The PAL-Bay, after years of dominance by Terra Nova, was taken over by Sacred Heart Prep in 2014 as the Gators marched to a 5-0 division record (13-0 overall). Only a decision by the powers-that-be kept the Gators from returning to a state playoff bowl game.
SHP snapped its five-year losing streak against Terra Nova, defeating the Tigers 49-28 after host TN had rallied to within one touchdown in the second half. Those teams will renew their rivalry in the division this season and should receive stiff opposition from Burlingame (10-2, 4-1 last season) and Aragon (9-2, 4-1). Aragon won a co-title last season in the PAL-Ocean and has moved up to the Bay.
Menlo-Atherton finished under .500 last season, but has a new coach in Adhir Ravipati and Sequoia is physical and always competitive under veteran coach Rob Poulos.
“I think Terra Nova will be the team to beat and Burlingame always seems to reload instead of rebuild,” SHP coach Pete Lavorato said. “We played Aragon in a passing league and they’re very athletic – big and should be good on defense. M-A has a new coach and Sequoia is always big and strong. We don’t expect to go unbeaten (in 2015), but hopefully we’ll have a good team.”
Said Poulos, Sequoia’s seventh-year coach, of the division: “It’s scary as (heck). It has two CCS champs and two CCS semi-finalists. But I like what I see of our team so far. We’re flying around and I like how fast we’re playing and how the kids are challenging each other, but we haven’t faced any opponents yet.”
Terra Nova coach Tim Adams expects a struggle.
"Sacred Heart Prep will have a good team and Menlo-Atherton should be tough but I guess their quarterback from last year transferred to Oceanside," Adams said. "I saw Aragon a little in our scrimmage and it will probably win some games and lose some. Burlingame is always competitive. Sequoia coach Rob (Poulos) is optimistic and the Tigers will be competitive and that's all you can hope for."
Here is a look at each team, listed in no particular order:
SACRED HEART PREP (13-0, 5-0): The Gators will miss the impact of graduated FB/LB Ben Burr-Kirven, who is now at Washington. Key returning players are senior TE Andrew Dashbach, senior QB Mason Randall, senior WR Nick O’Donnell, senior OL/DL Justin Harmon (6-3, 245), junior OL/DL Kyle Stalder (6-3, 210), senior OL/DL Mark Bechtel (6-4, 210) and senior FB Lapitu Mahoni (6-0, 195). The Gators out-scored their opponents by an average of 16.9 points per game last season, averaging 31.8 points on offense. Most impressive wins came against Bellarmine (14-0) and Los Gatos (28-21) in the CCS Open playoffs, which SHP won for the first time. The Gators have won CCS titles in 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2010 and league titles in 2014, 2012, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
MENLO-ATHERTON (3-8, 1-4): New coach Ravipati takes over for Sione Taufoou, who resigned after last season. The Bears return nine starters on offense and nine on defense and should benefit from a 2014 JV team that went 6-4. Last year's QB, Robby Beardsley, has transferred to Oceanside High, so Ravipati will turn to either Ben Spindt, Stavro Papadakis or Miles Conrad to run the offense. Conrad is a transfer from St. Francis and will have to sit out the first four games. Top linemen are Bryce Rodgers, Keanau Tautua'a, Epeli Mataele and Ben Makoni. Others to watch for the Bears include WR/CB Adrian Lopez, LBs Chrystopher Echevarria and Brian King, RB Jordan Mims, TE/LB JP Gray and WRs Justin Friedsam and Ben Stanley. The Bears will need to improve a defense that yielded 30.7 points per game last season. M-A played a difficult schedule last season, with its opponents going a combined 83-47. The Bears won a section title in 2008 and division titles in 2008 and 2007.
BURLINGAME (10-2, 4-1): Top players are senior FB/LB Barry Palu, senior WR/CB Cooper Gindreaux, senior OL/DL Alex Furrer, senior ILB Bazzell Mufarrah and senior RB/DB Ben Williams. Only losses in 2014 were to Sacred Heart Prep (35-14) and Aptos (29-6). Averaged 30.3 points per game in 2014 and outscored opponents by an average of 11.7 points per game. Had impressive wins against Terra Nova (42-22) and Aragon (21-7). Played a tough schedule last season, with opponents going 76-57 overall. Won a section title in 2004 and a division title in 2013.
TERRA NOVA (7-6, 3-2): Finished third in PAL-Bay last season, but won CCS Division IV title and returns 15 starters. Must replace record-setting QB Anthony Gordon (now at City College of San Francisco) and will rely upon Joey Pledger to operate spread offense. Other players to watch for TN on offense are RB Reggie Auelua (rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season) and four returning offensive linemen -- Eric Faivailo, Chris Jones, Jesus Bravo and Javier Murguia. TN also returns seven starters on defense led by linemen Mace Iaulualo, linebacker Angelo Pera, Randall Auelua and Paul Pierotti. The Tigers won section titles in 2010 and recent division titles in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009. Has a three-game winning streak entering 2015 season. Opponents last season had a combined record of 97-55. Toughest regular-season games appear to be Sacred Heart Prep, Menlo-Atherton and Sacred Heart Cathedral.
ARAGON (9-2, 4-1): Has moved to Bay from PAL-Ocean. Returns four offensive starters and five on defense. Top players are senior QB Tanner Nguyen (6-3, 190), senior RB/DB Devin Grant, senior WR Davion Cox, junior TB VA Wilson, junior OL/DL Tomislav Meden (6-2, 245), senior OL Edmund Muller (6-0, 270), senior LB Charles Cao and senior LB Hati Unga. Team looks solid in the passing game and defensive secondary, but lacks depth at linebacker and on the defensive line. Most impressive win last season came against Half Moon Bay (35-14). Averaged 26.3 points per game last season on offense and yielded an average of 12.2. Won division titles in 2014, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003. Has good chance to go unbeaten in non-league with games against Carlmont, El Camino and Lincoln-San Jose.
SEQUOIA (4-6, 1-4): Skill players to watch are FB/LB Faavae Brown (6-2, 255), QB Nick DeMarco, slot receiver/CB Elijah Frazier, slot receiver/safety Blake Carboneau, junior WB/DE Jack Hohe and senior RBs Alfred Pohahau (6-2, 230) and Alberto Vasquez. Brown moves to RB this season after playing QB in parts of the previous two years. Sophomore Patrick Lopiparo could push DeMarco for snaps in Sequoia's no-huddle, spread offense. Linemen to watch are Alani Pohahau (6-2, 280), Marcus Satele (6-3, 340), Chris Cook (6-2, 230) and Sisi Huanga (6-0, 227) and Matt Casey. Best 2014 wins came against Valley Center of Southern California and Menlo-Atherton. Yielded an average of 29.9 points per game last season and scored an average of 26.8. Won a division title as recently as 2010. Opens season with rivalry game at Palo Alto on Sept. 4 and also plays Vancouver of British Columbia on Sept. 25 in Sammamish, Washington. Toughest games figure to be against Sacred Heart Prep, Menlo-Atherton and Burlingame.
