WCAL Football 2018 - San Jose Merc All Bay Area Team
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WCAL Football 2018: Season Opener's Upcoming
Serra Padres host Serra Cavaliers-Gardena in Honor Bowl Game at St. Francis Sat. 7:30 PM
Game Preview: Like the Mitty-Oakdale game this is a difficult one to call. Serra San Mateo coming off a state title in D-III with a 12-game winning streak and Serra-Gardena finishing 2017 at 6-5 albeit with a brutal schedule and some very good wins. Serra-Gardena ended their season with a loss to Centennial-Corona 35-23 in the SoCal Div I playoffs.
Of their other 4 losses they were to Narbonne 17-14 [excellent team], Punahou of Hawaii [56-42 even better team than Narbonne], Chaminade 37-32 [right up there with Narbonne & Punahou] & Bishop Amat 17-14 [another excellent team]. So looking at the schedule & opponents the record of 6-5 is quite deceiving. Serra-Gardena was an excellent team in 2017 and had a tougher schedule than Serra of San Mateo & much tougher opponents in the post season - losing to a team rated higher than any the Serra Padres faced in their 2017 season. The team traditionally has a large roster and features a lot of speed. They have 2 returning QB's who attempted almost 400 passes in '17 between them and they like to throw A LOT - approx. 36 pass attempts per game & averaging almost 400 YPG offense. The Cavalier's lost both their primary RB's to graduation, however as a passing team and large roster I expect they'll reload nicely with several back-ups from last season who have experience.
On the flip side the Serra Padres of the WCAL lost their star RB Isiah Kendricks along with their entire core of WR's in Patrick Nunn, Chris Park & Shane Villaroman, all of whom set or helped set new school football records. So Serra lost a lot of good players incl on defense, but returns a solid core as well. The Padres return their record setting QB Luke Bottari and several good RB's incl. David Coker with playoff game experience along with Ed Lahlouh who can play both ways. Serra's JV's won the WCAL league title so I'm interested to see some quality newcomer's on the varsity.
Conclusion: This game is rated as a toss-up between 2 highly rated teams based upon last season and those players' returning to each team. The concern for the Serra Padres is replacing their entire WR corps which was comprised of 3 record setting pass catchers'. One bonus for the Padres will be the addition of MIke Churich 6'6-225 at TE who will provide Bottari with a very large target and good blocker as well. Serra SM also has Damon Lewis who was the Padres kicker the last 2 seasons as a frosh & soph and is one of the best in the WCAL. Lewis could possibly provide an edge for the Padres in a close game.
Being a "toss-up" game the Serra Padres had abysmal starts the last 2 season's where nothing seemed to go right in either of the first games losing badly in both. Possibly a coincidence, bad luck or over-confidance? [not sure]. With new WR's it could take a few games to get in sync with the QB and a few balls dropped or routes run incorrectly could cause problems such as 3 & outs as well as field position.
While teams practice it still takes WR's actual game experience before they develope a continuity with the QB & get their game confidence as well.
Prediction: Serra-Gardena 35-24 over Serra Padres
Serra Padres host Serra Cavaliers-Gardena in Honor Bowl Game at St. Francis Sat. 7:30 PM
Game Preview: Like the Mitty-Oakdale game this is a difficult one to call. Serra San Mateo coming off a state title in D-III with a 12-game winning streak and Serra-Gardena finishing 2017 at 6-5 albeit with a brutal schedule and some very good wins. Serra-Gardena ended their season with a loss to Centennial-Corona 35-23 in the SoCal Div I playoffs.
Of their other 4 losses they were to Narbonne 17-14 [excellent team], Punahou of Hawaii [56-42 even better team than Narbonne], Chaminade 37-32 [right up there with Narbonne & Punahou] & Bishop Amat 17-14 [another excellent team]. So looking at the schedule & opponents the record of 6-5 is quite deceiving. Serra-Gardena was an excellent team in 2017 and had a tougher schedule than Serra of San Mateo & much tougher opponents in the post season - losing to a team rated higher than any the Serra Padres faced in their 2017 season. The team traditionally has a large roster and features a lot of speed. They have 2 returning QB's who attempted almost 400 passes in '17 between them and they like to throw A LOT - approx. 36 pass attempts per game & averaging almost 400 YPG offense. The Cavalier's lost both their primary RB's to graduation, however as a passing team and large roster I expect they'll reload nicely with several back-ups from last season who have experience.
On the flip side the Serra Padres of the WCAL lost their star RB Isiah Kendricks along with their entire core of WR's in Patrick Nunn, Chris Park & Shane Villaroman, all of whom set or helped set new school football records. So Serra lost a lot of good players incl on defense, but returns a solid core as well. The Padres return their record setting QB Luke Bottari and several good RB's incl. David Coker with playoff game experience along with Ed Lahlouh who can play both ways. Serra's JV's won the WCAL league title so I'm interested to see some quality newcomer's on the varsity.
Conclusion: This game is rated as a toss-up between 2 highly rated teams based upon last season and those players' returning to each team. The concern for the Serra Padres is replacing their entire WR corps which was comprised of 3 record setting pass catchers'. One bonus for the Padres will be the addition of MIke Churich 6'6-225 at TE who will provide Bottari with a very large target and good blocker as well. Serra SM also has Damon Lewis who was the Padres kicker the last 2 seasons as a frosh & soph and is one of the best in the WCAL. Lewis could possibly provide an edge for the Padres in a close game.
