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 DE ANZA DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 THE KING’S ACADEMY
Coach: Dante Perez
2024 record: 5-6
What to expect: The Knights suffered a blow when highly-regarded receiver Kyle Welch transferred to Riordan. But there is sufficient talent on hand to make another run at the De Anza title, one they shared with Capuchino last season. In fact, even without Welch the wide receiver position is one of the team’s strengths. Perez identified three other wideouts, all juniors, among his top players: Jaiden Flores, a 6-3, 210-pounder; Adrian Barnett, a starter on the TKA basketball team that went to the state finals; and Aaron Duncan, whom Perez characterizes as a fast and skillful athlete. The team’s top overall returning player is LB Justin Turner, who was in on a staggering 186 tackles last year, 97 solo. Three-year starter Nathaniel Vargas is the top returning lineman. Sophomore Ricky Gutierrez is slated to start at quarterback. “Our strength is in our team unity,” Perez said. “We have playmakers who can impact the game in different ways, and the players trust each other to get the job done.”
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Aptos, 7 p.m.
No. 2 BURLINGAME
Coach: John Philipopoulos
2024 record: 8-5
What to expect: RB/FS Hayden Haba will be a primary ball carrier in Burlingame’s Wing-T offense and, in the words of Philipopoulos, “as good as any safety in our league.” Qasim Abutair will also get carries at running back and start at cornerback. Nick Armstrong, both a run and pass threat, will take over at quarterback. He will throw to his brother, Will Armstrong, who will pair with Abutair as the starting cornerbacks. ILB Ravi Krishnan, a team captain along with Haba, is the leader of the defense along with DE Quincy Yu. “We have a great mix of returning starters or contributors from the previous season (including 3 of 4 starters on our DL) combined with a strong group of players coming up from the JV,” Philipopoulos said “We expect to be in a lot of very close games against good teams and having enough depth while staying healthy will be critical.”
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Half Moon Bay, 7 p.m.
No. 3 CAPUCHINO
Coach: Jay Oca
2024 record: 8-3
What to expect: The Mustangs tied TKA for the division title a year ago in their first year after moving up to the De Anza from the PAL Ocean. “We lost a lot but have a lot of guys waiting in the wings ready to step up,” Oca said. There is certainly some size on hand in Lealofi Tofaeono (6-1, 320). DE Rome Iosia has an offer from Portland State. Oca says RB/LB Melo Villareal will be an impact player. Returnee Kevin Hernandez is competing with sophomore Logan Arceo for the quarterback job.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Sequoia, 7 p.m.
No. 4 MOUNTAIN VIEW
Coach: Rick Esparza
2024 record: 2-8
What to expect: Ishan Devarapalli returns at quarterback. He threw for 1,403 yards and eight touchdowns last season as a sophomore. Braden Greene, “pound for pound the strongest player on the team,” is the top returning running back. He led the team in receptions a year ago with 35. RB/LB Sam Ford will also be called on in the ground game. TE/LB Brigham Robinson is a three-year varsity performer and team leader. WR/DB Micah Perkins provides speed and athleticism. Three-year starter Erick Brito and Evan Luedke are the team’s top linemen. “We’ve had a strong offseason with regard to our physical preparation and a good group of leaders on this team that look to carry that momentum throughout the season,” Esparza said.
Season opener: Aug. 29 at Palo Alto, 7 p.m.
No. 5 SAN MATEO
Coach: Jeff Scheller
2024 record: 8-3
What to expect: The Bearcats moved up after finishing in a tie for first place last season in the PAL Ocean. Yianni Fitzgerald, a standout at linebacker a year ago, will attempt to replace his brother, Emmanuel Fitzgerald, who rushed for more than 2,500 yards the last two seasons, as a primary ball carrier in San Mateo’s triple option offense. He will share carries with Jovani Hernandez. A third Fitzgerald brother, Lukas, takes over at quarterback. Tyce Copus is a returning starter at slotback and all-league defensive back. “One of the smartest DBs in the league, always in the right position,” Scheller said. Roman Toki will also line up in the slot and play linebacker on defense. WR/FS Hamilton Pitney, the strong safety a year ago now at free safety, is another two-way starter. Logan Jandu is the top returning lineman.
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Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Los Altos, 7 p.m.
No. 6 CARLMONT
Coach: Eric Rado
2024 record: 6-4
What to expect: The Scots are moving up after tying for third place in the PAL Ocean. Going into preseason practice Brody Zirelli and Adam Hyman were competing for the start at quarterback. Zirelli threw for 35 touchdowns on the JV team. Whichever player gets the nod will have WRs Lucas Robertson and Maximus Senechal as receiving targets. Both will also see time in the secondary on defense. There’s experience and depth on the line with center Hayden Tonga-Ma’ake, the anchor of the offensive line, Paul Taumalolo and guard Dante Navarra among the team’s top returning players.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Lincoln-San Francisco, 7 p.m.