BLOSSOM VALLEY ATHLETIC LEAGUE’S MT. HAMILTON DIVISION
(Predicted order of end)
No. 1 LIVE OAK
Coach: Mike Gemo
Fall 2021 file: 7-3
What to anticipate: Stay Oak has to reload after graduating 28 seniors from final season’s workforce that reached the CCS Division III playoffs. However possibly that received’t be an issue. “We're loaded with younger expertise,” stated coach Mike Gemo, now in his thirteenth season. QB Xavier Catano, the Mt. Hamilton’s co-junior of the 12 months, is again after accounting for almost 1,400 yards of offense final fall. He’ll have competitors behind middle as UCLA-bound pitcher Landon Stump is competing for the QB job. Catano is also listed as a large receiver. The workforce additionally returns RB Jordan Fuentes and three-year beginning lineman Zach Enderle. Different gamers to observe are TE/LB Keaton Dietz and DL Tim Quan.
Season opener: Aug. 27 at Gilroy, 7 p.m.
No. 2 CHRISTOPHER
Coach: Darren Yafai
Fall 2021 file: 7-6
What to anticipate: The long-anticipated transfer from the Pacific Coast Athletic League to the BVAL has arrived for Christopher. Of their closing season within the PCAL’s Gabilan Division, the Cougars completed fifth with a 4-4 file and went on to achieve the CCS Division III closing, shedding to Sacred Coronary heart Cathedral. Christopher can be younger this season, having misplaced seven starters on protection. However as coach Darren Yafai famous, the JV workforce in 2021 went 9-1 within the ultra-competitive Gabilan Division, which ought to present a lift to the varsity this fall. Jaterius Lee, a second-team all-league choose final season, returns as a two-way starter. He performs receiver and cornerback. He’s a four-year varsity starter coming off a 10-TD season final fall. RB/LB Eric Argumedo is barely 5-7, 165, however the three-year varsity participant offers a a lot bigger presence. TE/WR/DE Kingsley Okoronkwo is a flexible participant who acquired second-team all-league honors in 2021. CB/WR/RB Amari Bluford had two interceptions in a CCS semifinal win over Leland final season and 6-4, 290-pound middle Jacob Ahumada is the captain of the offensive line.
Season opener: Aug. 26 at North Monterey County, 7:30 p.m.
No. 3 SANTA TERESA
Coach: Steve Papin
Fall 2021 file: 7-5
What to anticipate: The Saints return seven starters on offense and 7 on protection however can be trying to find playmakers as they put together for his or her second season underneath veteran coach Steve Papin. Junior Joseph Tapia is the workforce’s quarterback and free security. “He’s only a true soccer participant,” Papin stated. RB/SS Joshua Reyes brings a hard-nosed type to the sector, and CB Richard Salazar has sturdy instincts, in response to Papin. The coach additionally famous MLB/DE Marc Carlson, whom he known as “the hardest participant on our soccer workforce. Loves contact. Very bodily soccer participant. Our chief along with his pads.” Elijah Bustamante anchors the offensive and defensive traces.The season opener towards Pioneer is a rematch of final season’s CCS Division IV playoff opener that went to triple time beyond regulation earlier than Santa Teresa prevailed 45-42.
Season opener: Aug. 26 vs. Pioneer, 7 p.m.
No. 4 LINCOLN-SAN JOSE
Coach: Kevin Collins
Fall 2021 file: 6-4
What to anticipate: The Lions, now not dedicated to a Thanksgiving Day sport towards San Jose, reached the CCS playoffs for the primary time final fall. They misplaced to Hillsdale within the opening spherical of the Division IV bracket. Given who's coming again for Lincoln, one other journey to the playoffs might occur once more this season. QB Tayden Phillips was the Mt. Hamilton’s co-junior of the 12 months in 2021. He mixed for greater than 1,700 yards passing and operating. Phillips can be joined by final season’s Mt. Hamilton operating again of the 12 months Salvador Espinoza and two returning all-league linemen, Jacob Willman and Dais Macias. Espinoza averaged 8.4 yards per carry and scored seven TDs in 2021. After opening the season towards Leigh, Lincoln will go to San Jose within the Large Bone sport on Sept. 2, the second consecutive 12 months the annual matchup between San Jose’s oldest public excessive colleges can be performed on Labor Day weekend.
Season opener: Aug. 26 vs. Leigh, 7 p.m.
No. 5 LELAND
Coach: Kelly King Jr.
Fall 2021 file: 9-3
What to anticipate: The Chargers have huge sneakers to fill as Mt. Hamilton senior of the 12 months Mark Eby, offensive lineman of the 12 months Bani Yaro and linebacker of the 12 months Tyler Prepare dinner have graduated. Eby ran for 1,308 yards and 14 TDs and caught 22 passes for 299 yards and three TDs final season. However expectations haven’t dimmed. Coach Kelly King Jr. stated his workforce is younger, athletic and “hungry to proceed off of the success of final 12 months.” Leland received the Mt. Hamilton title and superior to the semifinals of the CCS Division III playoffs. Brandon Mohr and Alex Ly are returning second-team all-league offensive linemen, and WR/CB Eshaan Adusumalli has excelled in summer time 7-on-7 competitors. Pierre Goldstein will take over because the workforce’s major ballcarrier. He ran for 411 yards final season. Sean Verdecanna, a second-team all-league participant in 2021, offers expertise within the defensive secondary.
Season opener: Aug. 26 vs. Half Moon Bay, 7 p.m.
No. 6 OAK GROVE
Coach: Joel Cordero
Fall 2021 file: 1-8
What to anticipate: A onetime CCS powerhouse, Oak Grove fell on arduous instances final season, going winless within the Mt. Hamilton Division and successful just one non-league sport. New coach Joel Cordero takes over Marcus Reese. This system misplaced its solely two all-league gamers, linemen Cristian Farias and Brenson Kanongataa, to commencement. However they're anticipated to return two skill-position gamers, receiver Tayshawn Saunders and slotback Caleb Vierra. The non-league schedule received’t be straightforward. After opening towards Homestead, the Eagles play Hollister and Branham.
Season opener: Aug. 26 vs. Hollister, 7 p.m.
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