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I agree...SI looks magical this year....

Does anyone know what is the status of Flanigan at SHC, he has been out for three games???
Also where has #99 been? They have a small roster this year on Varsity.
Flanigan has been injured the past 3 games which has led to some offensive inefficiencies. Irish played with a whole lot better effort today with 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and a recovered onside kick. Bad news is they lost key lineman Tristan Forks to a nasty leg injury (he got rolled up from behind). They were already thin on the line so losing him doesnt help. Idk about Bellamy. I didnt see him out there today so assume hes injured as well.
 
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I agree...SI looks magical this year....

Does anyone know what is the status of Flanigan at SHC, he has been out for three games???
Also where has #99 been? They have a small roster this year on Varsity.
I don't know their status. Even the announcers on the live stream mentioned him. They also said there was only one Senior starting on the offensive and defensive lines. They really need more depth.
 
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The SHC football program has its hands tied for a variety of very tough reasons. By all rights, it should not compete in the WCAL. For many years, it didn't. Now, it's stuck. With both San Francisco rivals, Riordan and SI, (and Serra to the south already a WCAL big boy program), upgrading their football programs, SHC is caught in a vise as the odd man out. Frankly, it's not at all clear The Irish can ever break free and become an annual factor in the WCAL. They are really up against it. They have chronically low numbers, a lack of overall talent, too many coaching changes over time, minimal facilities, no frosh team and no history of WCAL success, having never won a league varsity football title. You might say SHC, with its inner city campus not all that far from the Tenderloin, is simply not a football school. Normally, that would be fine. Nothing wrong with that. But SHC, which hesitated to join SI in the new WCAL back in the late 1960s and then had to relent, is stuck in the WCAL, one of the top leagues in NorCal. The football competition is unrelenting. In a perfect world, The Irish would compete in the expanded PAL. But such an option, considered years ago and discarded, seems to be DOA. SHC's football future appears to be grim. That's not news. But it is depressing, for SHC and, frankly, for the WCAL. It's not good, no matter how you look at it. Saturday, Serra barely showed up, committing mistake after mistake and performing as badly as any Walsh-coached team ever has in his 24 seasons at the school. SHC, credit to them, hung in there but simply got overwhelmed in the end by Serra's depth, speed, overall size in both lines and an occasional big play. The final score was 29-12, pretty respectable really. But the difference in the two programs was so stark it was painful to watch, even as Serra (which did showcase its impressive transfer kicker from Stuart Hall) continued to self-destruct for most of the day. Oh, the JV score was Serra (with 60 sophs on the roster) 33, SHC 6. More bad news. It was a long, hot day on West 20th Avenue.
 
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The entire WCAL story the pundits and reporters tried to spin prior to the season all thru the pre-season was a nice story.

St. Ignatius is winning the WCAL this year.


They put themselves in a better spot

But there not the favorites they came from behind late in both games

They could be had by a mitty or vchs

There not serra where they were dominant the previous 3 years, they just outlast teams.

That a recipe to get beat possibly if u get down to far of a rabbit hole by a team


But so far they did what they needed to do
 
They put themselves in a better spot

But there not the favorites they came from behind late in both games

They could be had by a mitty or vchs

There not serra where they were dominant the previous 3 years, they just outlast teams.

That a recipe to get beat possibly if u get down to far of a rabbit hole by a team


But so far they did what they needed to do
The possible rematches in the CCS playoffs with SI vs Serra and/or Riordan will be interesting...
 
