Pros

The Antioch native’s trajectory from unrecognized high school recruit to Super Bowl XLVI in the span of five years makes Sterling Moore a “1 in 10,000 player” according to Deer Valley High Football Coach Rich Woods. “Football didn’t even enter my mind” until my senior year, Moore told journalists. His single varsity season in 2006 at DVHS resulted in 10 tackles, 12 assists and one fumble recovery in eight games. However, he was a member of the Wolverines’ 10-1 Bay Valley Athletic League championship team, playing alongside Taiwan Jones, a future Oakland Raider running back. Coach Woods said Moore wasn’t singled out for any league honors, but (was) “a smart football player. What he lacked in speed, he made up for in reaction time.” Read More “Sterling Moore”

Jeremy, a 1994 Antioch High graduate, had the unusual opportunity to play professional football for both Bay Area teams – the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders – keeping his #62. The 6’5”, 315-pound offensive lineman was first drafted in the second round by the 49ers in 1998. His “Power, Toughness and Tenacity” won a place on two Pro Bowl teams in 2001 and 2002 as a center. Jeremy was a starting player in nearly every NFL game in which he appeared. He had a 107-game unbroken stretch of starts within the 120 games he played over an 11-year NFL career that ended with the San Diego Chargers. Read More “Jeremy Newberry”

John came up through the ranks of Antioch youth football, playing at Antioch High between 1970-1973. He was MVP and team captain on the league champion Panther team, and was chosen for both Offensive and Defensive All East Bay Teams. His prep football career was capped by playing in the North-South Shrine Game at the L.A. Coliseum. Before graduating in 1973, John placed first in the DVAL shot put and was MVP at the Stapleton Relays. Before earning a B.A. from Stanford in 1977, John was the only non-scholarship freshman elevated to the varsity team for the “Big Game” against Cal. Read More “John Olenchalk”

The early 1980s saw Antioch High’s baseball team reach a new height with its North Coast championship in 1984. Leading that team was Jeff Pico. Jeff’s talent was evident in his sophomore year, when he posted a 7-3 season with a 1.53 ERA. The Panthers named Jeff their MVP during both his junior and senior years. The 6’2”, 170-lb. pitcher had a 6-0 record in 1984. The Antioch native, born in 1966, was drafted in the 13th round by the Chicago Cubs, and signed by scout Tom Davis. Read More “Jeff Pico”

Evan was born in Pittsburg in 1972, but called Antioch his home. His prep career at Antioch High included two years of varsity football under coach Steve San chez and two years of track. He received the Duane Putnam Outstanding Lineman Award as a senior, as well as being named All-League, All-East Bay and All Nor-Cal. Evan attended Brigham Young University in Utah on a full scholarship. At BYU he was an All-Conference lineman – dubbed the Cougars’ “pancake maker” for his blocking successes – and a team captain his senior year, making the Kodak All-America Team. Read More “Evan Pilgrim”

Ron represented Antioch High School well in 1965, becoming the East Bay Player of the Year, and went on to a nearly decade-long career in the NFL. In his senior year, the gifted prep running back was All-County, All-League, All-Metropolitan, All-Northern California and an Honorable Mention All-America selection in addition to being named East Bay Football Player of the Year. He was chosen to play in the 1965 North-South Shrine Game. The honors continued while at Arizona State University where Ron was an All-America honorable mention and named to the All-Western Conference team as a linebacker in 1966 and 1967. Read More “Ron Pritchard”

Duane had a lengthy career as both player and coach in the National Football League, but got his first taste of success as a member of the undefeated AHS Panther football squad of 1945 under Coach Jack Danilovich. That year’s prep performance earned the tackler a spot on the Contra Costa County First Team. Following two years in the Army on the tail of WWII, Duane went on to a stellar four-year varsity career at College of the Pacific (now University). While earning his teaching certificate in the early 1950s. Read More “Duane Putnam”

The baseball, football and basketball teams all looked to Butch’s leadership – and golden arm-in 1961-62. He was an Antioch quarterback and pitched on the baseball team. Butch also played basketball, scoring 200 points his senior year. He was named All Nor-Cal and unanimous First Team All-League. The three-sport star was Athlete of the Year at Antioch in 1962. Fresno State University offered him a scholarship for basketball. After one season he transferred to Diablo Valley College where he played basketball, baseball and football. Read More “Gene “Butch” Rounsaville”

Alex set six all-time baseball records at UCLA, but he developed his athletic gifts at Antioch High. His senior year of 1984 was a great prep year for Alex: he was 10-2 with a 1.54 ERA including 89 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched. Named first team All-DVAL for three consecutive years and two years as All-East Bay and All-Northern California, Alex led the AHS Panthers to their North Coast Championship victory against Hayward in the Oakland Coliseum, capping a 23-5 season. In basketball he was named First Team All-DVAL and League MVP as well as the DVAL’s top scorer and named AHS’s Athlete of the Year. Read More “Alex Sanchez”

Ron Sbranti graduated from Antioch High in 1962 after playing third base on the varsity baseball team and offensive and defensive end in football during his junior and senior years. He was All-League in both sports and captain of the football team. Ron was known for his hard-nosed football, which was noticed by college recruiters. He was signed by Utah State University and played there on a full-ride football scholarship. Read More “Ron Sbranti”