By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Following is the fourth in a series of stories previewing the upcoming football season in California. Today's previews include the leagues that play in the East Bay area of the North Coast Section. Next - Central Coast Section.
NORTH COAST SECTION - EAST BAY
Alameda Contra Costa League
The return of Deante Purvis, along with wide receiver Niko Aumua and defensive linemen Tevita Feau and Elijah Winston makes Pinole Valley (11-1, 7-0) the favorite to win the ACCL in 2007. El Cerrito (10-2-1, 6-1) lost many of the players from last year's playoff team that fell in the third round of the North Coast Section playoffs to Miramonte 23-22. Berkeley (4-6, 4-3) has a new head coach in Alonzo Carter. Highly successful at McClymonds, Carter could change the fortunes of the Yellowjackets in 2007.
Team to Beat: Pinole Valley Spartans
Top MVP Candidate: Deante Purvis, Pinole Valley
Players to Watch: Deante Purvis, Pinole Valley, RB, All-League, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, SF Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention, Inside Bay Area All-East Bay 2nd team; Niko Aumua, Alameda, WR, All-League; Justin Naterman, Pinole Valley, K, All-League, CC Times All-East Bay 2nd team; Wes Moyer, Alameda, RB, 2nd team all-league; Tevita Feau, Pinole Valley, DL, All-League; West Moyer, Alameda, LB, All-League; Elijah Winston, Pinole Valley, DL, 2nd team all-league; Coley Crank, Pinole Valley, LB, 2nd team all-league; Donnie Hogan, El Cerrito, LB, 2nd team all-league; Namari Flentroy, DeAnza, LB, 2nd team all-league; Mike Manalastas, DeAnza, DB, 2nd team all-league; Wesley Tramble, El Cerrito, P, 2nd team all-league; Jamar Smith, Berkeley, RB, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Gabriel Hampton, Hercules, OL, Cream Of The Crop Nominee.
Bay Football League
Salesian (10-3, 4-1) was the best team in the BFL last year because it had the best player - Jahvid Best. However Best has taken his 3,000-yard season and sprinter speed to Cal, opening the door for King's Academy (8-2, 4-1) to reign supreme. The Knights have the league's best running back in Jacob Bliss (1,240 yards) along with several returning all-league linemen in Travis Johnson, Ryan Ponce and Ben Vidovich. Salesian will also be in the thick of things thanks to the return of LB Joe Torres and DL James Robinson. Sacred Heart Prep (5-5, 4-1), which tied for first place in the league standings with Salesian and King's Academy, have a pair of solid runners in all-leaguers Matt Bocci and J.J. Suttle.
Team to Beat: King's Academy Knights
Top MVP Candidate: Jacob Bliss, King's Academy
Players to Watch: Jacob Bliss, Kings Academy, RB, All-League, 106 carries, 1,240 yards, 12 TDs; Ben Sussman, Kings Academy, RB, Jr, All-League, 63 tackles; Mitch Lee, Berean Christian, RB, All-League, 104 carries, 623 yards, 87 tackles; Rob Moran, Sacred Heart, OL, All-League; Joe Torres, Salesian, LB, All-League; Matt Bocci, Sacred Heart, RB, Jr., 2nd team all-league; J.J. Suttle, Sacred Heart, RB, Jr., 2nd team all-league, 80 tackles; Simon Major, Berean Christian, WR, 2nd team all-league, 18 catches, 237 yards, 4 TDs; Paulo Ocampo, Salesian, WR, 2nd team all-league; Joel Caylor, Salesian, OL, 2nd team all-league; Ben Vidovich, King's Academy, OL, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Evaristo Laron, St. Elizabeth's, OL, Jr., 2nd team all-league; Harry Jamerson, St. Elizabeth's, OL, 2nd team all-league; Sean Nakamura, Salesian, OL, 2nd team all-league; Ryan Morris, Sacred Heart, OL, 2nd team all-league; Travis Johnson, King's Academy, OL, Jr, 2nd team all-league, 70 tackles, 6 sacks; Ryan Ponce, King's Academy, OL, 2nd team all-league; Troy Eyrond, CSD, OT, 2nd team all-league; Joe Young, Sacred Heart, TE, 2nd team all-league; Brandon Essy, Berean Christian, TE, Jr, 2nd team all-league, 77 tackles; Aaron Bye, CSD, TE, 2nd team all-league; James Robinson, Salesian, DL, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, SF Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention; Luke Heisinger, Berean Christian, LB, 2nd team all-league; Joey Cuadros, Salesian, LB, 2nd team all-league; Sam James, Berean Christian, QB, 59-138, 813 yards, 12 TDs.
