DFALOUT LOOK

[Bluedog2]

The 2015 DFAL season has all seven teams well stocked and are preparing for the campaign, But It is Campolindo that is the team to beat. Last year the Cougars went 16-0 and the up coming supporting cast from the JV went 9-1 and the Freshman went 10-0 . that tells you what the future has in store for the DFAL. Now the Cougars had a close call against Las Lomas, as the Knights jumped off to a early big lead, but Campolindo was able to regroup and went on to win 38-28.....In the Sutter game, the Cougars were behind 14-0 in the first quarter and it had all the appearances of a route, but then the Cougar team came alive and roared to a 35-14 win...And what about the playoff's, in the final minute of the game, it looked like Campolindo was doomed, but a sharp defender picked up a fumble on about the four or seven yard line and raced 90 plus yards for a giant comeback victory. Kevin Macy has instilled the will to win and that's what the Cougars are doing.
This season, it looks like the DFAL will be the Black and Blue league as Campolindio will be facing six league teams that all have improved.
How does the DFAL look for the 2015 season???
Campolindo
Miramonte
Las Lomas
Alhambra
Acalanes
Dublin
Dougherty Valley
But this is early and you can bet that the bottom six will all have some to say as the names are going to change as these teams beat up on each other for league position...

DUBLIN.....has a backfield, plus a offensive line and defensive line that will be much improved over last year, I don't have any names, but last season, the Gaels were on the edge, but just didn't break out.
Dublins 2014 season went 4-7, the JV's 7-3 and the freshman 1-9...The Gaels open the season by visiting Alameda at Thompson field at 7 P.M.
LAS LOMAS.....has 30 for beginning practice and will host a Jamboree on August 21st at 5:30 with Concord, Bishop O'Dowd and Freedom....this has all the appearances of a good test and tune as all four teams will be out to work out the bugs and push each other around..
Las Lomas will begin the season with six on O and six on D, the Knights went 9-3 last season and the JV's 4-6 and the freshman 2-8....Whats interesting is each year the Knights show a weak JV and freshman team, but when it becomes varsity time a whole new page opens up, as these kids rise for the season...A supporting cast for ther Knights are guys....Jack Kane at 6-0 190, Max Kolsuptrakul atr 5-11 170 and Anthony Magdelena at 5-10 220 just for starts.... Las Lomas ovens the season by traveling to San Ramon on 8-28 at 7 P.M.
ALHAMBRA.....The bulldogs went 8-4, the JV's 9-1 and the freshman 5-4-1 and while the Bulldogs reached the playoff's, they were run out of town by Marin Catholic's brutal O and D. Now Alhambra struggled in all three league wins coming from behind and dumping Miramonte 43-40, coming from behind and getting by Dublin 29-23 on a last minute 60 yard run with just a minute or so left in the game and stopping Dougherty Valley 28-21.
This season, the Bulldogs have five sop. on the roster Daniel (the bus)Boyd,a RB at 200,Eddie Taylor at 6-2 220, Tyler Clememons at 220,Jeremy Abraham at 6-1 170 and Mason Yaeger at 5-10 180...Also Zack Elliot at QB,Matthew Beck at RB,Janethoin mCart at RB and Josh Abraham and have 37 coming out for the season.
Alhambra overs the 2015 season at home against College Park at 7 P.M.
ACALANES.....The Dons; went 8-4, the JV's 5-5 and a strong freshman team at 7-1,The varsity has six on the O and five on D, which includes Tyler Henderson, Tom Henderson and Jake Berry just for starters..Acalanes has 41 coming out for the 2015 season which includes four Sops. QB Tyler Schenone, Robby Rowell at QB, Nick Price at CB and Max Thrasher.....Acalanes opens the season at Antioch who the Don's lost to 30-28, they face running back Harris and an improved Panther team...the Date is 8-28 at 7 P.M.
MIRAMONTE.....had a rough season at 3-8, the JV's at 5-5 and the Freshman at 8-2 and have 62 coming out for practice..On top of that there are six on O and seven on D in the mix...included are Clayton Stehr, Ryan Anderson, Sutter Lindberg, Tommy Hensley, TimTague and Kevin Shepard....Now Miramonte hosted Alhambra last year and wasted no time building up a 34-14 lead and it looked like all hell was breaking out on the Bulldogs, but Alhambra came roaring back and overtook the Mat.s and won 43-40....An unexpected victory....
It looks like the Mat's are going to be contenders for the 2015 season, but first they must get by Pinole on 8-28 at 7 P.M.
DOUGHERTY VALLEY.....The Wildcats did not do well last season and went 2-8, on top of that the JV's also went 2-8 and the freshman bested the other two with a 4-5-1 record....For what ever reason, the wildcats' are having a hard time getting a breakout season going, but the 2015 season has two on O and four on D, not a good start. Trying to improve on last years campaign are Dunavin Sheard- Collins at 6-5 250,Sam Tarason at 5-11 175 and Trey Hoskins at 6-3 165,Dylan Kumar, Grant Champman,Trevor Oberele and Dylan Adhikati
Now DV visits Novato on 8-28 at 7 .M. which should be a real good test for the Wildcat's.
CAMPOLINDO.....Again, the Cougars look real strong on paper, the O has four and the D has 3, but the Jv's moving up will fill in the holes as Macy builds a team for the 2015 season...Aiding the Cougars will be Sterling Strothers, Max Flowers, Jack Cassidy, these three are all big boys, plus John Torchio and Jacob Westphal.The Cougars open the 2015 season with a trip to Sunset field against Hayward at 7.P.M....In years gone by, Hayward use to be a team that no body missed with, but its been a struggle for the Farmers...Again, there are lots of holes, so feel free to step and add your infor....