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The SHC football program has its hands tied for a variety of very tough reasons. By all rights, it should not compete in the WCAL. For many years, it didn't. Now, it's stuck. With both San Francisco rivals, Riordan and SI, (and Serra to the south already a WCAL big boy program), upgrading their football programs, SHC is caught in a vise as the odd man out. Frankly, it's not at all clear The Irish can ever break free and become an annual factor in the WCAL. They are really up against it. They have chronically low numbers, a lack of overall talent, too many coaching changes over time, minimal facilities, no frosh team and no history of WCAL success, having never won a league varsity football title. You might say SHC, with its inner city campus not all that far from the Tenderloin, is simply not a football school. Normally, that would be fine. Nothing wrong with that. But SHC, which hesitated to join SI in the new WCAL back in the late 1970s and then had to relent, is stuck in the WCAL, one of the top leagues in NorCal. The football competition is unrelenting. In a perfect world, The Irish would compete in the expanded PAL. But such an option, considered years ago and discarded, seems to be DOA. SHC's football future appears to be grim. That's not news. But it is depressing, for SHC and, frankly, for the WCAL. It's not good, no matter how you look at it. Saturday, Serra barely showed up, committing mistake after mistake and performing as badly as any Walsh-coached team ever has in his 24 seasons at the school. SHC, credit to them, hung in there but simply got overwhelmed in the end by Serra's depth, speed, overall size in both lines and an occasional big play. The final score was 29-12, pretty respectable really. But the difference in the two programs was so stark it was painful to watch, even as Serra (which did showcase its impressive transfer kicker from Stuart Hall) continued to self-destruct for most of the day. Oh, the JV score was Serra (with 60 sophs on the roster) 33, SHC 6. More bad news. It was a long, hot day on West 20th Avenue.
Very precise write up. Couldnt have written it any better. SH is not a football school. An awesome "successful" football year would be .500 and a trip to CCS D3. But most years 2-8 or 3-7 sounds about right.

There has been however more consistency in their coaching staffs than your suggestion of alot of coaching turnover. Since McLaughlin, its been pretty much the same staff and there are talented kids that come and play for them. Its not enough of course compared to the big dogs of the league. There is no stink there that causes players to leave or not want to go there. Thats when you know its bad.

Still proud and support SH no matter what. Fun little school that sometimes wins a trophy here and there.
 
Here's my WCAL Week 3 Rankings

1. SI
2. Serra
3. Riordan
4. St. Francis
5. Valley Christian
6. Mitty
7. SHC
8. Bellarmine

Bellarmine not being a better team at this junction after hiring a HC with an NFL background is alarming. I'm wondering if he's able to relate to his team.
 
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Here's my WCAL Week 3 Rankings

1. SI
2. Serra
3. Riordan
4. St. Francis
5. Valley Christian
6. Mitty
7. SHC
8. Bellarmine

Bellarmine not being a better team at this junction hiring a HC with an NFL background is alarming. I'm wondering if he's able to relate to his team.
I think the only thing going against you is the natural regression to the mean. SI with two improbable comebacks. You win games like that and eventually will lose games just like that or have a huge letdown. Kids are especially susceptible to being told how good they are and getting drunk off their success.

Havent wavered from my preseason prediction but that SI-SF game should be a doozy.
1. SF
2. SI
3. Riordan
4. Serra
5 VC
6 Mitty
7 SH
8 Bellarmine
 
Very precise write up. Couldnt have written it any better. SH is not a football school. An awesome "successful" football year would be .500 and a trip to CCS D3. But most years 2-8 or 3-7 sounds about right.

There has been however more consistency in their coaching staffs than your suggestion of alot of coaching turnover. Since McLaughlin, its been pretty much the same staff and there are talented kids that come and play for them. Its not enough of course compared to the big dogs of the league. There is no stink there that causes players to leave or not want to go there. Thats when you know its bad.

Still proud and support SH no matter what. Fun little school that sometimes wins a trophy here and there.
All this is true...But the last five years of SHC football has been some of the most exciting to watch if you are a school follower. The offensive game is more fun to watch the last five years than decades ago. More passing and less relying on a running back. They have low numbers this year but they do the best with what they got. Riordan football was owned by the IRISH the last decade, so the trend is reversing now. But the school does need to concentrate on being a football school more since SI and RIordan really upped their games the last two years. I would rather be SHC than Bellarmine currently. They have bodies and facilities but are not attracting football players either. Weird cycles.
 
