High school football 2023 preview: PAL El Camino Division
PENINSULA ATHLETIC LEAGUE EL CAMINO DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 WOODSIDE
Coach: Justin Andrews
2022 record: 8-3
What to expect: Last season, Woodside won the Lake Division championship and advanced. Winning a title in its first season in a more competitive division is a tall order, but the Wildcats are expected to perform well. Part of the optimism stems from a ground attack led by Evan Usher, who rushed for over 1,700 yards as a sophomore last season. Four of the offensive line’s five starters are black to block for Usher, including Lake Division lineman of the year Ben Ricketts (6-4, 230). Linebacker is a position of strength on defense, with Mason Furtado, Oliver Lyssand, and Dominic Mercado leading the way.
Season opener: Aug. 25 vs. Jefferson, 7 p.m.
No. 2 CARLMONT
Coach: Eric Rado
2022 record: 4-6
What to expect: This season, the receiving corps appears to be a strength for the Scots. Sean Chopoff, a 6-foot-4 junior tight end, has the size, hands, and route-running ability to play at the next level, according to Rado.Wide receivers Daniel Mattioli, Brian Sagon, and Akshay Prasad form a strong group.The line will be led by Gino Dimauro, a returning starter at center. Carlmont dropped to the El Camino Division after finishing fifth in the Ocean Division last season. There are questions about who will replace John Hanna and his 1,400 yards rushing, as well as who will take over at quarterback.
Season opener: Aug. 25 at Castro Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 3 SANTA CLARA
Coach: Nelson Gifford
2022 record: 2-8
What to expect: Gifford, who previously coached at Palo Alto and Fremont-Sunnyvale, takes over at Santa Clara after serving as athletic director there for a year. On offense, key skill position players include RBGifford describes Matt Nguyen as “quick, can scoot, tough as nails,” as well as Matthew Conklin, a three-year starter at quarterback, and wide receiver Jeremiah Kalongo. Tyreel Warren and Mitchell Pacheco will be key linemen in an offense that will use both a fullback and a tight end at times. “Our overall emphasis will be catalyzing the run game,” said Gifford.
Season opener: Aug. 25 vs. Terra Nova, 7 p.m.
No. 4 LOS ALTOS
Coach: Mike Garrity
2022 record: 4-6
What to expect: Gifford, who previously coached at Palo Alto and Fremont-Sunnyvale, takes over at Santa Clara after serving as athletic director there for a year. On offense, key skill position players include RBGifford describes Matt Nguyen as “quick, can scoot, tough as nails,” as well as Matthew Conklin, a three-year starter at quarterback, and wide receiver Jeremiah Kalongo. Tyreel Warren and Mitchell Pacheco will be key linemen in an offense that will use both a fullback and a tight end at times. “Our overall emphasis will be catalyzing the run game,” said Gifford.
Season opener: Aug. 25 vs. Monte Vista Christian, 7 p.m.
No. 5 EL CAMINO
Coach: Rustin Mayorga
2022 record: 6-4
What to expect: Last season, Mayorga took over as head coach and led the Colts to their first winning season since 2013. As a result, they were assigned to the El Camino Division from the Lake Division.Gabriel Rocha, a backup quarterback a year ago, takes over at quarterback. He is capable of both running and throwing.Mayorga has high regard for Jadesma and Noah Flores, two wideouts who should be primary targets for Rocha. Jacob Ocampo, who will take over at running back, has high hopes as well.The team’s top lineman is Nathan Macalino, a returning all-league selection.”The heart and soul of our offensive line, he’s an absolute workhorse who sets the tone for our offense,” Mayorga explained.
Season opener: Aug. 25 vs. San Mateo, 7 p.m.
No. 6 FREMONT-SUNNYVALE
Coach: Rob Swartz
2022 record: 6-4
What to expect: Fremont, along with Woodside and El Camino, moved from the Lake Division to the El Camino last season. The Firebirds return QB/CB Henry Buenrostro, who rushed for 10 touchdowns and passed for another five last season while also being named an all-league defensive back.Running backs Jordan McKinney (460 yards rushing) and Don Martinez (450 yards, 8 touchdowns) return, as does fullback Jonathan Delos Santos (490 yards). Junior Dylan Rogers (6-4, 300) will be in charge of creating space for the running backs. Fremont has increased attendance in the hopes of fielding a freshman class this season.
Season opener: Aug. 25 at Palo Alto, 7 p.m.
Coming the next two weeks
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