LIBERTY

Lions hope to leap to top of BVAL by NATE SMITH

Correspondent

Fans of Liberty High School football are excited about the 2014 season. The Lions return nine full or part-time starters on each side of the ball and will look to build on a 2013 campaign that saw them reach the playoffs for the first time in 1 0 years and win the Brentwood Bowl for the first time in school history.

After their win over the Patriots cata­pulted them into the section playoffs, the Lions nearly knocked off perennial section contender James Logan, falling just two inches short of an opportunity to defeat the Colts on the road last November. The Lions have beefed up their non-league schedule this season, attempting to prepare for another grueling run through the Bay Valley Athletic League.

"You try your best to challenge yourselves in those first five games," said second-year head coach Jeff Walters, referring to the more difficult start facing his squad in 2014. "Our league is improving, and we need to be ready for it."

ON THE COVER: Junior quarterback Joe Sweeney looks to pass during a recent practice. The junior will lead an offense that returns seven starters.

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Returning players: The list of returning players for the Lions this season is headlined by three-year varsity starter Kyle Trego in the defensive backfield. Trego, who has racked up more than 200 tackles in two years, could make an argument as possibly the BVAL5 most sure tackler in the secondary. He is joined on the defense by another three-year starter Shane Goodwin, who has earned all-league honors both offensively and defensively in the past two seasons. Senior Dylan Gilfoy totaled 55 tackles

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and three tackles for a loss last season as a breakout player. Returners Christian Garcia and junior Trevor Robinson solidify the interior of the defensive line.

Offensively, senior Joseph Tolentino returns as the unquestioned leader at quarter­back after splitting time there last season with Ivan Oseguera. Tolentino's accuracy and arm strength early in the season before suffering

September 5, 7:15 PM vs.Chico

September 19,7:00 PM @ Monte Vista (Danville)

October 10, 7:00PM* vs. Heritage - Brentwood Bowl

October 24, 7:00PM* @Pittsburg

November 7, 7:00PM* vs. Freedom- Bell Game

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FREEDOM

Reloaded Falcons hope to perch atop BVAL by JUSTIN LAFFERTY

Correspondent

Despite losing some athletes such as running back Joe Mixon and receiver Nick Garcia to graduation, the Freedom High Falcons varsity football team is reloaded and ready to compete in the Bay Valley Athletic League.

Head coach Kevin Hartwig loves the team effort he's seeing from the Falcons so far. With solid continuity from last year's squad (which went 6-6, but fell to BVAL rival Pittsburg in the second round of the playoffs), and some talented newcomers, the Falcons are poised for contention.

Returning players: Freedom returns seven starters on offense and six starters on defense, giving Hartwig plenty of reason for optimism.

Quarterback Joe Sweeney will build upon a solid sophomore year, where he passed for 1 , 718 yards and 13 touchdowns. Sweeney will have familiar hands in tight end James Allen and wideout Scott Sanders, seniors who caught four of those touchdown passes last year.

The Falcons also have talented senior linemen Dominic Fredrickson, Tyler Burton and Arturo Hurtado, who will open up holes for senior running back Stephen Costello.

Defensively. senior Michael Wright will be a

Running back Cullen Wheaton moves up field during a recent

"" practice. The Falcons will feature a new­look run game after the graduation of star Joe Mixon.

steady force in the secondary. New players: Freedom ballcarriers will

be helped out by the addition of junior lineman Derek Furr.

Running back Sean Pinson, a senior trans­fer from Lakewood, Colorado ran for 698 yards and seven touchdowns last year as a Lakewood Tiger. He was also the team's second leading receiver with 384 yards.

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Junior tight end Gio Fauolo and senior receiver/defensive back Brandon Birk are also expected to contribute.

Overview: Hartwig said the team is confi­dent they can make strides to reclaim the BVAL title the Falcons won in 2012.

