Video: Early Contenders presented by Shock Doctor We set the tone for 2018 by looking at high school football's elite.
Head coach: Justin Alumbaugh
Last season: 11-2, No. 25 national ranking, lost 52-21 to National Champion Mater Dei in the CIF Open Division state championship.
Last decade: 130-11, 6 state titles
Famous alumni/players: T.J. Ward, Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety; Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons TE; Brent, Jon and Drew Barry, former NBA players; Maurice Jones Drew, former NFL All-Pro; D.J. Williams, former NFL LB.
Star power (According to 247Sports): 5-star recruits — 0; 4-star recruits — 2; 3-star recruits — 1
Head coach Justin Alumbaugh
File photo by Dennis Lee
—
The 5-star linebacker is one of the best players in the country.
TE Isaiah Foskey (6-5, 240, Sr.) —
Expect the No. 5 rated tight end from the Class of 2019 to be a key contributor on both sides of the ball.
LB Jhasi Wilson (6-1, 215, Sr.) —
One of the most underrated players in the country, Wilson is a name to keep tabs on in 2018.
RB Shamar Garrett (5-7, 170, Jr.) — The Spartans will have a run-heavy attack, like usual, and Garrett will be the featured back following the graduation of
Kairee Robinson.
DT Beaux Tagaloa (6-0, 275, Sr.) — Tagaloa is hoping to end his high school career just like his older brother Boss ... by winning a state championship.
Linebacker Henry To'oto'o
Photo by Dennis Lee
— vs. No. 19 Folsom
Aug. 24 —
vs. Central Catholic (Modesto)
Aug. 31 —
vs. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland)
Sept. 14 —
vs. No. 11 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Linebacker Jhasi Wilson
Photo by Dennis Lee
• There might not be a more prestigious high school football program than De La Salle. Hollywood made a movie about the program in 2014. The Spartans have appeared in the CIF state championship game 12 straight years and have dominated Northern California competition.
• De La Salle hasn't lost a game to a NorCal opponent since 1991, a span of 291 games.
• The Spartans open the season against Folsom, a match-up featured in the MaxPreps
Top 10 Games of the Year and the winner puts itself in a great spot to represent Northern California in the CIF Open Division championship game.
• De La Salle always has a big-time run game and big-time defense, and things aren't changing in 2018. To'oto'o is one of the best players in the state and he made a huge impact on both sides of the ball during his junior season.
• The Spartans have played in the CIF open division state championship nine consecutive years and have gone 6-3 in those games.
De La Salle has a wealth of experienced players including seniors (left to right) Henry To'oto'o, Beaux Tagaloa, Isaiah Foskey, Gunnar Rask and Jhasi Wilson.
Photo by Dennis Lee
