The 2023 Piedmont High School boys soccer team had a great season, going 7-4, winning the Shoreline Division of the West Alameda County Conference and reaching the North Coast Section playoffs for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now the Highlanders want to build on this success with a core group of seniors.
“This is the senior year for this group,” said coach Jordan Seiden. “This is a group we’ve been waiting for a long time. Pretty optimistic for the year.”
This group is led by quarterback Markos Lagios. Lagios is 5’10” tall and weighs 195 pounds and has been a starter since the finals of his freshman year.
“He’s a jack of all trades who can operate from the pocket and the perimeter,” Seiden said. “He’s a damn good leader who leads by example. His overall strength is incredible, which leads to him having a really strong arm.”
Sam Shelby is the most electrifying senior. He stands at 6’0″ and weighs 195 pounds and can play all over the field, including running back, wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner.
“I’m just looking for different ways to get him the ball in open space while the blockers are in front of him,” Seiden said of the team’s plans for Shelby. “I’m just trying different ways to get him out with the ball in his hands. Run, pass or block.”
Tommy Ashton (6-2, 220) is the leading running back and middle linebacker. He has a tough, physical running style.
“He’s the heart and soul of the running game and our offense,” Seiden said. “He’s a bruiser, he’s a load to carry, a load to attack. A lot of his yards are going to be yards after contact.”
Cash Elmquist is a 6’2″ and 220lb tight end and middle linebacker.
“He’s our Swiss Army knife with a big physique,” Seiden said. “We can use him anywhere.”
Jordan Alemania is the best lineman at 6’0″ and 250 lbs. He plays on both sides but is a force on defense.
“One of the best defensive players in the Bay Area this year,” Seiden said. “He’s the guy that gets our trenches going on both sides. Again, he’s a kid that has aspirations to play after high school. He’s put in a lot of work to get his body in shape and healthy and is looking forward to a strong year.”
Linemen Nick King and Liam Leahy are also experienced starters.
New to the team is junior Xavier Henderson, a 5’10”, 175lb transfer from Oakland Tech. He will play running back and linebacker.
“He can play in several positions in our offense and defense,” said Seiden. “Very athletic, very intelligent, a lot of experience in football.”
Seiden said the roster will include about 25 players. Small rosters have been a problem for Piedmont in the past, and the 2022 season was shortened due to injuries.
“We were surprised that 40 children would train (during the last offseason),” Seiden said. “Last year 12 children trained. The fact that we have that now is unbelievable.”
The Highlanders moved up to the Mission Division this year and will now face bigger schools than the ones they played last year: Hayward, Irvington, Kennedy-Fremont, Newark Memorial and Washington-Fremont. Seiden declined to comment on expectations.
“I really try to keep it simple,” he said. “Come out, work hard every day, you’ll improve and ultimately do your job. Everything will fall into place.”
However, he acknowledged that Piedmont could be good with its strong core of returning seniors.
“All else being equal and we’re healthy, I see no reason why we can’t be,” he said. “We’re not sneaking up on anyone anymore.”
The opening game will be at home against Salesian on August 30th at the renovated Witter Field.
“They have a lineman going to San Diego State and they have a rich history of athletes coming through their program over the years,” Seiden said. “It’s going to be a big test for us.”