Bay Shore League
The St. Patrick's Bruins (12-2, 5-0) defeated Salesian 43-28 for the North Coast Section championship last year. While the Bruins lost both of the league MVPs from last year's team, several talented defenders remain, including all-city selections Daniel Wyatt (DB) and junior Mike Meekins (LB). St. Mary's of Berkeley (4-6, 1-4) might have the league's best player in quarterback Matt Lombardi, but it remains to be seen if he can lift his team to the top of the league standings. John Swett (8-4, 3-2) lost twice to the Bruins last year and would love to upend the Vallejo school for the league title. RB Mark Anderson returns to lead the Indians' rushing attack.
Team to Beat: St. Patrick's Bruins
Top MVP Candidate: Matt Lombardi, St. Mary's
Players to Watch: Sean Brown, Albany, TE, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Kyle Nelson, Piedmont, OL, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Mark Anderson, Swett, RB, 85 carries, 509 yards; Matt Lombardi, St. Mary's, QB, Jr, 65-126, 1,064 yards, 14 TDs; Daniel Wyatt, St. Patrick's, DB, All-City Vallejo Times-Herald; Mike Meekins, St. Patrick's, LB, Jr, All-City Vallejo Times-Herald.
Bay Valley League
The De La Salle Spartans (13-1, 5-0) don't play all of the teams in the BVL so it's hard to call them the favorite to win the league, but don't expect the Spartans to lose any of their league games this year. QB Mike MacGillivray returns along with all-state linebacker Brady Amack and potential all-state lineman Jordan Bouey. Despite the loss to Canyon of Canyon Country in the Division 1 state bowl game last year, expect the Spartans to have the best shot of returning to bowl games this year. An Oct. 6 meeting with Mission Viejo in Southern California will play a big role in determining De La Salle's bowl game hopes. If DeLaSalle is not able to win the league championship, then Freedom of Oakley (7-3, 4-3) or Deer Valley (10-1, 6-0) loom as the possible favorites. Freedom has one of the league's best linemen in Gonzalo Hernandez. Lance White and Hunter Simpson also give Freedom an impressive receiving corps. Deer Valley will look for Vince Fisher (OL), Sonni Woods (RB) and Kevin Hom (DB) to lead the way. Antioch (6-4, 3-4) might have the best offensive weapon in the league in RB Tim Thomas.
Team to Beat: Deer Valley Wolverines (De La Salle not considered)
Top MVP Candidate: Tim Thomas, Antioch (De La Salle not considered)
Players to Watch: Tim Thomas, Antioch, RB, All-League, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, SF Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention; Gonzalo Hernandez, Freedom, OL, All-League, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, All-East Bay 2nd team; Brady Amack, De La Salle, LB, All-League, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, CC Times All-East Bay 2nd team, SF Chronicle All-Metro 2nd team, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 1st team, 120 tackles; Quint Sereal, Clayton Valley, RB, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Michael Callan, Ygnacio Valley, RB, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, SF Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention, 118 carries, 800 yards, 9 TDs; Jordan Bouey, De La Salle, OL, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, CC Times All-East Bay 2nd team; Nick Culcasi, Antioch, DL, 2nd team all-league; Herman Hernandez, Ygnacio Valley, LB, 2nd team all-league; Dave Abrams, Clayton Valley, DB, 2nd team all-league; Keith Franklin, Clayton Valley, Ut, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Chris Pitts, Antioch, OL, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Lance White, Freedom, WR, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Vince Fisher, Deer Valley, OL, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Kyle Quinn, Liberty, OL, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Danny Roper, Clayton Valley, DL, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Monte Davis, Pittsburg, RB, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, 107 carries, 693 yards, 10 TDs; Mike MacGillivray, De La Salle, QB, SF Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 3rd team, 81-148, 1,310 yards, 8 TDs; 104 carries, 471 yards; Tito Pica, DeLaSalle, RB, 24 carries, 252 yards, 4 TDs; Michael Czyz, De La Salle, WR-K, 9 catches, 263 yards, 60 PATs; Panagiotis Mastorakos, De La Salle, DL, 3 sacks; Sonni Woods, Deer Valley, RB, 74 carries, 521 yards, 6 TDs; Kevin Hom, Deer Valley, DB, 93 tackles; Hunter Simpson, Freedom, WR, 15 catches, 240 yards; Thomas Colon, Pittsburg, DL, 60 tackles.
