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AUGUST 14, 2026

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Brentwood and Oakley

Football Preview

2026

Liberty football aims to compete ‘at a championship level’ in 2026 New coach Clark aims high in debut JEFF WEISINGER Liberty’s football program has been one of the stronger programs in East County throughout the last four seasons. This season, now under new head coach Mike Clark, the Lions aren’t just aiming for the playoffs. They’re preparing for a championship type of run, one that they’re working to earn. “Our theme (this year) is ‘earn it,’” Clark said following the Lions training camp in Brentwood. “A lot of the guys are responding ...getting a good, clear understanding of what our practice standards look like and how to take the next steps. “This kind of really takes uncommon effort to compete at a championship level. We have to make those daily deposits and get those guys in a place where they’re embracing being on the field together and coming with a purposeful mindset.” The hard work has created high goals for a Liberty team that hasn’t been

to a North Coast Section championship game since 2017 when they defeated Freedom, 37-0. The Lions have reached the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, reaching the NCS semifinals in 2022 and 2024 before going one and done at Pittsburg in last year’s playoff opener against the Pirates. Clark finds himself at the center of the team’s excitement and spotlight entering the 2026 season. As much as the team has been preparing for the upcoming season, Clark is preparing for his official Lions debut on the sideline just two years after leading Vanden to a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State title. That note on his resume, and his arrival to what’s been a fairly strong Lions team the last few years, have placed a brighter spotlight on Liberty. “We’ve been a pretty solid team the last few years,” senior receiver Robert Ellsworth said. “With our new coach, he’s had a great past, he’s coached in college and in the NFL, so he brings a lot to this team. I think there’s a lot for him to do here.” According to North Coast Update, a website that covers high school sports

in the NCS, Liberty is ranked eighth in their preseason polls heading into the season kickoff at the end of the month. MaxPreps has the Lions ranked 10th amongst teams in the North Coast Section and fifth in the NCS Division 1 preseason rankings. Liberty went 8-2 last year with the regular season losses coming against Los Gatos and Pittsburg, both of whom had deep postseason runs. The Lions, aware that there are more eyes on them entering this season compared to years past, remain unfazed. “I just tell the team that no light is too bright,” senior quarterback Leysen Rodrigues said. “So, even though the spotlight’s on us, we can’t get too bigheaded or anything and get out of our own game.” Rodrigues returns for his first full season behind center for the Lions after transferring in from Hawaii’s Kapolei High School midway through last year. He says that having a full offseason with the team has been a huge boost to his confidence entering the 2026 season. “I was able to build chemistry with the whole team.” he said. Rodrigues threw for 734 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions in five

games last year. “It’s just exposure (to the offense),” Clark said of Rodrigues’s growth. “The more exposure he can get to the system, the more you can file that into your longterm memory bank. “It’s not just him. You see an entire unit. Things are starting to click some.”

LIBERTY FOOTBALL 2026 SCHEDULE August 28, 7:00 PM @ California (San Ramon) September 4, 7:00 PM vs. Monte Vista September 11, 7:00 PM vs El Cerrito September 18, 7:00 PM @ Amador Valley (Pleasanton) September 25, 7:00 PM vs. Freedom* October 2, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley* October 9, 7:00 PM @ Pittsburg* October 16, 7:00 PM @ Heritage* October 23, 7:00 PM vs. Emerald* November 11, 7:00 PM @ Antioch* *BVAL games

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Helmets collide at Heritage football camp as they set the tone for season R AY M O N D B E A S L E Y V

AUGUST 14, 2026

H E R ITAGE FOOTBA L L 2026 SCHEDULE August 28, 7:00 PM vs. James Logan September 4, 7:00 PM @ Castro Valley September 12, 2:00 PM @ St. Bernard’s

With the season getting closer to their opening game against James Logan in Brentwood on Friday, Aug 28, Heritage football began to display their team identity on the field throughout the team’s summer camp, as they developed in spring workouts earlier this year. “I’m looking forward to just having a great practice, same things we’ve been doing,” Patriots second-year head football coach Nick Wisely said. “Working hard, getting better at every rep, every step that we do.” “That’s our main goal, just to get through this, stay healthy and keep refining [our identity],” Wisely said. The Patriots look to rebound after a 1-9 season in 2025. Wisely said the Patriots struggled to respond when adversity struck. “Last year, there were some points where our effort really hurt us last year. I felt like accountability hurt us last year, and then fully coming together as a team,” Wisely said. “There was a divide in the senior class and everyone else. This year, we’ve worked really hard to break those cliches and those groups and bring everyone together.” The Patriots want to get better collectively to win more than one game and return to the playoffs. One way to build

September 18, 7:00 PM vs. Jesse M. Bethel

Heritage receivers work on drills during the team’s camp practice.

