Fight in the PAL De Anza Division should be fierce

The De Anza Division had the biggest shakeup in the five-division PAL, with only two holdover teams from 2023. Returning in 2024 are Hillsdale and the King’s Academy. Out are Menlo School and Palo Alto (moved up to Bay Division), Half Moon Bay (Ocean Division) and Homestead (El Camino Division).

Replacing them are Aragon, Burlingame, Capuchino and Mountain View.

Aragon and Capuchino earned a promotion from the Ocean Division after sharing the title in 2023, with the Mustangs topping the Dons in the Ocean Division finale to forge the tie.

The Mustangs continue their rise through the PAL ranks. When coach Jay Oca took over prior to the 2019 season, Capuchino was mired in the Lake Division. In the COVID spring season of 2021, the Mustangs moved into the Ocean Division and spent the next four years there before advancing to the De Anza for 2024.

“We’re good. We’re competitive. I feel good about the team,” Oca said. “We’re well prepared, which I haven’t been able to say in a long time.”

Burlingame may be moving down from the Bay Division, but the Panthers proved last year they could compete with the PAL’s best and should expect to contend for the De Anza this season. They’re joined by Mountain View, which finished last in the Bay last season, but should be more competitive in a division more the Spartans’ speed in 2024.

“In some ways, it was an honor to be in what is considered the best division in the PAL,” Burlingame head coach John Philipopoulos said. “But we got kinda misplaced in the Bay Division last year. It was tough going. I do feel like the De Anza is the same (as the Bay) — great players and good programs. It’s more in our competitive realm.”

Hillsdale has established itself as an upper echelon program in the PAL and the Fighting Knights have proved they can play with anybody, as their upset of the Bay Division’s Sacred Heart Prep last season proved. It’s their second year in the PAL’s second-best division and the Knights have plenty of talent to be in contention.

“I thought last year was competitive. This year, it might be even more so,” Hillsdale coach Mike Parodi said. “I’d be surprised if somebody went undefeated. The league is pretty balanced.”

The King’s Academy, with its fourth-year varsity starting quarterback Reid Black and a run game that is tough to contain, rounds out the the six-team division.

“They would probably be the favorite,” Parodi said of King’s. “They have a four-year varsity quarterback and a ton of great skill players.”

As far playoff spots, the PAL differentiates from the CCS. The section says the PAL’s Bay and De Anza divisions are allowed four automatic berths, with the Ocean and El Camino each receiving two playoff spots along with the Lake Division champion.

But there is a stipulation that says leagues are allowed to change those numbers, as long as it’s a part of the league’s bylaws.

The PAL has decided that those eight playoff berths will be broken down with the Bay getting five automatic bids and just the top three in the De Anza going through, which means the competition to finish first, second or third should be fierce.

Aragon Dons

2023: 4-1 Ocean, 8-3 overall

2023 playoffs: Lost 33-21 to Scotts Valley in first round of Division III

It’s whole new season for the Dons and the start of a new era. Not only is Aragon having to replacing a 1,200-yard rusher and a nearly two-year starting quarterback, the Dons usher in the Ash Parham Era. He takes over as head coach from Steve Sell, who stepped down last season after 24 seasons as head man.

Parham isn’t new to Aragon. A 1999 grad, he’s been on Sell’s staff since 2009.

He will tweak Aragon’s offense to suit his style, but will remain with the Dons’ traditional run-heavy attack. And instead of looking to replace Ivan Nisa one-for-one Ivan, they’ll recreate him in the aggragate with fullback Pau’uvale Hokafonu and halfback Markus Gosch.

“[Hokafonu] is a tough runner. He’s awfully tough between the tackles,” Parham said. “We’ll get [Gosch] out in space.”

They’ll be running behind a line that features some experience with some young potential. Senior Devin Faaumu anchors the front as a returning third-year varsity player. Villiami Fa will assume a bigger role on the line, while sophomore Oye Oyegbami was a standout on the JV team as a freshman last season.

Senior Jalen Scroggins returns as a big-play playmaker on the outside, offensively and defensively, as a receiver and defensive back. But look for the Dons to get the ball into his hands more this year.

He’ll team with Josh Jacobs, another returner who recently committed to Claremont McKenna as a pitcher. Connor Reidy gives the Dons a third returning WR/CB combo and continues a trend of athletic versatility for Aragon.

