SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2024 - San Gabriel, Alhambra, Mark Keppel (FREE PREVIEW)
San Gabriel is a contender to win the Almont League while Alhambra and Keppel will look for marked improvement in the 2024 season.
San Gabriel High School
Coach: Marcus Galan
League: Almont
2023 Record: 6-5, CIFSS Div. 13 First Round
2023 CalPreps Rating: -23.6
2024 Calpreps Preseason Rating: -32.2 (2nd Best in League)
Number of Returning Players: 8
Number of All-League Players Returning: 5
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Michael Combes
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 8
Number of OL Returning: 4
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 4
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Louie Navarro - junior, 5’10 - 185lbs, RB/TE, first-team all-league last season
Adam Mascorro - junior, 5’7 - 145lbs, RB/WR, first-team all-league last season
Efren Torres, senior, 6’0 - 185lbs, QB, first-team all-league last season
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Robert Garcia - sophomore, 5’10 - 240lbs, Right Guard, first-team all-league as a freshman last season.
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Marcus Galan
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 4
Number of DL Returning: 1
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 3
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Chris Ramirez - WR/DB, junior, 5’10 - 160
Noah Osorio - QB/WR/DB, sophomore, 5’8 - 140
Cesar Rivas - DB, junior, 5’10 - 145
COMMENTS FROM COACH GALAN: “The strength of the team will be the offensive line where we are returning 4 of 5 starters and our RB positions.
The weakness will be QB play because our starting QB is out for the foreseeable future with a torn labrum.
The league will be tough as always. Every league game is always a dogfight.”
2024 Schedule (with 2023 season records)
Week 0: vs. Whittier Christian at Whittier College (7-5,
This is the first time that both teams are playing each other. In away games since 2004, SG has a 40-50 record.
Week 1: at Rosemead (2-8)
San Gabriel has lost the last six consecutive games against the Panthers, including a forfeit loss in 2023.
Week 2: vs. Franklin (9-3-1, CIFLACS Div. 1 Quarterfinalists)
This is the back end of a home-and-home series that saw SG suffer a 45-26 loss in 2023.
Week 3: vs. Carpinteria (2-8)
This is the first time that both teams are playing in each other. In home games since 2004, SG has a 52-58-1.
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: vs. El Monte (5-7, CIFSS Div. 12 Quarterfinalists)
This is the third non-league opponent that SG will be playing for the first time. In nonleague games since 2004, the Matadores have a 46-51-1 record.
Week 6: at Schurr (9-2, CIFSS Div. 11 Quarterfinalists)
Since 2004, SG has had a 3-16 record against Schurr and has an 11-game losing streak.
Week 7: vs. Bell Gardens (10-6, CIFSS Champs and CIFSTATE FInalists)
SG broke a 10-game losing streak in the series in 2003 with a 34-16 victory.
Week 8: vs. Keppel (0-10)
SG has a 20-0 record against Keppel since 2004.
Week 9: vs. Alhambra (1-9) at Moor Field
In the annual rivalry game, San Gabriel has won the last four editions, which includes a 21-3 win LY.
Week 10: at Montebello (4-6)
In one of the better league games through the years, both teams have won 10 games since 2004.
CRYSTAL BALL: This is year two of the Coach Galan era at San Gabriel and it’s a little bit concerning as to how this year will turn out due to the QB injury that took place over the summer. The one that you can be sure of is that SG will run with the lethal duo of Navarro and Mascorro returning and veteran OL. That will help out a lot. The other obvious concern will be on defense where the front seven will be under the microscope. If the Matadores are to achieve any success and make the playoffs they need to stop the run against teams like Schurr and Bell Gardens. As for the schedule, it’s not that bad for the type of team that SG will field this year. Franklin will give them a good look and the El Monte games appear to be a delicious matchup for Matador fans. Since the QB is out, any of our computer models get thrown out of the room and it’s anyone's guess on how this season will play out. But here it goes…
Projected Record: 5-5
Alhambra High School
Coach: Mike Mackintosh
League: Almont
2023 Record: 1-9
2023 CalPreps Rating: -43
2024 Calpreps Preseason Rating: -59.3 (5th best in league)
Number of Returning Players: 14
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Mackintosh
Rushing yards: 1,110 Yards (4.0 Yards Per Carry, 111.0 YPG)
Passing Yards: 1,032 Yards (11.9 yards Per Completion, 103.2 YPG)
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Bryan Leonard, 6'0 165, QB/SS, Junior. threw for 906 yards and 6 touchdowns as a sophomore.
Halen Tsang RB/ILB. 5'10 245, junior.
Nero Navarro 5'8 145, junior, WR/DB.
Marco Vazquez, 5'10 140, junior, WR/OLB.
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Vailele Peko
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Christian Mina, 6'1, 155, senior, WR/SS. 10 receptions 106 yds. Started both ways and played special teams last year as a junior. He will be a big part of our defense.