Sanders and linebacker Stephen Costello

see Falcons page 7B

SCHEDULE

August 29, 7:15PM @Tracy

September 5, 7:00PM @ Foothill (Pleasanton)

September 12, 7:00PM vs. Granite Bay

September 19, 7:00PM vs. San Leandro - Homecoming

September 26, 7:00PM vs.Wood

October 10, 7:00PM* vs.Antioch

October 17, 7:00PM* vs. Deer Valley

October 24, 7:00PM* vs. Heritage

October 31, 7:00PM* @Pittsburg

November 7, 7:00PM* @ Liberty- Be ll game

*BVALgames

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August 15,2014 BVAL Preview follow us on twitter: @thepress_sports I 3B

ANTIOCH

Panthers primed for bounce-back season by MICHAEL DIXON

Correspondent

When Antioch's football team takes the field for the season's first game in two weeks, they'll have a lot of players who have been there before as the Panthers have 28 players returning from the 2013 team.

"We have looked really good this year," said head coach John Lucido. "I'm happy with where we're at right now. It's a very close team. They've had lot of good bonding; they trust each other. I have definitely seen that over the summer, and we're going to need to do that to get to where we want to be."

Returning Players: Perhaps Antioch's biggest advantage is what they can do running the ball.

Senior Michael Gray will be joined by junior Nick Perry and sophomore Najee Harris, who played on the varsity team for most of the 2013 league season.

"We have three or four really good running backs that would be starting on a lot of teams," Lucido said. "It's a good problem to have."

The running backs will be charging behind an offensive line that returns four start­ers from last year: Michael Fonteno, Jonathan

Gayton, Will Elsberry and Scott Adams. They'll also be blocking for senior quar­

terback Harrison Ong. When Ong passes, he'll be targeting more experienced players junior receiver Ryan Payne, senior receiver KJ Wilson and junior tight end Kobie Beltram.

New Players: Abram Karnthong, who is the younger brother of former Antioch quar­terback Hunter Karnthong, is expected to see quite a bit of time on the field.

Abram is only a sophomore and is Ong's backup, though he'll see plenty of time even if the position he'll play is presently unclear.

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receiver Tay Thompson moves toward the end zone during a game last season against Liberty. Thompson figures to be one of the Panthers' key returners this season.

"He's our backup quarterback, but he'll start somewhere for us," Lucido said. "He's a good athlete."

Overview: The Panthers have nowhere to go but up after finishing 1-9 overall without a win in the Bay Valley Athletic League last year.

While they are significantly more experi­enced this year, one potential challenge does arise. The Panthers' stadium is being reno­vated, which means they will be doing a lot of traveling. All of their preseason games are on

see Panthers page 7B

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SCHEDULE

August 29, 7:00PM @ Acalanes (Lafayette)

September 5, 7:00PM @Granada (Livermore)

September 12, 7:30PM @ Santa Rosa

September 19, 7:00PM @Wood (Vacaville)

September 26, 7:00PM @ Northgate (Walnut Creek)

October 10, 7:00PM* @Freedom

October 17, 7:00PM* vs. Liberty - Homecoming

October 24, 7:00PM* @ Deer Valley

October 31, 7:00PM* vs. Heritage

November 8, 1:30PM* vs. Pittsburg

*BVAL games

August 15, 2014

HERITAGE

Patriots look to rediscover winning form by MICHAEL DIXON

Correspondent

Heritage High School's varsity football team was undeniably competitive in 2013. Four of its 1 0 games were one-possession contests, while three more were two-possession games. Unfortunately for the Patriots, all seven of those games were defeats as the Patriots finished 1-9 on the season.

But many of the key players from the 2013 team return to the gridiron this year with a season of varsity experience, which is often a deciding factor in close games.

"We're definitely improving," said head coach Don Sanders. "We've got a lot more continuity with the offense that we're running. I'm pretty happy with where we're at right now."

Returning Players: On both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, Sanders and the rest of the Patriots will rely a lot on three seniors: Leeandre White,Trey Edwards, and Sam Hinn.

White and Edwards play running back and defensive back, while Hinn is a receiver and linebacker. Their jobs on defense will be much easier if a defensive front anchored by junior David Letuligasenoa- who won the defensive linemen MVP award at Oregon's Nike Football Training Camp this summer - can get consistent

August 15,2014

pressure on opposing quarterbacks. New Players: While not new to the

varsity team, senior quarterback Sohail Mohsini will have a very different role for the Patriots in 2014. He did play in 2013, but was mostly used in platoon roles.

