As the summer break drifts away and fall season practices begin, Prep2Prep takes a look at 10 of the top games to watch in each section of our coverage area. These games only include non-league games, and only intra-sectional games. The top inter-sectional games will be included in a separate feature. Right now, we take a look at top games on the docket across the Central Coast Section.
August 24 – Christopher at Monte Vista Christian
Christopher is coming off a CCS Division IV title, and coach Tim Pierleoni returns talent at virtually every key position, including quarterback Ben Sanford, running Tyler Davis, receivers Jason Scirigione and Joseph Cupp, and tight end Cooper Ahola. But standing on the opposite sideline will be the man who helped block the Cougars from winning a league title, former Gilroy coach Jubenal Rodriguez, who takes over at MVC after leading Gilroy to an unbeaten season in 2017. Seniors Nicholas Bautista and Daniel Brierley are both returning playmakers at receiver for Monte Vista Christian.
August 24 – Menlo-Atherton vs Bellarmine at SJCC
Bellarmine got the better of the Bears in last year’s opener, but M-A is reloaded and eager for another shot. The Bears have a couple key returners at the skill positions offensively, with Troy Franklin back at receiver and De’Marshaun Payton at running back, while Noa Ngalu and Daniel Heimuli anchor the defensive front seven. Bellarmine returns linebacker Luke Splaine and running back/cornerback Tyson Garcia as key players entering 2018.
August 24 – Carmel at Salinas
Salinas is coming off a fantastic run for the Cowboys last fall, capturing the CCS Open Division I title. Now, they open the 2018 season in The Pit, and with the debut of junior quarterback Carl Richardson taking center stage. But don’t write off the Padres in this opener – Carmel won four straight to close the 2017 campaign, and returns plenty of talent, including senior Rashaan Ward, junior Dakota Mornhinweg, and sophomore three-sport standout JT Byrne.
August 31 – Palo Alto at Half Moon Bay
This game was completely one-sided last year, as Half Moon Bay routed Palo Alto, setting the tone for both teams throughout the season. Both teams could look drastically different this time around, as the Cougars graduated the large majority of key pieces from last year’s CCS Open Division III champions, while Palo Alto got a new coach and returns a three-year starter at quarterback.
New coach Nelson Gifford likely brings his up-tempo spread look to Palo Alto, and has Jackson Chryst behind center to orchestrate the new look. Aiden Chang and Wes Walters also bring plenty of experience in the backfield, along with Seattle Hmelar at tight end and junior Jamir Shepard at receiver. Walters is also a difference maker defensively at linebacker. Tristan Hofmann and Connor Quosig look to carry on family legacies at Half Moon Bay, leading a young group into the 2018 season.
August 31 – Aptos at Aragon
Fans of a good running game should circle this one on their calendars, and Aptos has plenty of motivation after falling by one point to Aragon in last year’s game. Not only that, but the Mariners return both senior Marcos Reyes and junior Josh Powell as the key components in coach Randy Blankenship’s Wing-T attack, not to mention senior quarterback Hunter Matys. Aragon, meanwhile, averaged over 221 yards per game on the ground last year, and returns both Paul Lautaimi and Camron Grant in the offensive backfield, plus Simon Mapa at receiver. Grant also spearheads the returners on defense.
August 31 – Menlo-Atherton vs Mitty at Foothill College
Much like the Bellarmine rematch, M-A is looking to avenge a heart-breaking loss from last year, this time against Mitty. What’s different, however, is the returning cast which Mitty has at its disposal, plus a new coaching staff. That returning cast begins with junior quarterback Shamir Bey, who is now developing under the guidance of head coach Sione Ta’ofu’ou. The Monarchs also return two-way playmaker Joseph Vaughn and dual-sport standout Jonah Advincula at receiver, plus senior Chaz Saenz and junior James Thomas in the backfield.
September 7 – Los Gatos vs San Benito at Salinas Sports Complex (Rabobank Stadium)
Los Gatos suffered heavy losses to graduation on the offensive side of the ball, but could be difficult to score against, with Cal commit Kyle Smith leading the way at linebacker, joined by seniors Trent Huesby, Ryan Fogerty, Jason Baumann, and Ethan Schaper, plus junior Ricky Moore, as solid returners on the defense. Meanwhile, San Benito – who will be playing its home games away from home as its facility is upgraded – has reasons to be optimistic offensively with the return of quarterback Slade Wilson and running back Stevan Navarro. San Benito has won the last three games in this series, including holding on for a 21-20 win last year.
September 7 – Palma at Menlo-Atherton
Yes, M-A starts the year with three straight big intra-sectional contests, including this one against the Chieftains, which feature rising junior running back Anthony Villegas and senior quarterback Grant Sergent, who will also be one of the top returning pitchers in the area next spring. With the return of junior receiver Jon-Jon Berring, Sergent also has a top threat in the passing game. Menlo-Atherton won 30-7 over a young Palma team last fall.
September 14 – Salinas at Milpitas
Milpitas won the regular season meeting between these two schools last year, but Salinas captured the bigger prize by defeating the Trojans in the section title game. Milpitas must now adjust to life without Tariq and Tyree Bracy, but the return of Jacob Romero in the backfield and Israel Gil at receiver could ease the adjustment, along with San Jose State commit Justin Scrempos on the offensive line. Noah Rodriguez is a proven commodity in the secondary for the Trojans, while Jake Su’a has the makings of the next linebacker standout at Milpitas.
Richardson takes over for Brett Reade at quarterback for Salinas, and he will have a couple of experienced receivers to throw to, with seniors Ivan Curiel and Zachary Robison. Cal baseball commit Nathan Martorella anchors the Cowboys’ defense.
September 14 – Sacred Heart Prep at Hillsdale
Hillsdale has taken down the Gators in each of the last two years, including a 34-10 handling last season. Now, however, the Fighting Knights must replace their quarterback, leading rusher, and top receiver from a year ago, though senior Quincy Sherman has the makings of an all-around threat this fall and junior Kasimili Tongamoa was a big-time impact linebacker as a sophomore last year. SHP, meanwhile, enters year two under coach Mark Grieb, and hopes to have a dynamic look with sophomore Raymond Price III behind center, especially with a quartet of returners in the backfield, as Tommy Barnds, Brian Tinsley, John Willard, and junior Tevita Moimoi were all productive as underclassmen.
