WCAL: A Final Glance

[colhenrylives]

Here are the final 2024 composite totals (league only) for the eight WCAL teams' programs (varsity, JV and frosh):

St. Francis, 15-4
Serra, 15-4
Valley Christian, 12-7
St. Ignatius, 10-9
Riordan (no frosh), 6-8
Mitty, 6-13
Bellarmine, 4-15
Sacred Heart Cathedral (no frosh), 3-11

SF and SI tied for the varsity championship.
Serra won the JV crown undefeated.
SF won the frosh title undefeated.

 

[FBAddict]

Thanks for the info... Although not the end-all indicator of future years' success, historically these type of stats are important factors for future success.

This data suggests we will continue to see SF and JS dominance, VC and SI filling the upper middle level, AR in flux, with AM, BCP and SHC toward the bottom. There will be plenty of variables to consider before next season, such as percentage of returning varsity players, transfers in & out, existing players quitting and existing students playing next year that didn't play this year. And there is a step up in physical maturity changes being drastic for some players and only some for other players between 16 years old and 18 years old.

Here is my far too early WCAL rankings for next year:
#1 JS (or SF)
#2 SF (or JS)
#3 VC (or SI/AR)
#4 SI (or VC/AR)
#5 AR (or VC/SI)
#6 AM
#7 SHC (or BCP)
#8 BCP (or SHC) We should see a definite up tick for BCP but maybe not enough to push out of the bottom three.

 

[rwccaptain42]

The Jesuits over at S.I would like to thank the R for beating Serra thus allowing them to share WCAL title. Great week for "Patriots", tough week for Padres!!!

 

[colhenrylives]

The Jesuits over at S.I would like to thank the R for beating Serra thus allowing them to share WCAL title. Great week for "Patriots", tough week for Padres!!!

Didn't Riordan defeat St. Francis to force a tie with SI for the title?

 

[dcpanda]

Didn't Riordan defeat St. Francis to force a tie with SI for the title?

Yes, I’m also confused by RWC’s statement.

 

[ArmchairGOAT]

Here is my far too early WCAL rankings for next year:
#1 JS (or SF)
#2 SF (or JS)
#3 VC (or SI/AR)
#4 SI (or VC/AR)
#5 AR (or VC/SI)
#6 AM
#7 SHC (or BCP)
#8 BCP (or SHC) We should see a definite up tick for BCP but maybe not enough to push out of the bottom three.

Tell me how Riordan is in flux? Their JV starters were all freshman and were competitive in almost all of their games.
Serra graduates 40 seniors including its starting QB, RB, TEs, OLine, DBs and WR. SF also graduates many starters of its Oline/Dline, LB, QB and RB. SI graduates its starting QB, RB, many of its WRs, DLine, OLine and PK/P.
Riordan returns next year its starting QB, most of it OLine and DLine, DBs, 3 WRs and one of its RBs.
My far too early WCAL rankings for next year:

1. Riordan
2. SF
3. VC
4. Serra
5. SHC
6. SI
7. AM
8. BCP

 

[FBAddict]

Tell me how Riordan is in flux? Their JV starters were all freshman and were competitive in almost all of their games.
Serra graduates 40 seniors including its starting QB, RB, TEs, OLine, DBs and WR. SF also graduates many starters of its Oline/Dline, LB, QB and RB. SI graduates its starting QB, RB, many of its WRs, DLine, OLine and PK/P.
Riordan returns next year its starting QB, most of it OLine and DLine, DBs, 3 WRs and one of its RBs.
My far too early WCAL rankings for next year:

1. Riordan
2. SF
3. VC
4. Serra
5. SHC
6. SI
7. AM
8. BCP

The deeper dive on who will be a part of the teams will come up next year preparing for preseason rankings. I say AR is in flux simply because we don't know how good the JV added to varsity will be. I know schools are not real accurate with the JV rosters, but MaxPreps has 6 freshman, 12 sophomores and 4 juniors listed for the JV team. That's not too many freshmen. Additionally we can be certain that AR didn't have enough freshman to field a Frosh team. According to MaxPreps, there 16 seniors, 20 juniors, 11 sophomores and 14 Freshman on the varsity team. That is a little heavy for freshman numbers on varsity, but not a crazy amount. The junior numbers are normal and sophomores are a little light. And that's about a normal number of senior players departing.

Here's the kicker, they won 5 varsity games and only ONE JV game. To compensate for no frosh team, I gave Riordan's (and SHC) varsity and JV more weight so that we could compare with other WCAL schools that did have frosh teams.

Maybe you can justify why you think AR will be number one next season. And while you are at it, you can justify why you have SI all the way down at #6. The composite totals presented by @colhenrylives does not seem to support your claim.