The lack of continuity didn't do the offense any favors. Even with a 49-point explosion in the Patriots win over Antioch, which knocked

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their points per game average up by nearly five points, Heritage still averaged fewer than 17 points a game. They also lost a game despite allowing 21 points or fewer on four separate occasions.

Overview: The Patriots figure to improve in 2014. Aside from De La Salle, the Patriots

see Patriots page 98

SCHEDULE

August 29, 7:00PM vs. Campolindo (Moraga)

September 5, 7:30PM @ Pacheco (Los Banos) ~

September 12, 7:00PM vs. Marin Catholic (Kentfield)

September 19, 7:00PM vs. College Park-Homecoming

-

~ -September 26, 7:00PM @Brekeley

October 10, 7:00PM* @ Lib er ty - Bre ntwood Bowl

October 17,7:00 PM* vs. Pittsburg

October 24, 7:00PM* @Freedom r--

October 31, 7:00PM* @Antioch

November 7, 7:00PM* vs. Deer Valley

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BVAL Preview follow us on twitter: @thepress_sports I SB

PITTSBURG

Pirates aim to return as class of BV.AL by NATE SMITH

Correspondent

After winning its third Bay Valley Athletic League title in the last four years and reaching the North Coast Section semifinals in 2013, Pittsburg High School is setting its sights even higher in 2014.

After an up-and-down 201 3 season ultimately resulted in an undefeated run through league play, Pittsburg fell to California in the NCS semifinals. This year, the Pirates will be looking to add some balance to their offense in order to successfully defend their league crown. They will also need to be prepared to start fast out of the gate as head coach Vic Galli has once again put together a daunting non-league schedule.

Returning players: Despite losing standout running back Harris Ross, coach Galli believes that the returning depth at running back could make this position a great strength on the team. Jaylyn Morgan earned all-league status as a junior last season after running for eight touchdowns and averaging over seven yards per carry. He is joined in the backfield rotation by senior Nick Moore, who contributed on both sides of the ball last season.

It is the talent level of the returners at the receiver position and in the defensive secondary

Pittsburg running back Jalen Morgan maneuvers through the Uberty defense last year. Morgan will lead the Pirates rushing attack this

that has the Pirates' staff especially excited. Armani Levias returns to tight end and wide receiver for 2014. Galli has referred to the tremendous catch radius and general athleticism of the football standout as reasons why he is poised for a breakout season. Andre Grisby returns after being a threat last season and leads all returners in receiving yards from 2013.

Noah Palega returns for his third consecutive season as the leader of the Pirates'

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Tweet from the game using high school hashtags.

#HeritageHS #LibertyHS #FreedomHS #DeerValleyHS #AntiochHS #PittsburgHS

SCHEDULE

August 291 7:00 PM @ California (San Ramon)

September 5, 7:00PM vs. San Ramon (San Ramon)

-SeptemiNtl' 121 7:00 PM vs. Monte Vista (Danville)

September 19, 7:00PM vs. Berkeley ~

SeptemiNtl' 261 7:00 PM @ Mitty (Foothill College, Los Altos)

defense from his middle linebacker position. He racked up 1 08 tackles to go with 13 tackles for a loss last season in route to a unanimous first-team all-league selection. His posit ion is made easier by a few returners on the defensive line, especially senior defensive end David Lui. Lui had three sacks and twelve quarterback hurries to go with 11 tackles for a loss in 2013.

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October 10, 7:00PM* @ Deer Valley

Oc:tohel' 171 7:00PM* @Heritage

October 24, 7:00PM* vs. Liberty

Oc:tohel' 31, 7:00PM* vs. F!eedom

November 8, 1:30PM* @ Antioch - Homecoming

i--*BVALgamea

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Lions from page 28

multiple injuries led obseNers to take notice of his ability to carry the team's passing attack. His 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground show that he is also capable in the running game.

The offensive line in front of all those skilled athletes has not been left bare either. Senior Nathan Sharma is a three-year starter on the offensive line and has moved to left tackle. Kyle Jordan, a part-time starter last season, returns at center for much-needed cohesion with Tolentino.

