Riordan Over/Under Achieve?

[OneDNA]

So in the beginning of the year all kind of predictions were being made about Riordan. Mr Direct had them even going 7-0, while others thought they'd be a "second tier" team, and others thought they would be "improved". My question now is this. Having seen the way the season played out, did Riordan over achieve, under achieve, or play to the talent level they had? Interested for people's take on this. Mine is, any time we can still be playing in Nov for a banner in football iits always an over achievement for a City school, until they prove they are a program that can sustain. Will this class set the bar for the future of the program or be reminisced like the classes of 07 and 2000 who brought home a rare title, but the program wasnt able to sustain success. Im excited though to see how this future pans out, as RGael has mentioned, at no time has the coaching staff been so full of fill time coaches on campus. We'll what happens, but for the now, time to enjoy the moment and this latest ride hopefully to a CCS banner. Your thoughts?

 

[CityVibesII]

They have played to the level they have. If no other WCAL teams are in their division, I see a path to CCS championship game. The lost yesterday eliminated any hopes of games beyond.

 

[jordan24]

If you ask the Riordan coaches and players - they would say they under-achieved as their losses were the result of lack of execution at critical junctures of those games. Not a bad thing, but a learning experience. This is also the high bar the coaching staff and players have set for themselves as well.
If you ask an Alum, Parent, Adminstrator, Teacher or Fan of HS FB, including myself - I would say they overachieved. Look back on the preseason predictions either from CalPreps, Freeman or from Rmbr and other posters on this board and the Crusader forecast was another one win season and at best a 4 win season. Those 4 wins basically pinned M-A, St Marys, SI and SHC - not any Peninsula/South Bay WCAL team. In ALL 3 Riordan losses, this team was in it until the end. For supporters of the Crusader program - to be in title contention thru the last week of league play is all you can ask for. This was the initial statement Coach Fordon was quoted when he was brought on as Head Coach - in bringing back the program to be in WCAL title contention every year. This is a far cry from the FB team's previous vision of cobbling some wins versus lower level teams, beating SI and/or SHC and hoping to upset a non-SF WCAL team.

 

[FBAddict]

Riordan's season so far has been a smashing success. I agree with posters above that they should march through their playoffs. That said, AR could have problems with any of their opponents and the second round with the probable Palma will be the toughest game I see ahead.

City thought the loss to SF will spell the end of Riordan's journey if they win CCS Open III. That's a minor twist of thought and makes me consider how CCS will select their CIF regional representatives. I'm fairly certain that all CCS Open champs will be get an automatic bid to CIF. I then think that CCS runner-ups will be picked afterward.

This is a long stretch - but lets assume Riordan wins CCS Open III and Live Oak is runner up, that SF wins Open II and VC is runner up, Bellarmine is Open I and Milpitas is runner up, More than likely, in this scenario, BCP, SF & AR would get champ bids. Then probably Milpitas and VC would get the runner up bids. CIF would then rank order the teams this way for regional divisions placement: BCP, SF, VC, Milpitas, AR

Of course all of this is meaningless speculation since there are 3 difficult playoff games ahead for all the teams mentioned above.

 

[FBAddict]

Riordan's season so far has been a smashing success. I agree with posters above that they should march through their playoffs. That said, AR could have problems with any of their opponents and the second round with the probable Palma will be the toughest game I see ahead.

City thought the loss to SF will spell the end of Riordan's journey if they win CCS Open III. That's a minor twist of thought and makes me consider how CCS will select their CIF regional representatives. I'm fairly certain that all CCS Open champs will be get an automatic bid to CIF. I then think that CCS runner-ups will be picked afterward.

This is a long stretch - but lets assume Riordan wins CCS Open III and Live Oak is runner up, that SF wins Open II and VC is runner up, Bellarmine is Open I and Milpitas is runner up, More than likely, in this scenario, BCP, SF & AR would get champ bids. Then probably Milpitas and VC would get the runner up bids. CIF would then rank order the teams this way for regional divisions placement: BCP, SF, VC, Milpitas, AR

Of course all of this is meaningless speculation since there are 3 difficult playoff games ahead for all the teams mentioned above.

Post Note: I just saw the amended CCS seeding projections. AR is now slated for #6. This means that - if all goes well, AR will face Palma in the finals and Palma will be the runner up. If Palma, though, wins the title AR is out of Regional hope as a runner up bid.

