Fall 2022 high school football preview: TCAL Rock Division
TRI-COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE ROCK DIVISION PREVIEW
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 EL CERRITO
Coach: Jacob Rincon
Fall 2021 record: 9-3
What to expect: The defending Rock Division champions have plenty expected back, led by a quartet of now-seniors who received all-Bay Area News Group honorable mention recognition last fall: DL Rickari Campbell, LB Andrew Nicholds, DB Warren Smith and utility player Jermaine Hargraves. Kamani Jackson, listed as an athlete, also will be a player to keep an eye on as the Gauchos aim to go undefeated through the league schedule once again. Jackson has an offer from San Jose State. Senior DB Tony McAdoo received first-team honors in the Rock Division in 2021 when El Cerrito reached the semifinals of the North Coast Section Division III playoffs, losing a heartbreaker to eventual champion Windsor, 33-32.
Season opener: Aug. 26 vs. Amador Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 2 DE ANZA
Coach: Tyree Reed
Fall 2021 record: 5-5
What to expect: The Dons finished second in the Rock last season and return QB Michael Vanhook, now a junior. He was an all-league honorable mention pick last season. But the team’s top rushers and receivers have graduated, which will probably make it difficult to challenge El Cerrito for the league title. Marcus Gerry, Omar Mendoza and Ronald Williams received all-league honors last season. Gerry and Mendoza are now seniors and Williams is a junior. Junior DL Elijah Benton also made the all-league team in 2021. De Anza’s non-league schedule is definitely formidable. After opening against Encinal, the Dons play McClymonds, Cardinal Newman and Las Lomas.
Season opener: Aug. 26 vs. Encinal, 7 p.m.
No. 3 SALESIAN
Coach: Chad Nightingale
Fall 2021 record: 11-2
What to expect: The Pride might not challenge El Cerrito for the top spot in the league standings but will probably be a factor once the postseason rolls around. In the past two fall seasons – 2019 and 2021 – Salesian captured 6-A state championships. DB Alexis Mendoza received all-league honorable mention recognition as a sophomore last season. Giancarlo Thurmond, now a senior, and Samuel Torres, now a junior, were on the line that helped the Pride rush for 439 yards in a 42-21 victory over Arlington-Riverside in last year’s 6-A final. DE Mian Shah, now a senior, had two of the Pride’s 10 sacks in the state game.
Season opener: Aug. 27 at Archie Williams, 2 p.m.
No. 4 PINOLE VALLEY
Coach: Troy McConico
Fall 2021 record: 4-7
What to expect: Pinole is coming off a fourth-place league finish in 2021. The teams the Spartans beat last fall in the Rock Division – Kennedy-Richmond and St. Patrick-St. Vincent – moved down to the Stone Division this season. DL James Gordon received first-team all-league honors last season as a junior. He also plays quarterback. Three others in Gordon’s class also were recognized on the all-league team last fall: OL, Gage Eda, WR/ATH Ellis Shamsid-Deen and RB Larry McDonald.
Season opener: Aug. 26 at Analy, 7 p.m.
No. 5 HERCULES
Coach: Dean Grecco
Fall 2021 record: 6-4
What to expect: Hercules won the Stone Division title last season. That’s the good news. The not-so-good news? The Titans’ reward was a promotion to the Rock Division even though the team returns only one starter. It graduated 24 seniors and lost three players to transfers. Though inexperience is clearly a factor, Grecco added, “We will be very athletic in the skill positions and much improved up front from the previous season.” Senior center Justin Asuelo was a first-team selection in the Stone Division last fall. He’s a captain and understands the game, Grecco said. Others to watch include RB/CB Davon Kornegay, RB/QB/LB Miguel Chavez, QB/OLB Isaiha Martinez and RB/OLB Samari Stephens.
Season opener: Aug. 26 at Alhambra, 7:30 p.m.
No. 6 BETHEL
Coach: Daniel Martinez
Fall 2021 record: 6-3
What to expect: Promoted from the TCAL’s Stone Division after a second-place finish last season, Bethel will know where it stands right out of the gate. The team opens the season on the road against high-powered Pittsburg. A handful of players who received all-league recognition are expected back this fall for Bethel – OL Sir Fisher, LB Darnell Jeffery, DB Travis Jackson and WR Jordan Ratchford. Fisher, Jackson and Ratchford are seniors and Jeffery is a junior. After playing Pittsburg, Bethel faces Montgomery, Vallejo, Northgate and Benicia before opening league play on Oct. 7 at El Cerrito.
Season opener: Aug. 26 at Pittsburg, 7 p.m.