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Very precise write up. Couldn't have written it any better. SH is not a football school. An awesome "successful" football year would be .500 and a trip to CCS D3. But most years 2-8 or 3-7 sounds about right.

There has been however more consistency in their coaching staffs than your suggestion of a lot of coaching turnover. Since McLaughlin, it's been pretty much the same staff and there are talented kids that come and play for them. It's not enough of course compared to the big dogs of the league. There is no stink there that causes players to leave or not want to go there. Thats when you know it's bad.

Still proud and support SH no matter what. Fun little school that sometimes wins a trophy here and there.
I wouldn't go so far to say the situation is "grim". There are ebbs and flows every season. I don't think anybody is expecting SHC to be a powerhouse team and reloading year-in and year-out. I'll take wins over our City rivals and a CCS D-III title or better any day. The competition level in D-III is comparable to SHC's anyway. I'm realistic about gaining WCAL titles.
I think the coaching is steady these days, and the practice facilities are no longer a factor and who doesn't want to play at Kezar? But there is a problem with depth. There are only 2 Seniors starting on the offense and defensive lines. If any Serra dudes want playing time, call Phil Freed.
The Irish are only three seasons from a CCS, NorCal and State title. It wasn't long ago that Riordan was playing like an 8-man team and selling doormats with their name on them.
As for the PAL, they had their chances.
 
I think the only thing going against you is the natural regression to the mean. SI with two improbable comebacks. You win games like that and eventually will lose games just like that or have a huge letdown. Kids are especially susceptible to being told how good they are and getting drunk off their success.

Havent wavered from my preseason prediction but that SI-SF game should be a doozy.
1. SF
2. SI
3. Riordan
4. Serra
5 VC
6 Mitty
7 SH
8 Bellarmine

I beg to differ. I believe SI has yet to play a full game at its best. This was echoed by Coach Vandermade in an interview after the Riordan game.
Hence, why they've been a 2nd half team playing from behind their last 3 games.
I think we're only going to get better as the season progresses.
 
I beg to differ. I believe SI has yet to play a full game at its best. This was echoed by Coach Vandermade in an interview after the Riordan game.
Hence, why they've been a 2nd half team playing from behind their last 3 games.
I think we're only going to get better as the season progresses.
Ravipati also echoed what Vandermade said in the same interview. Riordan hasn’t put together a full 4 quarters. The Crusaders are even younger than Serra starting/playing several sophomores and freshman. Lots of football to be played and potential rematches in CCS.
 
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That's a thought I don't want to think about. His son IS set to graduate in 2027.

Hopefully, St. Ignatius opens up the wallet to keep Vandermade from wanting to stray.
The Scary one Is Rancho Santa Margarita who is about to fire their Coach due to a Hazing Scandal…. You have to imagine they would come calling….

Hopefully he stays though, good for Nor Cal Football to have him up here…. He won’t take any kind of College job until after his son Graduates…..
 
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The Scary one Is Rancho Santa Margarita who is about to fire their Coach due to a Hazing Scandal…. You have to imagine they would come calling….

Hopefully he stays though, good for Nor Cal Football to have him up here…. He won’t take any kind of College job until after his son Graduates…..
S.I. well done. Mike Mibach is stoked no doubt!!
 
Irish Cheers: Keeping it real.
Honestly @colhenrylives, keeping it Real Is Not in some posters perspective.

I think @iamgearyblvd oosted honestly, SHC is a program that win every now and then, but isn’t that the same criteria that took them out of the league?

Hey @MC415 why doesn’t Marin Catholic replace SHC in WCAL,… or stay in place easier that playing with the big boys?
 
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[More bullsh*t... More putdowns... More jealousy...]
Never fails... Once an ignorant fool... always. :rolleyes:

Why doesn't Riordan have its soccer team in the AAA? They've been losing an average of 18 games per year for the past 20+ years in the WCAL. That's unhealthy for the league.

