PENINSULA ATHLETIC LEAGUE EL CAMINO DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 WOODSIDE
Coach: Justin Andrews
2022 record: 8-3
What to expect: Woodside won the Lake Division championship last season and moved up. To win a title in its first season in a more competitive division is a tall order, but the expectation is that the Wildcats will perform well. Part of the optimism surrounds a ground attack that features Evan Usher, who rushed for over 1,700 yards last season as a sophomore. Four of five starters on the offensive line are black to block for Usher, including Ben Ricketts (6-4, 230), the Lake Division lineman of the year. On defense, linebacker is a position of strength with Mason Furtado, Oliver Lyssand and Dominic Mercado setting the tone for the unit.
Season opener: Aug. 25 vs. Jefferson, 7 p.m.
No. 2 CARLMONT
Coach: Eric Rado
2022 record: 4-6
What to expect: The receiving corps looks to be a strength for the Scots this season. Rado says 6-foot-4 junior tight end Sean Chopoff has the size, hands and route-running ability to play at the next level. Daniel Mattioli, Brian Sagon and Akshay Prasad make for a deep group of wide receivers. Gino Dimauro, a returning starter at center, will anchor the line. Carlmont moved down to the El Camino Division after a fifth-place finish in the Ocean last season. Question marks surround who will replace John Hanna and his 1,400 yards rushing at running back, as well as who will step in at quarterback.
Season opener: Aug. 25 at Castro Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 3 SANTA CLARA
Coach: Nelson Gifford
2022 record: 2-8
What to expect: Gifford, with a history of success coaching at Palo Alto and Fremont-Sunnyvale, takes over at Santa Clara after moving to the school as athletic director a year ago. Key skill position players on offense include RB Matt Nguyen, whom Gifford describes as “quick, can scoot, tough as nails,” Matthew Conklin, a three-year starter at quarterback and wide receiver Jeremiah Kalongo. OL/DL Tyren Warren and TE/LB Mitchell Pacheco will play key roles on the line in an offense that will utilize both a fullback and tight end at times. “Our overall emphasis will be catalyzing the run game,” Gifford said.
Season opener: Aug. 25 vs. Terra Nova, 7 p.m.
No. 4 LOS ALTOS
Coach: Mike Garrity
2022 record: 4-6
What to expect: QB Noah Beedon returns for a Los Altos team that suffered several close losses a year ago. WR/DB Drew Rafferty along with linemen Peter Very and Brock Bowman are third-year varsity performers. Other players expected to contribute this season include RBs Harry Sayers and Fernando Oceguera, WR Andrew Campos, linemen Juan Lopez, Michael Flemming and John Seldon and LB Max Morelle. “Our goal is to compete with the big dogs in the PAL,” Garrity said.
Season opener: Aug. 25 vs. Monte Vista Christian, 7 p.m.
No. 5 EL CAMINO
Coach: Rustin Mayorga
2022 record: 6-4
What to expect: Mayorga took over as head coach last season and led the Colts to their first winning season since 2013. As a result, they were tabbed to move up from the Lake Division to the El Camino. Gabriel Rocha, a utility player a year ago, takes over at quarterback. He has the ability to both run and throw. Jaden Ledesma and Noah Flores are a pair of wideouts highly regarded by Mayorga who should be primary targets for Rocha. High hopes also exist for Jacob Ocampo, who will take over at running back. Nathan Macalino, a returning all-league pick, is the team’s top lineman. “The heart and soul to our offensive line, he’s an absolute workhorse who sets the tone for our offense,” Mayorga said.
Season opener: Aug. 25 vs. San Mateo, 7 p.m.
No. 6 FREMONT-SUNNYVALE
Coach: Rob Swartz
2022 record: 6-4
What to expect: Fremont, along with Woodside and El Camino, made the move from the Lake Division last season to the El Camino. The Firebirds return QB/CB Henry Buenrostro, who rushed for 10 touchdowns and passed for five more last season and was also named an all-league defensive back. Jordan McKinney (460 yards rushing) and Don Martinez (450 yards, 8 TDs) return at running back as does Jonathan Delos Santos (490 yards) at fullback. Junior Dylan Rogers (6-4, 300) will be tasked with opening holes for the running backs. Turnout has increased at Fremont with hopes of fielding a freshman year this season.
Season opener: Aug. 25 at Palo Alto, 7 p.m.
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