Menlo Atherton Overview
Menlo-Atherton is stacked again with lots of talent (6 players with offers, 4 D1 and more to come by season end). Even with the loss of QB Miles Conrad, Kilifi Leaaetoa, 6-1, 220, Sr, 4.63 40, D1 prospect; Ben Makoni, Sr, OG, 6-3, 305, D1 prospect; and Dimitri Sakalia, Sr, DE, 6-4, 230, the bears will have among the most talent of any team in the CCS with speed and big physical line.
Biggest replacement will be QB position with D1 recruit Justin Anderson, Jr, 6-0, 170, CB/WR converted over to QB and Jack Alexander, Jr, 5-10, 165 expected to fill the role at QB.
Bears are expected to improve over last season. They will be a physical smash mouth team on both sides of the ball with very good good playmakers (including Soph WR Troy Franklin who already has offers and will be a National recruit). Question is will they achieve at their talent level this season which didn't happen last year.
LAST SEASON RESULTS:
Varsity: 6-5 (1-4) – Losses to Bells, Mitty, Half Moon Bay, Aragon and Milpitas
JV: 10-0
KEY PLAYERS:
· Noa Ngalu, Sr, 6-2, 285 DT/G/RB, committed to WA;
· Daniel Heimuli, Sr, ILB, 6-2,220, 4 star LB with 23+ offers including Alabama;
· Troy Franklin, Soph, WR/CB, 6-3, 170, super athletic with offers already from Oregon State, Arizona State, Hawaii, Utah, San Jose State;
· Justin Anderson, Jr, 6-0, 170, QB/CB/WR, 3 star recruit with offers from Iowa State, Washington State and Utah;
· De’Marshaun Payton, Sr, RB, 5-8, 160, 879 yards rushing 10 TDs;
· Moala Tautuaa, Sr, DT/C, 6-2, 315; big physical lineman
· Tyreke Jackson, Jr, 5-7, 155, RB/SS, shifty and quick runner;
· Atonio Tau, Jr, LB/RB, 5-10, 220, load on both sides of ball; Uate Uhila, Jr, G, 6-1, 260, physical lineman;
· Malik Johnson, Sr, SS, 6-1, 205, transferred from St Francis (may be out of game due to transfer rules);
· Ben Tuipulotu, Sr, FS/WR, 6-0, 175, transfer from Kings Academy that is very good on both sides of the ball (may be out due to transfer rules);
· David Tafuna, Sr, DE/C/G, 6-1, 265, very good on defense, quick and physical;
· Jack Alexander, Jr, 5-10, 165, accurate passer and relatively mobile. Not big arm but throws to spots well especially slants and post.
TAKEAWAY
Expect Menlo Atherton defense to be much more physical and faster than Oakdale last week. However, there is a question mark as to MA pass defense. If transfers can play, they will be formidable against Mitty passing attack and LBs should be able to contain running of Mitty QB. MA has playmakers all over and Anderson at QB is a dual threat and if Alexander plays he is an accurate passer that is relatively mobile that can get the ball to playmakers. They have a balanced offense as far as ability to run and pass. I expect it to be a good game.