Re: "When a Team goes “A Goose Egg”"... Oh, you mean like Riordan in 2010, and those ZERO league wins that whole decade? Maybe the WCAL should remove Riordan for the good of the league. I can see why Riordan is the “red headed stepchild” of the league and should be put out of its misery. Maybe join the Mission Trail 8-man league before the school closes.

SHC is in the WCAL and is staying here.

#idiots
 
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As we know, Marin Catholic was indeed a member of the old Catholic Athletic League back in the post-WWII decades. Adding MC to the WCAL (football only?) might make sense if another school (Sacred Heart Prep?) joined too. But it won't happen. MC, SHP, Menlo School, Palma, et al are more than pleased to participate in public school leagues. SHC lobbied hard to become part of the PAL years ago. It didn't happen. The Irish are stuck. It's not healthy.
 
As we know, Marin Catholic was indeed a member of the old Catholic Athletic League back in the post-WWII decades. Adding MC to the WCAL (football only?) might make sense if another school (Sacred Heart Prep?) joined too. But it won't happen. MC, SHP, Menlo School, Palma, et al are more than pleased to participate in public school leagues. SHC lobbied hard to become part of the PAL years ago. It didn't happen. The Irish are stuck. It's not healthy.
They should invite Central Catholic and St. Mary's of Stockton perhaps Jesuit. All can afford travel.
 
As we know, Marin Catholic was indeed a member of the old Catholic Athletic League back in the post-WWII decades. Adding MC to the WCAL (football only?) might make sense if another school (Sacred Heart Prep?) joined too. But it won't happen. MC, SHP, Menlo School, Palma, et al are more than pleased to participate in public school leagues. SHC lobbied hard to become part of the PAL years ago. It didn't happen. The Irish are stuck. It's not healthy.
Thank you @colhenrylives,

So basically SHC tried to join the other league and they didn’t want them. I understand where the “red headed stepchild” came from.

I guess if SHC wins the # WCAL - Toilet Bowl Game,….SHC can claim 100% improvement

#TheyCanDoIt🤣🤣🤣🤣

Note: I do like your logic replacing with MC as football ONLY,… it would allow WCAL to put SHC-FB out of the misery and allow the SHC Olympic sports stay would demonstrate the WCAL’s empathy of faith-based programs.
 
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Especially considering his son is playing football on the Freshmen team. Perfect timing for his son to play for Coach Vandermade and be part of a winning program.
I'm an SI alum and am very impressed with Coach Vandermade's handling of the program. However let's not forget the cupboard wasn't exactly bare when Coach Regalia stepped aside. He inherited a very good group of seniors and juniors and guided them to a fine season last year and even better season this year. A coach is only as good as the talent he has to work with. Last year' SI's freshman team finished 1-8 and this year's team is 1-4. I will be more impressed if he can keep it going in the next couple of years.
 
I'm an SI alum and am very impressed with Coach Vandermade's handling of the program. However let's not forget the cupboard wasn't exactly bare when Coach Regalia stepped aside. He inherited a very good group of seniors and juniors and guided them to a fine season last year and even better season this year. A coach is only as good as the talent he has to work with. Last year' SI's freshman team finished 1-8 and this year's team is 1-4. I will be more impressed if he can keep it going in the next couple of years.
I beg to differ. The cupboards weren't exactly brimming with D1 prospects either. SI's biggest talent and best player at their position the past two years has been LT John Mills.

For comparison, our QB is off to a D3 school while his counterpart Mike Mitchell @ Riordan is heading to a D1 Power 4 school that recently upset Alabama. The same goes with all of their skill players.

That said, I do agree that a coach is only as good as his players and if we're being honest with ourselves. He sure is making the most of it because the difference in personnel between SI and Riordan was glaring.

I get it, many SI alum I know feel a certain way about an outsider coming in to coach their team.