Diablo Foothill League
The DFL should be very competitive this year, after having four teams make the North Coast Section playoffs last season. Miramonte (10-4, 6-3) had the most success in the playoffs, winning three games before falling to Novato. Quarterback Trevor Boswell returns for the Matadors along with all-area linebacker Grant Hyjer. Alhambra (11-2, 8-1) has two of the league's top players in wide receiver Kory Allison and defensive lineman Rory Graves. Campolindo (7-5, 5-4) meanwhile has the best pass-catch combo of receiver Nick Mascheroni and quarterback Scott Scharff. College Park (9-2, 9-0), the defending league champ, can't be counted out, but the Falcons have a lot of holes to fill on offense.
Team to Beat: Alhambra Bulldogs
Top MVP Candidate: Korey Allison, Alhambra
Players to Watch: Nick Mascheroni, Campolindo, WR, 31 catches, 449 yards; Brooks Baker, Acalanes, WR, All-League, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Korey Allison, Alhambra, WR, All-League, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Rory Graves, Alhambra, DL, All-League, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Chris Inman, Northgate, WR, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Casey Goonan, College Park, WR, 2nd team all-league; TJ Womack, Concord, T, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Kevin Galindo, Concord, TE, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Michael Hinderman, College Park, C, Jr, 2nd team all-league; Andrew Shapiro, Las Lomas, K, 2nd team all-league; Dan Halliday, College Park, DL, 2nd team all-league; Grant Hyjer, Miramonte, LB, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, CC Times All-East Bay 3rd team; Chris Reece, Mt. Diablo, RB, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Jalil Turner, Mt. Diablo, RB, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Kevin Reed, Las Lomas, DL, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Trevor Boswell, Miramonte, QB, 48-86, 791 yards, 9 TDs; Scott Scharff, Campolindo, QB, 56-116, 734 yards, 9 TDs.
East Bay League
The Foothill Falcons (12-1, 6-0) are probably still the favorites in the EBL, but expect plenty of competition from the likes of San Ramon Valley (10-2, 5-1), Amador Valley (7-3, 3-3), Monte Vista (7-4, 4-2) and California (5-5, 2-4) this year. The Falcons return one of the bay area's best in RB-LB Rob Andrews. Defensive back Austin Day also ranks among the best in the bay, giving Foothill an outstanding duo on defense. Ran Ramon Valley, however, has its own defensive standout in linebacker Kai Cummings. His teammate Harmon Bruno gives SRV one of the top linebacking groups in the section. Monte Vista has the league's best quarterback in Drew McAllister, who has already committed to USC. Amador Valley has a pair of outstanding skill players in running back Casey Guillory and receiver Nick Vuoto. California reportedly has junior running back Leroy Green back in the fold. Green played at California as a freshman, but moved to Windsor last year where he was an all-league pick. Unfortunately, California has reportedly lost standout tight end David Gory to a knee injury.
