Today, with a WCAL bye week at hand, it does indeed look like Serra and St. Francis are at the top of the league with VC and Mitty (and maybe SHC) right behind. SF and Serra won't meet until the last day of the regular season. The Padres defeated SF four straight times over a 15-month period in 2016-17, an unprecedented feat for the San Mateans. They will be severely challenged to make it five in a row over a full two-year period.
WCAL Football 2018 - San Jose Merc All Bay Area Team
- Thread starter Rmbr26
- Start date
Congratulations to Riordan for the win. Happy to see that Abdelghani is back at QB - good kid / super athletic could play multiple positions including WR.
WCAL Football 2018 – Recent Game Scores
Riordan 40-31 over Napa
Gonzaga Prep 42-37 over S.I.
VC 42-20 over Clovis West
DLS 33-15 over SF
Pitt 45-35 over Serra
Vintage-Napa 26-14 over Bells
SHC 58-6 over Homestead
Mitty 22-17 over Acalanes
Rmbr26 Pre-Game Predictions
Riordan 35-21 over Napa
Gonzaga Prep 42-14 over S.I.
VC 28-14 over Clovis West
DLS 35-7 over SF
Pitt 42-28 over Serra
Bells 21-13 over Vintage
SHC 42-14 over Homestead
Mitty 28-14 over Acalanes
Riordan – doesn’t cover the spread, but close & hey a win is a win!
S.I. – I had this as an easy win for Gonzaga Prep, so a bit of a surprise & good showing by Wildcats.
V.C. – 21-20 VC headed into 4th when VC exploded & blew the game open – good sign for Warrior’s.
S.F. – Strong showing by Lancer’s & D looked solid, just not enough offense against best D in NorCal.
Serra – 3rd quarter let-down spelled doom for Padres – Pitt has Serra’s number with 4 wins over Padres.
Bells – considered the favorite & lost by 2 scores – Bells offense averaging 9 points per game.
SHC – Irish had Homestead on ropes with running clock. Palma’s upset over M-A makes Irish look good.
Mitty – Closer than expected though Acalanes previously won over Vintage-Napa [Vintage just beat Bells 26-14, so a good win for Monarchs.
Who Covered the Spread? Yes or NO
Riordan – favored by 14 & won by 9 NO
S.I. – underdog by 28 and lost by 4 YES
V.C. - favored by 14 and won by 22 YES
S.F. – underdog by 28 and lost by 18 YES
Serra – underdog by 14 and lost by 10 YES
Bells – favored by 8 and lost by 12 NO
SHC – favored by 28 and won by 52 YES
Mitty – favored by 14 and won by 5 NO
Best Game = SF losing 33-15 to DLS. The Spartans #4 in CA & Folsom #5 in CA played and DLS won by 14. SF was a heavy underdog& lost by only 4 points more than Folsom lost to DLS. Strong showing by Lancer’s.
Biggest Disappointment = Bells not only fail to cover point spread, but lose game by 2 scores and drop further in rankings. Currently both SHC & S.I. rated higher than Bells.
Most Under-Rated Team = Looks like the SHC Irish with S.I. close behind. With Palma scoring a huge win over highly rated M-A the Irish close loss to Palma the week prior looms large. S.I. with close game suddenly looks better especially with Palo Alto’s upset win 29-20 over McClymonds. If you recall Paly beat S.I. 21-14 in a game that went down to the wire in week #1.
Riordan 40-31 over Napa
Gonzaga Prep 42-37 over S.I.
VC 42-20 over Clovis West
DLS 33-15 over SF
Pitt 45-35 over Serra
Vintage-Napa 26-14 over Bells
SHC 58-6 over Homestead
Mitty 22-17 over Acalanes
Rmbr26 Pre-Game Predictions
Riordan 35-21 over Napa
Gonzaga Prep 42-14 over S.I.
VC 28-14 over Clovis West
DLS 35-7 over SF
Pitt 42-28 over Serra
Bells 21-13 over Vintage
SHC 42-14 over Homestead
Mitty 28-14 over Acalanes
Riordan – doesn’t cover the spread, but close & hey a win is a win!
S.I. – I had this as an easy win for Gonzaga Prep, so a bit of a surprise & good showing by Wildcats.
V.C. – 21-20 VC headed into 4th when VC exploded & blew the game open – good sign for Warrior’s.
S.F. – Strong showing by Lancer’s & D looked solid, just not enough offense against best D in NorCal.
Serra – 3rd quarter let-down spelled doom for Padres – Pitt has Serra’s number with 4 wins over Padres.
Bells – considered the favorite & lost by 2 scores – Bells offense averaging 9 points per game.