But, Vandermade is obviously bringing something different to SI that wasn't there before and I'm here for it. A winning program.

SI has never won the WCAL outright and this looks to be the year.
 
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Great wins by St. Francis over Serra and Valley Christian over Riordan tonight.

Riordan couldn't seem to get anything going and am wondering if they were still reeling from that SI loss the week prior.

Im any case, the WCAL is still formidable with 3 undefeated teams still in league play.

Talk about a storyline no one expected at the start of football season.
 
We have one more game to play in this third week of WCAL action. If Sacred Heart Cathedral beats Archbishop Mitty (which might happen in this crazy week), I will come back to adjust this round of my rankings. [Post note: And of course in this topsy-turvy weekend, SHC beats AM.]

St. Francis beat Junipero Serra by TD tonight. There were a few that believed this would happen but I still thought JS would win out. The other surprising, really far more surprising game outcome, was Valley Christian dominating Archbishop Riordan. One or two posters called this game a tossup. But I thought AR would throttle VC via their passing game. Something has fundamentally changed for both teams.

Here's my rankings.
1. SI - No challenge from BCP and still holding the top spot. Next week, SI meets SF which should be a good game and very likely the last big test for the Wildcats.
2. SF - Tonight, the Lancers shut up critics by controlling the outcome of their win over JS. Next week, they meet SI and proponents of SF will get a chance to be vindicated.
3. JS - Serra started out the season ranked #1 but most people, including me, thought they could easily fall as low as #3. Then JS edged Folsom and it seemed the Padres were on their way to another stellar year. Two WCAL losses later, here they are #3. They play AM next week.
4. VC - The Warriors unexpectedly (at least by me) dominated AR to pull themselves back into the upper half of WCAL. At the beginning of the season, I put VC at either #4 or #5 but I thought it would be a position battle with SI, not AR. Something has fundamentally changed for the Warriors. I have my theory but still need to verify it against their roster. VC has the WCAL top three still ahead on their schedule, starting with SI in two weeks.
5. AR - The Crusaders have hit some kind of crisis in their season this year. Many thought they would be contending for the top 3 of WCAL this year and a few thought they would contend for the top levels of NorCal. But that hope has not materialized.
6. SHC - The Irish earned their opportunity to move ahead of AM on Saturday. Next week, they travel to San Jose to play VC.
7. AM - The Monarchs misfire in their battle with the Irish. Next week, they travel to JS for a Saturday afternoon game.
8. BCP - Enough said.
 
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We have one more game to play in this third week of WCAL action. If Sacred Heart Cathedral beats Archbishop Mitty (which might happen in this crazy week), I will come back to adjust this round of my rankings.

St. Francis beat Junipero Serra by TD tonight. There were a few that believed this would happen but I still thought JS would win out. The other surprising, really far more surprising game outcome, was Valley Christian dominating Archbishop Riordan. One or two posters called this game a tossup. But I thought AR would throttle VC via their passing game. Something has fundamentally changed for both teams.

Here's my rankings.
1. SI - No challenge from BCP and still holding the top spot. Next week, SI meets SF which should be a good game and very likely the last big test for the Wildcats.
2. SF - Tonight, the Lancers shut up critics by controlling the outcome of their win over JS. Next week, they meet SI and proponents of SF will get a chance to be vindicated.
3. JS - Serra started out the season ranked #1 but most people, including me, thought they could easily fall as low as #3. Then JS edged Folsom and it seemed the Padres were on their way to another stellar year. Two WCAL losses later, here they are #3. They play AM next week.
4. VC - The Warriors unexpectedly (at least by me) dominated AR to pull themselves back into the upper half of WCAL. At the beginning of the season, I put VC at either #4 or #5 but I thought it would be a position battle with SI, not AR. Something has fundamentally changed for the Warriors. I have my theory but still need to verify it against their roster. VC has the WCAL top three still ahead on their schedule, starting with SI next week.
5. AR - The Crusaders have hit some kind of crisis in their season this year. Many thought they would be contending for the top 3 of WCAL this year and a few thought they would contend for the top levels of NorCal. But that hope has not materialized.
6. AM - The Monarchs' game with SHC happens Saturday. AM is expected to win but expectations seem to be challenged this weekend.
7. SHC - The Irish will have a chance to improve their ranking tomorrow. If they are successful, I will come back to adjust this 3rd week of WCAL rankings.
8. BCP - Enough said.
@FBAddict Can’t argue with your assessment - especially of the Crusaders. I would even put them below Mitty at the moment. This team is struggling right now.
 
