The always unpredictable and fun to watch West Catholic Athletic League is back and looking very different from last year after its schools lost six D1 players to graduation, as well as a collection of other top players.
WCAL co-titlist and CCS Open Division runner-up Mitty returns hungry for revenge after two losses to Serra last year. Dave Brown returns to the head coaching post at Mitty after departing in 2006 following 25 years as coach of the black and gold.
Patrick Walsh’s Serra Padres from last year’s 11-3 CCS Championship run looking just as strong, but are short key defensive end Matt Dickerson (UCLA) and wide receiver/defensive back Hamilton Anoa’i. Dickerson didn't play last season either, due to an off-season injury.
In addition, Serra has been featured as the school for this year’s segment of Prep2Prep’s reality series, "Between the Lines." Check out the series here.
Valley Christian will attempt to improve on last year’s third-place finish, which came in spite of losing starting quarterback Jay MacIntyre (son of Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre, who switched from San Jose State to Colorado after the 2012 season). The Warriors said farewell to offensive lineman Charles Nelson (SJSU) and linebacker Demaurier Blackwell (Colorado State), but coach Mike Machado’s resiliency through losses last season provides the Warriors with hopes for this year.
A few key transfers also shake up the landscape, with junior quarterback Hunter Bishop moving from St. Francis to Serra in the wake of transfer Kamalii Akina moving to St. Francis from Bowie in Austin, Texas; the transfer also solved Serra’s quarterback situation. The Lancers also picked up Washington State-bound senior offensive lineman Thomas Toki, a four-star recruit coming from Juanita High in Kirkland, Washington.
ARCHBISHOP MITTY (11-2, 6-1)
The Pit at Mitty will turn to Division I recruits Dakari Monroe and Tommy Hudson to lead the way this year. Monroe totaled 1,255 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns from catching passes, returning punts, and rushing last season. Hudson had a minimal impact at tight end last season with 168 yards on seven receptions, but after committing to Arizona State. back in June, big things are expected from the 6-foot-5, 260-pound senior. He caught a long TD pass in Mitty's league setback to Serra.
Brett Foley will take over the reigns at quarterback for the Monarchs. Foley, also a baseball player, has battled through shoulder issues, but is ready to go after launching some deep passes in last week's scrimmage against Milpitas. He rushed for 279 yards on 54 carries in eight games last year, but only threw one pass all season for just 10 yards.
The Monarchs visit defending CCS DII champ Los Gatos on Friday night.
ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN (3-7, 1-6)
The Crusaders haven’t won more than one game in regular season WCAL play since 2007 and losing quarterback Zach Masoli and top receiver Christian Hall won’t help. But there is some hope for the Crusaders in senior running back and linebacker Angelo Novello, who rushed for 237 yards on 48 carries last season, but more importantly led the team in tackles with 83.
Raul Callero is slated to take over under center; he only played in two games last season as a quarterback. Other Crusader standouts include linebacker Jamarian Caston, tailback/defensive back Raymone Sanders, defensive back Stanton Thomas and receiver/DB Jake Cochrane.
Riordan heads to Milpitas on Friday to start the year.
BELLARMINE (8-4, 4-3)
The Bells are back after a tough 2013 season that did not live up to expectations and was riddled with injuries. Bellarmine most notably returns senior linebacker Curt Calomeni and running back/corner back Anthony Guttadauro.
Junior tight end and linebacker Josh Bringuel is another big force for the Bells, as part of a stacked junior class (9-1 JV record in 2013) that makes up most of the Bellarmine squad this year. The big question in College Park is who the starting quarterback will be. Senior Griffin Quinn and junior Troy Martig have been splitting time all summer, and did so in last week’s scrimmage at Monterey.
Bellarmine opens Friday at Franklin-Elk Grove.
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL (2-8, 0-7)
After last year’s two-win season, the Fightin' Irish have a lot more to look forward to this year. SHC returns seven starters on both offense and defense, in addition to its starting quarterback, running back, top receiver, and top defender. A 7-3 JV record in 2013 also brings hope for the newcomers at the varsity level.
Senior 6-2, 205-pound Logan White returns at quarterback with fellow senior Jamar Williams-Sheppard right behind him at the running back spot. Linebacker Ben Malokoff paces the Irish defense.
Ken Peralta’s squad is at Galileo on Friday afternoon.
SERRA (11-3, 6-1)
The Padres are favored by numerous media outlets to repeat as league champs, especially with the addition of Bishop. However, the former Lancer -- brother of former St. Francis two-sport star Braden Bishop -- must sit out until Game 5 against St. Ignatius due to transfer rules. That means he'll miss the key WCAL opener at Valley Christian. Sophomore Leki Nunn is schedule to start at QB for at least the first four games; like last-year's highly successful starter Matthew Fa'aita, Nunn is a converted running back.
Leading rusher Kava Cassidy (1455 yards, 16 touchdowns in 2013) returns for his senior season, and will likely have lots of holes to run through with 6’8”, 290 pound Stanford recruit Jack Dreyer leading the way on the offensive line. Running back/defensive back Kelepi Lataimua and wide receiver/defensive back Brandon Monroe are the biggest names to look out for from the junior class. Both made a significant impact last year as sophomores.
Serra’s opener this Friday is the toughest game it will play all season, on the road at perennial power De Le Salle.
ST. FRANCIS (9-4, 4-3)
Word on the street is that transfer quarterback Kamalii Akina will start over senior Nolan Barber this season. With other transfer Thomas Toki on the line, the St. Francis offense will be very strong this season. Devin Hurtado will take most of the carries at running back and Trill Hebert is the Lancers' top receiver. Hurtado rushed for 539 yards and seven touchdowns on 97 carries in 2013; Hebert caught 22 passes for 401 yards and five scores.
Defensive back Riley Quinn, who finished 2013 with the team’s second most tackles (72) and the most interceptions (four), leads the way on defense. Linebacker Alex Carbonel also looks promising for the Lancers after recording 60 tackles last year.
St. Francis hosts Oak Grove on Friday.
ST. IGNATIUS (4-9, 2-5)
A tough loss to Aptos in the CCS DIII final was a tough note on which to end a luckless 2013 season. Senior Ryan Hagfeldt, who passed for 1425 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, leads the way for St. Ignatius. Brian Vollert will replace star running back Elijah Dale in the backfield, while Luke Lotti takes over for Dale as the top wide receiver.
Strong safety Dominic Burke, who led the team in tackles last season with 62, will lead the way on defense for the Wildcats. Rob Meagher also looks promising at linebacker.
St. Ignatius opens its season on Saturday at Marin Catholic.
VALLEY CHRISTIAN (8-4, 5-2)
If Serra is the favorite -- and that's open to debate -- then Valley Christian is No. 1-A. Seniors Kirk Johnson (running back) and Blair Ewers (linebacker) highlight a stellar senior class. Johnson’s 2013 season was cut short by injury, but he is slated to have a big year and break a few records along the way before heading to Texas after graduation.
Johnson’s little brother, Collin, a junior, is also headed to Texas. At 6’4” and 190 pounds, the younger Johnson is a big target for quarterback Michael Machado. Senior Tre McCloud and junior Morian Walker will also get their touches at running back when Kirk Johnson isn't carrying th eball. McCloud rushed for 710 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
Warriors face Pioneer at home this Friday to kick off the 2014 season.