September 25, 7:00 PM @ Antioch* October 2, 7:00 PM @ Freedom* October 9, 7:00 PM @ Emerald* October 16, 7:00 PM vs. Liberty* October 30, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley* November 6, 7:00 PM vs. Pittsburg*

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

is on the defense, and Wisely said he’s enjoyed the continuity and aggressiveness of his defensive group. “Defense is top notch,” Wisely said. “We have a great group of players, and we have a great group of coaches. It’s almost like their second year on varsity. A lot of the kids are second year starters, they play with aggression, and it’s fun to see.” While Heritage’s defense is set, Wisely believes his offense must take another step to hang with the best teams. “Last year, we fell short offensively, and this year we have the kids that are going to change that,” Wisely said. “It’s almost a mentality thing. Our kids aren’t going to be surprised we score, surprised

when good plays happen. We’re going to expect it. Our expectation is going to take us to bigger heights.” Leading the Patriots’ offensive weapons is senior starting quarterback Kyle Miller, who threw for over 1,000 yards in his junior campaign, according to MaxPreps. This year, Miller wants a fresh start this year for himself and his team. “As a team, I think our competition in practice is a lot stronger. Miller said. “We’re having more fun, and we’re succeeding more than we were in the past. Individually, I feel like my arm’s gotten stronger, my reads have been more clear, and I’m more confident this year.” Miller developed to get to where he

*BVAL games

is from experience. “Last year, going into it I didn’t know if I was going to be starting until a few hours before [the first game],” Miller said. “On varsity, the people were bigger, faster and stronger. So with a year of experience I feel prepared and I know what to expect.” Wisely described what he expects his team’s ceiling to be for the upcoming season. “It’s hard to put into words how far I think they can go, it’s just whether they believe it or not,” Wisely said. “They’re getting to that point. It’s so much fun watching them grow with that [mindset].”

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AUGUST 14, 2026

Freedom football enters 2026 with a new perspective and focus JEFF WEISINGER

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FREEDOM FOOTBALL 2026 SCHEDULE August 28, 7:00 PM vs. Skyline September 4, 7:00 PM vs. Fremont September 11, 7:00 PM @ Ygnacio Valley

Entering his third season as Freedom’s head football coach, Stephen Rodriguez believes the Falcons have something they lacked during his first two years at the helm: perspective focused on winning. “We’re here to win,” Rodriguez said. “That’s our perspective right now.” That new perspective follows several years of struggle for the program. “Really, this is our year,” he added. “This is our year to really show what we can do on the scoreboard. I think that we have a great group of kids that really, really care about — not even about winning — just about being a good team and understanding what it takes to be a good football player.” Freedom opens the 2026 season at home against Skyline of Oakland on Friday, Aug. 28, looking to begin what Rodriguez believes could be a turnaround. The Falcons have won a total of three games over the past three seasons, including two under Rodriguez. Freedom’s last winning season came in 2018 at 9-4 overall, falling in the North Coast Section title game against San Ramon Valley. Since then, the Falcons have not won more than three games in a season. According to MaxPreps, Freedom made strides offensively during Rodriguez’s second season, averaging 13.6 points per game in 2025 after aver-

Freedom head football coach Stephen Rodriguez talks to his players during the team’s recentsummer camp practice in Oakley.

September 18, 7:00 PM @ Castro Valley September 25, 7:00 PM @ Liberty* October 2, 7:00 PM vs. Heritage* October 16, 7:00 PM @ Pittsburg* October 23, 7:00 PM vs. Antioch* October 30, 7:00 PM vs. Emerald* November 6, 7:00 PM vs. Deer Valley* *BVAL games

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

aging 8.9 in 2024. But while the offense improved, the defense regressed. The Falcons allowed 44.9 points per game last season, up from 35.2 in 2024. Freedom allowed 40 or more points in eight of its 10 games, compared with four times in 2024. That included an 83-19 season-opening loss to East Union, the worst loss in program history. The Falcons also allowed 60 or more points three times overall, two against Liberty and Antioch. Rodriguez said much of last season’s struggle stemmed from inexperience. “Last year, in that first game against East Union, we had five kids who had ever

played a varsity sport,” Rodriguez said. “They were starting against a team that was well-oiled, that went to the playoffs. Moving into this year, we aren’t even talking about last year. The kids are ready to move on. ...They’re ready to prove everyone else wrong.” The roster has been almost completely overhauled from the teams that finished 1-9 in each of the past two years, largely because of players moving up from the program’s recently strong junior varsity and freshmen teams. This year’s team features a junior class that went 8-3 as sophomores at the junior varsity level last season, the program’s

first winning JV campaign since 2016. The roster also includes a few sophomores from a freshman team that finished 4-4 last year, its best record since going 6-5 back in 2018. “We have the ability to win now,” Rodriguez said. “I wouldn’t necessarily say we didn’t in the past, but we were a struggling team. We were working on ourselves.” “Now we have reached a point where we have enough football knowledge to be able to say that we’re going to go out there and beat a team. It’s just a matter of this group playing like a team, wanting to be a team, understanding what it is to be a team. We’re ready to win.”

