As part of our high school football content to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
PENINSULA ATHLETIC LEAGUE LAKE DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 CUPERTINO
Coach: Omar Kharroub
2023 record: 7-3
What to expect: The Pioneers finished in second place a year ago (first-place South San Francisco moved up to the El Camino Division). Veteran coach Chris Oswald retired and has been replaced by Kharroub, a 2011 El Camino graduate. Top players include WR/DB Malichi Perez, WR/DB Brandon Cheng, OL/DL Gabriel Shin (6-0, 240), OL/DL Ronald Ramos (5-10, 215), FB/TE/LB Noah Robbins, RB/LB William Hawkins and RB/LB Herman Viray. “We have lots of young talent that we are excited about and we are looking forward to this season,” Kharroub said.
No. 2 MILLS
Coach: Rick Angelini
2023 record: 5-5
What to expect: The Vikings, after two winless seasons, went 4-3 in the Lake in 2022, 5-2 last season and hope to contend for the division title this year. They are experienced in the backfield with a solid defensive front. But there are only five seniors on the team and size and depth are issues. QB Givanni Angelini is a third-year starter. RB/LB Matthew Juul is a two-way standout, an all-Lake RB a year ago. FB/DE Jeremiah Reyes, WR/DB Mason Yee, UT Kaleb Harper and RB/TE/LB Valentino Masa will be called upon to play vital roles.
No. 3 EL CAMINO
Coach: Rustin Mayorga
2023 record: 0-10
What to expect: The Colts are moving down to the Lake after a winless season in the El Camino. The team is young, but the experience of playing tougher competition could pay off as they try to assert their will as a power running team in the Lake. Sophomore OL/LB Davian Martinez (5-11, 245) was an all-league selection as a freshman. DT Ethan Langi, WR Noah Flores and junior QB Quentin Bromaghim will be counted on to provide leadership.
No. 4 MONTA VISTA
Coach: Ceazar Agront
2023 record: 3-7
What to expect: The Matadors may be equipped to move up in the standings this season due to a veteran line and what Agront terms as an explosive backfield. Low numbers remain an ongoing issue, as it does for most teams in the Lake. Top players include RB/DB Graham Ischo, QB/DB Justin Chaahoub, OL/DL Alex Zeng, K/UT Emiliano Rodriguez Montanez, OL/DL Billy Levison, WR/DB Trevor Chen and RB/LB Rocco Ling.
No. 5 JEFFERSON
Coach: Imani Stewart
2023 record: 4-6
What to expect: Sean Ferreira returns to play quarterback in Jefferson’s spread offense. WR/DB Michael Slugher and WR Aaron Gonzales are primary targets for Ferreira in the passing attack. Slugher was an all-division pick a year ago. MLB Dimas Garcia, sophomore NT Bryant Martin and DB Max Navarre head up the defense. The offensive line is a question mark. “How we do is going to come down to how good the offensive line is going to be,” Stewart said.
No. 6 SARATOGA
Coach: Archie Ljepava
2023 record: 4-6
What to expect: Ljepava, in his first season as head coach, has roots in the community and wants to bring back the glory days of Saratoga football. But he laments three recent intra-district transfers to Los Gatos. The cupboard isn’t completely bare due to players such as QB/TE/SS Doug Bettinger, RB/OLB Keion Ashjaee-Marshall (509 yards rushing, 6 TDs in 2023), OL/DL Alessandro Kaypaghian (6-1, 230), OL/DL Tevita Pahulu (6-4, 315), OL/DL Ben Haug (6-3, 225), WR/DB Charlie Arman, LB Motekiai Pahulu and sophomore Justice Andrews, who Ljepava says can play any position on the field.
No. 7 GUNN
Coach: Dethrick Slocum
2023 record: 3-7
What to expect: The Titans improved to three victories last season from 0-10 the year before in Slocum’s second year as head coach, and are hoping to continue the upward trend. Slocum is looking to the likes of second-year QB Jaden Liu, RB/FS JJ Racz, T Teo Martinez (6-5, 270), T Tuuta Fisiiahi (5-11, 250), first-team all-Lake pick WR/DB Sam Dellenbach, WR/DB Alex Silverman, TE/LB George Skinner, RB/ILB Cameron Owen and junior Andre Lee to be key performers this season.
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No. 8 LYNBROOK
Coach: Jerome Holloway
2023 record: 0-10
What to expect: Holloway is looking for improvement in his second year as head coach. But it won’t be easy with only 38 players in the program. Sophomore C/NT Huang Owen, senior QB/S Justin Kim and senior WR Nathan Ye were singled out by Holloway as the team’s top players. “Hopefully we’ll turn things around and get a couple more wins,” Holloway said. “We want to make .500 and hopefully open some eyes.”
No. 9 MACDONALD
Coach: Burt Codera
2023 record: JV team went 10-0
What to expect: The Condors will field an all sophomore and junior team in the school’s first year of varsity football. “We’ll go in as underdogs, but we could surprise some people,” Codera said. Athletic QB Moussa Fall (6-3, 190) “has the touch and accuracy to make all the throws,” Codera said. Other players looking to make a name for themselves in the inaugural year of varsity football include RB/LB John Leonard (6-1, 205), TE/LB Saiosi Hautau (6-1, 210), OL/DL Boston Oliveras (5-11, 230), OL/DL Aaron Xu (5-9, 180), WR/DB Ethan Bugarin and RB Dominic Ortega (5-3, 155).
