High school football 2024 preview: MVAL/WACC Shoreline Division
As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
Mission Valley Athletic League/West Alameda County Conference Shoreline Division
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 ALAMEDA
Coach: Robin Morris
2023 record: 7-3
What to expect: Fifth-year coach Robin Morris has the Hornets poised for a league title in 2024. Alameda returns an abundance of talent and a quarterback who knows what to do with it. “We have a lot of skill players moving up from JV, and a good QB that connects well with his receivers,” Morris said. ”We are returning three of our offensive linemen. We are lacking depth at line.” Junior QB Casey Koga-Dean moves up to varsity from JV, where he led the younger Hornets to an 18-2 record. “He will be commanding the offense, looking forward to him having a big year,” Morris said of Koga-Dean. Junior two-way lineman Hayden Arndt will head up Koga-Dean’s protection detail. Junior WR/DB Landyn Cole was a first-team all-league receiver in 2023 and is “one of our leaders on both sides of the ball,” Morris said. Senior LB/OL Dominic Hernandez is a defensive leader who made second-team all-league at linebacker last season. He is also Alameda’s starting center. Junior WR/DB Kirk Humbles III moves up and should make a “direct impact” after two successful years on JV, Morris said. Junior TE Sammy Lovering is a returning first-team all-leaguer who developed during the offseason on the 7-on-7 circuit. Senior RB/DB Deon Bier is “one of the hardest hitters on the team,” Morris said, and a talented runner in the backfield.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Ygnacio Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 2 ARROYO
Coach: Mikel Dace
2023 record: 5-5
What to expect: Arroyo could make a run at the Shoreline title one year after finishing third behind Piedmont and Kennedy-Fremont. The Dons lost several notable players from last year’s team, including all-MVAL/WACC first-team offensive lineman Kamani Fifita, now at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. Also gone are second-team OL Derrick Peterson, first-team DL Saumalu Pomele and honorable mention Peyton Sanchez. Returning are first-team linebacker Owen Thomason, second-team OL Henry Lachenmyer, second-team RB Gabriel Flores, second-team DL Sarydah Pomele and honorable mention Franklin Lachenmyer.
Season opener: Aug. 31 vs. Antioch, 2 p.m.
No. 3 MT. EDEN
Coach: Ray Leal
2023 record: 0-10
What to expect: Second-year coach Leal looks to lead the Monarchs to some wins after a difficult 2023 season in the Mission Division. Experience should be a strength, as nine Mt. Eden offensive players and nine defensive players started at least once last season. “Our depth will be our biggest obstacle this season,” Leal said. Junior OL/ILB Kimo Baltazar was an honorable mention last year with an “old-school blue-and-gold collar grind on every rep/play mentality,” Leal said. “He will anchor our OL and play a major role on our defense from his ILB spot.” Junior QB/CB Isaiah Nunes “showed fundamental and leadership growth each week in the offseason.” Junior WR/RB/QB/OLB/FS Daniel Febo gained varsity experience at receiver in 2023 and “will help all over the field,” Leal said. Junior RB/WR/OLB/FS Jonathan Santiago was a second-team all-league outside linebacker last year and will help the Monarchs on both sides of the ball.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Kennedy, 7 p.m.
No. 4 ENCINAL
Coach: Derrick Lyons
2023 record: 2-8
What to expect: Encinal’s strength lies in its collective, and that collective will need to be robust if the Jets are to contend this season. “Team ball is our strength,” said third-year coach Derrick Lyons. “Our team is built off of the running game.” Senior LB/DE/TE Marco Garcia is the heart of Encinal’s defense, a player teams began to run away from because of his dominance. Senior RB/DB Alex Marston is a returning first-team all-leaguer and a “dynamic RB. He will open up a lot of eyes this season,” Lyons said. Senior OL/DL Josh Martinez is a returning second-team all-league offensive lineman who is “quiet with words, but his play is very loud,” Lyons said. Senior K/LB/WR Charlie Snell is a “fearless kicker who happens to be our best athlete,” Lyons said. Snell converted a 46-yard kick in 2023.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Hercules, 7 p.m.
No. 5 SAN LORENZO
Coach: Antoine Stocker
2023 record: 2-7
What to expect: The Grizzlies are looking to bounce back after a 1-5 campaign in the Shoreline Division last year. They’ll have to do it without five players who were honored with all-league recognition in 2023. San Lorenzo loses second-team O-lineman Brandon Paulino, second-team running back Jones Mauia, second-team WR Craig Goatly, second-team DL Nomeneta Filimigo and honorable mention Juan Sepulveda. At quarterback, Eric Ferreira, Rafa Rosas, Gianni Palacios and Jason Cai are listed as the Grizzlies’ signal-callers and will battle for the starting job.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Richmond, 7 p.m.
No. 6 AMERICAN
Coach: Bryan-Andre Blackmon
2023 record: 0-10
What to expect: American is looking for a win in 2024 as another year of high school football rolls around. The Eagles lost second-team linebacker Henry Supnet, second-team defensive back Cruz Madrigal and honorable mention Danino Corsis from last year’s squad. They return honorable mention Jayden Martinez, who will be a junior this season.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs Pinole Valley, 7 p.m.