By admin 
As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2026 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
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Today’s focus:
PENINSULA ATHLETIC LEAGUE LAKE DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 HOMESTEAD
Coach:Shawn Hook
2025 record:7-3
What to expect:Hook hopes that a strong senior class that includes two back-to-back all-league players, tight end David Robu and defensive back Andrew Fekete, will carry the Mustangs to the top of the Lake. Robu is the two-time returning leading receiver and Fekete is a team leader who has started 20 varsity games. RB/LB Ben Acton is a two-way starter and all-league linebacker who led the Mustangs in rushing yards and tackles. Senior Omri Pnini is a college prospect and returning all-league kicker who made 10 field goals of 40-plus yards last season. OL Brandon Corona is a key player in all three phases, including at long snapper. CB Elijah Burse is the team’s best all-around tackler and a second-year starter. OT Sunjeev Michhal is a hard worker and second-year varsity starter who is the O-line leader. Junior QB Kyle Chang is the younger brother of three-year starter Carson Chang, who graduated in the spring, and has had a great offseason as he prepares to take over.
Season opener:Aug. 28 at Los Altos, 7 p.m.
No. 2 MACDONALD
Coach:Burt Codera
2025 record:9-1
What to expect:MacDonald had a strong year in its second season of varsity football, finishing second to Jefferson. With Jefferson promoted after winning the league, the Condors could compete for the title this fall but will have to replace a lot from last year’s senior class, the first graduates in school history. Fernando Herrera is a third-year starter who has good size and toughness and could go both ways. CB/WR Josiah Chavez is a junior who has already started for two years. He is a “hard-working, reliable kid who loves football,” Codera said. OG/DT Isaiah Meza (5-10, 215 pounds) is athletic and physical. “What he lacks in size he makes up with athleticism and heart,” Codera said. RB/LB Jhaylen Richards will lead the offensive backfield and could contribute on defense. Senior Addis Klusturic (6-2, 290 pounds) will lead a solid D-line. Carlos Lujan is a third-year starter and will provide toughness on the O-line.
Season opener:Aug. 28 vs. Santa Clara, 7 p.m.
No. 3 SARATOGA
Coach:Archie Ljepava
2025 record:6-4
What to expect:Senior QB Anson Hulme, who has previously led Saratoga’s defense as a safety, should be the centerpiece as the Falcons try to build upon a third-place finish last season. Saratoga has been competitive in the Lake the past few seasons under Ljepava and should be in the mix again this year. RB/LB Brennan Pak is a key loss among last year’s senior class, but middle linebacker Motekiai Pahulu should be back to anchor the defense.
Season opener:Aug. 28 at Prospect, 7 p.m.
No. 4 GUNN
Coach:Dethrick Slocum
2025 record:2-8
What to expect:After a 10-0 regular season in 2024, Gunn was promoted to the PAL El Camino but struggled after losing a superb crop of seniors, finishing at the bottom of the league with an 0-5 record. Now back in the Lake, the Titans should be more competitive. Center/MLB Juyoung Kim and RB/DB Jett Creighton could be players to watch.
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Season opener:Aug. 29 at Pajaro Valley, 2 p.m.
No. 5 MILLS
Coach:Nick Lobao
2025 record:2-8
What to expect:Mills continues to fight the ongoing battle with participation numbers that plagues many lower-division teams, but second-year coach Lobao likes the talent at his skill positions. WR Kosta Jada is the reigning Lake receiver of the year and led the league in every statistical receiving category. QB Brian Lourenco was the leading passer in the Lake last season. WR/DB Leo Wasmuth is a returning two-way starter and was second on the team in TD catches. OL Damian Moreno was a two-way player a year ago and is taking over as the leader of the O-line. Junior LB Zack Yee was a varsity call-up midway through last year who became an athletic and tough starter. CB/DB AJ Ramos is smart and athletic and will look to start both ways. LB/OL Landon Aleman was a two-way starter. He played defensive line last season.
Season opener:Aug. 28 vs. Harbor, 7 p.m.
No. 6 EL CAMINO
Coach:Rustin Mayorga
2025 record:5-5
What to expect:Second-year coach Mayorga is concerned about numbers, saying his team currently has only 13 players practicing. The Colts had high hopes before last season but finished in the middle of the Lake pack, placing fifth of eight teams. Senior OL/DL/LB Davian Martinez and junior K Emilio Jimenez could be bright spots.
Season opener:Aug. 28 vs. Balboa, 7 p.m.
No. 7 CUPERTINO
Coach:Matt Barr
2025 record:0-10
What to expect:Cupertino had a tough go in the Lake last season and will endure similar challenges this year, with five seniors – all new to football – and most starters juniors or sophomores. “Only two players on our entire roster played football before HS,” Barr said. LB/WR Jacob Roy has strong work ethic and is a team leader. OL/DL Carter Ly is a returning two-way starter who “consistently shows up on the field and in the weight room,” Barr said. OL/DL Thomas Hsu is another consistently present returning two-way starter. RB/DB Jacob Jensen is an athletic sophomore who brings maturity and leadership. QB Manuel “Tico” Padilla is a smart player with a good arm. QB/DB Jericho Shih is an aggressive player who sets the tone on the field, especially on defense. RB/LB Sean Sebastian has a great attitude and is a good athlete.
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Season opener:Aug. 27 vs. Mt. Pleasant, 7:15 p.m.
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