As part of our high school football content to get you ready for the 2025 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
TRI-COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE ROCK DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 SALESIAN
Coach: Chad Nightingale
Record in 2024: 10-2
What to expect: Salesian will be looking to follow up on its second consecutive 10-win season behind a solid group of skill position players. Wide receiver Carlton Perrilliat, who also is a star on the basketball team, will aim to build off a stellar 2024 season in which he won league MVP honors. He’ll be joined by another basketball standout in 6-foot-6 tight end Jahlil Lindsey, whom Nightingale described as a “potential gamechanger.” Senior receiver Joe Tarin will complete Salesian’s air attack as another big target for sophomore quarterback Isaiah Buchanan. Salesian will also have an experienced offensive and defensive line with Xzavier Owens-Walker and Pharoah Jackson playing both ways. El Cerrito has been the favorite in the TCAL Rock for a number of years, but as the Gauchos go through a rebuild, this could be Salesian’s shot to win its second consecutive league title.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. Piedmont, 1 p.m.
No. 2 EL CERRITO
Coach: Tim Johnson
Record in 2024: 1-8
What to expect: The Gauchos are in a tough spot going into this season. They had a tumultuous 2024 season after an investigation found the East Bay school played multiple ineligible players. The ramifications led to El Cerrito forfeiting six games, sitting out numerous top players, parting ways with longtime coach Jacob Rincon and finishing the season with just one win. On top of that, El Cerrito will be ineligible for the postseason for the next two years. But El Cerrito still has a lot of talent on the roster. Wide receiver Gary Youngblood is set to return for his senior season after leading the Gauchos in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last year. Shifty junior running back Joezon Broussard will be a full-time starter this season after a solid sophomore year. Andrew Brital is an agile offensive lineman that could play tackle, guard or center. Junior quarterback Dejuan Compton Jr., coming off a solid junior varsity season will lead the offense. Johnson, who is entering his first year as head coach, will have his work cut out for him as he lost 23 seniors from last year’s team and eight players transferred out of the program. But El Cerrito has enough talent to vie for a league title.
Season opener: Aug. 29 at San Ramon Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 3 PINOLE VALLEY
Coach: Troy McConico
Record in 2024: 5-5
What to expect: Pinole Valley brings back an experienced group that played a bunch of high-level games as underclassmen. Two-year, all-TCAL defensive lineman/tackle Sanai McCockran is set to return for his senior season. McConico called the 6-2, 230-pound lineman a “next-level talent.” Wide receiver Jalonn Anderson will seek to build off an impressive freshman season in which he picked up two offers from Colorado State and Sacramento State. Running back Gus Georgopoulos, now a senior, led Pinole Valley in rushing last season. The Trojans’ defense will be anchored by tackle Duran Davis, athlete DeAnzer Clark and edge rusher Diego Diaz.
Season opener: Aug. 29 at Skyline, 7 p.m.
No. 4 VALLEJO
Coach: Mike Wilson III
Record in 2024: 7-4
What to expect: Vallejo comes into this season with an experienced offensive line and a group of young skill position players. All-league first-team tackle Llogan Franklin will lead an O-Line that includes three other returning starters. Franklin will be protecting senior quarterback David Buddha Bernstine III, whom Wilson described as “being an impact player since his freshman year.” Elijah Peace started a few games last season at running back and will be a utility player in Vallejo’s offense as a running back and slot receiver. Reigning defensive player of the year Vernus Ragsdale is a solid defensive end that can wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Vallejo will open the year with a tough non-league schedule that includes Highlands and Mt. Diablo.
Season opener: Aug. 29 at Highlands-North Highlands, 7 p.m.
No. 5 ST. MARY’S-BERKELEY
Coach: Trestin George
Record in 2024: 6-4
What to expect: St. Mary’s exceeded expectations last season as the Panthers were in the thick of the league title race up until the last two weeks of the season. But this year will likely be a reset for the Berkeley school as first-year coach Trestin George takes over the program. Quarterback Sutton Ralls will enter his senior year after being the starter last season. Running back Wyatt Swanson was the team’s unquestioned leader last season and will aim to build on a year where he rushed for 950 yards and 17 touchdowns. Senior Jayson Webb is a solid receiver and defensive back that will add athleticism to a roster that consists of only 19 players.
Season opener: Aug. 29 at Deer Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 6 DE ANZA
Coach: Maliik Zaid
Record in 2024: 1-8
What to expect: The Dons struggled last year as they were blown out in almost every game they played. They will have another young group, but there is returning talent that could keep De Anza competitive this season. Senior receiver Jason Miles led the Dons in receiving yards per game (48.4) and will be the team’s top offensive threat. Junior defensive lineman Armoni Ayala had three sacks as a sophomore in 2024 and should be a big factor for De Anza’s defense. Junior Leon Bryant is a versatile athlete and will get time as a wide receiver and at defensive back. De Anza will be looking for its first winning season since 2022.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Alameda