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:
WEST ALAMEDA COUNTY CONFERENCE MISSION DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 HAYWARD
Coach: Virgil Hart
2024 record: 6-5
What to expect: Don’t sleep on Hayward. The Farmers, who finished as the runner-up to undefeated Piedmont in league play last year, could be poised to snatch the crown for themselves this season. Senior Maurice Hall, a three-star running back with an offer from San Jose State, returns as the centerpiece of Hayward’s hopes. Coach Virgil Hart said Hall’s explosive playmaking ability “will be a key asset for our offense.” Hall had 27 TDs and 2,000 combined rushing and receiving yards in 2024. Junior QB Jayden Irving will have a strong group of receivers with game-changing potential to throw to. Junior LT/DE Jeremiah Williams has the motor and size to play in college. He gave up no sacks offensively while consistently getting after the opposing QB. Senior DE/OT Sir Gabourel has an offer from Northern Arizona and will play all over the D-line. Aptly named junior WR/DB Isiah Spearman will look to spear more balls after a big sophomore year playing both ways out wide. Irving will look for Spearman and his other targets in the pattern after a strong sophomore year where he was named second-team all-league. Senior RT/DE/DT Tevita Paongo is a three-year varsity starter who brings physicality and speed to both sides of the ball. “Tevita is hungry and is wanting to set a new standard here at Hayward High,” Hart said. Senior TE/DE Tywan Melrose comes off an impressive junior year and will bring physicality after being named first-team all-league at defensive end last season.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Moreau Catholic, 7 p.m.
No. 2 PIEDMONT
Coach: Jordan Seiden
2024 record: 10-2
What to expect: Piedmont, which was unbeaten in league play last season, should have another good year even if the Highlanders don’t ultimately win the title. “We’re very young this year,” Seiden said. “Going to take some lumps.” Nevertheless, they plan to compete. “The top half of the league is going to be a dog fight,” Seiden said. “We’re looking for our third league title in a row.” Piedmont graduated 16 seniors from last year’s championship squad, including “all-everything” QB Markos Lagios. Luckily, there’s another Lagios in the family. Younger brother Jimmy Lagios will step under center and take the reins this year. Jimmy, a sophomore, had 2,000 yards passing and 25 TDs to two interceptions on JV last season. “Talent is through the roof,” Seiden said. Senior OL/DL Adrian Kondakov is a leader by example who is a two-year all-leaguer and the most experienced player on the team. He has been in the program for four years and “has rarely missed a workout, training session, or practice of any kind,” Seiden said. “He’s started every snap for us and has never missed a game, much less a play due to injury or bad play.” Senior WR Dash Waters-Worthen is another team leader who “does the little things on the field that promote winning,” Seiden said. “Blocks for others, makes the plays when they come to him, willing to fill in when and wherever he’s needed.” Senior Xavier Henderson is a Swiss Army knife and true playmaker who “can line up anywhere on the field and take over a game.” He had 10 TDs over Piedmont’s final five games last year. Senior OL/DL Bill Ashton is a returning all-leaguer who leads the trenches alongside Kondakov and dominates the interior with his attitude and effort. Junior RB/DB Rehan Muraz is a standout track star and one of the fastest players on the team who will contribute on both sides of the ball and on special teams. Junior RB/LB Colby Huang will center the defense at middle linebacker and be a primary ball-carrier offensively.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Salesian, 1 p.m.
