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:
Mission Valley Athletic League/West Alameda County Conference Shoreline Division
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 ALAMEDA
Coach: Robin Morris
2023 record: 7-3
What to expect: Fifth-year coach Robin Morris has the Hornets poised for a league title in 2024. Alameda returns an abundance of talent and a quarterback who knows what to do with it. “We have a lot of skill players moving up from JV, and a good QB that connects well with his receivers,” Morris said. ”We are returning three of our offensive linemen. We are lacking depth at line.” Junior QB Casey Koga-Dean moves up to varsity from JV, where he led the younger Hornets to an 18-2 record. “He will be commanding the offense, looking forward to him having a big year,” Morris said of Koga-Dean. Junior two-way lineman Hayden Arndt will head up Koga-Dean’s protection detail. Junior WR/DB Landyn Cole was a first-team all-league receiver in 2023 and is “one of our leaders on both sides of the ball,” Morris said. Senior LB/OL Dominic Hernandez is a defensive leader who made second-team all-league at linebacker last season. He is also Alameda’s starting center. Junior WR/DB Kirk Humbles III moves up and should make a “direct impact” after two successful years on JV, Morris said. Junior TE Sammy Lovering is a returning first-team all-leaguer who developed during the offseason on the 7-on-7 circuit. Senior RB/DB Deon Bier is “one of the hardest hitters on the team,” Morris said, and a talented runner in the backfield.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Ygnacio Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 2 ARROYO
Coach: Mikel Dace
2023 record: 5-5
What to expect: Arroyo could make a run at the Shoreline title one year after finishing third behind Piedmont and Kennedy-Fremont. The Dons lost several notable players from last year’s team, including all-MVAL/WACC first-team offensive lineman Kamani Fifita, now at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. Also gone are second-team OL Derrick Peterson, first-team DL Saumalu Pomele and honorable mention Peyton Sanchez. Returning are first-team linebacker Owen Thomason, second-team OL Henry Lachenmyer, second-team RB Gabriel Flores, second-team DL Sarydah Pomele and honorable mention Franklin Lachenmyer.
Season opener: Aug. 31 vs. Antioch, 2 p.m.
No. 3 MT. EDEN
Coach: Ray Leal
2023 record: 0-10
What to expect: Second-year coach Leal looks to lead the Monarchs to some wins after a difficult 2023 season in the Mission Division. Experience should be a strength, as nine Mt. Eden offensive players and nine defensive players started at least once last season. “Our depth will be our biggest obstacle this season,” Leal said. Junior OL/ILB Kimo Baltazar was an honorable mention last year with an “old-school blue-and-gold collar grind on every rep/play mentality,” Leal said. “He will anchor our OL and play a major role on our defense from his ILB spot.” Junior QB/CB Isaiah Nunes “showed fundamental and leadership growth each week in the offseason.” Junior WR/RB/QB/OLB/FS Daniel Febo gained varsity experience at receiver in 2023 and “will help all over the field,” Leal said. Junior RB/WR/OLB/FS Jonathan Santiago was a second-team all-league outside linebacker last year and will help the Monarchs on both sides of the ball.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Kennedy, 7 p.m.
No. 4 ENCINAL
Coach: Derrick Lyons
2023 record: 2-8
What to expect: Encinal’s strength lies in its collective, and that collective will need to be robust if the Jets are to contend this season. “Team ball is our strength,” said third-year coach Derrick Lyons. “Our team is built off of the running game.” Senior LB/DE/TE Marco Garcia is the heart of Encinal’s defense, a player teams began to run away from because of his dominance. Senior RB/DB Alex Marston is a returning first-team all-leaguer and a “dynamic RB. He will open up a lot of eyes this season,” Lyons said. Senior OL/DL Josh Martinez is a returning second-team all-league offensive lineman who is “quiet with words, but his play is very loud,” Lyons said. Senior K/LB/WR Charlie Snell is a “fearless kicker who happens to be our best athlete,” Lyons said. Snell converted a 46-yard kick in 2023.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Hercules, 7 p.m.
No. 5 SAN LORENZO
Coach: Antoine Stocker
2023 record: 2-7
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What to expect: The Grizzlies are looking to bounce back after a 1-5 campaign in the Shoreline Division last year. They’ll have to do it without five players who were honored with all-league recognition in 2023. San Lorenzo loses second-team O-lineman Brandon Paulino, second-team running back Jones Mauia, second-team WR Craig Goatly, second-team DL Nomeneta Filimigo and honorable mention Juan Sepulveda. At quarterback, Eric Ferreira, Rafa Rosas, Gianni Palacios and Jason Cai are listed as the Grizzlies’ signal-callers and will battle for the starting job.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Richmond, 7 p.m.
No. 6 AMERICAN
Coach: Bryan-Andre Blackmon
2023 record: 0-10
What to expect: American is looking for a win in 2024 as another year of high school football rolls around. The Eagles lost second-team linebacker Henry Supnet, second-team defensive back Cruz Madrigal and honorable mention Danino Corsis from last year’s squad. They return honorable mention Jayden Martinez, who will be a junior this season.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs Pinole Valley, 7 p.m.
