Despite graduating 17 players from last year’s team that qualified for the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs, Oak Grove is once again the league favorite
Independence 76ers
2010 record: 9-3 overall, 6-1 Santa Teresa Division, reached CCS Division I semifinals
Independence has made tremendous progress in three years under former Sobrato assistant coach Norm Brown and is primed to compete in the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s Mount Hamilton Division behind six returning starters on offense and five on defense.
Led by two-way senior linemen Fernando Villanueva and Edgar Cervantes, the 76ers are big and experienced up front but are mostly unproven at the skill positions.
Expect a big year from senior quarterback Tony Ulu, who guided the team to a share of the Santa Teresa Division title in 2010.
Leland Chargers
2010 record: 8-4 overall, 5-2 league (tied for third), reached CCS Division II semifinals
Though short on depth, Leland should once again compete for a top-three finish behind Chris Santini (fullback/linebacker) and Jason Habash (quarterback), who have drawn the attention of several FBS college programs.
Santini was the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player as a junior.
Mike Carrozzo’s Chargers return eight starters on offense and seven on defense, but their depth is an issue.
Junior running back/defensive back Kenny Portera and sophomore linebacker Jack Pizzo made first-team all-league in 2010, with Portera earning the league’s Sophomore of the Year Award.
Oak Grove Eagles
2010 record: 8-3 overall, 6-1 league (tied for first), reached CCS Open Division first round
Despite graduating 17 players from last year’s team that qualified for the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs, Oak Grove is once again the league favorite.
Winners of seven of the last eight Mount Hamilton Division titles, coach Jay Braun’s Eagles return 33 varsity veterans, including star wideout/defensive back Cleveland Wallace, the league’s 2010 Junior of the Year.
Oak Grove is also led by running back Jacari Carr, tight end Eugene Taylor, quarterback Ray Rivera, defensive back Kenny Nolley and fullback Deion Johns. Those five made the all-league list as juniors.
Piedmont Hills Pirates
2010 record: 11-2 overall, 6-1 league (tied for first, won CCS Division I title)
The pieces fell into place perfectly in Piedmont Hills’ run to the 2010 CCS Division I championship.
The loss of league MVP Stephen Anderson (wideout/linebacker), Most Outstanding Linebacker Jonah Moon, Most Outstanding Offensive Player Juquelle Thompson and first-team all-league quarterback Jason Harms will be tough to overcome this fall, but the Pirates return their leading rusher from 2010 in Johnny Beard, a first-team all-league running back who totaled 1,107 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior.
The Bucs return five starters on offense and defense.
Pioneer Mustangs
2010 record: 3-7 overall, 2-5 league (sixth)
The Mustangs struggled during Eric Perry’s first year as coach but can right the ship in 2011 behind seven returning starters on offense.
Running back Curtis Tanquary should put up big numbers after an all-league junior year. Pioneer also welcomed back seniors Tommy Fickett (guard/defensive end) and Ronald Gezzi (guard/inside linebacker).
Pioneer’s junior varsity team finished 8-2 in 2010.
Santa Teresa Saints
2010 finish: 7-4 overall, 5-2 league (tied for third), reached CCS Division I first round
Replicating last year’s success could be a tall order for coach Nick Alfano’s Saints, who graduated seven all-league honorees.
Santa Teresa does return seven starters on offense and defense, including first-team all-leaguer Michael Thomas (wide receiver) and second-team all-leaguers Andre McClelland (defensive back) and Josh Rojas (running back).
The Saints are also led by senior center/defensive lineman Josh Anaya and junior fullback/linebacker Stephen Neri.
Willow Glen Rams
2010 record: 11-2 overall, 6-1 Santa Teresa Division (tied for first, won CCS Division II title)
MVP quarterback Mitch Ravizza (3,357 yards passing, 37 touchdowns in 2010) is back for the defending CCS Division II champs, but his supporting cast is largely new, save for all-league tight end/linebacker Mark Amann.
Coach Oscar Caballero’s Rams also return first-team all-league defensive back Bret Bigger second-team all-league honorees Joe Gotelli (wideout/defensive back), James Johnson (running back/linebacker) and Nick Oreglia (offensive line/linebacker).