No. 3 NEWARK MEMORIAL
Coach: Brad Tubbs
2024 record: 6-5
What to expect: Newark Memorial has a talented group, but replacing 18 graduated seniors will be a challenge. The Cougars have multiple strengths to lean on, though, especially in the run game. “Plan to see our explosive backfield pack a punch this season with our standout players,” Tubbs said. “We expect our gritty defense to push the limits of our opponents.” Junior OT/DE Wali Salemi is an up-and-coming underclassman who will lead the lines of scrimmage and is looking to “take the league by storm,” Tubbs said. Senior RB Jacob Malimban had a standout season in 2024. He “has put in the work and is ready to exceed last year’s performance and take his team back to playoffs,” Tubbs said. Senior RB Tristan Lat is a tremendous worker and team leader expected to be one of the league’s top backs. Senior FS/WR/K Giocarlo Anguiano is a returning first-team kicker and DB with 10 career interceptions who will chase the league’s defensive MVP award. Senior QB Josh Gardetto has “amazing athleticism and knowledge” and will look to make a statement after a short season last year. Senior SS/RB Isaiah San Pedro is a track star coming off a record-breaking season that was cut short due to a serious injury. “He is looking to come back to finish what he started,” Tubbs said. Senior WR/CB Isaac Jason Flores is a standout corner who will also fill the No. 1 receiver role and “is expected to have a breakout season on both sides of the ball,” Tubbs said.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Concord, 7 p.m.
No. 4 IRVINGTON
Coach: Anthony Jackson
2024 record: 6-4
What to expect: After a strong season last year, Irvington’s senior-laden group looks to make some more noise in 2025. “We have 16 seniors this season,” Jackson said. “We have eight returners on defense and feel good about our ability to adapt.” Junior WR/DB Gabrial Aruwah conceded just one catch in man coverage last year and was a first-team WR who could have a breakout season. Senior WR/RB/DB Ethan Insixiengmay was all-conference as a sophomore and will be a two-way difference marker after missing most of last season with injury. Senior OL/DL Carlos Lopez is a three-year two-way starter who is big, experienced and skilled. Senior DB/WR Brayden Kubiak led Irvington with seven interceptions as a junior and is primed for a big year this fall. Senior ILB Tommy Chang is a three-year starter in the middle of the defense and is the Vikings’ physical and spiritual leader. Senior OL/DL/HB Auggie Sedano has played 25 varsity games in his career and will be an anchor in the trenches for Irvington. Freshman RB Joseph Shen could be a breakout player who helps Irvington find balance in the offensive backfield.
Season opener: Aug. 29 at Gunderson, 7 p.m.
No. 5 WASHINGTON-FREMONT
Coach: Fernando Sotelo
2024 record: 3-7
What to expect: After a tough year in 2024, Washington could be a contender in the Mission this season. The Huskies have a young group with senior leadership at the skill positions. Senior slot receiver/strong safety Joseph Guerra is Washington’s best player, a dynamic two-way talent. Junior QB Bryan Bullock is a great decision-maker with speed who runs really well in the open field. Senior TE/DE Michael Moreno is a three-year varsity player who is strong, has good hands and can cause havoc for opposing QBs. Senior C/DT Mason Schneider is an impact player on both sides of the ball and could have a breakout year. Senior RB/FS Cameron Redd is a great runner with “impeccable vision,” Sotelo said.
Season opener: Aug. 29 at Weston Ranch, 7 p.m.
No. 6 KENNEDY-FREMONT
Coach: Brenton Hagood
2024 record: 3-7
What to expect: Kennedy’s record last season indicates a team figuring things out, but key pieces return that could make this year a different story. “We will have a young team this year,” Hagood said. “Even though they will be young, we feel they will be competitive. We are excited about the potential this team has.” Senior OL Jacob Dominguez is a returning all-leaguer and four-year varsity starter who will be the starting point for Kennedy up front. Senior WR/DB Jaden Roman is another four-star starter and previous all-leaguer who will be the primary target out wide. Senior WR/DB Ethan Kennedy is a great athlete and competitor and “will be a big contributor to the team this year,” Hagood said. Two-way junior lineman Jahcell Harris is an up-and-coming player who “will be a problem for teams for the next two seasons,” the coach added. Senior RB/DB Josiah Sweat is a great athlete with a great motor who will be a sizable component of Kennedy’s offensive attack. “An extremely important piece of our offense,” Hagood said of Sweat.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Mt. Eden, 7 p.m.