Pittsburg’s Williams the ‘real deal’
PITTSBURG » Rashid Williams had a good summer. A little swimming, some video games, time to sleep in. He got his driver’s license and a Mustang to go with it. Oh, and it ended with scholarship offers from Stanford and Mississippi State — the most prestigious yet for Pittsburg High’s junior receiver, who should lead one of most electric passing games in all of Northern California.
He’s hoping for an even better fall. “I want to score double-digit times,” Williams said. “Not 10, not 15. Like 20 times.”
Anything is possible with quarterback Jaden Rashada taking the reins of the Pirates’ spread offense and coach Vic Galli excited to air it out even more than in the spring. Rashada, an athletic 6-foot-5 and one of the most sought-after quarterback recruits in the country, split time behind center in the spring, when the Pirates averaged 52.6 points and nearly 400 yards of offense per game.
“It’s finally his time. He’s here,” Galli said. “He’s throwing really well, and he knows it.”
The firepower goes beyond Rashada and Williams: Israel Polk, Khai Taylor and Zack Card — all juniors, too — round out the receiving corps. Four Pittsburg receivers own Division-I scholarship offers, and two of them aren’t likely to start.
Freshman Jadyn Hudson hasn’t even walked the hallways of Pittsburg High yet but has already made such an impression that, according to Galli, “in my 20 years, he’s one of the best freshman kids I’ve ever seen.” He’ll have the same opportunity his freshman season as Williams, who burst on to the radar in 2019 with 27 catches for 272 yards.
Williams only made it two quarters last spring before an injury cost him the rest of the shortened season. But he showed what he’s capable of with three catches in a single half for more yards than any other returning receiver.
“I’ve never seen someone make so many one-handed catches,” Galli said. “He’s the real deal . ... We’ve had some really good receivers come through here, but the collection of them ... it’s a good problem to have.”
Rashada shouldn’t have any trouble establishing connections with his receivers. With most of them, he’ll only need to rewire what worked while growing up. Rashada, Williams, Card, Taylor and Keynan Higgins have played together since their pee-wee days.
“We were a super team back in the day,” Williams said. “I’m glad it’s like that again.”
(Listed in alphabetical order)
JAKE CALCAGNO, CALIFORNIA, WR, 6-0, 155, SENIOR » Son of coach Dan Calcagno and a three-sport athlete. Leading receiver in the NCS last spring with more than 100 yards per game. Did it out of the slot, with an average of 10.8 yards on his 56 receptions. JURRION DICKEY, VALLEY CHRISTIAN, WR, 6-2, 215, JUNIOR » Possibly the most respected receiver in the area by opposing coaches. It’s a well-earned reputation, with 239 yards and five TDs in five games as a sophomore. At times is the biggest, fastest and most athletic player on the field. Holds offers from half the Pac-12.
JACK ENDRIES, MONTE VISTA, TE, 6-4, 215, SENIOR » The offensive piece for first-year coach CJ Anderson to build around coming off an 0-6 spring, Endries holds 15 D-I scholarship offers. All-Bay Area honorable mention after catching 28 passes for 476 yards and six TDs in six games.
COOPER FLANAGAN, DE LA SALLE, TE, 6-5, 228, JUNIOR » Holds the impressive title of the current most-recruited player on Northern California’s perennial top team. Saw limited action in the spring but brings combo of size and athleticism that has earned him offers from elite programs such as Notre Dame, Florida State and Michigan, along with half the Pac-12.
DILLON GOLDEN, ST. FRANCIS, TE, 6-4, 225, SENIOR » Three-star recruit, per 247Sports, with five Division-I offers. A well-rounded tight end, who’s a “great blocker and receiving threat,” coach Greg Calcagno said. TYLER HOFFMAN, SAN RAMON VALLEY, TE, 6-4, SENIOR » Has big shoes to fill, but could eventually receive the same college interest as his predecessor. Steps into top tight end spot after catching six passes for 54 yards in the spring. Also led the Wolves in sacks as a defensive end.
JALEN MOSS, MENLO-ATHERTON, WR, 6-0, 155, SENIOR » Three-star recruit, per 247Sports, who got a chance to shine (19 rec, 319 yds, 3 TD) in the spring with Oregon-bound WR Troy Franklin sitting out. Moss and allarea QB Matt Macleod can build on that connection with a full season this fall. ISRAEL POLK, PITTSBURG, WR, 6-1, 160, JUNIOR » Pittsburg’s leading returning receiver with only six receptions in the spring, yet its receiving corps could be more talented than ever. Polk also has Pac-12 offers — and an equally impressive 4.4 GPA.
BRODIE TAGALOA, DE LA SALLE, TE, 6-4, 260, SENIOR » Back from an injury that forced him to miss the entire spring, Tagaloa is one half of De La Salle’s imposing tight end tandem. “He’s a different type of dude,” said teammate Zeke Berry. “He can pretty much do anything.”
RASHID WILLIAMS, PITTSBURG, WR, 6-2, 185, JUNIOR » Ranked No. 87 in the ESPN Top 300 recruits in the Class of 2023 with SEC and Pac-12 offers. One of a handful of extremely talented young receivers who could put up monster numbers in Pittsburg’s high-powered offense.
WATCH LIST » Colin Dooley, TE, Los Gatos; Etuate Finau, TE, Fremont (Oakland); Riley Gann, TE, San Ramon Valley; Seamus Gilmartin, TE, Serra; Te’Ron Nix, WR, Fremont (Oakland); Isaiah Pino, TE, Antioch; Khalid Robinson, WR, James Logan; Maurice Savage, WR, Pinole Valley; Julian Womack, WR, St. Mary’s (Berkeley).