High school football 2024 preview: PAL Bay Division
As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
PENINSULA ATHLETIC LEAGUE BAY DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 LOS GATOS
Coach: Mark Krail
2023 record: 12-3
What to expect: Despite graduating Bay Area News Group player of the year Jaylen Thomas and all-BANG players A.J Minyard and Boxer Kopcsak-Yeung, Los Gatos is still the favorite to win the league. Mark Krail, who will be exclusively a coach after retiring from teaching in June, said, “We will be younger, and have some experience challenges, but we have a talented roster and should be very competitive.” Senior linebackers Henry Masters and RJ Cannan return as starters from last season’s CCS Division I and NorCal championship team. TE Owen Panu and WR Max Thomas should put up big numbers in larger roles this season. Beau Musser brings big-play speed to the offense. Leo Cocchiglia and Matt Ludeman are both experienced blockers and will be tasked with keeping senior QB Scotty Brennan clean. Krail expects “great things” from Scotty, the son of Arizona coach Brent Brennan. An Oct. 4 game at Pittsburg is one of the premier matchups of the intersectional Bay Area schedule.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Soquel, 7:30 p.m.
No. 2 WILCOX
Coach: Paul Rosa
2023 record: 8-5
What to expect: Entering his 10th season, Paul Rosa has Wilcox poised for another battle with Los Gatos for a league title. Rosa said the offensive line is the strength of his run-heavy team, with Michael Gonzalez, Ryan Castillo and all-league pick Jacob Smith anchoring the unit. The defense won’t be shabby either, with all-league selection Brayden Rosa transitioning from linebacker to safety. DE Adam Kenney is 6-6 and 230 pounds, putting on 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason in preparation for what should be a big senior season. Quarterback Kai Imahara and RB Jeiman De Los Santos will have an opportunity to shine in the veer offense, and Brayden Rosa is also expected to get carries at fullback. Wilcox starts the season with four consecutive home games, starting with Valley Christian.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Valley Christian, 7 p.m.
No. 3 SACRED HEART PREP
Coach: Mark Grieb
2023 record: 6-5
What to expect: The Gators will rely on an old-fashioned strategy of leaning on the rushing game, defense and special teams to make a run at the PAL Bay title. Aseli Fangupo has been on varsity for four seasons and returns as the league’s lineman of the year. Chase Smith lines up at center and long-snapper for the Gators. McKinley Palmer and Elliot Spieker are both rangy athletes who are comfortable lining up at receiver and roaming the secondary on defense. Greg Gamitian has quick feet and is an elusive rusher, and Kyle Chai could be the team’s top receiver. Nathan Fox was the special teams player of the year a season ago and made 3 of 5 field goals and 35 of 36 PATs.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Seaside, 7 p.m.
No. 4 MENLO-ATHERTON
Coach: Chris Saunders
2023 record: 5-7
What to expect: After two sub-.500 seasons, Menlo-Atherton has all of the pieces to make a dark horse run at the league title. Reigning PAL Bay linebacker of the year Devin Hyde is committed to Washington and has Power Four measurables at 6-5 and 250 pounds. Senior QB Xander Eschelman is healthy again after struggling with injuries last season. Teddy Dacey is a versatile athlete who can play DB and WR. He took snaps at QB last season. Receivers Angelo Marin, JT Roeder and Mateo Cuellar-Koh are all able to play on both sides of the ball, with Marin the team’s best offensive playmaker. Jordan Lavulo is a gritty 270-pound lineman who will anchor the offensive line. M-A will be tested early against WCAL schools Bellarmine and Archbishop Mitty in non-league play.
Season opener: Aug. 31 vs. Bellarmine, 2 p.m.
No. 5 MENLO SCHOOL
Coach: Todd Smith
2023 record: 10-2
What to expect: After reaching the CCS Division II semifinals in 2023, the Knights have been promoted to the PAL’s highest division. Leading the way for Menlo is a pair of veteran linebackers. Jamie Forese was the PAL De Anza Division’s linebacker of the year. He had some 115 tackles and 14.5 TFL last season. Palmer Riley was also all-league and had a whopping 21 TFL. Junior quarterback Jack Freehill, who split reps with the graduated Mikey McGrath, should be the team’s fulltime starter this season. Senior receivers Jack Enright and Ryan Jabal are in line for much larger roles in the passing game. Two-way lineman David Mhatre had eight sacks and 14.5 TFL despite being listed at only 190 pounds.
Season opener: Aug. 31 vs. Tennyson, 7 p.m.
No. 6 PALO ALTO
Coach: Dave DeGeronimo
2023 record: 8-6
What to expect: After a banner season that included a second consecutive CCS championship – this time in Division IV over Mountain View – the Vikings have moved up to the Bay Division. Three-star WR/SS Jeremiah Fung will shine on both sides of the ball. He caught seven touchdown passes last season. He and WR Jake Wang will be inviting targets for sophomore QB Justin Fung. Hard-hitting linebacker Joe Kessler will also play a big role as a tough-running fullback. Peyton Wehner will be expected to play a big role next to Kessler at LB. JJ Stallworth, a 325-pound lineman, is an imposing blocker on the line and will open holes for 235-pound running back Mailangi Tongi. Will visit Mountain View in a rematch of the CCS title game to open the season.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Mountain View, 7 p.m.