High school football 2023 preview: PAL Ocean Division
PENINSULA ATHLETIC LEAGUE OCEAN DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 SAN MATEO
Coach: Jeff Scheller
2022 record: 7-4
What to expect: However, the reigning PAL Ocean champions will need to replace several talented ballcarriers from last season’s devastating triple-option offense.The defense should allow the offense some leeway. Titi Fungavaka is a three-year starter on the defensive line and senior Fone Fakava was all-league on both sides of the ball.Logan Davis, a junior, is expected to replace Scheller as the starting middle linebacker and ball-hawking DB.Last season, Cameron Palma led the league with seven picks. In San Mateo’s run-heavy attack, junior 6-1 running back Emmanuel Fitzgerald is expected to be the main rushing threat.
Season opener: Aug. 24 at El Camino, 7 p.m.
No. 2 SEQUOIA
Coach: Rob Poulos
2022 record: 10-2
What to expect: Rob Polous, the Ravens’ 15-year head coach, believes a larger roster will help the team adjust to a higher level of competition after being “promoted” from the El Camino Division to the Ocean Division. The team’s strength will be in the secondary, with the senior Lukes – last names Hitch, Rowell, and Holmes – all making the all-league team. Junior lineman Lesoni Olive adds all-league muscle to the offensive and defensive lines, and senior RB Luke Ulrich has been described as a “workhorse” who will lead an offense that Poulos says must “be prepared for the increased physicality of the new league.”
Season opener: Sept. 1 vs Patterson, 7 p.m.
No. 3 TERRA NOVA
Coach: Jason Piccolotti
2022 record:
What to expect: Jason Piccolitti replaces nearly every major contributor from last season’s 8-3 team, which nearly won every position award in the league. Senior running back Mateo Corona, the PAL Ocean’s utility player of the year who rushed for over 800 yards and had 50 tackles last season, is expected to be one of the few decorated returners. Junior wide receiver Steven Dalton led the team with 238 yards and three receiving touchdowns, and junior running back Zachary Perez rushed for six touchdowns and 470 yards on just 72 attempts.
Season opener: Aug. 25 at Santa Clara, 7 p.m.
No. 4 MILPITAS
Coach: Kelly King Sr.
2022 record: 2-8
What to expect: Milpitas is hoping for a better season in the PAL Ocean Division after a difficult season in the De Anza Division. Junior Xander Lecours and senior Malachi Jackson are expected to contribute for the Trojans, who must replace two all-league players from last season’s squad. Milpitas opens its season against Dougherty Valley at home.
Season opener: Aug. 25 vs. Dougherty Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 5 ARAGON
Coach: Steve Sell
2022 record: 3-7
What to expect: Aragon has returned to the PAL Ocean after a season in the Bay Division. Tevita Manukainiu, a senior San Jose State commit, leads the offensive line, which should open up holes for 240-pound running back Amaziah Tanielu. Sean Hickey, whom Sell describes as a dual-threat quarterback, is expected to have a big season, according to Sell. Juniors Jalen Scroggins and Markus Gosch have the potential to have big seasons at cornerback while also contributing on offense.
Season opener: Aug. 25 at Homestead, 7 p.m.
No. 6 CAPUCHINO
Coach: Jay Oca
2022 record: 5-5
What to expect: The Mustangs have gone 5-5 in each of the last three seasons, a perfect average. Jessen Blunt, co-offensive lineman of the year last season, led the team. This year’s Capuchino team begins the season with three straight road games and is away from home in five of its first six games. However, the Mustangs finish the season by hosting three of their final four games in what could be a playoff push.
Season opener: Aug. 25 at Burlingame, 7 p.m
Coming the next two weeks
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