As Freedom and Liberty suit up on Friday night against non-league opponents, it will mark the first Bay Valley Athletic League football action in over a year. In a period and season like no other with a five-game intra-division sprint and no playoffs, we take a look at each team as it prepares for the year.
ANTIOCH
Head Coach: John Lucido
2019 Record: (2-8, 2-3 BVAL)
After starting last season 0-5, Antioch incorporated a wing-T offense. The Panthers finished 2-3 in league and took it to Pittsburg in the Big Little Game, losing just 42-41.
They hope to see more progression this season in that same scheme.
“With the limited practice time we have we felt continuing the wing-T ish offense we did to end the 2019 season was best. We had our best offensive success last year when we switched and we feel it fits our team identity. It utilizes multiple ball carriers and helps some of our lighter quicker linemen. The kids have embraced it well and are excited for this five-game season,” explained offensive coordinator Brett Dudley. “The goal is always to win, but more so than ever with a short season we want to make sure the kids have some great memories and friendships they’ll cherish the rest of their lives.”
Starting quarterback Rocco Borrelli will look for success this season in his second year under center for the team. In a run-centric offense like that of Antioch, Borrelli will rely on RB/WRs Dervon “Wuu” Fryerson and Jorge Hernandez to make plays for the Panthers. Nebraska-bound defensive end Jailen Weaver will look to finish his career on a high note.
Notable Players:
QB: Rocco Borrelli
RB/WR: Dervon “Wuu” Fryerson
RB/WR: Jorge Hernandez
DE/T: Jailen Weaver
LB/RB: Cameron Wright
DEER VALLEY
Head Coach: Andrew Cotter
2019 Record: (0-10, 0-5 BVAL)
There is nowhere to go but up for the Wolverines this season, coming off of a 0-10 2019. After veering close to it last season, Deer Valley will be without a JV team this year.
“I would say that people that have moved up to varsity have been showing up to ball,” said senior leader and two-way starter Bryson Parker. “They have been stepping up and I think they’ll be ready to play varsity football”
The Wolverines will look to senior Reggie Hill to step up in his first season at starting quarterback for the team. Parker will take on a big role for the team as well, playing both ways and encompassing being a “team player” in every sense of the term.
The energy of the team is high and they are excited to get back on the field. Skill players Kamel Jones and Richard Felder as well as defensive back Jelani Jones and lineman Keion Venson will look to make an impact for the team.
Notable Players:
QB: Reggie Hill
RB: Kamel Jones
WR: Richard Felder
WR/DB: Bryson Parker
DB: Jelani Jones
OL/DL: Keion Venson
FREEDOM
Head Coach: Robert Hubbard
2019 Record: (3-7, 3-2 BVAL)
After the graduation of senior quarterback Jake Byrne, junior Les Callen will look to take the ropes of the offense this year. After waiting in the wings, Callen is ready to seise his opportunity.
“It feels great to come into the season as the starter,” exclaimed Callen. “I can’t wait to lead our team into the first game of the season. One team, one goal, and that is to be great”
Callen will have a familiar target in all league wide receiver DeNiro Killian. Starting defensive backs Vincent Nunley and Tyler Leopolo will look to fasten down the other side of the ball for the Falcons.
Opening up against Campolindo on Friday, Freedom will be one of three BVAL teams to start their season with a non-league opponent before the 5 game sprint of inter-league play
Notable Players:
QB: Les Callen
RB: Jordan Lee
WR: DeNiro Killian
DB: Vincent Nunley
DB: Tyler Leopolo
DL: Caleb Hunter
HERITAGE
Head Coach: Dave Fogelstrom
2019 Record: (2-8, 1-4 BVAL)
The Dave Fogelstrom era will finally begin for the Patriots Saturday night versus Granda. After seven years under Don Sanders, Heritage will look to a familiar face to take over the helm. Teaching at Heritage since it opened its doors in 2005 and formally serving on the football coaching staff, Fogelstrom will look to create a new culture and identity for the team.
“I have been at Heritage since the day it opened and have watched it grow,” explained Fogelsrom. “I understand the school culture and know the students. I always wanted to teach and coach at the same school and now I have that opportunity.
"Both of my own kids went through Heritage and were varsity athletes. I know what it feels like to be a parent of a Heritage athlete, a coach, plus a teacher who has athletes in his class. This gives me a great well-rounded perspective of our athletic programs.”
