Last season, head coach Archie Ljepava’s varsity football team surpassed expectations and ended with a 6-3-1 record, finishing third in the Peninsula-Lake League.
Heading into the new season, the 31-player team will have to make up for the loss of key players from last season. Losses to graduation include running back Keion Ashjaee-Marshall and receivers Doug Bettinger and Charlie Arman, and defensive players like Alessandro Kaypaghian and Tevita Pahulu.
With their first home game set for Aug. 30 against Prospect High, a non-league opponent, the team is finding ways to rebuild.
In addition, with 16 freshman signups, the program has been able to have a JV team after not fielding a younger squad last year. This also means that varsity will have fewer players than it did last year.
Still, the varsity team has strength at key positions, headlined by its five captains: junior quarterback Anson Hulme, senior running back and linebacker Brennan Pak, senior lineman Miles Sy, senior guard Anthony Tran and senior wide receiver Jayden Kwong.
Three other seniors will have vital roles this season: tight end Lucas Hawthorne, who missed last year due to injury; running back Ian Johnson, a speedster who will take the running load off Pak; and left tackle Isaac Zhao, who has made major strides in strength since last year.
In addition, the program has a new linebacker coach named Ricky Ramirez, who has been teaching and putting his imprint on that side of the ball for the Falcons. Both Hulme and Pak credit him for most of their defensive success in scrimmages.
The new-look team was put to the test on Aug. 24, when they ran plays against Andrew Hill High and Washington High. While no one kept score in the untraditional format, the Falcons scored multiple touchdowns and flexed a strong defense.
Based on the scrimmage, Hulme noted that the team needs to improve in blocking and consistency throughout their offensive play in order to succeed during the season.
“This season, we’re putting a lot of weight and trust on the offensive line, as they are the key to our run and pass game,” Hulme said.
Now in his third season as the starting varsity quarterback, Hulme continues to grow into his role, proving to be a vital leader and consistent passer.
For his part, Pak believes the team can run better routes to make Hulme’s job easier. Pak said the scrimmage was a good opportunity for the team to let players settle into new positions and ensure that they are comfortable before the season officially starts.
Playing against Washington, the defense did well to tackle the opposing running backs and break through Washington’s offensive line, Pak said.
Last season, league coaches predicted the Falcons would finish last in the league — the team ended up placing third.
At this year’s league coach meeting, Saratoga was once again projected to finish in the bottom half of the standings — a surprise to both Hulme and Pak after last season’s success. The majority at the meeting also voted Jefferson High to win the league, with El Camino High in second place. Saratoga was projected to finish sixth out of the eight teams.
“It was disappointing to see us ranked so low twice in a row, especially after the performance we had last year,” Pak said. “This year we hope to send a message.”
After their first game against Prospect, the team will play at Pinole Valley High on Sept. 5 and at home against Overfelt High on Sept. 12. All are non-league games. This season, the team will play six games at home, an increase compared to the two from last season.
“My goal for this season is to lead the team to win the league and get the momentum going for future players and coaches,” Pak said. “I know our team can run the table and finish first in our league if we can keep our noses on the grindstone.”