Great wins by St. Francis over Serra and Valley Christian over Riordan tonight.

Riordan couldn't seem to get anything going and am wondering if they were still reeling from that SI loss the week prior.

Im any case, the WCAL is still formidable with 3 undefeated teams still in league play.

Talk about a storyline no one expected at the start of football season.
Cannot agree more.
 
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Here's my (revised) WCAL rankings after week 3:

1. St. Ignatius
2. St. Francis
3. Serra
4. Valley Christian
5. Riordan
6. Sacred Heart Cathedral
7. Mitty
8. Bellarmine

This upcoming game between St. Francis @ SI will be another battle in the trenches between SF's Oline and SI's Dline which have been both teams strength this year.

Should be another WCAL doozy!
 
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We have one more game to play in this third week of WCAL action. If Sacred Heart Cathedral beats Archbishop Mitty (which might happen in this crazy week), I will come back to adjust this round of my rankings.

St. Francis beat Junipero Serra by TD tonight. There were a few that believed this would happen but I still thought JS would win out. The other surprising, really far more surprising game outcome, was Valley Christian dominating Archbishop Riordan. One or two posters called this game a tossup. But I thought AR would throttle VC via their passing game. Something has fundamentally changed for both teams.

Here's my rankings.
1. SI - No challenge from BCP and still holding the top spot. Next week, SI meets SF which should be a good game and very likely the last big test for the Wildcats.
2. SF - Tonight, the Lancers shut up critics by controlling the outcome of their win over JS. Next week, they meet SI and proponents of SF will get a chance to be vindicated.
3. JS - Serra started out the season ranked #1 but most people, including me, thought they could easily fall as low as #3. Then JS edged Folsom and it seemed the Padres were on their way to another stellar year. Two WCAL losses later, here they are #3. They play AM next week.
4. VC - The Warriors unexpectedly (at least by me) dominated AR to pull themselves back into the upper half of WCAL. At the beginning of the season, I put VC at either #4 or #5 but I thought it would be a position battle with SI, not AR. Something has fundamentally changed for the Warriors. I have my theory but still need to verify it against their roster. VC has the WCAL top three still ahead on their schedule, starting with SI next week.
5. AR - The Crusaders have hit some kind of crisis in their season this year. Many thought they would be contending for the top 3 of WCAL this year and a few thought they would contend for the top levels of NorCal. But that hope has not materialized.
6. AM - The Monarchs' game with SHC happens Saturday. AM is expected to win but expectations seem to be challenged this weekend.
7. SHC - The Irish will have a chance to improve their ranking tomorrow. If they are successful, I will come back to adjust this 3rd week of WCAL rankings.
8. BCP - Enough said.
Irish with an outstanding effort to come back and earn first league win since 2022. Season looking up now that they got what consensus felt would be 1 league win. Likely 2 wins, and maybe 3 if they play with the energy they showed today. Well done Irish.
 
I think the only thing going against you is the natural regression to the mean. SI with two improbable comebacks. You win games like that and eventually will lose games just like that or have a huge letdown. Kids are especially susceptible to being told how good they are and getting drunk off their success.

Havent wavered from my preseason prediction but that SI-SF game should be a doozy.
1. SF
2. SI
3. Riordan
4. Serra
5 VC
6 Mitty
7 SH
8 Bellarmine
Looks like you will finally have to waver after this week.
 
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