New players: For a team with so many returners, there are few question marks being filled with new varsity players. One of those spots is at guard, where junior Brandon Hocter

Falcons from page 38

are the two members of that team remaining on this year's squad.

" I'm excited," Hartwig said. "It's the first time we've had a good team atmosphere in a while. We're not relying on one guy. We've just got a great solid team."

Freedom faces tough competition in tradi­tional BVAL powers Pittsburg and Deer Valley, who were the two league losses for the Falcons last year. The team has a home field-friendly schedule with six straight games in Oakley.

Game to watch: Oct. 31 vs. Pittsburg Future: JV head coach Don Burke is

excited about the JV squad - most of whom were on last year's 9-1 freshman team- he'll lead this season,.

Running backs Milan Johnson and Khyree Foster will set the tone in the backfield, and Burke likes what he sees from quarterbacks Dominic Mather and Jonathan Pierce.

Linemen Avery Waddell and Marcellas Fejerang will do the dirty work up front for the JV Falcons. Burke is also excited about lineback­ers Kevin Lonergan and Jason Ternez.

Panthers from page 48

the road, and they won't play a home game until their fifth game of the season - against Liberty-at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg.

Last year's squad struggled but managed to stay competitive in tough match ups against Freedom and Pittsburg. The squad hopes another year of experience will help it take a step forward in 2014.

Game to watch: Oct. 10 at Freedom. The Panthers rivalry games are against

Deer Valley and Pittsburg, but no game will tell the squad where its stands more than the first game of the BVAL season against Freedom.

"The first game in league is where we measure where we're at, " Lucido said. "In the preseason, we have some tough teams, but in that first league game, we getto know where we stand."

Future: Much of the future will be on display during the season. The 2013 varsity squad had four sophomores and one f resh­man. While plenty of seniors will take the field in 2014, the 2015 team will not be young and inexperienced. A lot of Antioch's future will be represented by sophomore running back Najee Harris. His graduation date is a long way out, but he has already received offers from a hand­ful of Division I schools.

August 15,2014

will look to be the answer after shining on the junior varsity squad last season. The other glaring opening vacated by graduation was at kicker and punter, where junior multi-purpose athlete Stirling Strong will handle the duties after showing that he was capable at the lower level in 20 13.

Though already strong with returning athletes, the veteran corps of receivers and secondary players have been bolstered with seniors Willie Williams and Anthony Leslie. The returning group of linebackers also got a shot in the arm from two transfers and a senior who has returned for his final season. Jesse Gregerson, who focused solely on wrestling last season, returns for his senior year at linebacker, where he was among the best on the team

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in his junior varsity campaign. Ravin Nasilai (Monte Vista) and Christian Perez (San Leandro) add needed depth at the position.

Overview: Liberty looks to be extremely battle-tested by the time league play starts, so its big challenge will be opening the season at full speed and staying healthy with an abun­dance of key two-way players throughout the lineup. The Lions have not won three league games since 2005, so that is another major stepping stone that the team hopes to clear this season. Coach Walters feels that his team will find out quickly how much work they need to do in order to be a major contender in the 2014 campaign.

"Central will really let us know where we are at," said Walters, referring to his team's

season-opener in Fresno. "Can we deal with the distractions of a long road t rip combined with a hostile game against a well-known opponent? We get to learn these things early."

Future: Despite winning just two games on the freshmen level last season, the coaching staff is excited to see how the JV team has progressed in the system. Matt Marchetti will be the one making plays at quarterback, while Christian Liscano returns at running back after learning on the junior varsity as a freshman last season. Trey Hawkins is a threat at receiver while Ryan Vanderwerf looks like a much improved player on both lines. Keegan Federwisch also has the potential to be a leader among the group.

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BVAL Preview follow us on twitter: @thepress_sports I 7B

DEER VALLEY

New-look Wolverines aim to surprise by KYLE SZYMANSKI

Staff Writer

Fresh off a run to the North Coast Section semifinals, Deer Valley is looking to reload in 2014 after the graduation of 29 of its players.

Gone are MVP quarterback Nsimba Webster and six other first-team players who guided the Wolverines to an 11-2 record, but head coach Rich Woods doesn't expect his new­look squad to struggle this year.