Team to Beat: Foothill Falcons
Top MVP Candidate: Drew McAllister, Monte Vista
Players to Watch: Rob Andrews, Foothill, RB, All-League, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, SF Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 2nd team, Inside Bay Area All-East Bay 2nd team; Kai Cummings, San Ramon Valley, LB, CC Times All-East Bay 2nd team, Inside Bay Area All-East Bay 2nd team; Nick Rosato, California, LB, All-League, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, CC Times All-East Bay 2nd team, 107 tackles, Inside Bay Area All-East Bay 3rd team; Austin Day, Foothill, DB, All-League, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, SF Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 3rd team, Inside Bay Area All-East Bay 1st team; Drew McAllister, Monte Vista, QB, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, CC Times All-East Bay 2nd team, SF Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention, Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass 1st team, 165-250, 2,118 yards, 21 TDs, Inside Bay Area All-East Bay 3rd team; David Gory, California, TE, 2nd team all-league, 21 catches, 312 yards (injured); Casey Guillory, Amador Valley, RB, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, SF Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention; Dustin Coldren, Monte Vista, WR, 2nd team all-league, 32 catches, 416 yards; Nick Vuoto, Amador Valley, WR, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Schuyler Meeks, California, OL, 2nd team all-league; Steve Roberts, San Ramon Valley, K, 2nd team all-league; Nick Spalliero, California, QB, Cream Of The Crop Nominee, 84-184, 1,516 yards, 11 TDs, 110 carries, 501 yards, 7 TDs; Tyler Portman, San Ramon Valley, OL, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Harmon Bruno, San Ramon Valley, LB, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Adolfo Jauregui, Granada, K, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Brandon Williams, Livermore, RB, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Rich Storlee, Monte Vista, RB, 124 carries, 710 yards; Alex Spalliero, California, WR, 13 catches, 397 yards, 4 TDs; Camden Cook, California, WR, 16 catches, 342 yards; Osayaba Ona-enagbare, California, DE, 5.5 sacks. Leroy Green, California, RB, Jr, 2nd team all-league (at Windsor), All-Redwood Empire large schools 2nd team, 88 carries, 622 yards, 7 TDs.
Hayward Area League
Hayward (12-2, 8-0) reached the section finals before falling to Cardinal Newman last year 28-22. The Farmers should be among the favorites again this year thanks in part to the return of wide receiver Jermaine Jnnings and running back James Aubrey, but Mt. Eden (8-2, 7-1) will give the Farmers plenty of competition. The Monarchs return all-league running back Lee Garrett along with defensive standouts Paul Fakahua (LB) and Darrell Johnson (DB). Tennyson (4-6, 2-6) might have the league's best player in returning quarterback Elliott Dorsey (1,305 yards passing, 740 yards rushing).
Team to Beat: Hayward Farmers
Top MVP Candidate: Elliott Dorsey, Tennyson
Players to Watch: Elliott Dorsey, Tennyson, QB, All-League, 181 carries, 740 yards, 13 TDs; 92-179, 1,305 yards, 8 TDs; Lee Garrett, Mt. Eden, RB, All-League, SF Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention; Alex Guintu, Mt. Eden, G, All-League; Durrel Finch, Castro Valley, DE, All-League; Paul Fakahua, Mt. Eden, LB, All-League; Darrell Johnson, Mt. Eden, DB, All-League; Tyrone Hunter, Arroyo, RB, 2nd team all-league; Jermaine Jenning, Hayward, WR, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Marcus Denhams, Moreau, WR, 2nd team all-league, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Alex Jack, Arroyo, TE, 2nd team all-league; Devin Saxon, Moreau Catholic, QB, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Marcus Harrison, Bishop O'Dowd, RB, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; James Aubrey, Hayward, RB, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Matt Hurd, Hayward, DL, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Roosevelt Kirk, Bishop O'Dowd, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Frederick Rice, Castro Valley, DB, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Mike Lee, San Leandro, Ut, Cream Of The Crop Nominee.
Mission Valley League
James Logan (8-3, 6-0) edged Irvington (8-4, 5-1) last year for the league title and those two teams could be at it again. Logan has one of the league's quickest players in Rashad Evans while Irvington has one of the area's best linemen in Tommy Gray.
Team to Beat: James Logan Colts
Top MVP Candidate: Rashad Evans, James Logan
Players to Watch: Jeremy Troupe-Massey, American, WR, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Jacob Andresen, Mission San Jose, TE, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Mike Cole, Washington, OL, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Tommy Gray, Irvington, OL, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Myles Gates, Newark Memorial, DB, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Rashad Evans, James Logan, UT, Cream Of The Crop Nominee; Danny Godfrey, James Logan, RB, SF Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention; Rashaan Vaughn, Washington, RB, SF Chronicle All-Metro Honorable Mention, Inside Bay Area All-East Bay 2nd team.
"Players to Watch" derived from all-league and all-area teams from 2006 season. Some players may have transfered or were misidentified as underclassmen.
