CCAL football preview: Downey confident it can challenge Turlock for league crown

Downey players and coach Jeremy Plaa have been to the playoffs for more than a decade straight, and with a crop of talented returners, they aren’t interested in seeing that streak end.

Last season, the Knights battled through injuries to quarterback Carson Lamb and receiver Joseph Ramirez. Despite those two main contributors missing key games, the Knights managed to finish 10-2, securing their second straight 10-win season and winning their first-round road playoff game against Tracy.

“It’s a testament to how good our kids are, how consistent our program is,” Plaa said of the playoff streak that dates back to 2011. “But we’re still focused on getting to that section championship game. We’re tired of getting to that first or second round and being done.”

With Lamb and Ramirez returning for their senior season along with last season’s leading receiver Ethan Woodmansee, tackles for loss leader Ryne Moore and other experienced players on both sides of the ball, another 10-win season could be on the horizon.

“I think there’s a lot of confidence with the group,” Plaa said. “We’re returning a lot of key positions.”

They’re young on the offensive line, but Plaa said the ceiling is high. The linebackers and defensive line work in tandem and hope to be as disruptive as they were last season, when they collected 118 total tackles for loss and 39 sacks.

The Knights increased the strength of their nonleague schedule, playing perennial playoff contenders. They take on SJS schools Lincoln, Elk Grove, Merced and Edison along with Amador Valley, a top 10 team from the North Coast Section. They are hoping it will prepare them for a push at a league title and a deep playoff run.

“I’m sure we’ll have some adversity in those first five games, but we’re hoping it makes us more ready for playoff season and contending for a league title.”

Gregori

Gregori’s first task if it wants to return to the playoffs for the 10th straight season is replacing production from last year’s CCAL co-MVP, Michael Marsden. As a senior, he rushed for 1,753 yards, 19 touchdowns and went over 100 rushing yards in nine of his 11 appearances. He also had a pair of receiving touchdowns and returned two kickoffs for scores.

Enter Alton Williams, a fleet-footed back who compares himself to Barry Sanders with the way he mixes power and elusiveness out of the backfield. He enters his third varsity season and has played both sides of the ball. He has 322 career yards on 50 carries.

Gregori coach Lamar Wallace said Williams will lead a group of running backs in 2024.

“This year, we’re going to have a strong group,” Wallace said of the running backs. “(Marsden) carried most of the load, but we’re excited about what (Williams) can do along with the group.”

Emmanuel Vasquez took over at quarterback at the end of last season and is back for his senior season as the starter from day one. Vasquez returns to the position he played growing up. He started out as a quarterback but played mostly defensive back last season, leading the team in tackles.

“He’s always been a quarterback and he’s done both (offense and defense),” Wallace said. “Last year was the only year he played on one side of the ball.”

Last season’s second best tackler and tackles-for-loss leader, Marcus Sims, returns for what many expect will be a big senior season.

The Jaguars take pride in being a consistent playoff team, and while they enjoy getting to play at least one extra game, Wallace said the next step in the Jaguars’ growth is winning a CCAL title. Their last league title was in 2017, when they went 6-0 in the Modesto Metro Conference. Since the CCAL was formed, Gregori’s best finish was second in 2021.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re handling our business within our league,” Wallace said. “Until we do that, we’re not going to be satisfied. That’s got to be the next step in our growth.”

Enochs

Sometimes health is the name of the game in football. Enochs knows that all too well. The team was riddled with injuries in 2023 throughout its lineup in some key spots, including quarterback and running back. Head coach Tracey Traub recalled that by the time the season finale rolled around, 12 players were in street clothes. Ten of the injured were starters. To keep the players at peak health, they’ve revamped their conditioning program.

“I think that’s really going to help us this year,” Traub said.

Johnny Staggs sat out the first four games last season due to transfer rules and also missed a game with injury, so Traub said everyone is happy to have him return for his senior season. He has already gained a better understanding of the offense and has a ton of returning skill players to connect with. Last season’s leading receiver, speedy Eric Myles, is back, Kayden Kopp returns and 6-foot-5 receiver/tight end Brennan Whitten Jr. all have been meshing well with Staggs. Traub said the skills positions are possibly the team’s deepest groups.

“He’s been working hard in the offseason, really understanding the offense and the reads he needs to make,” Traub said of Staggs. “He’s getting that time with his core receivers that he didn’t really have last year. … We’re not a single-receiver offense so it gives him some options.”

Senior Joshua Sharp enters his third varsity season and he, along with Matthew Bercham, will anchor the offensive and defensive lines.

The Eagles last made the playoffs in 2012. If this is the year that drought ends, health will be a factor, but they’ll also need to win the big games against the league’s perennial playoff teams.