"We are going to have to simplify some things a bit," Woods said. "We have a young group that doesn't have a lot of experience, but they are athletic and they work hard."

Returning players: Seniors lineman Antwon Evans (30 tackles in 12 games) and receiver and defensive back Anthony Hamilton, who played in only three games last season, will anchor the defense as well as provide leadership as two of only a handful of returning players who saw significant playing time last year. Junior lineman Troy DeCuir on the defensive line, and Jonathan Farmer in the secondary. are also expected to contribute, Woods said.

New players: Senior Jahlil King, who garnered some attention for his athleticism at a recent Nike camp, and last year's junior varsity quarterback Devin Gould are locked in a battle to replace the explosive Webster at quarterback.

Junior linebacker and full back Brandon Faatalale and defensive lineman Javoni Tuitasi have firmly established themselves on the varsity squad after being brought up from the junior varsity squad toward the end of last season.

Overview: Replacing Webster at quar­terback, who passed for 2,026 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for another 1,544 yards, will be nearly impossible, but Woods feels the big and fast squad is developing nicely. On paper, losing 29 players, including 12 all-league selections, makes the Wolverines look more vulnerable than in recent years. A non league schedule that includes Elsie Allen ( 1-9 in 20 13) and Oakland Tech (4-7 last year and Santa Rosa (2-8 in 2013) will allow the Wolverines to ease into league play.

The Wolverines will compete in an elite scrimmage against powerhouses De La Salle, Logan and Pittsburg, which will serve as a good test before the season begins.

"The kids have worked hard and are in good shape," Woods said. "Now we just need to hone their skills."

Game to watch: Oct. 10 against Pittsburg. The Wolverines will open league play against arguably their best competition of the season.

Deer Valley's performance will set the tone for the remainder of league play.

Future: The need to replace 29 players on the varsity squad means a great deal of Deer Valley's starters will be juniors, Woods said. Regardless of how this year plays out for the teal and black, Deer Valley is setto be an elite squad next year.

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Patriots from page ss

joined San Ramon Valley in playing the toughest schedule in the North Coast Section last year.

Whether the Patriots return to the NCS playoffs for the first time since 2011 or not remains to be seen. But heading into the season, Sanders likes what he's seen from this

Pi rates from page 6s

Junior Saia Fonongaloa returns at the opposite defensive end position, with Harland Tautalatasi back for his senior year at defensive tackle. Keith Walker also returns for his senior season at quarterback, though it may feel like his first season after missing all but parts of two games last year with a broken collarbone. Galli says Walker has the ability to be one of the best quarterbacks he has ever had at Pittsburg. He will have to hold off a challenge, though, from junior Christian Young, who got a glimpse of varsity action last season and is described as being right on Walker's heels in a very

year's group over the last several weeks, which makes him optimistic about the upcoming season.

"This year's group has impressed me with their hard work and everything that they have done this summer," Sanders said. "Between that work and the coaching staff this year, I'm

supportive and friendly competition at a critical position.

New players: Freedom transfer Isaiah Johnson, junior Jordan Parker and junior CJ McClure have all been described as special new additions to the Pirates, especially on the defensive side of the ball. All three are competing for starting spots in the defensive secondary, a position that Galli describes as a true strength of the team.

"We could have as many as five Division I guys playing in our secondary," said Galli. "We will be a lot better defensively this year. Where we really will have some new faces to step up,

expecting good things." Game to watch: Oct. 1 0 at Liberty The BVAL routinely sends at least three

teams to the North Coast Section playoffs, so no breaks are expected. The Lions defeated the Patriots for the first time last year, and Heritage is eager to get the Brentwood Bowl back on its

though, will be on our offensive line, and we're still waiting to see which guys will emerge."

With Fonongaloa as the lone returner on the offensive line, it will be one of the youngest Pittsburg lines in recent history. Galli feels confident in their ability to put a good, competitive unit on the field, but still needs to see which candidates will take a spot.

Game to watch: Sept. 26 at Archbishop Mitty

The battle with the Monarchs will arguably be the Pirates' biggest test of the season and will take place one week before the start of league play.

side of town. Future: The junior varsity team finished

7-2-1 in 2013, while the freshman team was 7-3. By the time most of those players are upperclassmen and on the varsity team in the fall of 2015, they will have a lot of experience winning games.

