As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out all-Bay Area Area News Group preseason recognition.
Today’s position:
(Listed in alphabetical order)
Marley Alcantara, Pittsburg, 5-10, 180, senior
Reigning Bay Valley Athletic League offensive player of the year. Led Pittsburg to an NCS Division I title after throwing for 2,675 yards and 37 touchdowns. Earned all-BANG first-team honors in 2023.
Carson Blair, Miramonte, 6-0, 185, junior
Led Miramonte to a NCS Division V title. Threw for 1,892 yards and 24 touchdowns. Rushed for 411 yards and three touchdowns.
Jonathan Craft, El Cerrito, 6-2, 170, senior
Fresno State commit transferred from James Logan, where he was an all-league first-team honoree. Received all-BANG recognition after throwing for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Xander Eschelman, Menlo-Atherton, 6-3, 190
The Columbia commit threw for 1,107 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
Toa Faavae, De La Salle, 6-1, 195, senior
Dual-threat quarterback passed for 886 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for 889 yards and 17 touchdowns. The three-star prospect earned all-East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division second-team honors in 2023.
Andrew Fernandez, Gunderson, 5-11, 150, junior
Named Blossom Valley Athletic League West Valley Division sophomore of the year after throwing for 2,001 passing yards and 20 touchdowns.
Aaron Knapp, St. Francis, 5-11, 195, senior
Received all-West Catholic Athletic League first-team honors after passing for 1,241 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Jack Lewis, Branham, 6-0, 160, senior
The senior threw for 2,696 passing yards and 32 touchdowns en route to being named BVAL Santa Teresa-Foothill Division junior of the year. Also rushed for 334 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Michael Mitchell Jr., Archbishop Riordan, 5-11, 175, junior
One of the area’s highly-touted quarterbacks. Holds offers from Mississippi, Arkansas, Arizona State and Cal, among others. Received all-league first-team recognition and all-BANG honors after throwing for 2,927 passing yards and 31 touchdowns as a sophomore last season.
Luke Newell, Live Oak, 6-0, 195, senior
Received all-BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division second-team honors after throwing for 851 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Sage Robertson, Liberty, 6-1, 190, senior
All-BANG and all-league first-team recognition in 2023 after passing for 1,574 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Jaxen Robinson, Christopher, 6-6, 230, senior
Threw for 2,137 yards and 22 touchdowns while helping to lead Christopher to the Central Coast Section Division II final. Received BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division offensive player of the year and all-BANG honors.
Michael Sargent, Sacred Heart Cathedral, 6-1, 190, junior
The all-league second-team selection threw for 1,582 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023. Has college interest from San Jose State, Nevada, Cal and Sacramento State.
Berell Staples, McClymonds, 6-1, 180, junior
A transfer from Edison-Stockton, Staples threw for 2,421 yards and 34 touchdowns last season. He was named the San Joaquin Athletic Association co-offensive player of the year.
Tristan Ti’a, Amador Valley, 6-3, 195, senior
Received all-EBAL Valley Division first-team honors and was the league’s co-offensive player of the year. The three-star prospect, per 247 sports, holds offers from Boston College, UNLV, San Jose State and Northern Arizona.
Brayden Turner, Monte Vista, 6-4, 210, senior
The Fresno State commit threw for 2,134 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. Received all-EBAL Mountain Division second-team honors.
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.
Correspondent Mike Lefkow contributed to this report.
