As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2025 season, we are rolling out all-Bay Area News Group preseason recognition.
Today’s position:
LINEBACKERS
Chris Amann, Willow Glen, 5-7, 179, senior
Senior lines up everywhere and does it well for Willow Glen, also helping out on special teams. Returning Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa-Valley Division first-teamer helped key the Rams to a 10-0 regular season last year.
Rich Arechiga, Santa Teresa, 5-10, 190, junior
The Saints’ junior is a three-star starter and the centerpiece of the second level of the defense. Will take over from all-leaguer Jacob Soria as Santa Teresa’s heartbeat in the middle of the field.
Charlie Ball, St. Ignatius, 6-0, 185, senior
As a junior, was SI’s leading tackler before getting injured midseason. Will serve as the Cats’ backbone as they try to repeat the success of last year, when they won the CCS Open Division championship.
Chase Cahoon, St. Francis, 6-1, 215, senior
Stanford commit is a three-star player who ranks No. 188 in the state of California across all positions, according to 247Sports. Leader of the Lancers’ defense will take over the role his older brother, Jackson, played before moving on to Sacramento State.
Brandon Chan, Evergreen Valley, 5-9, 210, senior
Returning all-BANG honorable mention was the BVAL West Valley most outstanding linebacker and will look to find similar success this season in the Santa Teresa-Valley. Holds four scholarship offers and had 119 total tackles as a junior.
Rayan Daneshvar, Sobrato, 5-10, 185, senior
One of the leading tacklers in the CCS, Daneshvar had 146 total tackles and 26 tackles for loss as a junior, according to MaxPreps. Reigning most outstanding linebacker in the Santa Teresa-Valley.
Caden Eagleson, Archbishop Mitty, 5-10, 194, senior
Eagleson nearly won WCAL linebacker of the year as a junior and could be even better this season. Returning WCAL second-teamer “may not ‘look the part’ but finds ways to be in the mix wherever the football is,” Mitty coach Danny Sullivan told BANG.
Aisake Fatai, Clayton Valley, 6-1, 215, senior
Half of formidable senior linebacking duo for the Ugly Eagles holds scholarship offer from Portland State. Had 46 total tackles last season and should take another step this year. Returning all-Diablo Athletic League second-teamer.
Carson Fife, Clayton Valley, 6-0, 200, senior
Senior backer holds offers from Sacramento State and Portland State and is poised for a big year. Compiled 90 tackles and forced three turnovers last season. Returning all-DAL first-teamer.
Austin Krug, Los Gatos, 6-3, 210, senior
Holds scholarship offer from San Diego. Physical presence in the middle for Los Gatos team that reached the CCS Division I championship game.
Yasser Jackson, Oakland, 6-3, 175, senior
Talented two-way player is a Colorado State commit and also holds offers from Delaware State and Sacramento State. Returning first-team all-leaguer in the Oakland Athletic League.
Aaron Maier, Serra, 6-2, 210, senior
Multi-sport prospect played linebacker full-time for the first time last year and excelled. Talented player who holds an offer from Portland State.
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Landon Miller, De La Salle, 6-2, 195, sophomore
As a freshman, started on the team that represented Northern California in the CIF Open Division state championship game. National top 150 player in his class holds offers from Arizona State, Arizona, Oregon and Sacramento State.
Maxime Morelle, Sacred Heart Prep, 6-1, 240, senior
Massive senior backer plays both ways and is a load for ballcarriers and tacklers alike. Speed gives him the ability to play in space as well. “Combines the size of a lineman with the speed of a back,” SHP coach Mark Grieb told the Bay Area News Group.
Jacob Stickevers, California, 6-0, 215, senior
One of the top returning linebackers in the East Bay, Stickevers had 101 total tackles while serving as the central piece in Cal’s defense. Top-10 returning linebacker in Northern California, according to NorCal Football Guys’ TACKLE+ metric.
Skylar Tiatia, Archbishop Riordan, 6-0, 205, senior
San Jose State commit is a three-star prospect ranked No. 250 in the state of California in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports. Returning WCAL honorable mention will anchor Riordan’s defense as it complements the Crusaders’ high-flying offense.
Trevon West, Pittsburg, 6-3, 215, senior
Big, powerful edge rusher will be a key leader for Pittsburg team tasked with replacing a number of players from last year’s NorCal Division I-AA champions. West is being recruited by multiple FCS schools and will be tasked with helping “carry the torch” this year, Pitt coach Charlie Ramirez told BANG.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Those eligible for all-BANG honors come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school sports staff chooses the players.