Overview: The Pirates open with a rematch at California, where they will be looking to atone for last year's semifinal loss. If Walker and his group of receivers can emerge as legitimate threats offensively, Pittsburg will be able to keep defenses off-balance, something they were not able to do last season. The Pirates' non-league schedule will test them defensively in a variety of ways. If their returning experience on defense can let their offensive line get their feet under them early in the season, they once again have the talent to become a dominant program down the stretch and make a run for back-to-back league titles.

NOTE: For a look back at last season and a glimpse at this year's projected stars, visit thepress.net.

Follow the BV.AL this season *Asteriskdenotesleaguegame

WEEK 1 A.ugust29 Antioch @ Acalanes, (Lafayette), 7 p.m.

Deer Valley @ Allen, (Santa Rosa), 7:30p.m.

Freedom @Tracy, 7:15p.m.

Heritage vs. Campolindo, (Moraga), 7 p.m

Libertyvs. Central, (Fresno), at Koligian Stadium, 7 p.m.

Pittsburg @ California, (San Ramon), 7 p.m.

WEEK 2

SeptemberS Antioch @ Granada, (Livermore), 7 p.m.

Deer Valley vs. Oakland Tech, 7:00p.m.

Freedom @ Foothill, (Pleasanton), 7 p.m.

Heritage @Pacheco, (Los Banos) 7:30p.m.

Liberty vs. Chico, 7:15p.m.

Pittsburg vs. San Ramon Valley, 7p.m.

WEEK 3 RESULT September 12

Antioch @ Santa Rosa, 7:30p.m.

Freedom vs. Granite Bay, 7p.m.

Heritage vs. Marin Catholic, 7p.m.

Liberty vs. Berkeley, 7:30p.m.

Pittsburg vs. Monte Vista, 7p.m.

BYE: DeerValley

WEEK 4 RESULT September 12

Antioch @ Wood (Vacaville), 7:30p.m.

Deer Valley vs. Santa Rosa, 7:30p.m.

Freedom @ San Leandro, 7p.m.

Heritage vs. College Park, (Pleasant Hill) 7 p.m.

Liberty @ Monte Vista, (Danville), 7 p.m.

Pittsburg vs. Berkeley, 7p.m.

WEEK 5 WEEK 8 RESULT September 26

Antioch @ Northgate,

RESULT October 17 RESULT

(Walnut Creek), 7 p.m.

Deer Valley@ Concord, 7p.m.

Freedom vs.Wood (Vacaville), 7p.m.

Heritage @ Berkeley, 7 p.m.

Liberty@ San Leandro, (at Burrell Field), 7 p .m.

Pittsburg @ Mitty, San Jose (Foothill College, Los Altos) 7 p.m.

WEEK 6

Deer Valley@ Freedom, 7 p.m.* __ _

Liberty@ Antioch, 7 p.m.*

Pittsburg@ Heritage, 7 p.m.*

WEEI{ 9

October 24 RESULT

Antioch@ Deer Valley, 7 p.m. __ _

Heritage @Freedom, 7 p.m.*

Liberty @ Pittsburg, 7 p .m.*

WEEK 10 October31 RESULT

RESULT October 3 RESULT Deer Valley@ Liberty, 7 p.m.* __ _

Deer Valley vs. College Park, (Pleasant Hill), 7 p.m.

BYE: Heritage, Pittsburg, Freedom, Liberty

WEEK 7 October 10 RESULT

Antioch@ Freedom, 7 p.m.*

Heritage @ Liberty, 7 p.m.*

Pittsburg @ Deer Valley, 7p.m.*

Freedom@ Pittsburg, 7 p.m.* __ _

Heritage@ Antioch, 7 p.m.*

WEEK 11 November7 Deer Valley @ Heritage, 7p.m.*

Freedom @ Liberty, 7 p.m.*

NovemberS Pittsburg @ Antioch, 1:30p.m.*

RESULT

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August 15,2014 BVAL Preview follow us on twitte r: the press_sports I 9B