Serra 54, Bellarmine 16

[colhenrylives]

It was ugly. Really ugly. These two all-boys Catholic outfits have been playing football against one another since 1946. It's the oldest league rivalry in what is now the WCAL. But Saturday's grim affair in San Mateo was about as non-competitive as we have ever seen. Bellarmine, to be honest, is a shell of what it once was. Serra, of course, had a lot to do with the Bells' total meltdown this weekend. The game was essentially over after nine minutes had been run off the clock. The Padres, celebrating their annual Polynesian Day, had scored 27 points and the San Jose Jesuits were in a state of shock. If you arrived a bit late, there was literally no point in hanging around. It was that bad. Serra's team speed on defense frustrated Bellarmine on just about every possession that mattered. Sweeps? Forget about it. Dump-off passes into the flat? A waste of time. QB keepers? Please. Maybe Riordan's collection of athletes can solve some of that next weekend when the Crusaders visit West 29th Avenue. That remains to be seen. But it should be more interesting than what the Bells had to offer. The old Serra/Bellarmine rivalry is in a shambles right now. Sadly, the Bells are becoming a WCAL afterthought. Oddly, that just feels weird.

 

[colhenrylives]

A footnote: Bellarmine's football program, fading fast out of the playoff picture, has had three different coaching staffs over the last five or six years. Any continuity is pretty much out the Jesuit window right now. Further, the school's administration, sitting on 1,700 students and a long Silicon Valley waiting list, does not need a big-time football showcase as a marketing tool. Which means reducing its admission standards to accommodate football players or any other athletes (including most notably transfers) is not in the cards. For now. Bellarmine, founded in 1851 and an iconic NorCal football entity for more than 100 years, seems content to avoid the temptation to follow the Serra/St. Francis/Riordan (and perhaps the VC) formula toward building a regional all-star team. Maybe that's laudable. There are arguments both ways.

 

[ArmchairGOAT]

I’d go easy on the Bells. Always great support from the entire Bell's community. However, I get hiring alumni-especially one that has the pedigree of Diaz-Infante, but he’s 60 years old. Not really sure what happened with Beauchman, but he was young , energetic and appeared to really connect with his players.

 

[colhenrylives]

A coach's age is not an issue. When it comes to coaching the questions are: Is he (and his staff) upbeat, vigorous, competent, experienced, savvy and able to relate to teens? Age is irrelevant. For more perspective, the Bells have not been a WCAL title factor of any serious substance for eight years.

 

[ArmchairGOAT]

A coach's age is not an issue. When it comes to coaching the questions are: Is he (and his staff) upbeat, vigorous, competent, experienced, savvy and able to relate to teens? Age is irrelevant.

Why did the previous coach suddenly step down? The Bells were really trending up….

 

[colhenrylives]

Unsure.

 

[MadDawgSS]

Didn't the bells go to state last year, under Beauchman, and almost beat Laguna Beach who had an all star record breaking RB now at UCLA? They lost a lot of guys after Beacuhman stepped down and the team is very young. This result is expected without any incoming players that can handle varsity football. I wish Bells admin would pay Beauchman more to keep him, but with this eocnomy under that Newsom guy, people need to change jobs to survive in overpriced CA.

 

[ankleassassin]

Didn't the bells go to state last year, under Beauchman, and almost beat Laguna Beach who had an all star record breaking RB now at UCLA? They lost a lot of guys after Beacuhman stepped down and the team is very young. This result is expected without any incoming players that can handle varsity football. I wish Bells admin would pay Beauchman more to keep him, but with this eocnomy under that Newsom guy, people need to change jobs to survive in overpriced CA.

where do the teachers live?

 

[colhenrylives]

Again: The Bells have not been a major WCAL title factor for eight years. A CIF mid-level equity bowl appearance is hardly a sign of superiority by any stretch of the imagination. The Bells have become mediocre. Which is unfortunate because the WCAL is a better league when they are strong. One more negative note: Through a full month of WCAL action, Bellarmine has a total of three league wins among all three levels, varsity, JV and frosh. Not encouraging.

 

[rwccaptain42]

west 20th

 

[colhenrylives]

west 20th

Ancient digits. Lack of focus. Bad attitude. Amen.