 

[rwccaptain42]

Yes, I’m also confused by RWC’s statement.

i confuse myself often....... stand corrected

 

[ArmchairGOAT]

The deeper dive on who will be a part of the teams will come up next year preparing for preseason rankings. I say AR is in flux simply because we don't know how good the JV added to varsity will be. I know schools are not real accurate with the JV rosters, but MaxPreps has 6 freshman, 12 sophomores and 4 juniors listed for the JV team. That's not too many freshmen. Additionally we can be certain that AR didn't have enough freshman to field a Frosh team. According to MaxPreps, there 16 seniors, 20 juniors, 11 sophomores and 14 Freshman on the varsity team. That is a little heavy for freshman numbers on varsity, but not a crazy amount. The junior numbers are normal and sophomores are a little light. And that's about a normal number of senior players departing.

Here's the kicker, they won 5 varsity games and only ONE JV game. To compensate for no frosh team, I gave Riordan's (and SHC) varsity and JV more weight so that we could compare with other WCAL schools that did have frosh teams.

Maybe you can justify why you think AR will be number one next season. And while you are at it, you can justify why you have SI all the way down at #6. The composite totals presented by @colhenrylives does not seem to support your claim.

I can understand your initial assessment...The rosters are now out of whack because of the playoffs...The JVs had 41 freshman on the team. 3 Freshman were on Varsity this year. Varsity had 14 sophomores who either started or saw significant playing time.
My justification is that Mike Mitchell will be in his 4th season as the starting QB. He shattered many WCAL season records as a soph and will now just be adding to those stats this year and next. Their Oline will have 10 varsity returnees incl 4 starters led by Tommy Tofi. 3 WRs return led by Cynai Thomas. One of their RBs return in soph Adonyae Brown. Their DEs are returning. 2 starting LBs return. And their DBs return . Point of reference: Don't get me wrong, Serra has a strong 2027 class. But the current Riordan sophs on varsity were starters as freshman on JVs last year that had only 2 losses and now are on Varsity. Riordan also lost 3 2027 kids to transfer this year including 2 who started as freshman on Varsity. Riordan had no transfers this year as well. Nice to see the kid brothers of Lawson, Tofi, Mitchell and Vaenuku following their older siblings.

 

[Niklas227]

Tell me how Riordan is in flux? Their JV starters were all freshman and were competitive in almost all of their games.
Serra graduates 40 seniors including its starting QB, RB, TEs, OLine, DBs and WR. SF also graduates many starters of its Oline/Dline, LB, QB and RB. SI graduates its starting QB, RB, many of its WRs, DLine, OLine and PK/P.
Riordan returns next year its starting QB, most of it OLine and DLine, DBs, 3 WRs and one of its RBs.
My far too early WCAL rankings for next year:

1. Riordan
2. SF
3. VC
4. Serra
5. SHC
6. SI
7. AM
8. BCP

SI’s oline is returning except John Mills. Faupusa and Vandermade may play both ways next year.

The Dline isn’t going anywhere with SI Football Legend Igor Olshansky coaching this group.

The QB position will actually improve. Standby for a reputable transfer.

Junior players Hicks will be our go to WR and Malone will be our feature back. Malone actually has breakaway speed. I hear there will be WR transfers enrolling after the season.

Coach Vandermade’s era at St. Ignatius is going to keep wildcat football relevant long as he’s at the helm.

 

[jordan24]

Many things can occur these days - transfers in/out, new coaches, loaded freshmen class, etc. Let’s just enjoy the upcoming playoffs.

 

[Scott2138]

Tell me how Riordan is in flux? Their JV starters were all freshman and were competitive in almost all of their games.
Serra graduates 40 seniors including its starting QB, RB, TEs, OLine, DBs and WR. SF also graduates many starters of its Oline/Dline, LB, QB and RB. SI graduates its starting QB, RB, many of its WRs, DLine, OLine and PK/P.
Riordan returns next year its starting QB, most of it OLine and DLine, DBs, 3 WRs and one of its RBs.
My far too early WCAL rankings for next year:

1. Riordan
2. SF
3. VC
4. Serra
5. SHC
6. SI
7. AM
8. BCP

I like this ranking for next year....SHC varsity is very young, they only had 3-5 seniors. Lots of Sophmores. They add some depth in their D line and you might have a very much better defense. They could definitely get some transfers too. The problem with SHC is not the offense this year.

 

[iamgearyblvd]

SI’s oline is returning except John Mills. Faupusa and Vandermade may play both ways next year.

The Dline isn’t going anywhere with SI Football Legend Igor Olshansky coaching this group.

The QB position will actually improve. Standby for a reputable transfer.

