It seems the only constant for this season in the Tri-County Athletic League’s Stone Division is change, as three teams left what was formerly a seven-team division, this year’s favorite might arguably be a new entrant from the Rock Division, and more programs changed coaches than did not.
The 2015 division champion, Berean Christian, is now in the Diablo Athletic League after some section realignment. Last year’s runner-up, Swett, has been elevated to the Rock Division, and last year’s third-place team, Valley Christian, has dropped its varsity program for a year despite reaching the NCS Division V semifinals last season.
Hercules has dropped from the Rock Division to the Stone, replacing Swett, and returns some of the top athletes in the division. The Titans are also one of the few programs to keep their coaching staff intact, with Richmond being the other program in the division to maintain continuity at the top. De Anza, Kennedy, and Albany all welcome new head coaches for the 2016 season.
One large positive note for the teams returning to the Stone Division this year is that over half of them are playoff-tested, after De Anza, Albany, and Hercules all reached the playoffs last season. None of the three won their first-round games, but the experience gained in the post-season should prepare all three teams for the rigor of the 2016 season.
ALBANY (4-7, 1-5)
Previous head coach Donnell Carson had to step down to a lesser role in the last few weeks, due to family commitments which include a new baby, but will remain with the program as a co-head coach and defensive coordinator. Scott Shev steps in as an on-campus coach, and just completed his first week of running the show for the Cougars.
Helping Albany’s cause this year will be the return of three-year varsity starter Cory Sterner at linebacker, and he is not the only returner with varsity experience. Senior Emet Wofford is back at defensive back, and figures to be used in a utility role on the offensive side. Quentin Shelton is back to anchor the offensive line, protecting senior quarterback Riley Lee.
Senior Dasan Milan could fill a number of roles for the Cougars, likely playing either fullback or in the slot offensively, and should play roles on both sides of the ball. Similarly, senior Nick Wood should be a starter at linebacker, and could fill a number of roles offensively. And then there is senior Wynter Huntenburg, who might be one of the team’s best offensive linemen, but could see reps at a variety of positions, based on need.
Other returners include skill player Nick Bernal, defensive lineman and backup quarterback Chris Miller, and utility player Ivan Juarez.
“We’re looking to get better and stay healthy this season,” Shev said. “The hope is that with school coming, more players will be coming out.”
The Cougars also hope to build on last year’s non-league success, when they went 3-1 outside of the league, helping them reach the Division III playoffs. Albany has dropped down to Division IV this season.
DE ANZA (6-5, 3-3)
1994 De Anza graduate Tyree Reed has taken over the head coaching position, having been tagged as the interim guy in charge back in June. Reed served as an assistant for the Dons from 2002-2005, and also coaches an off-season 7-on-7 team, Silly U, which placed eighth at the Best of the West tournament. His coaching experience also includes a stint with the youth Richmond Steelers, who advanced to the Pop Warner National Tournament under Reed.
One player who Reed can count on at all times will be returning senior Rico Tolefree, who has received interest from schools such as Sacramento State. The six-foot-one, 223-pound middle linebacker and H-back expects to be an impact player on both sides of the ball.
“We can put Rico anywhere on the field,” Reed said.
Also returning is quarterback and free safety Richard Kirbyson, who was a Prep2Prep All-NCS selection in baseball last spring. The six-foot-four Kirbyson played for Reed in the spring, and has also demonstrated speed and elusiveness.
Senior Loren Calhoun is another two-way starter, returning at running back and linebacker, while Gabriel Sable is another name to watch, at both tight end and defensive end.
“Gabriel has worked really hard in the off-season,” Reed said. “He should be a big factor on the field for us.”
A senior to watch in all facets of the game should be Devon King, who will play running back, defensive back, and return kicks. He is described as a player with a tremendous work ethic. Alongside Sable at defensive end, meanwhile, will be senior Situa Alataua, who will also contribute at fullback and tight end. Alataua is an ex-rugby player, who brings versatility and tremendous strength to the Dons’ roster.
Two juniors to watch will be receiver and safety Teddy Bing and right tackle Travis Woodard, who will need to have a big season up front for De Anza.
Optimism is also high at the lower level, where Reed expects to have a talented roster of close to 40 players.
HERCULES (6-5, 1-4 Rock)
The Titans move down from the Rock division to the Stone this season, switching places with Swett. The move comes despite making the playoffs last year, and returning 16 starters from that group, including all the top players at each position.
Leading the way is last year's captain, Dieontae Malan, who also recently committed to the Jr. Prep Sports All-Star Game in Hawaii. Malan can play anywhere on the field, and is always one of the fastest on either side of the ball. Expect him to get plenty of touches for the Hercules offense, and spearhead the defensive secondary.