SHC – Irish had Homestead on ropes with running clock. Palma’s upset over M-A makes Irish look good.
Mitty – Closer than expected though Acalanes previously won over Vintage-Napa [Vintage just beat Bells 26-14, so a good win for Monarchs.
Who Covered the Spread? Yes or NO
Riordan – favored by 14 & won by 9 NO
S.I. – underdog by 28 and lost by 4 YES
V.C. - favored by 14 and won by 22 YES
S.F. – underdog by 28 and lost by 18 YES
Serra – underdog by 14 and lost by 10 YES
Bells – favored by 8 and lost by 12 NO
SHC – favored by 28 and won by 52 YES
Mitty – favored by 14 and won by 5 NO
Best Game = SF losing 33-15 to DLS. The Spartans #4 in CA & Folsom #5 in CA played and DLS won by 14. SF was a heavy underdog& lost by only 4 points more than Folsom lost to DLS. Strong showing by Lancer’s.
Biggest Disappointment = Bells not only fail to cover point spread, but lose game by 2 scores and drop further in rankings. Currently both SHC & S.I. rated higher than Bells.
Most Under-Rated Team = Looks like the SHC Irish with S.I. close behind. With Palma scoring a huge win over highly rated M-A the Irish close loss to Palma the week prior looms large. S.I. with close game suddenly looks better especially with Palo Alto’s upset win 29-20 over McClymonds. If you recall Paly beat S.I. 21-14 in a game that went down to the wire in week #1.
...and the pre-season bottom line for the WCAL: a decidedly mixed bag and an overall 11-13 record without a true signature victory (but with a couple of signature losses)...so you could say this is a good year for a usual WCAL have-not or two to make some hay in the standings...hello, SF Trinity...time to boogie...
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How many of these games did you actually see? How many of these teams have seen in person?
DLS defense was every bit as advertised against SF. Here’s the best example:
DLS fumbles the ball on its opening drive and the Lancers had the ball on the DLS 19 yd line. SF turns it over on 4 downs gaining -3 yards. Very impressive .
DLS fumbles the ball on its opening drive and the Lancers had the ball on the DLS 19 yd line. SF turns it over on 4 downs gaining -3 yards. Very impressive .
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Rambr, how about some deeper insight into the massive fall off with the Bells? This could be their worst team ever in the CCS. Just three seasons ago they beat Folsom on way to State Bowl game to now being 27th in CCS. Their JV team, 0-3 and outscored 62-7, so doubtful they will get any better near term. Why the massive fall?
WCAL Football 2018 – Top Teams Rankings to Date on Freeman’s
CCS Top 20 Teams
1. St. Francis 2-1
2. Serra 1-2
3. Wilcox 3-0
4. Palo Alto 3-0
5. Valley Christian 2-1
6. Mitty 2-1
7. Aptos 3-0
8. Palma 3-0
9. Menlo-Atherton 2-1
10, Terra Nova 3-0
11. Carmel 3-0
12. Live Oak 3-0
13. HMB
14. Los Gatos 2-1
15. Oak Grove 1-2
16. Milpitas 2-1
17. SHP 3-0
18. Pioneer 3-0
19. St. Ignatius 0-3
20. San Benito 1-2
Comments: Suspect teams could be SHP with weak schedule, Salinas with 2 double-digit losses & no wins, Monterey with weak schedule, HMB with 2 wins over weak teams & blow-out loss to Palo Alto.
All of above teams will likely drop in rankings in coming weeks. SHC Irish IMO should def be in the CCS Top 20 and should move up with a win over S.I., Mitty or Bells. S.I. as well could move up with win over Mitty, SHC or Bells.
NorCal Top 20 Teams
1. DLS 4-0 ranked #4 in CA
2. Folsom 3-1 ranked #5 in CA
3. Pitt 2-2
4. Liberty 4-0 ranked #18 in CA
5. Central Fresno 4-0
6. St. Francis 2-1
7. Monterey Trail 4-0
8. Buchanan-Clovis 4-0
9. Oak Ridge 3-0
10. Serra 1-2
11. Del Oro 4-0
12. Jesuit 1-2
13. Inderkum 3-0
14. Placer 4-0
15. Tulare Union 3-0
16. Antioch 4-0
17. Card Newman 3-0
18. CVC 3-1
19. Monte Vista 3-0
20. Granite Bay 2-2
Comments: Tulare Union could be suspect based upon strength of schedule [as was the case last year when undefeated before playing Serra in NorCal semi-final in a lopsided loss to Padres. The Top 20 for CA is dominated by SoCal teams with just 3 NorCal teams included. Which team if any in NorCal will move up in state rankings?