Halen Tsang, 5'10, 245, junior. Started both ways at RB/ILB, tore his ACL in week 2, and was out for the rest of the season. Marco Vazquez, 5'10140, junior, WR/OLB
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Devin Martinez, 5'10 150, junior, RB/OLB. Devin played at the F/S level last year for us. He has proven that he can make plays and will play a big role on defense for us.
COMMENTS FROM COACH MACINTOSH: “We have a mix of new and returning players, but we will definitely be on the young side. We have some experience on both sides of the ball, but for most positions, this will be their first varsity experience. We have had a good spring and summer so far, the guys are really buying in and working hard. It helps that our QB, Bryan Leonard will be in his third year starting for us. We have high expectations for him and look to him as a leader.”
2024 Schedule (with 2023 season records)
Week 0: at South El Monte (9-2, Div. 12 First Round)
Week 1: at El Monte (5-7, CIFSS Div. 12 Quarterfinalists)
Week 2: at Temple City (3-7)
Week 3: at La Salle (4-6)
Week 4: vs South Pasadena (9-2, CIFSS Div. 11 First Round)
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: at Bell Gardens (10-6, CIFSS Champs and CIFState Finalists)
Week 7: vs. Montebello (4-6) at Moor Field
Week 8: vs. Schurr at Moor Field (9-2, CIFSS Div. 11 First Round)
Week 9: vs. San Gabriel (6-5, CIFSS Div. 13 First Round)
Week 10: at Keppel (0-10)
CRYSTAL BALL: This is another tricky read for a team that always (from a historical point of view) seems to be in the mix for a league title. They have a returning QB in Leonard (who figures to be sitting on a big game). All of their other skill guys are returning and will be juniors, which should land them in the most improved players department for the league. The obvious questions will be with the offensive and defensive lines - all of whom figure to be young and need Friday night lights experience. The schedule figures to be a challenging one for a team with this type of talent. Our computer models give them a three-win season, which would be an improvement and put them in the right direction for the future.
Projected Record: 3-7
Keppel High School
Coach: Robert Gonzalez
League: Almont
2023 Record: 0-10
2023 CalPreps Rating: -74.9
2024 Calpreps Preseason Rating: -85.9 (6th best in the league)
Number of Returning Players: 9
Number of All-League Players Returning: 4
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Karl Key
Number of Off. Returning Starters: 9
Number of OL Returning: 4
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 5
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Jasper Wong, Junior, 5'8, 140, WR All-League
Hunter To, Junior, 5'9, 140, RB/WR All-League
Tony Andrade Sophomore, 5'9, 130, QB/TE
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Leo Lin, Senior, 6'2, 275 G/T All-League
Raymond Gonzalez, Senior, 6'1, 285, C/G/T
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Andrew (AJ) Escobar
Number of Def. Returning Starters: 9
Number of DL Returning: 4
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 5
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Jasper Wong, Junior, 5'8, 140, WR All-League
Hunter To, Junior, 5'9, 140, RB/WR All-League
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Raymond Gonzalez, Senior, 6'1, 285, DL
Ryan Gomez, Junior, 5'11, 200 DL
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Matthew Conteras, Sophomore, 5'9, 150, RB/DB
Noah Sandoval, Freshmen, 5'8, 130, WR/DB
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER OFF/DEF LINEMAN
Derek Chan, Junior, 6'1, 250, G/C/T/DL
Derek Martinez, Freshmen, 5'7, 165, G/T/DL
COMMENTS FROM COACH GONZALEZ: “Strength: Offensive Line
Weakness: Numbers
League: Competitive”
2024 Schedule (with 2023 season records)
Week 0: at Mountian View (6-4)
Week 1: vs. Artesia (8-5, CIFSS Div. 14 Semifinalists)
Week 2: vs. Nogales (2-8)
Week 3: vs. Azusa (5-5)
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: at Duarte (6-5, CIFSS Div. 14 First Round)
Week 6: vs. Montebello (4-6)
Week 7: at Schurr (9-2, CIFSS Div. 11 First Round)
Week 8: at San Gabriel (6-5, CIFSS Div. 13 First Round)
Week 9: vs. Bell Gardens (10-6, CIFSS Champs, CIFState Finalists)
Week 10: vs. Alhambra (1-9)
CRYSTAL BALL: Although our computer models don’t have a win for Keppel this year, I disagree. Coach Gonzalez has done a remarkable job of getting his team exposed through social media, their passing league tournaments, etc. So this is not the same old Keppel and I can see improvement for future years to come. Look for the offense to improve with AL players Wng and To returning for 2024. And Leo Lin and Robert Gonzalez will anchor an offensive line that projects to improve. The defense will be an issue and will have to be watched closely as the season progresses. I’m giving Keppel two wins this year and a foundation to build for 2025.
Projected Record: 2-8
This is a free preview of our 2024 football capsules for the SGV/Whittier area. We feel that we give you more for your buck than any other publication in the area. We are the only service that gives you football stats, current and past CalPreps Ratings, notes on each game on the team’s schedule, and much more. Our goal is for you to be the most educated football fan in the area and that you’ll support our reader-supported publication. As the saying goes, “We obsess so that you don’t have to.” — JE