WCAL Report: Perhaps the only league not significantly impacted by all the changes in the CCS football landscape is the West Catholic Athletic League, which remains one of just three “A” leagues, along with the PAL-Bay and PCAL-Gabilan. With four automatic qualifiers to the playoffs, the WCAL will be well represented in the Open Division and Division 1.
Bellarmine, coming off a disastrous 2025 season in which it went winless in the WCAL, has already won as many games as it did last year after edging Campolindo 17-16 to improve to 2-0. The Bells will try to complete a perfect non-league season Saturday at home against 2-0 Palo Alto.
Despite the fast start, Bellarmine is not expected to contend in the loaded WCAL, featuring the likes of Junipero Serra, which battled perennial national power De La Salle in the opener, falling 35-25. The Padres picked up their first win in Hawaii, knocking off Kahuku 28-21.
San Francisco rivals St. Ignatius and Sacred Heart Cathedral are also 2-0 following one-side wins over Marin Catholic and Palma, respectively. The Wildcats have won their first two games by identical 42-7 scores. Senior Luke Tribolet let the way over Marin Catholic with 141 yards rushing and 3 TDs. SHC, meanwhile, raced out to a 28-0 halftime lead at Palma en route to a 28-7 victory. The Irish have outscored their first two opponents 70-17 after blowing out Rancho Cotate in the opener.
Defending CCS champion Archbishop Riordan is 1-1 after hammering Clayton Valley Charter 47-7. The Crusaders wrap up non-league play next Friday at Cardinal Newman.
Saint Francis and Archbishop Mitty have split their first two games. After defeating Manteca, the Lancers fell 19-17 to Del Oro ahead of a showdown at De La Salle September 11. Mitty defeated Clovis North 21-7 behind 118 yards rushing and 2 TDs from sophomore Justin Mungaray.
Valley Christian is also 1-1 after losing 7-6 to Tracy. The Warriors handled Wilcox 42-13 in their opener and host Salinas next week in their final tuneup before the start of WCAL play.