CCS Top 20 Teams
1. St. Francis 2-1
2. Serra 1-2
3. Wilcox 3-0
4. Palo Alto 3-0
5. Valley Christian 2-1
6. Mitty 2-1
7. Aptos 3-0
8. Palma 3-0
9. Menlo-Atherton 2-1
10, Terra Nova 3-0
11. Carmel 3-0
12. Live Oak 3-0
13. HMB
14. Los Gatos 2-1
15. Oak Grove 1-2
16. Milpitas 2-1
17. SHP 3-0
18. Pioneer 3-0
19. St. Ignatius 0-3
20. San Benito 1-2
Comments: Suspect teams could be SHP with weak schedule, Salinas with 2 double-digit losses & no wins, Monterey with weak schedule, HMB with 2 wins over weak teams & blow-out loss to Palo Alto.
All of above teams will likely drop in rankings in coming weeks. SHC Irish IMO should def be in the CCS Top 20 and should move up with a win over S.I., Mitty or Bells. S.I. as well could move up with win over Mitty, SHC or Bells.
NorCal Top 20 Teams
1. DLS 4-0 ranked #4 in CA
2. Folsom 3-1 ranked #5 in CA
3. Pitt 2-2
4. Liberty 4-0 ranked #18 in CA
5. Central Fresno 4-0
6. St. Francis 2-1
7. Monterey Trail 4-0
8. Buchanan-Clovis 4-0
9. Oak Ridge 3-0
10. Serra 1-2
11. Del Oro 4-0
12. Jesuit 1-2
13. Inderkum 3-0
14. Placer 4-0
15. Tulare Union 3-0
16. Antioch 4-0
17. Card Newman 3-0
18. CVC 3-1
19. Monte Vista 3-0
20. Granite Bay 2-2
Comments: Tulare Union could be suspect based upon strength of schedule [as was the case last year when undefeated before playing Serra in NorCal semi-final in a lopsided loss to Padres. The Top 20 for CA is dominated by SoCal teams with just 3 NorCal teams included. Which team if any in NorCal will move up in state rankings?
Only two WCAL teams listed in Top 20. Another indication of a rough year for that circuit.
He was referring to top 20 NorCal only having 2 WCAL teams (not the CCS top 20)
Yes colhenry is correct in that only 2 WCAL teams in the NorCal Top 20 is quite unusual. In recent years the WCAL as a league along with the SFL [Sierra Foothill League] somewhat dominated the selections as to the number of teams in their respective leagues. WCAL teams who were regulars were SF, Serra, VC & Bells.
The SFL is still looking strong with 4 teams in their league among the 20: Folsom, Oak Ridge, Del Oro, Granite Bay.
...which means perhaps the normal WCAL have-nots will have a shot at some league wins for a change...
Question for colhenry & NorCalSportsFan - which Serra record do you think will stand the longest? I think both you know the history pretty well. There are actually about 6 Serra records that look to be around for quite some time unless I'm wrong. Let me know if you want me to list the ones I see as toughest to break.
One caveat to remember: Back in the day, most players did not move to the varsity as frosh or sophs. For example, both Freitas brothers and Brady played varsity for only two years. Plus there were no playoffs (extra games) prior to the 1970s.
Off the top of my head I think Tom Scott's receiving yards for one game (246 or so) against St. Francis in 1968 looks pretty safe.
Answering the Rambling Man's question is tough. It's mostly guesswork. But there's one category that isn't even listed in the extensive Serra record book (available online via the school's website): Total kickoff return yards and return TD's in one game. Ten days ago, Serra's return guy, Rango, brought back two kickoffs about 180 yards, both for TD's. If memory serves, that's probably a new school standard. In fact, he may be on pace to set another unwritten record: Total career kickoff returns for TD's, not to mention a single-season mark for the same thing. Rango seems to be just getting started, assuming other teams will kick to him anymore.
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Rango’s KR return prowess reminds me of Riordan’s Aidan Verba-Hamilton. He shattered every Crusader KR and PR TD record. He is now at Lewis and Clark.
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Excellent Knowledge berdooman as that Serra record comes up in my mind every season & I always wonder WHO in the heck is gonna break that?? Tom Scott the "maybe" 5'10 speedster who was in the CA state track finals in 100 yard dash at that time [I was younger so that is the best recollection I have]. I do remember that even back then SF was a nemesis of Serra & all I heard for weeks after the game from the older guys was how amazing this Tom Scott guy was. I later became good friends with his younger brother Steve. Good memories..