Malan is joined again by explosive receiver Emany Johnson, who is just a junior, but torched defensive backs with his 4.5 40-yard dash speed last season. And returning to deliver the ball in six-foot-four senior quarterback Thomas Wright, who was especially impressive in early season wins over Ygnacio Valley and Mountain House last year.
Senior Ray Corbin and junior Tayshia Smith are two more athletes to watch on the offensive of the ball. The biggest hit, meanwhile, comes to the offensive line, which lost four key athletes from last year's team, but does return standout tackle Roberto Martinez, a six-foot-four, 245-pound senior who can move.
Another big reason for the expectation of success this season will likely be the return of multiple contributors from the Titans' front seven. Along with Martinez, senior Jesse Quiroz and junior DeShane Hampton are back to solidify the defensive line, while a trio of linebackers also return. Senior Kyle Remigio and juniors Gage Garvey and Arthur Corbin were all among the team's leading tacklers last season.
Like last year, Hercules should have no problem becoming playoff-eligible with its non-league slate, facing Mt. Diablo, San Rafael, Galileo, Ygnacio Valley, and Mountain House prior to a battle with Pinole Valley.
KENNEDY-RICHMOND (3-7, 2-4)
New coach George Jackson has lofty goals for the Eagles this season, despite last year's 3-7 record, and a look at the roster indicates he has every reason to raise the bar with his expectations. Jackson takes over the top spot this year after serving as the junior varsity offensive coordinator in 2015, for a lower-level team which scored over 380 points and did not allow a single point to any of its 10 opponents, en route to a perfect 10-0 season at the junior varsity level.
"We're ready to play this season, and out to prove that we are better than last year's record," Jackson said. "This is the school's 50th anniversary year, and we plan to make it a special one."
In addition to the influx of talent that Kennedy will receive from last year's underclass group, the Eagles also return 15 starters. Leading that group is two-way standout Ryan 'Juice' Robinson, who can dominate at both linebacker and tight end with his six-foot-two, 210-pound frame and a captain-worthy work ethic.
"(Juice) shows up every day, works hard, and simply wants this team to be great," Jackson said. "He's always one of the first to show up, and one of the last to leave."
Fellow senior Tre'vante Daniels is another player to watch all over the field, and he will be utilized in a variety of roles for this year's team. The same can be said for junior Darion Ellison, who was last year's quarterback, but will more likely see time both at running back and in the slot, enabling the team to take advantage of his 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash.
Stepping in for Ellison at quarterback will be junior Micah Barnes, who was Jackson's signal-caller on the junior varsity last season. He was the trigger man for an explosive, multiple-look offense, and will carry that experience into the 2016 season. Additional skill athletes to be utilized include junior Larry Washington and sophomore running back Tyrik Daniels.
Kennedy is also looking for a step in the right direction from the group up front, led by a pair of returning All-TCAL players, junior Christian Qualls and junior Manny Aguero. Both started on the varsity as sophomores, and both earned all-league accolades. Aguero is the anchor at the center position, while Qualls plays on both sides of the ball. Setting the edge offensively for the Eagles should be senior tight end Akeli Nelson, as Jackson says they are looking for big things from the veteran.
If the Eagles are to take that leap forward in 2016, and contend for the top of the division, they will need to demonstrate success to start the season. The non-league slate opens with games against Galt, Lincoln-San Francisco, Drake, and Madison Park Academy-Oakland. All four games should be considered winnable contests, before tests against Arroyo and especially El Cerrito, heading into division play.
RICHMOND (1-9, 0-6)
The Oilers’ lone win last season came in a rout over Washington-San Francisco during non-league play, but coach Andy Odisio has established some continuity in the program, and has some returning players who could make a positive impact on the 2016 season.
Senior linebackers Jonathan Velasquez, Miguel Ruelas, and Eli Vallare should solidify the defensive front seven, while senior running backs Jefferson Quiom and Mark Nguyen could provide an offensive boost. Vallare will also see time at fullback, and senior offensive lineman Javier Hernandez should be a leader on the front lines.
Fortifying both lines is also the return of two-way junior Josh Ajche, but possibly the biggest reason for optimism is the return of junior quarterback and free safety Kenneth Silva, who enters his third year on the varsity level. A handful of juniors – Manny Valladares, Sammy Solis, James Nguyen, and Patrick Phan – should prove to be immediate contributors on the varsity.
“We are definitely aiming to be competitive in the newly aligned Stone division,” Odisio said. “(Miguel) Ruelas and (Eli) Vallare have proven leadership qualities, attending every Wednesday six a.m. workout since January, while Jefferson Quiom and Jonathan Velasquez should be a strong duo in the offensive backfield. We’re also looking forward to seeing how (Manny) Valladares steps in at center with a pair of returners (Hernandez and Ajche) on the offensive line.”
