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 SANTA TERESA-VALLEY DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 LELAND
Coach: Kelly King Jr.
2023 record: 4-8
What to expect: The Chargers have struggled the past two seasons – going a combined 6-14 since 2022 – but dropping down from the BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division with a more experienced team should bode well for the San Jose school. Leland brings back four of five starting offensive lineman as well as all-league senior quarterback Jacob Gibson. Wide receivers Luke Whitson, Brady Hernandez, Cole Canter and Wyatt Markos provide Gibson with dynamic playmakers on the outside. On defense, Leland brings back all-league linebacker Hudson Vye, who will lead a young group.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Leigh, 7:15 p.m.
No. 2 WESTMONT
Coach: Mark Kaanapu
2023 record: 6-4
What to expect: Westmont’s high-flying offense will run through wide receiver Spencer Hoang. Hoang was voted the BVAL Santa Teresa-Valley Division junior of the year last season after catching 14 touchdown passes and racking up 1,650 yards. Senior Jonathan Lopez returns to anchor the offensive line. The defense will be led by a senior-heavy group that includes linebackers Matthew Taylor, Trayvonn Bell and Aven Moore. Longtime coach Mark Kaanapu has not had a losing season at Westmont since 2019.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Mt. Pleasant, 7 p.m.
No. 3 SOBRATO
Coach: Joel Rueda
2023 record: 6-4
What to expect: Sobrato will have to make up for the production of running back Noah Taylor, who graduated as a Top 5 rusher in the nation last season. Thankfully for coach Joel Rueda, Sobrato has tons of athleticism that should be able to match up with any team on the schedule. The Bulldogs return linebackers Luke Anderson and Jonathan Cruz as well as defensive end Alexandr Kushchanka. Junior quarterback Brayden Hughes and senior wide receiver Ryan Hankins will look to lead an offense that averaged 32 points per game last season.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. North Salinas, 4:30 p.m.
No. 4 WILLOW GLEN
Coach: Oscar Caballero
2023 record: 5-4
What to expect: Coach Oscar Caballero is back on the sidelines after he was suspended for a majority of the 2023 season because of an incident involving a sideline yards-marker member. Cedeño Chavez returns after being named BVAL Santa Teresa-Valley Division quarterback of the year last season. Three-star offensive tackle Nolan James, who allowed just one sack last season, will anchor the offensive line. The Rams will have an experienced defense with all-league players Spencer Bartlinski (linebacker), Haas Perry (outside linebacker) and Ryder Frost (defensive line) slated to start.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Lincoln-San Jose, 7:15 p.m.
NO. 5 PROSPECT
Coach: Jake Shaughnessy
2023 record: 8-2
What to expect: After finishing 8-2 last season, Prospect is moving up from the BVAL West Valley Division under the program’s new coach, Jake Shaughnessy. All-league running back/defensive back Caleb Coito will run behind a line that features all-league guard Ewan Reid and returning lineman Ernesto Garcia, who had his season cut short because of an injury last season. Shaughnessy described his team as a “hard working dedicated group that are excited about the challenge before them.”
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Saratoga, 7:15 p.m.
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No. 6 GILROY
Coach: Dillon Babb
2023 record: 0-10
What to expect: The Mustangs will look to bounce back after a winless 2023 season. Gilroy has moved to the BVAL Santa Teresa-Valley Division after competing in the BVAL Santa Teresa-Foothill Division last year. Gilroy will be a very young team as half of the rostered players are underclassmen – 12 of whom are freshmen. J.C. Puga is slated to lead the Mustangs’ defense after earning all-league honors last season.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Pioneer Valley, 7 p.m.
