As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2025 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
PENINSULA ATHLETIC LEAGUE OCEAN DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 HALF MOON BAY
Coach: Keith Holden
2024 record: 8-3
What to expect: The Cougars were good last year and could be even better this time around. Holden has returned as head coach after a two-year absence. His son, sophomore Paxton Holden, will start at quarterback. Ronin McCauley is a two-way standout at running back and safety. LB Lane Miller anchors the defense. Taty Serrano is the top offensive lineman. Sophomore Brandon Melo and Luke Pimentel are the slotbacks in HMB’s triple option. Auggie Lujan will line up alongside Miller at linebacker.
No. 2 SEQUOIA
Coach: Frank Mems Jr.
2024 record: 7-6
What to expect: Sequoia caught fire after a 0-4 start last season, and in a bit of a rags to riches story advanced to the CCS Division V championship game, where it lost to Leland 27-21. WR Randy Nunez had 16 catches for 214 yards in that CCS title game. WR/DB Garett Johnson was a standout on defense. Jacob Wallace and Andrew Hammond are the team’s top linemen. RB/DB Jayden Russi has added muscle to complement his speed.
No. 3 HILLSDALE
Coach: Mike Parodi
2024 record: 5-5
What to expect: After going 3-2 in the De Anza Division last season and moving down, Hillsdale should be considered a contender for the Ocean title. Preston Chow, one of the team’s leading tacklers, returns at safety. He’ll be joined in the secondary by Taylor Essa, who will also be counted on at wide receiver. Tommy Schultz is a third-year starter on the offensive line. Carlos Barron and Johnathon Soudah are another couple of key linemen. RB/DB Jacob Bonner will be the primary ball carrier in Hillsdale’s one-back offense. Troy Nessel will spell Bonner and play linebacker.
No. 4 ARAGON
Coach: Ash Parham
2024 record: 1-9
What to expect: Aragon had a tough time in the De Anza last season, but should fare better in the Ocean. QB Isaiah Johnson saw considerable playing time last season as a sophomore. He’s a capable runner. His group of receiving targets includes three-sport athlete Charlie Wilcox, Nick Mazzola and Isaac Martinez at wide receiver and Nick Castroviejo at tight end. Oye Oyegbami started every game last year at left tackle as a sophomore, and is, in Parham’s words, “A warrior in the weight room.” RT/DE Leka Kama is another returning starter on the offensive line.
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No. 5 MILPITAS
Coach: Kelly King
2024 record: 4-6
What to expect: Not all that long ago Milpitas was one of the elite teams in the CCS. Now, following the SCVAL/PAL merger, the Trojans find themselves in a bit of an uncomfortable fit as the only PAL Ocean team not based in San Mateo County. Running backs Reynaldo Dunbar and Elisha Pena are key returnees from last year’s team. Both will also play in the secondary on defense. Ricky Miramontes, who had a 46-yard field goal last season, is one of the top returning kickers in the section.
No. 6 WOODSIDE
Coach: Justin Andrews
2024 record: 7-3
What to expect: The Woodside program has made steady progress in recent years in an ascent from the PAL Lake to the El Camino and now up to the Ocean. There’s strength in the secondary with Grady Furtado and Daniel Torres. Carlos Latu, Andrew Alvarez and Brett Blasing return on the line. Evan Frampton will take over as the primary running back. Andrews says sophomore QB/SB/CB JJ Lange is “perhaps the best overall athlete on the team.”