 

[Trivalley]

Last year was supposed to be a break out year. Unfortunately Dublin lost 2 starters on the line, their 330+ pound nose guard and their starting DE, CB, LB and Safety very early. All were seniors! Wade went with with his juniors and stood his ground for one way play until the Las Lomas game where he flipped his line both ways and we saw the results (Las Lomas barely winning in the last seconds).

This year Wade plans to play his best players both ways and returns all those juniors who clocked in valuable play time. The line looks very good this year as do the RB's. Dublin does lose two really good receivers and their QB but in my opinion the latter was more of a liability then a benefit. The new QB's are more run first, pass second which fits perfectly with a running and short pass play action scheme.

If Dublin stays healthy they will do better than last year but will fall in the first round of NCS to bigger, stronger EBAL teams.

 

[beatenpath2]

As far as I know Alhambra is returning 7 on O and 7 on D. With an extremely large O line this year and strong running back core I believe they can be solid. In my opinion their pass game will ba lacking just like last year as i believe Zach Elliot is simply just a more athletic Azevedo. I believed that last year was Alhambra's year and the loss of Josh Evans early was too much to overcome. I believe Alhambra will be similar to last year with maybe an extra loss or two

 

[GoBears89]

Las Lomas is loaded at the skill positions sans at QB as they will break in a new quarterback. Las Lomas loses 4/5 of their offensive line and all of their starting defensive line. They do bring up a sophomore lineman who is 6-6, 300lbs which should help.

Las Lomas also has a solid OL coach (came over from DLS two years ago). It remains to be seen if the OL and DL can hold up against the likes of San Ramon, Alhambra and Dublin, teams that traditional have had big & skilled OL and DL.

 

[Trivalley]

Starters returning for Dublin:
4 offensive lineman
2 RB's - one elusive and quick and the other a fast downhill runner.
Questions - new qb and wr corps.

Starters returning on defensive
10 - with all the senior going down the entire defense was made of juniors and sophomores.

Summary-
Very clear to me Dublin should play smash mouth football with a good defense to back them up. And who knows what other top players they will get from the army base nearby.

 

[Bluedog2]

As far as I know Alhambra is returning 7 on O and 7 on D. With an extremely large O line this year and strong running back core I believe they can be solid. In my opinion their pass game will ba lacking just like last year as i believe Zach Elliot is simply just a more athletic Azevedo. I believed that last year was Alhambra's year and the loss of Josh Evans early was too much to overcome. I believe Alhambra will be similar to last year with maybe an extra loss or two

Well, it looks like Alhambra is going to be a running team with mcCart and beck on hand and now with Boyd added to the running game, but to make the running game work, I still believe the offense has to change as it lacks deception...If Boyd can take the pounding, he will be hard to stop and with Elliot running an option, it should keep the defense's on their toes...What Alhambra needs now is a backup QB which is coming up from the JV's...with a little luck, his passing game will have improved which gives Alhambra extra support and choices...Alhambra's first real test comes next Sat. at w.c.Wood which has a lot of speed and maybe an improved defense.