 

[jordan24]

What is the formula that Riordan becomes a #6 seed? Riordan has down to the wire losses to teams that are in the NorCal top 15, defeated teams in the NorCal top 20 (Serra and Mitty), has beaten handily 3 non-league teams that are ALL champions from their respective leagues in SHP and M-A (PAL Tri-Champs) and St. Marys Berkley (TCAL -Rock).

 

[colhenrylives]

CCS uses a strict points formula for slotting playoff teams. It is only partially based on strength of schedule. There are other factors at work too. The good news for Riordan fans is that the odds are pretty good that the Crusaders will advance to the Open Division III finals. Most folks who have seen Riordan play this season know that they should do some damage in the playoffs. Few teams in their tournament have the weapons Riordan has. For example, if they face Burlingame in round one this week, they would be favored for sure, in spite of Burlingame's 9-1 record.

 

[thehookup55]

Riordan gets the #5 seed and could have to play Palma in 2nd round.

 

[Mr. Direct]

They have played to the level they have. If no other WCAL teams are in their division, I see a path to CCS championship game. The lost yesterday eliminated any hopes of games beyond.

Not sure what you mean by the loss yesterday eliminated any hopes of games beyond the CCS championship?

 

[Mr. Direct]

So in the beginning of the year all kind of predictions were being made about Riordan. Mr Direct had them even going 7-0, while others thought they'd be a "second tier" team, and others thought they would be "improved". My question now is this. Having seen the way the season played out, did Riordan over achieve, under achieve, or play to the talent level they had? Interested for people's take on this. Mine is, any time we can still be playing in Nov for a banner in football iits always an over achievement for a City school, until they prove they are a program that can sustain. Will this class set the bar for the future of the program or be reminisced like the classes of 07 and 2000 who brought home a rare title, but the program wasnt able to sustain success. Im excited though to see how this future pans out, as RGael has mentioned, at no time has the coaching staff been so full of fill time coaches on campus. We'll what happens, but for the now, time to enjoy the moment and this latest ride hopefully to a CCS banner. Your thoughts?

I think Jordan24's thoughts summed it up nicely. The quality of the top 6 teams in the league this year was incredible. I thought it would be a strong year for the WCAL and I underestimated how strong. These playoff should be a fun to watch. Looks like I will be making a trek out to Burlingame since the Crusaders are the only SF team in the playoffs.

 

[CityVibesII]

Not sure what you mean by the loss yesterday eliminated any hopes of games beyond the CCS championship?

Has CIF State ever taken a football team with 3 losses?

 

[thehookup55]

State is now different. Every section winner advances to a regional play in game. As long as you make playoffs you have a chance at state.

 

[bingobob]

A good foundation for future years. Will be tough now since they probably will have to travel. With the strength of schedule(SHPrep, St.Mary's and MA) and playing in one of the toughest leagues in State it should hardening them in the games ahead!

 

[FBAddict]

Has CIF State ever taken a football team with 3 losses?

Oh now I get your the reason for your statement. _ Yeah, 55 is right, with the new state divisions, every sectional champion is supposed to get a regional spot. And in the case of CCS (and also the SDS section) who has an Open division, they get to send a runner up in place of lower divisions. The CCS rules state that two runner ups will be selected in place of the B/C DI and B/C DII divisions.

 

[2wcats]

As much as I would like Riordan to stay in the top tier of the WCAL next year, I do not believe it is in the cards. Coach Fordon has only 15 returning players (14 returning juniors and 1 sophomore). As far as I can see Boone was really the only junior contributing on the offensive side of the ball and Tofi the lone sophomore the only non senior contributor on the defensive side of the ball. Their JV squad had a 1-9 overall and 0-7 league record. To put it mildly Coach Fordan has his work cut out for him unless Riordan gets a slew of transfers.

I hope that team's success has opened a few eyes of kids in youth football. Sounds like Coach Fordan had them as guests at a few games so I hope he is on the right track in building the program up

 

[Mr. Direct]

Has CIF State ever taken a football team with 3 losses?

I believe there are now 13 regional games. If they win CCS they will be selected for one of those.

 

[Scott2138]

Riordan definitely overachieved...it was a very good year. A year any school would love to have. Congrats to making it real fantasy. The kids will always remember putting 66 points on Tom Brady's Alma Mater, memories of a lifetime and probably made new history in the WCAL.

 

[hsfb44]

Riordan not done yet. Too early to ask this question. I don't think anyone had them competing for a WCAL title into the last week. If they win DIII and possibly state those achievements will speak for themselves. Winning WCAL is TOUGH TOUGH TOUGH and that would take an overachievement for any team in that division.