TRI-COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE ROCK DIVISION PREVIEW
(Predicted order of end)
No. 1 EL CERRITO
Coach: Jacob Rincon
Fall 2021 report: 9-3
What to anticipate: The defending Rock Division champions have lots anticipated again, led by a quartet of now-seniors who obtained all-Bay Space Information Group honorable point out recognition final fall: DL Rickari Campbell, LB Andrew Nicholds, DB Warren Smith and utility participant Jermaine Hargraves. Kamani Jackson, listed as an athlete, additionally will probably be a participant to keep watch over because the Gauchos intention to go undefeated by means of the league schedule as soon as once more. Jackson has a suggestion from San Jose State. Senior DB Tony McAdoo obtained first-team honors within the Rock Division in 2021 when El Cerrito reached the semifinals of the North Coast Part Division III playoffs, shedding a heartbreaker to eventual champion Windsor, 33-32.
Season opener: Aug. 26 vs. Amador Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 2 DE ANZA
Coach: Tyree Reed
Fall 2021 report: 5-5
What to anticipate: The Dons completed second within the Rock final season and return QB Michael Vanhook, now a junior. He was an all-league honorable point out decide final season. However the staff’s high rushers and receivers have graduated, which is able to in all probability make it tough to problem El Cerrito for the league title. Marcus Gerry, Omar Mendoza and Ronald Williams obtained all-league honors final season. Gerry and Mendoza at the moment are seniors and Williams is a junior. Junior DL Elijah Benton additionally made the all-league staff in 2021. De Anza’s non-league schedule is certainly formidable. After opening in opposition to Encinal, the Dons play McClymonds, Cardinal Newman and Las Lomas.
Season opener: Aug. 26 vs. Encinal, 7 p.m.
No. 3 SALESIAN
Coach: Chad Nightingale
Fall 2021 report: 11-2
What to anticipate: The Delight won't problem El Cerrito for the highest spot within the league standings however will in all probability be an element as soon as the postseason rolls round. Previously two fall seasons – 2019 and 2021 – Salesian captured 6-A state championships. DB Alexis Mendoza obtained all-league honorable point out recognition as a sophomore final season. Giancarlo Thurmond, now a senior, and Samuel Torres, now a junior, have been on the road that helped the Delight rush for 439 yards in a 42-21 victory over Arlington-Riverside in final yr’s 6-A remaining. DE Mian Shah, now a senior, had two of the Delight’s 10 sacks within the state sport.
Season opener: Aug. 27 at Archie Williams, 2 p.m.
No. 4 PINOLE VALLEY
Coach: Troy McConico
Fall 2021 report: 4-7
What to anticipate: Pinole is coming off a fourth-place league end in 2021. The groups the Spartans beat final fall within the Rock Division – Kennedy-Richmond and St. Patrick-St. Vincent – moved right down to the Stone Division this season. DL James Gordon obtained first-team all-league honors final season as a junior. He additionally performs quarterback. Three others in Gordon’s class additionally have been acknowledged on the all-league staff final fall: OL, Gage Eda, WR/ATH Ellis Shamsid-Deen and RB Larry McDonald.
Season opener: Aug. 26 at Analy, 7 p.m.
No. 5 HERCULES
Coach: Dean Grecco
Fall 2021 report: 6-4
What to anticipate: Hercules gained the Stone Division title final season. That’s the excellent news. The not-so-good information? The Titans’ reward was a promotion to the Rock Division regardless that the staff returns just one starter. It graduated 24 seniors and misplaced three gamers to transfers. Although inexperience is clearly an element, Grecco added, “We will probably be very athletic within the talent positions and far improved up entrance from the earlier season.” Senior middle Justin Asuelo was a first-team choice within the Stone Division final fall. He’s a captain and understands the sport, Grecco mentioned. Others to look at embrace RB/CB Davon Kornegay, RB/QB/LB Miguel Chavez, QB/OLB Isaiha Martinez and RB/OLB Samari Stephens.
Season opener: Aug. 26 at Alhambra, 7:30 p.m.
No. 6 BETHEL
Coach: Daniel Martinez
Fall 2021 report: 6-3
What to anticipate: Promoted from the TCAL’s Stone Division after a second-place end final season, Bethel will know the place it stands proper out of the gate. The staff opens the season on the street in opposition to high-powered Pittsburg. A handful of gamers who obtained all-league recognition are anticipated again this fall for Bethel – OL Sir Fisher, LB Darnell Jeffery, DB Travis Jackson and WR Jordan Ratchford. Fisher, Jackson and Ratchford are seniors and Jeffery is a junior. After enjoying Pittsburg, Bethel faces Montgomery, Vallejo, Northgate and Benicia earlier than opening league play on Oct. 7 at El Cerrito.
Season opener: Aug. 26 at Pittsburg, 7 p.m.