De Anza Division

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

PENINSULA ATHLETIC LEAGUE DE ANZA DIVISION

(Probable order of completion)

No. 1 HALF MOON BAY

Coach: Keith Holden

2022 record: 7-4

What to expect: The Cougars are always low in numbers but high in toughness. They are well-coached and difficult to prepare for because of the variety of things they do on offense. This season, they are inexperienced but committed to the ground game. Aiden Vasquez, an all-league lineman a year ago, is the most experienced returner. Vince Vella will join him on the line. These two will be among the blockers tasked with allowing running backs Harrison Tobias and Adler Halterman to run. Hermes McClellan is a standout linebacker on defense.

Season opener: August 25 at 7 p.m. against Leland.

No. 2 THE KING’S ACADEMY

Coach: Dante Perez

2022 record: 8-3

What to anticipate: RB TKA returns both Jeaden Underwood and QB Reid Black after putting up big numbers last season. Underwood gained 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. Black had 21 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. Perez described sophomore wide receiver Kyle Welch as “electric.” Lukas Morris and Matthew Kennedy are both third-year varsity players. Morris also contributes on offense as a fullback and tight end. Miles Clark, a senior safety, will play a significant role on defense.

Season opener: August 25 at 7 p.m. against Mountain View.

No. 3 PALO ALTO

Coach: Dave DeGeronimo

2022 record: 7-7

What to expect: After a sluggish start last season, Paly finished strong, won the CCS D-V championship, and returns a number of key players. RB Jeremiah Madrigal ran for 803 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’ll trail highly regarded LT Ikinasio Tupou and RG JJ Stallworth. Declan Packer, the quarterback, threw for 1,728 yards and 19 touchdowns. Jason Auzenne (30 receptions, 455 yards, 7 touchdowns) returns. Jeremiah Fung and Isaiah Walker are two other pass-catching options. On defense, Joey Kessler and Serra transfer Johnny Latu are part of a talented linebacking group.

Season opener: August 25 at 7 p.m. against Fremont-Sunnyvale.

No. 4 MENLO SCHOOL

Coach: Todd Smith

2022 record: 8-6

What to anticipate: Menlo has gone 24-8 since Smith took over as head coach in 2020, but the team that won the CCS championship last season lost 16 seniors. Mike McGrath, Jack Freehill, and Ben Salama are vying to be the starting quarterback for a program known for its passing game. RB Willis Johnson, Brady Jung, and Harry Housser, among others, will be looking for touches in the offense. Parker Ashton (6-1, 215) and Bradford Tudor (6-3, 210) both have a lot of potential.

Season opener: August 26 at 2 p.m. against American Canyon.

No. 5 HOMESTEAD

Coach: Milo Lewis

2022 record: 4-7

What to anticipate: Homestead is concerned about the quarterback position. Senior tight end Wyatt Hook (6-6, 233), an Oregon State commit who caught 40 passes for 557 yards last season, will be a big target for whoever gets the call. The offensive line and running game should be strengths. Max Ward is a solid cover cornerback on defense. As juniors, Gustavo Escobedo and Connor Chung were among the team’s top tacklers.

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

No. 6 HILLSDALE

Coach: Mike Parodi

2022 record: 6-4

What to expect: Never one to back down from a challenge, Hillsdale is moving up to the De Anza despite finishing third in the Ocean Division last season. Last year, Erick Waugh went 3-0 at quarterback after switching from wide receiver. Elliott Regan is expected to be the main ball carrier. Waugh will have experienced targets in wide receivers Drew Rollolazo and Trajan King. Tripp McCann will lead the defense as a linebacker and also see time as an offensive receiver.

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

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.