As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2025 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
OAKLAND ATHLETIC LEAGUE
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 MCCLYMONDS
Coach: Michael Peters
2024 record: 8-5
What to expect: Another season of domination, a trip to a NorCal regional and a spot in a state championship game is the standard at this West Oakland powerhouse. The most athletic team in The Town and has what should be one of the top defenses in NorCal. Rahsjon Duncan has been a starter since his freshman season and the 6-foot-2 defensive back has over 25 college offers. Koi Taiese is a 320-pound defensive lineman who is committed to San Diego State, and lineman Philip McElroy is a junior coming off a 13-sack season. Joining Duncan in the defensive backfield are sophomore Jessie King and 6-4 Prince Staten. Most Mack players are expected to excel on both sides of the ball for a program that rarely dresses more than 25 on varsity. Mack has once again loaded its non-league schedule. It opens the season at Archbishop Riordan on Aug. 30 and plays host to St. Francis on Sept. 5. Trips to Santa Cruz, Mt. Diablo and the always-strong California round out the non-league slate.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Archbishop Riordan, 2 p.m.
No. 2 OAKLAND
Coach: Terry Hendrix
2024 record: 8-4
What to expect: The Wildcats are coming off an appearance in the Silver Bowl, and their air-raid attack should light up the skies yet again in coach Terry Hendrix’s third season by Lake Merritt. Junior quarterback Lenox Colvin threw for 25 touchdowns a year ago, and Hendrix expects continued maturation from the lefthanded passer. Colvin does not lack for capable targets, with the best being 6-3 Colorado State commit Yasser Jackson, who is also a dominant linebacker. Alameda transfer DJ Hicks is a two-way speedster who Hendrix expects to make plays in space. The Wildcats start with four straight road games, the first being an early contest against Boron.
Season opener: Aug. 22 at Boron, 7 p.m.
No. 3 CASTLEMONT
Coach: Edward Washington
2024 record: 4-6
What to expect: The Knights should, once again, be a contender to appear in the Silver Bowl. Despite seeing team MVP Elijah Washington graduate and move on to Oregon State, the East Oakland program does not lack for playmakers. Castlemont is young, with 18 of 26 players on varsity being sophomores, but do not count out the Knights. Longtime coach Edward Washington has a talented nucleus of players who should lead a competitive team in the league. Jaylen Vallery is a 6-2 passer who should form a potent combination with fellow sophomore Hezikia Smith, a 6-3 wideout with top-end athleticism, and junior playmaker and leader Jaylen Washington. His coach says linebacker Jacob Davis “has gained 10 pounds of muscle and shown leadership skills,” and returning all-OAL lineman David Washington is a versatile pass rusher who is expected to be one of the top sack artists in Oakland.
Season opener: Sept. 5 at Dorsey-Los Angeles, 7 p.m.
Oakland Tech’s Elijah Rucker (3) gains yardage past Skyline High’s Angelo Miceli (42) in the first quarter of their game at Skyline High School in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
No. 4 OAKLAND TECH
Coach: Bruce Lavlolette
2024 record: 6-5
What to expect: Oakland Tech has a new head coach in Bruce Lavlolette, but he is a familiar face for longtime followers of the Bulldogs program. The 2006 alum has been an assistant coach since 2015. The no-nonsense Tech lifer will be able to lean on Elijah Rucker, a 6-4 quarterback with a rocket arm whom Lavlolette calls a “pure athlete” that ran a 4.5 laser-timed 40-yard dash this offseason. Varnard Scott “sets the tone” for the defense and is getting college interest as a defensive back. Fellow speedster Phineas Browne is competing in the Junior Olympics in the 400 meters and shows that speed on the field. Lavlolette says linebacker Jose Ramos and safety Eric Truong both have “crazy motors” and will be leaders on the defense. Junior defensive end Markel Carnegie and linebacker Vladimir Vassile – who is converting from defensive tackle – are players to look out for. The new coach says, “We have a great outlook. We had 11 sophomores on varsity that were starting, and most of them have strong GPAs.”
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Miramonte, 7 p.m.
No. 5 SKYLINE
Coach: Jason Houston-Suell
2024 record: 1-9
What to expect: Jason Suell is the fourth coach at Skyline in as many seasons, taking over for Virdell Larkins III. The Skyline alum was part of the 2009 team that upset Bishop O’Dowd, and hopes to make more great memories in the Oakland Hills as a coach. He says, “We’re working to get the ball moving and rolling in the right direction.” Suell has around 30 players on varsity, and expects a large sophomore class to lead the way. King Davis will be a workhorse running back, and fellow second-year players Marlo Hardin and Lorenz Marbly will line up as wide receivers and defensive backs. The Titans are not just all speed though, with Sander Martinez and Roman Scott imposing figures on the offensive and defensive lines. The Titans will open the season by playing host to Pinole Valley as they hope to embark on their first winning season since 2019.
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Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Pinole Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 6 FREMONT-OAKLAND
Coach: Gene Denard
2024 record: 1-8
What to expect: Gene Denard is back in charge of a Fremont team searching for consistency. He said he aims to field a team that does not lose any players to poor grades, and one that is “competitive for four quarters.” Denard was the quarterbacks coach for Moreau Catholic’s state-championship-winning team last season. Senior wideout Robert Mitchell III, who a former coach called “Mr. Fremont,” is expected to be back as the team’s most notable playmaker at running back and wide receiver. He should catch passes from quarterback Henry Reed. Artorius Primous will work with Lotima Fonua to give Fremont a pair of pass-catching tight ends and pass rushers. Malik Chaple could impress as a sophomore playmaker, and Carlos Gonzalez and Luis Lopez will be asked to anchor the offensive line as juniors. Senior kicker Isaac Martin has 40-yard range.
Season opener: Sept. 5 vs. Lincoln-San Francisco, 7 p.m.
