Re: WCAL 2014 Pre-Season Preview - Bellarmine Bells
I was surprised by Calcagno play calling as well. With such a good passing QB, thought he would pass more. More of a pass first and then run. Seemed defense new SF was going to run every down except 3rd. When SF did pass in those running situations, they had success.
I think the SF defense will be pretty formidable in the WCAL when they are at full strength. Definitely will need to open the offense up some though. They have lots of talent and were very predictable.
The Palma player that went out injured (one of their LBs) actually came back in the game. I thought he blew his knew out, based on how he was helped off the field. He came back in after a series and seemed fine. Would be big loss for team if he is out, he is a starting OLB and also rotates in at FB.
What I like about this Palma team is that the offense has a high upside for improvement with all the youth. The defense with exception of DBs (and they have good underclass backups), has a lot of youth at LBs and d-line. They should get a very good returning starter senior back at DT in a couple games (and he plays o-line as well, but seems the underclassman at o-line is doing a great job). Palma definitely will need to improve if these teams face each other again. The last time SF defeated Palma in the playoffs in a second game, it seemed SF made lots of adjustments after Palma won the first game, and Palma seemed to use the same game plan. Hopefully this is changed up some if they face again. SF always improves a lot as the season progresses-probably a result of having to face tough opponents in the WCAL. I think the MBL Gab is relatively stronger this year and that will also help Palma improve. I think Monterey and Hollister and Palma will compete for the title and maybe Salinas as a long shot. In any event, both teams need to improve as the year progresses.
If they continue the series, I think Palma will have an advantage the next couple years-although SF sophs have some very big kids on the line and some very good athletes. I know they hade 3 up on varsity as did Palma who had three sophs and all are starters (2 both ways - LB/FB, C/DT). Soph Emilio Martinez starts at RB and also punts. Can you imagine when Emilio decides to run when he punts? He is a decent punter as well, but always a threat to take off if he is flushed out. Palma sophs (on JV) are stacked at the skill positions - The JV have another really good RB and their WRs all could play varsity. Palma underclass have lots of speed (they should have a good 4x100 track squad again this year including two sophs). Soph QB isn't very big, but an extremely accurate passer. They defeated the SF JV on a 2 minute drive of pin point passing that a varsity squad would love to have. SF sophs are big and athletic, and they will make an impact as juniors as SF current juniors aren't a particularly strong class. I see SF as being down next season, but rebounding the following year. Palma will have the advantage next season, but should be very good game the following. Both Palma and SF frosh classes are very even. SF frosh won 6-0 after Palma muffed a punt and SF took it in in a final drive. Not sure who strong SF frosh class is until WCAL starts. Palma frosh already defeated Hollister (but in a close game). Still to early to tell how good they will be. The Palma frosh do seemed to complement the sophs with linemen.
On an interesting note, this SF seniors class handily defeated this Palma senior class as freshmen 48-7. SF got ahead early at the start as Palma defense made some terrible reads and SF broke a couple long runs that scored. At half Palma made some adjustments but still ended up a blow out. So not sure how much frosh results indicate future success- although I know the Palma seniors made a huge jump as sophs losing only 17-7 9although SF had some sophs up). I tend to look at two classes as far as how they compliment each other and although SF jniors aren't particularly strong, I would expect this years sophs to have an impact next season. Just think Palma's two underclass classes overall are stronger than SF's and reason why I think Palma will have advantages next year and possibly the following. Still would like the series to continue as both teams playing each other are good preparation for league and potentially playoffs.
This post was edited on 9/14 2:38 PM by NorCalSportsFan
This post was edited on 9/14 2:39 PM by NorCalSportsFan
This post was edited on 9/14 2:56 PM by NorCalSportsFan
