When was the last time three CIF state football finalists got together for a pre-season scrimmage? It's happening this Friday (Aug. 18) at 5:30 p.m. in San Mateo when Serra hosts Menlo-Atherton and O'Dowd (a state champion by the way). All three are expected to be strong again in 2017. Should be an instructive evening on West 20th Avenue.
Tri-Scrimmage at Serra
- Thread starter colhenrylives
- Start date
O'Dowd will be the most talented team there hands down. They will have players in multiple positions with major league speed, some good size to go with it.
Serra should be the best team there being very veteran, having a big line,and surrounded with playmakers.
MA had a great season last year and is on the rise. They should be able to competitive vs both teams.
Serra should be the best team there being very veteran, having a big line,and surrounded with playmakers.
MA had a great season last year and is on the rise. They should be able to competitive vs both teams.
[QUOTE="MJ2014, post: 168833, member: 6683"]O'Dowd will be the most talented team there hands down. They will have players in multiple positions with major league speed, some good size to go with it.
Serra should be the best team there being very veteran, having a big line,and surrounded with playmakers.
MA had a great season last year and is on the rise. They should be able to competitive vs both teams.[/QUOTE]
Good assessment of 3 teams MJ and sounds about right – hopefully colhenry or another fan who is at the scrimmage can give us a run-down afterwards.
Serra should be the best team there being very veteran, having a big line,and surrounded with playmakers.
MA had a great season last year and is on the rise. They should be able to competitive vs both teams.[/QUOTE]
Good assessment of 3 teams MJ and sounds about right – hopefully colhenry or another fan who is at the scrimmage can give us a run-down afterwards.
Lots of talent on display at Serra this evening. Three very impressive programs going at one another. A couple of caveats, however: Without complete rosters, it was tough tell when starters were pitted against each other; also, it was not possible to know what coaches were holding back in terms of offensive plays and defensive schemes; nor were substitution patterns obvious; finally, without special teams, fully 20 percent of a typical game was MIA. All that said, there were some highlights (and a few concerns). Serra looked ready to rumble on both sides of the ball _ strong and deep quarterback play, physicality on both lines, team speed, aggressive behavior. Menlo-Atherton's five first unit offensive linemen played well. The Bears, like O'Dowd, have some work to do at the QB position. Also, it wasn't clear if M-A has a special player at RB but it didn't look like it on Friday. Finally, O'Dowd's DB's were outstanding. But the rest of the Dragons' groups did not stand out. In fact, both lines got pushed around by both M-A and Serra. They did not appear to be in sync for much of the festivities. But it's early. And that's what scrimmages are for.
Oh, by the way, as the three varsity units competed, the M-A junior varsity was overwhelming both Serra and O'Dowd. The Dragons seemed especially over-matched as the Bears scored at will. Not sure what that means in the big picture except that M-A will be a handful for PAL squads, both varsity and JV.
Oh, by the way, as the three varsity units competed, the M-A junior varsity was overwhelming both Serra and O'Dowd. The Dragons seemed especially over-matched as the Bears scored at will. Not sure what that means in the big picture except that M-A will be a handful for PAL squads, both varsity and JV.
Agreed - I caught most of the scrimmage and agreed with your thoughts colhenry. Serra looks like they will be a force in the WCAL and NorCal level. It was clear they had a lot of returners back because they were flying around. All 3 QBs impressed, and the big NT going to Cal is a monster. Those early games with Serra out of section will be interesting to keep an eye on.
While it was hard to tell who was in, I thought 1s vs 1s M-A held their own, but Serra looked to have an experience factor. M-A is absolutely massive upfront and in their front 7. Their first unit was very impressive on defense, but agreed on the QB and RB play. A parent said one of their QB/RBs was on the sideline with ice on his knee very early on...not sure what that means.
O'Dowd looked like they didn't want to be there. They got manhandled by both teams, and while their secondary is talented, they gave up some plays in the pass game also. Their line play needs some work, and the big kid that's going to Cal got pushed around a bit. Their games against Freedom and DLS might be rough.
Serra did not display a power running back. Maybe they chose to hold back that ingredient as they prepare for St. Mary's. Not sure. But the Padres' passing attack looked sophisticated and potentially deadly. In the end, though, Serra's WCAL fate probably will hinge on its defense against the run. Both VC and St. Francis figure to feature a power running game.
Isaiah Kendrick only carried the ball maybe 6 times and scored on 3 of those. He had over 1400 yds last year and should have 1500 to 2000 this year as he will carry more now that Leki Nunn is gone. He is also a very big threat on screens and deep passes.
The running games against Serra will have to negotiate one of the best nose guards Antonio Mafi that ever played at Serra and for sure the best D line that Serra has fielded in some time. Watching some good huge offensive lines from MA and O Dowd trying to move the D line of Serra and run up the middle and also wide showed the difficulty that running teams will have against Serra.
Should be a war in the WCAL
I guess they agree with my assessment, Mafi is listed as second team CCS offense line in the Cal Hi Sports review. Amazing that he is so under the radar but the teams Serra plays will soon know who Neo Mafi is. And Cal figured it out.
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