Junior players Hicks will be our go to WR and Malone will be our feature back. Malone actually has breakaway speed. I hear there will be WR transfers enrolling after the season.

Coach Vandermade’s era at St. Ignatius is going to keep wildcat football relevant long as he’s at the helm.

I hope USC fires Riley or UCLA fires Foster and gets Vandermade.

 

[ChewpaMiverga]

The Dline isn’t going anywhere with SI Football Legend Igor Olshansky coaching this group.

You do realize that Riordan has a former NFL NT coaching their D-Line too, right?

 

[ChewpaMiverga]

I like this ranking for next year....SHC varsity is very young, they only had 3-5 seniors. Lots of Sophmores. They add some depth in their D line and you might have a very much better defense. They could definitely get some transfers too. The problem with SHC is not the offense this year.

Same with Riordan. It just hasn't come to the forefront nearly as much as SHC is more reliant on their Sophomores than Riordan is.

I heard someone say this and I believe there is a lot of truth to it: Riordan's True Sophomore teams play Varsity football. Their True Freshmen team plays JV.

 

[Niklas227]

I hope USC fires Riley or UCLA fires Foster and gets Vandermade.

Hopefully after my son plays and graduates from SI. Haha

 

[Macallan]

You do realize that Riordan has a former NFL NT coaching their D-Line too, right?

I'll never understand comments like this. Who cares?!?!? Can the dude coach? Because being an excellent player has zero to do with being a good coach. A 5'8" 450 lb woman could be the best men's high jumping coach ever.

 

[Niklas227]

You do realize that Riordan has a former NFL NT coaching their D-Line too, right?

I couldn’t tell by their play that Riordan had a former NFL NT as a D-Line coach. 😏

 

[colhenrylives]

Thanks for the info... Although not the end-all indicator of future years' success, historically these type of stats are important factors for future success.

This data suggests we will continue to see SF and JS dominance, VC and SI filling the upper middle level, AR in flux, with AM, BCP and SHC toward the bottom. There will be plenty of variables to consider before next season, such as percentage of returning varsity players, transfers in & out, existing players quitting and existing students playing next year that didn't play this year. And there is a step up in physical maturity changes being drastic for some players and only some for other players between 16 years old and 18 years old.

Here is my far too early WCAL rankings for next year:
#1 JS (or SF)
#2 SF (or JS)
#3 VC (or SI/AR)
#4 SI (or VC/AR)
#5 AR (or VC/SI)
#6 AM
#7 SHC (or BCP)
#8 BCP (or SHC) We should see a definite up tick for BCP but maybe not enough to push out of the bottom three.

I couldn’t tell by their play that Riordan had a former NFL NT as a D-Line coach. 😏

That may have been valid early in the season. Not so much now. Riordan's overall D, including line play, has shown marked improvement lately. Hence its two excellent wins over Serra and St. Francis.

 

[jordan24]

That may have been valid early in the season. Not so much now. Riordan's overall D, including line play, has shown marked improvement lately. Hence its two excellent wins over Serra and St. Francis.

The Crusaders held the Lancer’s Kingston to < 100 yards.

 

[ChewpaMiverga]

I couldn’t tell by their play that Riordan had a former NFL NT as a D-Line coach. 😏

Let's ask Kingston Keanaaina who had the better coached Defensive Line, I bet he could give you 212 reasons why it wasn't SI's, For The Win 🙃😝

 

[sylvan]

Kingston clawed through the Cats for 200+ yards.

 

[Niklas227]

Kingston clawed through the Cats for 200+ yards.

SI gave the rest of the league the blueprint to stop Kingston like we did in the 1st half of our game.

Unfortunately, business decisions were made on the field by our DB’s that allowed him to run wild in that 2nd half.

So, you’re welcome Riordan! 😂

 

[SFcityfan]

SI gave the rest of the league the blueprint to stop Kingston like we did in the 1st half of our game.

Unfortunately, business decisions were made on the field by our DB’s that allowed him to run wild in that 2nd half.

So, you’re welcome Riordan! 😂

All due respect to SI’s success, it is SI that should be thanking #TheR. Otherwise SI would not be sharing the WCAL crown and still playing “not like us” after there turn around 2nd half vs. #WeR. It is in bad taste to dog out your own DB’s & calling them week🤫🧐😡 But that is the SI way?

IMHO, there are two great tales of the tape in WCAL season final review of league play. Another poster made a very intuitive post that all the open/d1 team have basically (WCAL) beat each other.

So SI needs to appreciate their phenomena's great start, SF needs to stay strong and finish up to be Open Bracket representation of WCAL in State Title Game. #TheR needs to kept a mindful focus of ONE GAME at a time and “do what they can do”. Marching through 1st & 2nd round will not be an easy task. And Serra truly needs to leave it on the field in Coach W milestone win season.

