As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
BLOSSOM VALLEY ATHLETIC LEAGUE WEST VALLEY DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 GUNDERSON
Coach: Jason Harrison
2023 record: 5-5
What to expect: If last year’s all-league team is a sign of things to come, then everything appears to be lining up for Gunderson to capture the West Valley crown. Running back Jason Stoner was the junior of the year and tabbed by one coach as the likely MVP of the league this season. Quarterback Andrew Fernandez was the sophomore of the year after throwing for 2,001 yards and 20 TDs, and sophomore LB/TE Cylis Cook took home newcomer of the year honors. Top tackler Miguel Acosta and pass rusher Daniel Henry (seven sacks) are also both slated to return for another season. With Del Mar and Prospect both promoted to the BVAL Santa Teresa-Valley Division, the Grizzlies are the league’s most talented team.
Season opener: Aug. 29 at Irvington, 7 p.m.
No. 2 SAN JOSE
Coach: Raul Sandoval
2023 record: 4-6
What to expect: Second-year coach Raul Sandoval’s plan for leading the Bulldogs to their first winning season since 2012 is no-frills. “No surprises, just smash mouth football“ – as he put it – is a strategy that can work when you have a hard-charging runner like Bryan Santos back for his junior season. Michael Aliki brings experience and leadership at middle linebacker as a three-year starter. Wideout Leo Muñoz brings big-play ability on the outside, and Mario Acosta is someone that Sandoval is looking to be a major contributor. LB/TE Eden Cortes seems primed to have a breakout season as a junior.
Season opener: Aug. 29 at Mills, 7 p.m.
No. 3 MT. PLEASANT
Coach: Frank Lopez
2023 record: 3-7
What to expect: After one tough season in the BVAL Santa Teresa-Valley Division, Mt. Pleasant is back in the West Valley. Longtime coach Frank Lopez should return quite a few players from last year’s team as the Cardinals look to make it one-and-done in the lowest division of the BVAL. Offensive lineman Jayden Martinez made the all-Santa Teresa-Valley team last season and is expected to anchor the team in the trenches. The defense should be led by returning all-league seniors in linebacker Epifano Montiel and defensive back Elijah Brito. Mt. Pleasant will be tested early, as road games against Westmont and newly-promoted Del Mar lead off the schedule.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Westmont, 7 p.m.
No. 4 EVERGREEN VALLEY
Coach: Gabe Resendez
2023 record: 3-7
What to expect: Sixth-year coach Gabe Resendez believes his team can win in the trenches, and its easy to see why. Jacob Diaz, Daniel Fernandez and Jonathan Hoang are seniors on a grizzled offensive line, and junior linemen Nathan Nguyen started last season, too. They’ll block for talented ballcarriers. Kenneth Brown, a converted running back, should be a dual-threat playmaker at QB, and Brandon Chan should shine as both a fullback and do-it-all linebacker. Senior Mateo Hernandez teams with Chan to form a formidable linebacking duo.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Silver Creek, 7:15 p.m.
No. 5 YERBA BUENA
Coach: Mike Vega
2023 record: 1-9
What to expect: The Aztec Warriors are ready for a fresh start after a tough 2023. The wide receiver room is easily the strength of the team, leading an offense which will lean on senior Elijah Duncan and sophomore Kevin Tu to create big plays through the air. Yael Amezcua is expected to be the team’s top cornerback, and sophomore tackle Brian Nguyen brings size up front. Optimism abounds at Yerba Buena under coach Mike Vega, who wrote when asked about his team, “Bring your popcorn!!!”
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Homestead, 7:15 p.m.
No. 6 ANDREW HILL
Coach: Earl Locke Sr.
2023 record: 2-8
What to expect: Hill was more competitive than its 2-8 record indicated last season, being competitive in losses to San Jose and Evergreen Valley in league and losing two non-league games by 10 and 12 points, respectively. Tyler Vo, the team’s lone all-West Valley first-team team pick in 2023, should be back for his senior season. And quarterback Bryan Tran played well enough last season to be named to the second-team all-league squad. He should be an experienced signal-caller for Hill in his senior season.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Monta Vista, 7 p.m.
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No. 7 JAMES LICK
Coach: Anthony Price
2023 record: 1-9
What to expect: As winners of just two games total in the past three full seasons, there’s nowhere to go but up for the Comets. New coach Anthony Price is confident that his players have the moxie and grit to fight out of last place. Replacing the production of graduated league offensive back of the year Malik Martinez will be a challenge. Receivers Juan Guzman Jr. and Jose Barrera are the team’s two top offensive weapons and will be relied upon to create big plays in the passing game. Center Julian Ayala, who has plans to study medicine in college, is the team’s rock at center. James Schimmeyer plays on both sides of the trenches and does it well. Price says “I’m deeply honored to be leading a team with such a rich history and an incredibly dedicated group of young athletes.”
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Gunn, 7 p.m.