 

[Trivalley]

Las lomas lost a lot and I don't seeing them doing as well as they did last year.


Dublin and Alhambra could challenge campo only if they can sustain a time consuming running attack and their defense reduces campo's quick score attack.

Acalanes will finish in the middle of the pack. They lost some good pass protecting lineman.

Miramonte will be in the mix with Dublin and Alhambra.

DV will not be very good as usual.

 

[Bluedog2]

Las lomas lost a lot and I don't seeing them doing as well as they did last year.


Dublin and Alhambra could challenge campo only if they can sustain a time consuming running attack and their defense reduces campo's quick score attack.

Acalanes will finish in the middle of the pack. They lost some good pass protecting lineman.

Miramonte will be in the mix with Dublin and Alhambra.

DV will not be very good as usual.

When Capolindo falls behind, they have a bad habit of regrouping and come back with a vengeance, I don't think they will have this advantage this season, but its up to the defense's to keep up the pressure, any small let down and look out. Also, the Cougars defense on the flip side holds offense's down, so the DFAL has to put on their think cap and find a way to stop campolindo.

 

[GoBears89]

I can't imagine Campolindo will be as strong this year as they were last year as they lose both Tyler Petite and Nick Fadelli, two amazing players. Campo has one of the best coaches in CA and very smart players who are well coached. I believe it will take a balanced attack to defeat Campo - their halftime adjustments are remarkable.

 

[beatenpath2]

I can't imagine Campolindo will be as strong this year as they were last year as they lose both Tyler Petite and Nick Fadelli, two amazing players. Campo has one of the best coaches in CA and very smart players who are well coached. I believe it will take a balanced attack to defeat Campo - their halftime adjustments are remarkable.

I as well believe that Campo will be nowhere near the untouchable undefeated team they were last year. However, they are still No. 1 no doubt. Despite their losses Campolindo will fill in holes and with Coach Macy at the helm, should be the favorite to win majority of their games. Only difference from last year is that I see Campo being in more tight games then you might think. Such as the Marin Catholic game last year, which in my opinion was even closer to beating Campo then the team they played in state. But Hey, we'll see. Campo is still reigning champ 4 years in a row until someone dethroned them

 

[farmair3]

You mention Petite and Fidelli yet both were shut down at least by their standards in the Regional game last season. It was the supporting cast and coaching that turned that game around after being down 14 in the first quarter. If they have guys that can step up and replace that fullback/backer that they had last year that just seemed to make every play in the regional and State game and can get solid play from a qb they will be outstanding again. They were proof last year that you don't need a D1 college qb to succeed if you have a great supporting class and coaching

 

[mshNASTY]

I think Miramonte will surprise some people this year. They have a lot of talented players with experience at all the right positions. This is a team 2 years removed from a NCS title win over Clayton Vly. They should be Campo's biggest threat. The rest of the league is a toss up to me and fairly even. Las lomas lost a lot and have low numbers but should be good, Acalanes too. Alhambra has the best JV team coming up, minus Campo. DV looked impressive with new O/D looks In 7 on 7 with some legit skill guys. Dublin is big upfront but they also lost a lot in their WR's and QB. DFAL should be fun and competitive this year but hard to think anybody's but Campo is going to picked the win it in preseason.

 

[bella123]

I think Miramonte will surprise some people this year. They have a lot of talented players with experience at all the right positions. This is a team 2 years removed from a NCS title win over Clayton Vly.

Huh? They beat Casa in the title game.

 

[mshNASTY]

Huh? They beat Casa in the title game.

Thanks for the correction, it was CVC in Semi's Casa in Finals. I remembered it being other way around.

 

[beatenpath2]

I can agree with mshNASTY, Miramonte is looking solid with many returners outside of their O tackles. Not sure who the QB will be exactly this year, but with Stehr and Anderson returning they have some nice pieces coming back. I think the first league game against Alhambra, will be a huge game for the DFAL standings and could effect the long term