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AUGUST 14, 2026

Liberty girls flag football will be more creative under first-year head coach Mike Gregory MASON TOVANI Liberty girls flag football has set the standard in the Bay Valley Athletic League, winning all three league championships since the sport debuted in 2023 and losing in league play just twice during that span. For new girls flag football head coach Mike Gregory, though, sustaining that success starts with keeping the Lions focused on what comes first. “I haven’t even coached my first game yet, so I’m all about one game at a time,” Gregory said. “I’m not looking past anybody. The league is going to be competitive, every game will be tough and the better team is going to come out on top.” Gregory takes over for Matt Malzahn, who led the Lady Lions for the team’s first three seasons and helped make them an instant powerhouse in the BVAL. Gregory already has familiarity with several players

New Liberty head girls flag football coach Mike Gregory breaks down the team huddle during practice. Photo by Mason Tovani

through his role as Liberty’s girls basketball coach. That crossover has helped make the transition smoother for players such as senior captain Alannah Lopez and junior quarterback Elenoa Malu. “The relationship he has built with us feels like a safe environment,” Malu said. “It’s

a fresh start for all of us.” “I want to keep it seamless but as organized as possible,” Gregory said. “I want to keep it simple for the girls, but I also expect the hard work (from the girls). I’m not out here for participation. I want to win championships.”

He added that Liberty plans to incorporate different looks designed to keep opponents off balance. For Malu, entering her second season at quarterback also means taking on a larger leadership role. “It’s an honor to represent the team, and I have to hold myself to a higher standard now that I am an upperclassman,” Malu said. “I’m excited to be a leader.” Liberty’s dominance has created expectations beyond another league title. The Lions’ postseason ended in the second round last season against San Ramon Valley, giving the returning players additional motivation. “We have something to prove this year and we want to four-peat,” Malu said. Lopez quickly added: “We’re ready to win our fourth.” Malu knows that goal will take time. “We still have work to do,” she said, “but we’re ready.”

Heritage girls flag football stays “humble and hungry” entering 2026 season R AY M O N D B E A S L E Y V Heritage girls flag football coach Jason Jeffrey enters his fourth season with different goals, but the same foundation: fundamentals first. Since beginning summer workouts in early July, the Patriots have focused on conditioning, agility and basic football skills before moving into more advanced work. “These basic things that we’re even trying to teach the new people are the foundation of it all,” Jeffrey said. “If you can just keep sharpening the tool and getting better at the little things, then hopefully it translates better in the season.” Heritage is coming off a 17-3 regular season in 2025, but its season ended with a 33-0 loss to Granada in the second round of the playoffs. Jeffrey said the loss provided a needed lesson.

Heritage flag quarterback Lily Brakel throws during the team’s summer workouts.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

“I think we need to be humbled a little bit,” Jeffrey said. “They haven’t been in that level of adversity throughout the season.” Sophomore quarterback Lily Brakel said the Patriots cannot allow last year’s success to create overconfidence.

“We have to move forward and move past our losses and build off of them,” Brakel said. “The schedule we had last year made us overly confident going into the playoffs.” Brakel tossed for 2,514 yards with 41

touchdowns and just eight interceptions in her freshman debut a year ago. Senior Malia Barcojo has also embraced a leadership role, emphasizing relationships with teammates as Heritage returns much of last year’s roster. Barcojo returns and looks to bounce back from a junior season where she had 17 catches for 204 yards with four touchdowns, down from her sophomore 2024 year where she had 37 catches for 352 yards with four scores. “The expectation is really high going into this year since we did so well last year,” Barcojo said. “I think it’s harder going into this year because of how well we did last year. We have to be better.” Jeffrey believes last season’s playoff loss at Granada remains a source of motivation. “When I mentioned Granada, it stunned them,” he said. “I think they’re all hungry and ready, and I’m excited for them.”

Freedom girls flag football embraces their “new culture” JEFF WEISINGER Freedom girls flag football enters 2026 looking to establish something that has largely eluded the program through its first three varsity seasons: a winning culture. New head coach Pierre Wallace believes a fresh approach can help change that. “We’re trying to bring a new culture here,” Wallace said. “Change everything and offset all the bad things that people say about this school.” Wallace returned to East County after attending Deer Valley and Liberty before graduating from Mount Diablo in 2010. He has since coached at several schools, most recently in the Tracy Unified School District. He inherits a Freedom program that has reached the postseason once in three seasons. The Falcons finished 12-7 in 2024 before losing to College Park in the opening round of the playoffs,

according to MaxPreps. Freedom went 6-12 last year. Senior quarterback Olivia Nino said the reset has been welcomed. “It’s really nice getting this new reset,” Nino said. “I wish we had it years prior because I feel like so many more of us would’ve improved more than we are now. I still think we’re really good. I think that we have potential.” Nino threw for 1,460 yards, 16 touchdowns and 22 interceptions as a junior in her first varsity season. Wallace has also introduced organized summer workouts for the first time, including daily weightroom sessions and on-field practices before tryouts. “The difference is just the effort,” Nino said of the new coaching staff. “I think that these coaches come and want to coach.” Freedom opens its season Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. against Pittsburg in Oakley.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Freedom flag quarterback Olivia Nino throws a pass during the team’s camp practice in Oakley.