After struggling with injuries last season, senior quarterback Asher Haynes will look to be the guy for Heritage this season. That along with playmakers Hanai Muhammad, Devon Rivers, and Tanner Hartwig will power the Patriot offense. 2019 BVAL co-interception leaders Jaden Price and Jayden Ennis will look to replicate their success this season on the defensive side of the ball, with Ennis being a two-way starter for the team.
Notable Players:
QB: Asher Haynes
RB: Hanai Muhammad
RB: Devon Rivers
WR: Tanner Hartwig
WR/DB: Jayden Ennis
DB: Jaden Price
LIBERTY
Head Coach: Matt Hoefs
2019 Record: (10-2, 4-1 BVAL)
It has been a whirlwind of an offseason for the Liberty football team.
The Lions started the offseason by graduating top players and CIF champions in Jay Butterfield, Payton Zdroik and Akili Calhoun. Following this, head coach Ryan Partridge announced his move to coach at Ferris State University - and subsequently as Director of High School Scouting and Recruiting at Arizona - and 4-star quarterback Jaden Rashada added his name to the list of players that transferred out of the program following the big changes.
The Lions are now under the direction of former Liberty defensive coordinator Matt Hoefs. In his first season at the helm, Hoefs will turn to underclassmen Nate Bell to quarterback the new-look Lions.
“Going into the start of the season we knew Nate was pretty talented,” said Hoefs. “He played freshman football last season, so it was good to see him up with varsity and see his development. He was in a pretty good quarterback battle in the offseason, and he won that job. We had a junior at the time competing with him and part of me thought the junior was going to take the job at any moment, but Nate never surrendered. He just kept improving and understands the offense very well. I feel like he's going to thrive in our scheme this season.”
Helping the sophomore quarterback on offense will be wide receivers Anthony Ruiz and Leo Reichhold. In addition, two-way starter Jalen Thompson, who Hoefs described as their “hidden gem” after struggling with injuries the last few years, will get significant action at running back. In his third year of varsity action, junior linebacker Colin Borrelli will look to step up for the Lions on defense along with senior leader Trevor McCurry on the line.
Notable Players:
QB: Nate Bell
RB/LB: Jalen Thompson
WR: Anthony Ruiz
WR: Leo Reichhold
LB: Colin Borrelli
DL: Trevor McCurry
PITTSBURG
Head Coach: Victor Galli
2019 Record: (11-2, 5-0 BVAL), BVAL Champions
Longtime Pittsburg head coach Victor Galli will face a tough decision before the team's home opener against Freedom next Friday. That decision will be that of naming his starting quarterback to start the season. The two candidates are senior 3-star transfer Eli Brickhandler, and a former Lion in 4-star sophomore Jaden Rashada. While this may be a tough decision, a plethora of talent is definitely a good “problem” to have for the Pirates.
“It's been a good healthy competition,” said Galli. “They are both splitting the reps, and they are both doing well. We aren’t there yet, but the good news is they’re friends. I’m seeing a scenario where they are both going to play. The QB competition between Jerry Johnson and Santino Chavez came down to the wire last year, and we have another good quarterback situation this year which we haven't always had.”
Whoever is under center for the Pirates will have the pleasure of throwing to 4-star wide receiver Rashid Williams, who caught five touchdown passes in his freshman season last year. Another asset will be Freedom transfer Matt Quesada who will try to live up to his father's Pirate legacy. Two-way players Areon Williams and Israel Polk will try to help defend the BVAL crown while LB Maurice Jamison will also make his mark on the league this season for Pittsburg.
Notable Players:
QB: Jaden Rashada
QB: Eli Brickhandler
WR: Rashid Williams
WR: Matt Quesada
WR/DB: Areon Williams
WR/DB: Israel Polk
LB: Maurice Jamison
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BVAL Schedule
Week 0: March 12-13
Campolindo @ Freedom
Edison @ Liberty
Granada @ Heritage
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Week 1: March 19
Deer Valley @ Heritage
Liberty @ Antioch
Freedom @ Pittsburg
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Week 2: March 26
Antioch @ Freedom
Pittsburg @ Heritage
Deer Valley @ Liberty
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Week 3: April 2
Heritage @ Freedom
Antioch @ Deer Valley
Liberty @ Pittsburg
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Week 4: April 9
Freedom @ Liberty
Pittsburg @ Deer Valley
Heritage @ Antioch
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Week 5: April 16
Heritage @ Liberty
Freedom @ Deer Valley
Pittsburg @ Antioch
