The Bay Valley Athletic League kicked off league play on Tuesday, with a trio of close games that could indicate some surprising parity across the board. We take a look at each team as it shapes up for the league season.
Antioch
The Panthers have not seen a playoff appearance since the 2013-2014 season, but after being dropped to Division 2, Antioch has a solid shot of snapping that streak. But they’re going to need to go on an impressive league run to make it happen.
Antioch started off the season winning five of its six games, but followed with a slump. The team battled with injuries. Through the last couple of weeks of non-league play, Antioch dropped its biggest games vs. California and Mt. Eden, but achieved a 3-2 victory over Concord right before league play.
“The more challenged they are, the more engaged they are,” said head coach Conrad Diaz. “This team is the better team we’ve had in a while. They’re very coachable”
Senior goalkeeper Melvin Morales will be Antioch’s breakout player. He has recorded 33 saves in non-league action. Morales also praises his defense led by Regulo Arjona, with Bryan Sosa, Julian Rodriguez and Demian De La Vega.
The reigning MVP Ian Scheringer returns, and has not seemed to lose his touch, racking up 16 goals through non-league. By his side has a new face with freshman Junior Picon, who has made an easy transition at the varsity level. Avelardo Florentino provides a lot of support navigating the midfield, along with Joel and Alan Sanchez. Freshman Brian Paden is expected to create an impact when healthy.
Along with making a playoff appearance, the Panthers look to beat Pittsburg in what people are calling East County’s Clasico, something that hasn’t happened since 2010.
Freedom
The Falcons were a pretty young team last year and still managed to go out and win a BVAL title.
In 2020, Freedom hopes to make school history by being the first team to win back-to-back BVAL titles.
The squad comes in with an impressive record of 8-3-2 and remain unbeaten at home.
Freedom relied on many of its young players to step up in last year's championship season. The Falcons have two players that were named Prep2Prep NCS Freshman of the year with Alberto Padilla (2018) and Jacob Lepore (2019).
But they also have a potential NCS player of the year with senior Eduardo Navarro. Its his first season of high school soccer due to Developmental Academy commitments, most recently suiting up in the San Jose Earthquakes system. Through non-league, Navarro has posted eight goals.
Other top returning players include Alex Pantoja, who’s helped Freedom to play with one holding and two attacking mids. Brian Castellanos will settle in the midfield nicely after getting called up.
Giovanni Maya is Freedom’s key piece to its backline. The Falcons also have a set of two talented goalkeepers in Eduardo Marin and Jorge Villasenor competing for playing time. They have an excellent backline in front of them consisting of Aidan Wilmott, Giovanni Maya and Roberto Martinez.
Liberty
After the departure of Chris Strabley, Liberty needed to find a new coach with a little under two months before the season started.
It wasn’t until a week before the beginning of the season where they found the perfect fit. Jesus Gomez takes over at the helm for the Lions, and is regarded to be one of East County’s top coaches.
“I felt like if we changed the environment and mentality, there's a lot of good things that could be done,” said Gomez. “If we work as a cohesive unit, we can compete against anyone.”
And that’s been the case. The Lions have only seen a limited amount of time of gameday action this season. With only three non-league matches scheduled, the Lions recorded an even 1-1-1 record. Even keeping up with Clayton Valley, who’s ranked No. 6 in Prep2Prep’s rankings. Regardless of the small sample, Gomez is satisfied with the work he has seen from his team.
In Gomez’s gameplan, some centralized players include Shea Gomberg. The Junior centre back has been dominant performance in non-league according to Gomez. Israel Ortiz is a dynamic player for Liberty, scoring the game winning goal in the Lions game vs. Amador Valley. In addition, freshman Gabriel Juarez has a lot of versatility and is expected to be a difference maker by Gomez. Chance Moreland returns in net. Experienced seniors Ryan Tolero, Ethan Alberti, Yahya Habibi and Donovan Bulilan have adapted nicely into Gomez’s system.
“We’re going to be a possession based team and they’re all invested in it,” said Gomez. “We’re going to change this to an environment where everyone wants to be a part of this program.”
Pittsburg
Two years ago, Pittsburg battled it out with De La Salle in the semifinals of the NCS DI championship, coming up short in overtime. The next season, they were knocked out in the first round by De La Salle 10-0.
The landscape of the program has certainly changed from the glory days of the early 10s, but new head coach Nahum Lozano is making the best of his opportunity to help the Pirates get its crown back.
“It’s such a privilege to be the head coach here at Pittsburg,” said Lozano, who served as an assistant coach for the past three years. “I hope they have a really good understanding of what’s ahead because I want this team to be back up top.”
Pittsburg had a promising start, winning the Inderkum tournament, taking down some solid opponents from the Sacramento area. But coming to league play they are on a three-game losing streak, two of which have resulted in shutouts.
The Pirates have been plagued with injuries, with last year’s top goal scorer Quatama Massasoqui being one of them. However, Saul Vasquez has stepped in recording seven games through non-league. All-league kicker Lorenzo Anaya has settled in nicely after the long football season up top. The offense has relied on midfielders Angel Ramirez and Christian Preza holding the mid with Eben Mendez and David Salas flying on the wings. Luis Toribio has been a staple in Pittsburg’s defense.
Heritage
It’s a transition for Heritage as Matt Caniglia stepped down after four years at the helm.
Chris Bonnie takes over, previously serving as the JV coach for the program a couple years back. Taking over this position is something he’s wanted for a while.
“It feels great, but I know I have big shoes to fill as the previous coach did a great job with the program,” said Bonnie. “It has always been a dream of mine to be coaching varsity soccer so I am happy to be now the new coach.”
It hasn’t been the ideal start for the Patriots, going 2-9-1 in league play, after starting the season on an eight-game winless streak, though the two wins include a victory over Amador Valley.
Xander Amatis is a player highlighted by Bonnie to be a shutdown caliber player. With Clayton Yi, Ruben Huerta, Basel Abumalish and Burk Abraha adding threats on Heritage’s offense.
Deer Valley
Deer Valley has gone through a rough patch in non-league. The Wolverines went 1-9, being outscored 48-2.
What could be a very discouraging path, Wolverines coaches have remained optimistic of their players — highlighting that the midfield is the forte of this group, with Omar Caballero and Alexis ** Distributing the balls in the midfield, with Angel Sandoval chipping In to help. Rylan Stowell is one of Deer Valley’s key contributors up top.
Transfer defender Hector Alcaraz was eligible just in time to suit up for the Wolverines. One of the areas top defenders, him and Jordan Hoang will be key players for the back line.