Traub said that starts with the right mental approach.

“It affects your drive, your heart, your want to,” he said. “We have to have belief that we can go into those games and compete.”

Modesto

The run game is what makes the Modesto offense go, and this season, the Panthers bring back their three best running backs from last season. Their premier rusher in 2023, Vanntheesouk “Lucky” Dam, returns after rushing for 502 yards and four touchdowns. Jaden Rivera is back after recording 444 yards and a pair of scores on the ground. The biggest addition to the run game likely will be returner Melea “MJ” Uili, who ran for 90 yards on 13 carries in just one game last season before suffering a knee injury. Panthers coach Dylan Miller said the senior tailback has been cleared for Week 1.

“He’s fought through a lot,” Miller said of Uili. “He started as a freshman after that COVID season at the varsity level … but he’s had some injuries. He’s been killing it in rehab and we’re looking forward to a big season from him at linebacker and running the ball.”

Last season’s starting quarterback David Robinson is back for his senior season but could see time at more than just quarterback this season. Miller describes him as an athlete who can do multiple things on both sides of the ball. Last season, he led the Panthers in passing yards (667) and rushing touchdowns (5).

Fernando Fernandez is a name to look out for on the Panthers’ offensive and defensive lines. He’s a multi-sport athlete who throws in track and Miller said he “can do things most guys his size can’t.” Fernandez is a lead-by-example type who “sets the table for the o-line and d-line room.”

The Panthers combine leaders who have a year of varsity experience with a younger talented crop of first-year varsity players who went 8-2 last season and nearly won a junior varsity championship.

“I’m proud of the work we’ve put in,” said Miller. “We’ve turned in an offseason to be proud of. Not only our dedication to the process on the field but our team building. We’re feeling good about where we are, but know we haven’t hit our ceiling because of the way these guys are working in practice.”

Pitman

Pitman coach Eric Reza said this year’s team is very junior heavy but that doesn’t mean the Pride lack experience or leadership. One of their biggest returners is Chase Martin, who will serve as the anchor of the offensive and defensive lines in 2024. He’s a second-year starter and team captain who works as hard as anyone. He’s a lead-by-example type of player, well respected by players and coaches.

“Every team has their guy,” Reza said. “And that’s our guy.”

Versatile junior RJ Wilharm takes over signal-calling duties this season after last season’s senior starter Andrew Azevedo graduated. Reza said Wilharm is a “general on the field.” He’s picked up on the offense quickly and is already aware of each player’s responsibility in the offense.

Reza is confident returners Syncyr Sanders, Kingston Deleon and Kingston Slater can be the team’s offensive catalysts after two of their top four receivers and their leading rusher from 2023 graduated. All are returners who will likely play offense and defense.

The Pride have the same goals of winning a league title and earning a playoff spot, and Reza said everything starts in the weight room. Workouts are more than just preparation to move their opponents on the field.

“It builds culture and character,” said Reza , noting that Pitman has excelled in the weight room this offseason. “We’ve got a bunch of guys who are buying in. We’ve got a culture building and the weight room is a big part of that. They go in there pumping each other up and they’re seeing results, getting stronger and faster.”

Turlock

Since James Peterson has been at Turlock High, the Bulldogs always have been a Division I playoff team. He believes that sends a clear message.

“That’s the section saying, ‘Turlock should be on par with these guys,’” he said.

So the Bulldogs’ nonleague schedule once again reflects that.

They open the season with Rocklin on Week 1 and travel to Folsom for their fourth game. Their pursuit of the section’s best Sacramento-area schools is evident even in the preseason scrimmage when they host Grant on Friday.

“We’re trying to figure out what it takes to beat those guys,” Peterson said. “If we don’t ever see it or play it, how can we ever get there?”

In 2023, the Bulldogs started 0-5 against one of the Stanislaus District’s toughest nonleague schedules. They went on to sweep CCAL play and win their first round game against Sheldon, 54-17.

After the graduation of last season’s starting quarterback, Vincent Gonzalez, freshman Scout Silva and junior Russell Spaulding have spent the offseason battling to be the team’s QB1. Peterson said they’ve traded reps and both could see time during the Grant scrimmage.

“We’ll let the game tape speak for itself,” he said.

Jr Silva, arguably the team’s best all-around athlete, is back for what everyone anticipates will be an outstanding senior season. As a junior, he rushed for 264 yards on 50 carries, had a team-high four interceptions and 120 return yards and was big in the Bulldogs’ kick return game.

Last season’s leader in rushing yards, Kaden Patterson, returns along with defensive standouts Bradlee Green, Jeremiah Stine and Dominick Luna.

CCAL Participants (alphabetical order)

Downey

Enochs

Gregori

Modesto

Pitman

Turlock