As a part of our highschool soccer content material to get you prepared for the 2025 season, we’re rolling out previews of all leagues in our protection space.
In the present day’s focus:
DIABLO ATHLETIC LEAGUE VALLEY DIVISION
(Predicted order of end)
No. 1 NORTHGATE
Coach: Ben Ballard
2024 document: 7-4
What to anticipate: Northgate received the DAL Valley final season with an undefeated document in league play, and there’s little motive to imagine the Broncos received’t do it once more this 12 months. Senior LB Damon Oberbruner will lead the protection as a fearsome and bodily edge participant who brings toughness and management. “He’s one of our most reliable players on the field,” Ballard mentioned. Senior DB/WR James Mayse is the anchor of the defensive backfield and a three-year varsity participant who “consistently disrupts plays all over the field and comes downhill when needed to make great tackles,” the coach famous. Senior OL/DL Eren Erdem leads the offensive line with expertise and toughness and is a tone-setter up entrance. “He will set the tempo,” Ballard mentioned whereas additionally praising Erdem’s soccer IQ. Junior RB/DL/WR DeAngelo Smith brings pace, toughness and flexibility and is poised for a robust season after speeding for 85 yards per recreation final 12 months. Junior LB/TE Liam Fruchtenicht has nice measurement and physicality and is a returning starter on each side of the ball. “He showed maturity, toughness, and a high ceiling,” Ballard mentioned. “He’s a key part of our team going forward.” Junior RB/WR/DB Dax Gordon is a speedy, shifty runner with wonderful arms who’s a risk everywhere in the discipline. “He’s one of the most dynamic underclassmen in our program,” Ballard mentioned. Junior OL/DL Brody Irvin is a troublesome, hardworking lineman who’s constant and bodily and has added power within the weight room to construct on the massive strides he took towards the top of final season. Sophomore QB Max Cantrell will take the reins of the offense after main Northgate’s freshman workforce to a 10-0 season final fall. He spins the ball effortlessly and has the poise of a a lot older participant, Ballard mentioned.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Tamalpais, 2 p.m.
No. 2 COLLEGE PARK
Coach: Jack Schram
2024 document: 3-8
What to anticipate: Coming off a troublesome season, Faculty Park is trying to construct upon a robust core of returning gamers to seek out extra success this time round. Junior QB Ethan Havens performed effectively on CP’s JV workforce earlier than struggling a season-ending harm. Senior DE Jonah Lawson is a fast, sturdy and good participant who “will have an outstanding season coming off the edge,” Schram mentioned. Senior OG/DT Brody Holladay is one other sturdy and good participant within the inside who will pressure double groups and assist liberate CP’s linebackers to make performs. Senior LB Josh Rautenstrauch is a troublesome participant who will anchor the protection from the center. Junior RB/CB Demorian McCray is a gifted athlete with big-play capacity who’s a risk to attain on offense, protection and particular groups. Sophomore WR/FS Akeem Smith is one other gifted athlete with Division I potential who “will have a breakout year and be on all colleges’ radar,” Schram mentioned. Senior WR/DB Jayden Auld could possibly be a shock contributor on each side of the ball.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Dougherty Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 3 BENICIA
Coach: C.J. Anderson
2024 document: 5-7
What to anticipate: First-year coach Anderson, a former star working again at Cal and a Tremendous Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos, spelled out his objectives for Benicia in Yr One with a single phrase: COMPETE. Anderson led Monte Vista as head coach for one season in 2021 earlier than stepping down and is now again within the East Bay teaching ranks. He’s the Panthers’ fourth coach in 4 years. Ryan Sarna coached Benicia in 2024 and Scott Swartz was in cost in 2023. Earlier than that, longtime coach Craig Holden ran the present for twenty years, compiling a profession document of 133-93. Anderson might have a couple of returning all-league gamers to fall again on. Senior RB/OLB/MLB Anthony Jordan is a returning first-team all-DAL Valley offensive participant, and senior RB/SB Thomas Jouvenot-Sells is a returning second-teamer. Junior FS/WR Marcel Brisco is a returning first-team defensive participant. The Panthers should substitute departing all-league seniors Morgan Stovold, Antoine Smith, Lawrence Nelson, Donovan Hill, Josh Brooks, Jeryah Machado and Treston Wright.
Associated Articles
Highschool soccer 2025 preview: DAL Mountain Division
Bay Space highschool soccer 2025: The place to seek out our preseason protection
Preseason all-Bay Space Information Group highschool soccer 2025: Linebackers
Highschool soccer 2025 preview: TCAL Rock Division
Highschool soccer 2025 preview: TCAL Stone Division
Season opener: Aug. 29 at Rodriguez, 7 p.m.
No. 4 ALHAMBRA
Coach: Alan Hern
2024 document: 3-7
What to anticipate: After a troublesome 12 months in 2024, Alhambra will look to lean on an skilled offensive line, a strong group of talent gamers and potential at QB this season. Senior middle Erik Murry has improved tremendously from a 12 months in the past and can lead the O-line as a stronger, fitter, dependable and skilled participant. Senior RB Christian Cortez has labored on his physique and is a extra mature participant who will lead from the backfield. Senior LB Logan St. Germain is a returning second-team all-leaguer who’s the good, athletic chief of the protection. Senior S Cade Forrester is a tall, lengthy athlete with good instincts who made a huge impact within the secondary as a junior. Junior G Andres Duarte began towards the top of final season and is the strongest participant on the workforce who additionally boasts a excessive soccer IQ. Junior RB/S Noah Hill opened eyes as a two-way participant throughout Alhambra’s remaining three video games and will probably be a difference-maker this fall as an aggressive, instinctive and elusive playmaker. Junior WR Calvin Spellman is rising into his physique and offers a tall, lengthy goal out broad with huge arms and good pace. Senior DL Vinnie Taylor is a tall, athletic and disruptive D-lineman who will get to the QB and could possibly be Alhambra’s defensive MVP.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Hercules, 7 p.m.