The biggest question mark is at quarterback, where senior Charlie Henderson and sophomore Isaiah Johnson are still battling for the job.

“I’m looking for someone to take charge,” Parham said.

Defense sees senior Kevin Wright moving out of the defensive end spot to his more familiar linebacker position, making room for 6-3, 205-pound sophomore Nick Castroviejo, who will also see time at tight end.

— Nathan Mollat

Burlingame Panthers

2023: 1-4 PAL Bay, 3-8 overall

2023 playoffs: lost first round Division IV to Mountain View, 49-21

The Panthers are never the biggest, nor the strongest and not even close to the fastest team around, but they may be one of the of the best-coached teams in the PAL as John Philipopoulos gets every ounce of talent out of his roster.

So despite entering a bit of a rebuild in 2024, underestimate Burlingame at your own risk.

“We’re pretty young. We’ve got six sophomores on varsity and a freshman. Maybe we’re a little younger than we’ve had in the past. ... But I like our youth, I like our experience,” Philipopoulos said.

Most of that experience is in the defensive secondary, where the Panthers return all four starters at defensive back. Jake Flood was the Panthers’ only all-league player in the Bay Division last season, accomplishing that at receiver. But he is also the team’s top cornerback. Hayden Habba, who started as a sophomore, will be joined by two other seniors — Lucas Kirk and Luke Dimech, who both got injured and missed time in 2023.

Dimech and Habba are also expected to see plenty of time in the offensive backfield, along with Cole Hardtke. But those three combined for just 59 yards rushing.

“It’s going to be a lot of committee and a lot of rotation,” Philipopoulos said of running back stable.

Philipopoulos said his offensive line is better than last season, which should help the Panthers inexperienced backs find some hole to run through.

Hopefully new starting quarterback Luke Levitt can take some of the pressure off the running game. Despite being a backup last season, Levitt, who has verbally committed to play at Pomona Pitzer College, did see some playing time in 2023, throwing for 333 yards in limited appearances.

“He’s got a strong arm, throws a great ball, is extremely accurate,” Philipopoulos said. “He’s been doing an excellent job (in the offseason). He started our playoff game. … He and Jake Flood have an outstanding connection.”

— Nathan Mollat

Capuchino Mustangs

2023: 4-1 Ocean, 8-3 overall

2023 playoffs: Lost 20-17 to Alisal in first round of Division III

The Mustangs will go as far as running back Lucas Zayac will take them. The reigning Ocean Division Player of the Year proved to be one of the most versatile backs in the PAL. In addition to rushing for more than 1,000 yards, he was equally dangerous catching the ball and even throwing it. The Mustangs continue its tradition of trick plays and Zayac is usually in the middle of the them.

“He can just do it all,” said Capuchino head coach Jay Oca. “All eyes are on him. Everybody around the league know who he is. He’s going to have a lot of expectations.”

Zayac is one of the most versatile athletes at the school, as he also stars as a shortstop and catcher for the Mustangs baseball team.

But he won’t have to do it all alone as Oca will also use junior Carmelo Villareal to give Zayac a breather.

Junior quarterback Bobby Gomez will be tasked with running the offense as a first-year varsity starter. Despite being getting his first starting nod, the Serra transfer was in the program last year, but didn’t become eligible until the playoffs.

“Very high football IQ and can make a lot of throws,” Oca said.

Senior Isaiah Keishk will be one of Gomez’s main targets as a wideout, while also seeing double duty as a defensive back.

The offensive line lost a number of seniors, but they do return Garren Chew, a now three-year varsity lineman. He’ll be moving from tackle to the quarterback position of the offensive line, center.

Chew will also see time on the defensive line, which is anchored by 5-9, 230-pound defensive end, senior Mafi Folau as Oca will have to mix and match on the line to make sure to keep his charges fresh.

It’s only fitting that a coach’s son become the leader of the defensive unit and that’s what Javon Oca is at middle linebacker, where he will quarterback the defense.

“He’s kind of the braintrust,” Coach Oca said.

While the Mustangs don’t have a lot of returning starters, Coach Oca said he does have a number of players who saw limited time in 2023 moving into starting roles in 2024.

“They got a lot of reps spot playing last year,” Coach Oca said. “Everyone has been in the system (for several years).”