BTW after being side-tracked. Excellent posts by colhenry & jordan in regards to KR's [kick-returners] one of the hardest things to do. If you've never been a punt or kick-off returner as most have not, its truly a unique experience that's hard to describe. Serra's Rango IS sumthin else and has got to be up there at the top & with the Riordan player mentioned as well Aiden Verba-Hamilton - both players a joy to watch & extremely exciting
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He does, and he's evasive and runs hard. Played for the SF Bombers since the age of probably 5 or so. I suspect he'd have been a 2-year star on JV if SHC could've fielded a team, and I hope he doesn't get overwhelmed by the size/speed of Varsity.
I haven't gotten to much into Serra's specific records but saw the comparison and thought it post worthy. I do think there should be two categories for comparison at least for career passing. Over two years and three years (not sure how Botari or Nunn stack up but would be interesting). Jesse Freitas was definitely a special player over that period as were the ones below him during high school.
...and then there's Serra's kicker, Lewis, who has been hammering kickoffs, field goals and extra points from his frosh year on ...
[B said:
Good point NorCalSPortsFan as times have changed over time and records affected as such. I was looking at the pass receiving records in regards to one Lynn Swann and then realized he was on varsity 3 years, but played QB his senior year. With Jesse Freitas Jr. graduating there was no one capable of passing to Swann and was switched to position as an option QB. Otherwise his pass receiving stats would have been even better.
While the WCAL teams have not done a great deal to suport any argument to the contrary, I'm not yet ready to throw in the towel. CCS games are just creeping into week 4. Do things appear subpar thus far? Absolutely! But, I vote we wait awhile to see how things shake out.
Add Terra Nova to the list of suspect teams.
Half Moon Bay put a whoopin on reigning PAL Lake Division Champion Jefferson while Lake Division runner up Carlmont gave TN everything they could handle.
Half Moon Bay beat San Mateo by three scores while Terra Nova only beat Alisal by two scores.
Yes, TN blew out San Benito while HMB took an L versus Palo Alto but mark my words, Paly is back. Gifford is a good coach who has a track record at the college level.
They will get slapped around a bit in the bay division
Noel Roberts had 4 INT's in a game, so did Todd Conneely. Roberts also had 10 in a season.
Dustin Delucchi had 12 catches in a game. To be fair that day was an all out assault on the record!
Do you recall a Serra player returning two kickoffs for TD's (180+total yardage) in one game prior to Rango?
[B said:
I'm coming up empty on that one colhenry in regards to Serra - no memory of anyone else returning 2 KO's for TD's for Padres period.
wcalaholic has a good choice with a 4 INT's game & by 2 different players - that's more passes than Bells or VC complete in a game.
Career TD's by a WR with John Caselli holding single season record at 16 TD's in '74 and career total of 25 TD's for '73-74 has been around awhile and no one close to challenging that one.
One of more interesting records at Serra: 2 of the 3 longest runs from scrimmage in Serra history were by a QB AND in the same game: 2004 - Padre QB Cody Jackson ran for 94 + 95 yards for TD's and against of all teams the De La Salle Spartans [I just changed my vote from Tom Scott's 257 yards receiving in 1- game vs SF, Lol!
Here is link to record book if anyone is interested:
https://www.serrahs.com/uploaded/Website_Redesign_2016/Athletics/Football/Serra_Football_records_thru_2017_01-08-18.pdf
I remember Angelo Fobbs-Valentino who had 472 yards in kick and punt returns and 2 TDs and league MVP and team MVP in 2004.Almost 1,000 yards rushing and around 7-8 yards per carry, state qualifier in the 200, 400 and 4x400-meter relay...two-time MVP of his track and field team...holds the school records in the 200 and 400. Serra scholar athlete of the year.Played DB at ASU.
Yes remember Fobbs-Valentino well as he interecepted a pass in the end zone to preserve a 7-6 win over Valley Christian and spoiled their undefeated season. Chris Denny-Brown ran a kick-off back for a TD and VC had kicked 2 field goals. VC was driving in final minutes and in the red zone with a very good kicker who could have easily kicked a FG for the win. Instead VC opted to have their QB [son of former 49er coach Steve Mariuchi] throw a slant pass into the end zone. The Padres had watched tapes including of that play and Fobbs-Valentino stepped in front of the WR for the INT. 7-6 Padres at VC.
If I remember correctly he had a KR for a TD against Palma as well. I loved the RODEO COMPLEX!
And Delucchi was a QB all year before switching to WR and breaking the receptions in a game record!
2003/2004 season you remember correctly. He had an 89 yard kick return for TD to start game
http://www.mbaypreps.com/GameSummary.aspx?i=371
Serra won the game 14-7
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