Another point in this season is SHC improving their record by 200%, and planting a flag “that they might NOT be dropping out of league”. To me this is the most significant statement of the WCAL, to be able to accomplish with So little and attempting to give options in The City.

Based on the play off lay out, #TheR has the most to win, SI has the most to lose and Serra can have the most to use Will over Skill to maintain supremacy in the WCAL neighborhoods

I am betting on momentum

 

[Niklas227]

All due respect to SI’s success, it is SI that should be thanking #TheR. Otherwise SI would not be sharing the WCAL crown and still playing “not like us” after there turn around 2nd half vs. #WeR. It is in bad taste to dog out your own DB’s & calling them week🤫🧐😡 But that is the SI way?

IMHO, there are two great tales of the tape in WCAL season final review of league play. Another poster made a very intuitive post that all the open/d1 team have basically (WCAL) beat each other.

So SI needs to appreciate their phenomena's great start, SF needs to stay strong and finish up to be Open Bracket representation of WCAL in State Title Game. #TheR needs to kept a mindful focus of ONE GAME at a time and “do what they can do”. Marching through 1st & 2nd round will not be an easy task. And Serra truly needs to leave it on the field in Coach W milestone win season.

Another point in this season is SHC improving their record by 200%, and planting a flag “that they might NOT be dropping out of league”. To me this is the most significant statement of the WCAL, to be able to accomplish with So little and attempting to give options in The City.

Based on the play off lay out, #TheR has the most to win, SI has the most to lose and Serra can have the most to use Will over Skill to maintain supremacy in the WCAL neighborhoods

I am betting on momentum

Actually, Riordan, Serra, and St. Francis has the most to lose.

SI wasn’t even supposed to be here according to the WCAL pre-season analysis. SI was supposed to be battling it out for 4th or 5th in the WCAL.

No star offensive seniors going to D1 power conferences except for a LT that can’t score TD’s.

We’re playing with house money. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

 

[iamgearyblvd]

Actually, Riordan, Serra, and St. Francis has the most to lose.

SI wasn’t even supposed to be here according to the WCAL pre-season analysis. SI was supposed to be battling it out for 4th or 5th in the WCAL.

No star offensive seniors going to D1 power conferences except for a LT that can’t score TD’s.

We’re playing with house money. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

You are SI. An elitist institution. Over half your student body comes from wealthy Marin County enclaves or come from Private SF middle schools that charge $35,000 a year in tuition, and drive Landrovers/Rangerovers. Spare me the oh nobody believed in us, nothing to lose mentality. SI knows they are the best. Go out and win Open or 🤫

 

[colhenrylives]

All due respect to SI’s success, it is SI that should be thanking #TheR. Otherwise SI would not be sharing the WCAL crown and still playing “not like us” after there turn around 2nd half vs. #WeR. It is in bad taste to dog out your own DB’s & calling them week🤫🧐😡 But that is the SI way?

IMHO, there are two great tales of the tape in WCAL season final review of league play. Another poster made a very intuitive post that all the open/d1 team have basically (WCAL) beat each other.

So SI needs to appreciate their phenomena's great start, SF needs to stay strong and finish up to be Open Bracket representation of WCAL in State Title Game. #TheR needs to kept a mindful focus of ONE GAME at a time and “do what they can do”. Marching through 1st & 2nd round will not be an easy task. And Serra truly needs to leave it on the field in Coach W milestone win season.

Another point in this season is SHC improving their record by 200%, and planting a flag “that they might NOT be dropping out of league”. To me this is the most significant statement of the WCAL, to be able to accomplish with So little and attempting to give options in The City.

Based on the play off lay out, #TheR has the most to win, SI has the most to lose and Serra can have the most to use Will over Skill to maintain supremacy in the WCAL neighborhoods

I am betting on momentum

A note in wake of WCAL season: Install the SHC QB at SI, SF, VC or Serra and we might be having an entirely different discussion. That kid appears to be the real deal.

 

[iamgearyblvd]

A note in wake of WCAL season: Install the SHC QB at SI, SF, VC or Serra and we might be having an entirely different discussion. That kid appears to be the real deal.

Sargent statistically has had a magical season for SH. However Ray-John Spears who led the state title team was a better all-around QB in my opinion. But not by that much. I did not expect Sargent to do much running in the RPO this season, but surprisingly he has put up some good running numbers to go along with his passing.

He broke the school passing yards record despite missing Flannigan and Jenkins for a few games. Zion Secrese, Tion Williams and Jared Camara all have stepped up. All hopefully are back next year except Flannigan (graduation).

Irish just need to add more OL/DL depth. Appears Coach Evans can get skilled guys to come and play for him. He just needs more bruisers to come as well.