— Nathan Mollat

Hillsdale Fighting Knights

2023: 3-2 De Anza, 7-4 overall

2023 playoffs: First-round loss to Menlo-Atherton 49-37 in Division III

The Knights might be the most complete team heading into the season, with 10 returning starters. They may be looking to replace their starting quarterback and top receivers, but they have plenty of talent returning.

That includes top running back Dante Allendorf, who despite a small frame, proved adept at running inside and out last season as he finished with 544 yards on an even 100 carries, including a pair of 100-yard games.

The running game will be aided by the return of three starting offensive linemen and should be set for 2025 with four juniors playing on the line this season. Senior Johnny Agelopoulos will lead the way at center, with juniors Angel Trujillo-Ramirez and Tommy Schultz holding down guard and tackle spots, respectively.

“It’s nice to have some experience coming back,” Hillsdale head coach Mike Parodi said.

Having three returners on the line and experienced running back should take some of the pressure off new starting quarterback, Casey Strezo, who served as the main backup last year, getting just a couple of snaps in 2023.

“I don’t need him to make big plays, just try to make the right play,” Parodi said.

He’ll be aided by a slew of returning receivers. Kyle King and Jack Haywood return for their senior seasons after combining for nearly 1,000 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. Parodi hopes for more production from another senior, Jorge Hernandez, who caught 13 passes, while Allendorf is also a threat out of the backfield.

The defensive line in anchored by a pair of three-year varsity players — Gavin Blos and Derek Holmes, who missed the last half of the season with injury. Stinson McCann is the defensive leader from his linebacker spot, a three-year starter who can play sideline-to-sideline and led the team in tackles 2023. Kingston Hua returns as the Knights’ top cornerback, who had three of Hillsdale’s five interceptions last year.

— Nathan Mollat

The King’s Academy Knights

2023: 3-2 De Anza, 6-4 overall

2023 playoffs: none

The good news for Knights’ opponents is that they won’t have to plan for graduated running back Jaeden Underwood, who wrapped up his high school career with more than 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns last year and more than 3,000 rushing yards in a three-year varsity career.

The bad news is opponent will still have to contend with starting quarterback Reid Black, who enters his fourth season as a varsity starter. While not a prolific passing team, Black has thrown for more than 3,000 yards during his varsity career and is coming off a 2023 campaign that saw him throw for nearly 1,500 yards.

King’s will probably have to rely on Black more than ever this season. Not only does he return under center, he is also the Knights’ returning leading rusher, but with just 59 yards.

If the Knights’ passing game takes on even bigger role this season, at least they return their top two receivers from last season — junior Kyle Welch and senior Grant Shanafelt. The duo combined for 1,065 of the team’s 1,584 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns.

Those two also excelled in the defensive secondary, combining for 13 passes defended, with Shanafelt coming up with a team-leading three interceptions.

Defensively, King’s will miss the graduated Matthew Kennedy and Ethan Price. Kennedy led the team with 110 tackles, while Price notched 11.5 sacks. Micah Lokensgard and Joshua Taylor will have to step up into more significant roles this season.

— Nathan Mollat

Mountain View Spartans

2023: 0-5 Bay, 6-7 overall

2023 playoffs: Beat Burlingame 49-21 first round Division IV; beat Branham 38-34 in DIV semifinals; lost 34-33 to Palo Alto in DIV title game

All you need to know is the Spartans went winless in the Bay Division in 2023, yet still managed to make it to the CCS Division IV championship game, falling to eventual champ Palo Alto by a point.

Having lost starting quarterback Kevin Conway to graduation, Mountain View will have to decide on what to do with senior returner Viliami Sekona. Not only did Sekona serve as a backup QB, he also was second on the team in rushing and second in receiving.

He saw time as a backup QB in 2023, completing 50% of 30 passes for 317 yards, and accounted for 406 yards rushing and receiving. The two leaders in those categories from last year combined for nearly 2,800 yards and 34 TDs.

Sekona will also be a leader in the defensive secondary, as he finished with four interceptions. Daniel Tejada is the team’s leading returning tackler, finishing with 74 stops in 2023.

While returning few starters, the Spartans have a number of players who saw spot duty last year and will expected to take on expanded roles in 2024.

— Nathan Mollat

Editor's note: The spelling of Hillsdale's Derek Holmes has been updated.