In his decades of experience coaching for one of the more prestigious high school teams within the East Bay, Pittsburg football coach Victor Galli doesn’t have time to ponder excessive hyperbole.
Naturally, the player doesn’t have to. The hype surrounding his 2022 team will take over. He may still require an agent for media relations at this stage.
Look at the Pittsburg High practice in the months leading up to the team’s August. The twenty-sixth game against Jesse Bethel Vallejo, who is visiting, and Galli will be walking around the Pirates Stadium.
Turf about an hour earlier to oversee interview sessions, photo shoots, and film crews. When coaches and coordinators lead the practice in a strict schedule, Galli bounces from unit to group. Always a swaggerer, there’s a noticeable jog in his steps as he goes about his way.
The coach said we were looking at this senior class of young freshmen just three years back, and we knew it could be a great bunch.
The 2023 class was the first freshman class to begin with, varsity football under the guidance of Galli. This honor went to player Rashid Williams, now a four-star player who will be heading to Washington next season.
Later one year, in the autumn of 2020, all California activities suffered pandemic delays and shutdowns. Another 2023 athlete was enrolled in Pittsburg High by Liberty-Brentwood, except for IMG Academy in Florida. Jaden Rashada had already been on the national recruitment radar as a dual-threat quarterback. Moreover, he was exhausted from bouncing around.
What we are anticipating, Galli said of his relationship with Rashada. It was not a short one-year contract. It was a plan for three years, and now it’s time to implement the plan.
The strategy isn’t without any hiccups due to pandemics creating their mark in numerous seasons. It’s already produced the inaugural North Coast Section Division I championship under the guidance of Galli.
The changes made last year in the NCS playoff system allowed players from the Open Division runner-up to play for the Division. Pittsburg finally had a possibility of winning a section title.
The big defeat for Pirates in the Open final by 42-14 to De La Salle-Concord, before recovering the following week to beat Clayton Valley 28-14 and earning the first NCS championship banner in 1991. A week later, they were required to take on a CIF, the state regional championship at home against Liberty-Bakersfield, and fell 35-7.
A niggle saved Rashada from taking part in any of the three games. The player wasn’t in the game any part in the title victory against Clayton Valley.
The plan has some unfinished business in its ledger. It’s prepared to settle the matter.
We all are in a position to regroup and come back more prepared, Rashada states. It’s normal for us. If something happens to you, it goes your way. I think our team has accomplished. We believe that’s how our coaches have worked, and I’ve done the same to support them.
Perhaps nobody is more excited to play and focus on football than Rashada. The last six months were a blur of recruitment trips and pressure decisions that eventually resulted in a decision to join Miami’s University of Miami in late June.
Finally, after the shackles of his 6-foot-4, 185-pound quarterback has the energy to match the power from his trainer.
I am well aware that it was a hard few years being an extremely prominent person, Galli said. He was under pressure, and I felt sorry for him. The guy is a very friendly kid. He’ll chat with you and even talk about his school teachers. He’s a humble man. A massive weight is off his chest.
Rashada is also full of hunger to be the Pittsburg quarterback once again
Alongside the Washington-bound Williams in the future, in addition to Williams, the Pirates are home to three more senior receivers who have commitments to Division I offers.
Zack Card, a speedster who was 6th at the CIF State Championship 100-meter finals last spring, has currently enrolled at Oregon State. Khai Taylor has accepted the offer of Nevada, and Keynan Higgins has the recommendations of Arizona State, Fresno State, and BYU, among others.
About the sophomore Jadyn Hudson, Pittsburg coaches are convinced that Hudson might have the most potential of all of them. College recruiters could be thinking the same. Hudson has offers from both SEC along with the Big 10, including Georgia and Michigan.
Hudson will be part of a class in 2025 that could challenge this group of seniors and have several important players on the roster this year.
Among them are the popular linebacker Etene Pritchard and edge rusher Jewelous Walls. The running back, a sophomore Elijah Bow, will get the first chance to take over as the Pirate’s lead. Running back following last season’s top speedster Charles Brown transferred to Antioch.
Unassuming, extremely persevering worker, Galli states of Bow. He was quite disappointed when Charles Brown left because he wanted to go in and beat him up. Let me tell you. It wouldn’t be an issue if he did it. He got small, strong feet and great hands in the backfield, with high moves up to the ball field.
Pittsburg will boast fifteen returning players, nine on defense and six on offense. The most enigma is the openings on offense majority of which are along the offensive lines.
We’ve to come up with the perfect combination, Galli states. I am confident that we will reach our goal. It’s all about the speed at which we get it.
Following the opening game with Bethel, The schedule picks up quickly. The Pirates will kick off their September match against Liberty-Henderson Nev. At the Honor Bowl in San Diego.
They will also play-at-home games with Folsom and McClymonds, beginning the season with the team ranked No Two and eighth in NorCal, respectively. Pittsburg begins at 8:15 am in NorCal. 4.
From the QB, the players with the most skill to our defense and our line. It’s all changed, the senior states. Each year I’ve played, there’s always been some element. This year was completely contrary. I am excited this year.