Pittsburg High School’s star quarterback Marley Alcantara is helping lead his team through an outstanding season filled with triumphs, challenges, and a clear focus on the ultimate goal: the state championship.
I had the amazing opportunity to chat with Alcantara and get to learn more about who he is while attending Pittsburg High School.
Starting with a Passion for Football
Marley Alcantara began his football journey with a deep family connection to the sport. Raised in a family of football enthusiasts, including his father and uncles who attended James Logan High School, the Alcantara family introduced Marley to flag football at a young age. It didn’t take long for Marley to express his desire to transition to tackle football, a decision that set the stage for a promising football career.
“They put me in flag football when I was a kid, and I told my dad over and over that I want to play tackle. I want to play real football. Ever since I was 9 I started playing tackle and I never looked back,” said Alcantara.
Throughout his football journey, Alcantara identifies his family as his rock-solid support system. Recognizing the sacrifices made on his behalf, he is motivated to give back to his family and provide them with the support they have given him. He says, “They’ve been my biggest support system, and I love them.”
Season Highlights and Challenges
The current season has been a roller coaster of emotions for Marley and the Pittsburg High School football team. Reflecting on standout moments, Marley notes, “Our breakthrough game was when we played Granite Bay.” The team faced adversity and emerged victorious in the second half. Another memorable victory came against Cal, where the team rallied from a halftime deficit, showcasing their resilience and camaraderie.
“The Cal game, we were down 14-3 at halftime and we just stayed together, played for each other and were able to pull through in the second half,” explained Alcantara.
His preparation routine is meticulous, starting with film analysis immediately after the game. Using Hudl to study opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, he takes detailed notes and looks for tells that can be exploited during the game.
“I take notes throughout the day, looking for tells and how their players play.” He emphasizes, “It starts Saturday morning right when that film drops.”
State Championship Aspirations
Making the playoffs is an achievement for any team, but Pittsburg has faced the challenge of staying healthy amidst the intensity of the postseason.
“Our key factor is that we continue to lift and stay in the weight room,” explained Alcantara who said the support of the school’s excellent trainers ensures that the team remains in peak physical condition. “We have amazing trainers at our school that keep us healthy day in and day out. They take care of us when needed and when we ask and it’s amazing to be able to reach out whenever and have resources to keep us healthy.”
With their eyes set on the state championship, Alcantara expresses the team’s collective goal. He shares, “State. That’s our one goal.” Motivated by last year’s close call and this season’s underdog status, the Pittsburg football team is determined to showcase their skills and make a statement on a statewide level.
College Aspirations
Looking ahead, Alcantara expresses a desire to play college football.
“The college that’s given me the most love right now is UC Davis” he told me. He recently went to watch Sac state vs. UC Davis game and his campus visit left a positive impression and sparked excitement for the possibility of continuing his football journey at the collegiate level. He mentions, “Of course, I want to play college football. I think right now my #1 choice is UC Davis.”
Giving Back to the Community
Beyond his contributions on the field, Alcantara actively gives back to the community. Volunteering at the Special Olympics and coaching at Mega Football, he shared, “I volunteer at the special Olympics for my school. They host it every year and I help out by playing the sports that I love and teaching them how to play the games. I also volunteer at Mega Football. It’s a small group/team in Pittsburg. I help with coaching the kids, coaching the quarterbacks as much as I can after practice, and giving back what I know and how it is to be a quarterback at a high level.”
Alcantara’s journey is a testament to his dedication, resilience, and commitment to excellence.
As he leads Pittsburg High School through the playoffs and beyond, Marley Alcantara remains focused on his goals, both on and off the field.
In his own words, “This whole season, we’ve been underdogs and we’ve been grinding to get to that state championship to show the Bay Area and all of California what Pittsburg is about.”
Brayden Haena is a new sports writer looking for stories around Contra Costa County covering local teams and athletes. If you have a story idea, an athlete you feel should be featured, please reach out to him at [email protected]
Other recent stories by Haena:
- Nov 11 – Haena: Does the Brentwood Bowl Still Matter?
- Nov 3 – Friendship Forged on the Field as Heritage HS Beats Freedom to Head into NCS Playoffs
1 comment
Stellar football player but even a way better person to his team and community. This kid is going places in LIFE!
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