As part of our high school football content to get you ready for the 2025 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
DIABLO ATHLETIC LEAGUE VALLEY DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 NORTHGATE
Coach: Ben Ballard
2024 record: 7-4
What to expect: Northgate won the DAL Valley last season with an undefeated record in league play, and there’s little reason to believe the Broncos won’t do it again this year. Senior LB Damon Oberbruner will lead the defense as a fearsome and physical edge player who brings toughness and leadership. “He’s one of our most reliable players on the field,” Ballard said. Senior DB/WR James Mayse is the anchor of the defensive backfield and a three-year varsity player who “consistently disrupts plays all over the field and comes downhill when needed to make great tackles,” the coach noted. Senior OL/DL Eren Erdem leads the offensive line with experience and toughness and is a tone-setter up front. “He will set the tempo,” Ballard said while also praising Erdem’s football IQ. Junior RB/DL/WR DeAngelo Smith brings speed, toughness and versatility and is poised for a strong season after rushing for 85 yards per game last year. Junior LB/TE Liam Fruchtenicht has great size and physicality and is a returning starter on both sides of the ball. “He showed maturity, toughness, and a high ceiling,” Ballard said. “He’s a key part of our team going forward.” Junior RB/WR/DB Dax Gordon is a speedy, shifty runner with excellent hands who is a threat all over the field. “He’s one of the most dynamic underclassmen in our program,” Ballard said. Junior OL/DL Brody Irvin is a tough, hardworking lineman who is consistent and physical and has added strength in the weight room to build on the big strides he took toward the end of last season. Sophomore QB Max Cantrell will take the reins of the offense after leading Northgate’s freshman team to a 10-0 season last fall. He spins the ball effortlessly and has the poise of a much older player, Ballard said.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Tamalpais, 2 p.m.
No. 2 COLLEGE PARK
Coach: Jack Schram
2024 record: 3-8
What to expect: Coming off a tough season, College Park is looking to build upon a strong core of returning players to find more success this time around. Junior QB Ethan Havens played well on CP’s JV team before suffering a season-ending injury. Senior DE Jonah Lawson is a quick, strong and smart player who “will have an outstanding season coming off the edge,” Schram said. Senior OG/DT Brody Holladay is another strong and smart player in the interior who will force double teams and help free up CP’s linebackers to make plays. Senior LB Josh Rautenstrauch is a tough player who will anchor the defense from the middle. Junior RB/CB Demorian McCray is a gifted athlete with big-play ability who is a threat to score on offense, defense and special teams. Sophomore WR/FS Akeem Smith is another talented athlete with Division I potential who “will have a breakout year and be on all colleges’ radar,” Schram said. Senior WR/DB Jayden Auld could be a surprise contributor on both sides of the ball.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Dougherty Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 3 BENICIA
Coach: C.J. Anderson
2024 record: 5-7
What to expect: First-year coach Anderson, a former star running back at Cal and a Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos, spelled out his goals for Benicia in Year One with a single word: COMPETE. Anderson led Monte Vista as head coach for one season in 2021 before stepping down and is now back in the East Bay coaching ranks. He is the Panthers’ fourth coach in four years. Ryan Sarna coached Benicia in 2024 and Scott Swartz was in charge in 2023. Before that, longtime coach Craig Holden ran the show for two decades, compiling a career record of 133-93. Anderson could have a few returning all-league players to fall back on. Senior RB/OLB/MLB Anthony Jordan is a returning first-team all-DAL Valley offensive player, and senior RB/SB Thomas Jouvenot-Sells is a returning second-teamer. Junior FS/WR Marcel Brisco is a returning first-team defensive player. The Panthers must replace departing all-league seniors Morgan Stovold, Antoine Smith, Lawrence Nelson, Donovan Hill, Josh Brooks, Jeryah Machado and Treston Wright.
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Season opener: Aug. 29 at Rodriguez, 7 p.m.
No. 4 ALHAMBRA
Coach: Alan Hern
2024 record: 3-7
What to expect: After a tough year in 2024, Alhambra will look to lean on an experienced offensive line, a solid group of skill players and potential at QB this season. Senior center Erik Murry has improved tremendously from a year ago and will lead the O-line as a stronger, fitter, reliable and experienced player. Senior RB Christian Cortez has worked on his body and is a more mature player who will lead from the backfield. Senior LB Logan St. Germain is a returning second-team all-leaguer who is the smart, athletic leader of the defense. Senior S Cade Forrester is a tall, long athlete with good instincts who made a big impact in the secondary as a junior. Junior G Andres Duarte started toward the end of last season and is the strongest player on the team who also boasts a high football IQ. Junior RB/S Noah Hill opened eyes as a two-way player during Alhambra’s final three games and will be a difference-maker this fall as an aggressive, instinctive and elusive playmaker. Junior WR Calvin Spellman is growing into his body and provides a tall, long target out wide with big hands and good speed. Senior DL Vinnie Taylor is a tall, athletic and disruptive D-lineman who gets to the QB and could be Alhambra’s defensive MVP.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Hercules, 7 p.m.