NCS Division 1 Predictions

Photos by Cliff Jackson

By Chris Jackson

Seeds

1. De La Salle
2. Pittsburg
3. California
4. Deer Valley
5. James Logan
6. San Ramon Valley
7. Foothill
8. Granada

9. Amador Valley
10. Freedom
11. San Leandro
12. Liberty
13. Castro Valley
14. Dougherty Valley
15. Irvington

Players to Watch For

Position

WR
RB
DE
RB
RB
DB
DE
LB
QB
QB
WR/DB
RB
WR/DB
DT
RB/LB
RB
WR/RB/DB
RB
DE
RB/DB
OL/DL
RB/DB
RB/WR/DB
RB
QB
WR/DB
RB
QB

Name

Ryan Anderson
Blake Bierwith
Patrick Choudja
Antoine Custer
Marcus De La Pena
Kevin Griffin
Sumner Houston
Malik Hutchings
Stephen Johnson
Kyle Kearns
JJ Koski
Demareyeh Lane
Isaiah Langley
Kahlil McKenzie
Joe Mixon
Namane Modise
Ahki Muhammad
Harris Ross (if he returns)
Larry Ross
Casey Soltis
Boss Tagaloa
Das Tauatalatasi
Robert Taylor
John Velasco
Nsimba Webster
Nzuzi Webster
Michael White
Matt Winaker

School

Foothill
California
Freedom
De La Salle
San Ramon Valley
De La Salle
De La Salle
Deer Valley
San Leandro
Foothill
San Ramon Valley
Castro Valley
Foothill
De La Salle
Freedom
Castro Valley
James Logan
Pittsburg
De La Salle
Granada
De La Salle
De La Salle
Deer Valley
De La Salle
Deer Valley
Deer Valley
Amador Valley
San Ramon Valley

Year

Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
Jr.
Jr.
Sr.
Jr.
Jr.
Sr.
Jr.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
So.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.
Sr.

Projected Champion

De La Salle: In coach Justin Alumbaugh's first year at the helm, everything fell right into place. Finishing
the regular season 10-0, the Spartans have all it takes to win NCS and most likely state. Stellar line play
has been key all season, as they feature on of the top offensive and defensive lines in the nation. Running
back John Velasco has burst onto the scene this year, rushing for over 1300 yards and 19 touchdowns. Teammate
Antoine Custer, only a sophomore, has impressed with 700 rushing yards averaging 9.8 yards per carry. A dominant
secondary hasn't hurt either, with Jerek Rosales, Arizona State commit Das Tautalatasi, and Washington State bound
Kevin Griffin. The Spartans are in cruise control right now, and stopping them is no easy feat.

Projected Runner-Up

Pittsburg: Despite the loss of running back Harris Ross, it's not clear whether he will return or not, but from what it sounds like,
his high school career is not over yet as he believes he will be back soon. The Pirates have enjoyed another successful season,
going undefeated in BVAL play en route to the league title. Running backs Jaylyn Morgan and DeVonte Torrance have made
up for Ross' absence quite well, especially with Morgan's 257 yards last week in the 19-0 win over Antioch.