High school football 2024 preview: EBAL Mountain Division
As part of our high school football content to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
EAST BAY ATHLETIC LEAGUE MOUNTAIN DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 DE LA SALLE
Coach: Justin Alumbaugh
Record in 2023: 11-3
What to expect: The Spartans no doubt have the talent to reclaim their status as the Bay Area’s top team and possibly the best in NorCal, too. Senior QB Toa Faavae brings sprinter’s speed and lots of experience to an offense that also includes standout linemen Matthew Johnson, Nemyah Telona and Ace Robinson. The running back trio of Dominic Kelley, Derrick Blanche and Duece Jones-Drew, son of former DLS great and current Spartans assistant Maurice Jones-Drew, will be a handful to contain. “All three add different elements to a run-first offense and are very talented,” coach Justin Alumbaugh said. On defense, Johnson brings big-time credentials to the field. Rated a four-star by 247Sports, the 6-5, 260-pound edge rusher committed to Oregon after receiving offers from the likes of USC, Michigan and Washington. “He’s really good,” Alumbaugh noted. Jaden Jefferson will again play a utility role, which in his case includes receiver, defensive back and running back. WR/DB Jayden Nicholas is another standout. DLS has won 31 consecutive NCS titles and is 270-0-1 against NCS opponents since its last loss within the section, 33 years ago.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Grant-Sacramento, 7 p.m.
Editor’s note: According to the EBAL website, De La Salle is ineligible to win the Mountain but receives the league’s automatic bid to the NCS playoffs and first-place votes for all-league recognition. The team with the most league wins (excluding DLS) is the Mountain champion. If a Mountain team beats DLS, that team receives the automatic playoff spot.
No. 2 SAN RAMON VALLEY
Coach: Aaron Becker
Record in 2023: 10-3
What to expect: The Wolves have had a great two-year run, winning a NorCal championship in 2022 and coming close (twice) last season to ending De La Salle’s decades-long unbeaten run against NCS teams. Among the notable departures from last year’s NCS finalist is QB Luke Baker, now at Sacramento State. But SRV returns its best player, senior LB/RB Marco Jones, a four-star prospect with 31 college offers. He committed to Texas A&M. Senior WR Owen Scott also is back after finishing among the state leaders in receptions last season. He is a UC Davis commit. Senior DE/TE Kaleb Pleis is a strong pass rusher who qualified for the state meet in the high jump. Rhett Thompson takes over at QB, The 6-5 senior backed up Baker last season. “Has great potential and would have started for a lot of teams last season,” coach Aaron Becker said. Others to watch include OL/DL Julian Cambra, WR/DB Dylan Deitsch and RB Matthew Garibaldi. Non-league schedule includes St. Ignatius, Soquel, Clayton Valley and McClymonds.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. St. Ignatius, 7 p.m.
No. 3 MONTE VISTA
Coach: Johnny Millard
Record in 2023: 4-6
What to expect: Don’t be surprised if Monte Vista takes a big leap forward after losing records in each of the past two seasons. The Mustangs have a strong senior class and are deep on the offensive and defensive lines. RB/DB Julian McMahan is an “incredible” running back and “versatile” defender, coach Johnny Millard said. The three-star prospect is committed to Washington. “Fantastic leader, always sets the tone with his work ethic and commitment,’ Millard added. QB Brayden Turner is a Fresno State commit. “One of the strongest arms I’ve ever seen,” Millard noted. TE/DE Kellan Ford has committed to Arizona. He is 6-5 and 230 pounds but moves like a wide receiver. Zach Struempf will be a strength on the lines. TE/LB Torin Dunphy, OL/DL Dakota Dickson and OL/DL Carson Brown are expected to make contributions. The non-league schedule is favorable, which means Monte Vista has a shot to pile up wins before opening league play on Oct. 18 at California.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Granada, 7:15 p.m.
No. 4 CALIFORNIA
Coach: Danny Calcagno
Record in 2023: 7-5
What to expect: The Grizzlies advanced to the second round of the NCS’s Open/Division I playoffs last season. Reaching that point this fall will be a challenge. California is young and inexperienced, particularly on defense, coach Danny Calcagno said. The team will count on WR Nick Fox, who caught 30 passes for 779 yards and seven touchdowns last season. OLB Chase McGill is athletic and QB Arjun Banerjee has a big arm. The Grizzlies’ non-league schedule includes James Logan, Antioch and Granada.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Patterson, 7 p.m.
No. 5 AMADOR VALLEY
Coach: Danny Jones
Record in 2023: 7-3
What to expect: The Dons captured the EBAL’s Valley Division title last season. Their reward is a promotion to the league’s stronger Mountain Division. Some of the key pieces from 2023 are back, QB Tristan Ti’a among them. He is a three-star prospect with offers from Boston College, UNLV and San Jose State, among others. His protection will come from a line that features Cooper Longmire, an all-league player in 2023. OLB Gabe Gyamfi, WR/DB/RB Anthony Harrington and P/K Ethan Ling also could have a strong presence for the Pleasanton school. Opening the season against El Cerrito could tell quite a bit how the season might unfold for AV.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at El Cerrito, 7 p.m.