South San Francisco High, which once boasted one of the peninsula's finest football programs, has a new coach.
Jay Oca, 37, is now guiding the program, Oca said on Tuesday morning. He replaces Frank Moro who retired after last season. Moro had been with the Warrior program since 1985 and was the head coach since 2002.
Oca has been an assistant at South City and is a teacher there.
"We're going to start with fundamentals and discipline and developing the offensive line," said Oca, a former Westmoor High and College of San Mateo player. "Last year we had problems stopping the run and moving the ball. That was mostly inexperience. We'll have a more mature group coming back this year."
South City was a big powerhouse in the 1960s, led by players such as running back Greg Jones who later played for UCLA and the Buffalo Bills. The Warriors won a Central Coast Section title as recently as 1980 when it defeated North Monterey County 17-7 at Burlingame High. Moro was a key player on that team.
The Warriors went 3-7 in 2013, but did defeat El Camino 29-28 in the first Bell Game at ever held at El Camino. Previous Bell Games had been played at SSF's Clifford Field. It was also Moro's last game.
As a player at Westmoor and having grown up in the area, Oca knows the South City tradition.
"We've dominated the Bell Game over the years, dating back to the 1960s when South City was in the old NPL," Oca said. "Even in the 1990s when I was playing, South City always had great athletes."
Kalone Pua will continue to be the Warrior defensive coordinator and Steve Matteucci will be the offensive line coach, Oca said. van Moore will coach the frosh-soph team.
"South City has pretty much been a winning team in the 12 years I've been here with Frank Moro coaching," Oca said. "It didn't have a losing season until 2013. The program has always been known for physical defense and running the football."
LONGTIME BURLINGAME COACH FIRPO PASSES AWAY
I was saddened to hear of the death of Frank Firpo, 73, of San Bruno on Friday.
Firpo was a St. Ignatius and Santa Clara University grad who taught and coached at Burlingame High for many years.
I recall him most vividly as the Panther boys basketball coach, resplendent in red on the Panther bench.
I also knew Firpo because his son, Tony, played basketball for my best friend, Keith Larsen, at St. Robert's.
I spent many a Sunday afternoon at the San Bruno War Memorial Gym seated near Firpo and watching his son and teammates play. He was always such a friendly, classy guy.
"I loved him," Larsen said. "He was always so kind and caring, but he had a little edge to him. He was competitive and always had a lot of energy and passion."
Firpo was a faithful parishioner of St. Robert's and a fervent fan of the San Francisco Giants. Fortunately he lived long enough to see the Giants win two World Series.
Family and friends may visit St. Robert’s after 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday for a Vigil service that will begin at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, also at St. Robert’s. The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the San Francisco Giants Junior Giants … http://is.gd/J8PJr5
NEW COACHES AT WOODSIDE
Former University of Oregon player Justin Andrews is the new football coach at Woodside replacing Josh Bowie, according to a news release from the school.
Andrews, 31, was the frosh-soph coach at Woodside for the past three years, leading the Wildcats to two league titles.
Athletic director Wendy Porter via the release said she “is extremely pleased to have someone such as Justin Andrews leading the program.”
Also, Jason Llantero has replaced Doug Fountain as the Woodside basketball coach, according to the Woodside High web page. The Wildcats forfeited their league opener against Hillsdale on Wednesday, according to MaxPreps.com which lists the game as a 2-0 forfeit loss.
DICKERSON TO BRUINS; CARTA-SAMUELS DE-COMMITS
Serra defensive lineman Matt Dickerson has de-committed from Notre Dame and committed to UCLA, said Serra coach Patrick Walsh. Also, Bellarmine quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels has de-committed from Vanderbilt and re-opened the recruiting process.
Said Walsh regarding Dickerson: "His dad unfortunately has prostate cancer and his mom is dealing with other medical issues in her life. It became overwhelming for him and he just felt that it would be necessary to stay in California to be closer to family. It is bittersweet for me because through the process I grew to really respect Coach Kelly and the Notre Dame staff. They are stand up individuals. With that said I am happy for Matt and his family that they will be closer to each other and Jim Mora and UCLA is still a great choice for Matt."
Dickerson did not play his senior year due to injury.
Carta-Samuels re-considered his commitment to Vanderbilt after former Vanderbilt coach James Franklin took the job at Penn State.
Said Carta-Samuels to Prep2Prep's Jack Duffy just before Franklin accepted the Nittany Lion job: “If he does end up going there, I’d either follow him and go check out Penn State, (Vandy would obviously still be an option) but then I would also check out other schools and see what my other options are."
SMITH EXCELLING: Former El Camino High basketball star Michael Smith has been averaging 20 minutes, 7.8 points and three rebounds per game for Cal Baptist in Riverside. He was named player of the game for a November contest against Northwest Nazarene when he scored 15 points and took four rebounds.
Smith also scored 14 points in an 81-62 victory Monday night against host Notre Dame de Namur. Cal Baptist, an NCAA Division II school, is 14-0.
BIG GAMES THIS WEEK: Archbishop Mitty at Serra basketball, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; Alisal at Alvarez soccer, 5:45 p.m. Tuesday; Serra at Mitty soccer, 11 a.m., Saturday.