Being a "toss-up" game the Serra Padres had abysmal starts the last 2 season's where nothing seemed to go right in either of the first games losing badly in both. Possibly a coincidence, bad luck or over-confidance? [not sure]. With new WR's it could take a few games to get in sync with the QB and a few balls dropped or routes run incorrectly could cause problems such as 3 & outs as well as field position.
While teams practice it still takes WR's actual game experience before they develope a continuity with the QB & get their game confidence as well.
Prediction: Serra-Gardena 35-24 over Serra Padres
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Probably correct assumption, especially with Serra's top pass rusher out for several weeks with an injury.
Nusi, the 6-5 phenom has a knee problem. No clue re JV guys, although Nusi came up to varsity from JV's in 2017.
The key question for the San Mateans is the strength of their current frosh team because the 2017 version was not dominant. Two modest freshman teams in a row would spell deep trouble on West 20th Avenue.
Phenom???? He was cleared, but it's doubtful that he will play this Saturday. The juniors have some talent, the sophomore class as freshman were not very good. The current freshman class is suppose to be the real deal. Size, depth and athleticism. It will be interesting to see how they develop.
Just took a quick look at the weekly "Pick 'Em's" contest picks for upcoming games.
Here's what they fans think so far.
Serra Padres vs Serra-Gardena
8 - posters picking Serra-Gardena
8 - posters picking Serra Padres
Mitty Monarch's vs Oakdale Mustangs
5 - posters picking Mitty
11 - posters picking Oakdale
Both games are projected as close contests [ie: which means one will probably be a blow-out
Here's what they fans think so far.
Serra Padres vs Serra-Gardena
8 - posters picking Serra-Gardena
8 - posters picking Serra Padres
Mitty Monarch's vs Oakdale Mustangs
5 - posters picking Mitty
11 - posters picking Oakdale
Both games are projected as close contests [ie: which means one will probably be a blow-out
Could not agree more dcpanda & glad to see you joining in discussion. That group of WR’s as a whole was the best to ever come out of Serra & their stats supports that claim - Nunn, Villaroman & Parks along with Adkins.
Gardena has major speed in addition to playing competition on another level in the southern section playoffs. Serra San Mateo might get gobbled up big time if they are not careful.
Serra had an outstanding receiving corps in 2017, but In 1968 the Padres had Lynn Swann, Tom Scott and Tom Caselli catching passes. Swann was Super Bowl MVP, Scott played on 4-5 Grey Cup champs in the CFL after starring at Washington and Caselli got a full ride to Cal. The 68 serra team was ranked No. 1 in NorCal and its QB Jesse Freitas Jr. led the nation in passing at san diego state.
WCAL Pre-season Openers:
Friday - August 24th
Bellarmine hosts Menlo-Atherton 7:00 PM
SHC travels to Fernley 7:00 PM
SF hosts Notre Dame [Sherman Oaks] "Honor Bowl" Series Game 7:30 PM
S.I. travels to Palo Alto 7:00 PM
VC travels to Wilcox 7:00 PM
Saturday - August 25th
Mitty travels to Oakdale SF 12:00 Noon
Riordan travels to Salesian 1:30 PM
Serra travels to SF for "Honor Bowl" Series Game vs Serra of Gardena 7:30 PM
Rmbr26 Predictions:
M-A 20-14 over Bell's [can the young Bell's team play well enough against all the talent M-A has?]
VC 28-14 over Wilcox [new look offense for VC with new QB or run, run again & run some more?]
S.I. 21-7 over Paly [S.I. needs to make a statement & hopefully not a bad one - Wildcats need this win]
SHC 35-14 over Fernley [Irish need to get out early & then cruise control - last year was too close with Fernley]
SF 38-21 over Notre Dame [Sherman Oaks] Lancer's should have the horses to take down ND]
Riordan 35-14 over Salesian [Crusader's should be able to unleash their "O" against Salesian]
Mitty 27-21 over Oakdale [Monarch's go in as decided underdog - almost no one picked Mitty in weekly "Pick Ems"]
Serra-Gardena 35-24 over the Padres [Serra Padres need to execute well or this game could go south quick]
Anyone else want to post their own predicts?
The 2 toughest are Mitty & Serra unless I'm mistaken, but who knows after Pitt got upset last week.
Friday - August 24th
Bellarmine hosts Menlo-Atherton 7:00 PM
SHC travels to Fernley 7:00 PM
SF hosts Notre Dame [Sherman Oaks] "Honor Bowl" Series Game 7:30 PM
S.I. travels to Palo Alto 7:00 PM
VC travels to Wilcox 7:00 PM
Saturday - August 25th
Mitty travels to Oakdale SF 12:00 Noon
Riordan travels to Salesian 1:30 PM
Serra travels to SF for "Honor Bowl" Series Game vs Serra of Gardena 7:30 PM
Rmbr26 Predictions:
M-A 20-14 over Bell's [can the young Bell's team play well enough against all the talent M-A has?]
VC 28-14 over Wilcox [new look offense for VC with new QB or run, run again & run some more?]
S.I. 21-7 over Paly [S.I. needs to make a statement & hopefully not a bad one - Wildcats need this win]
SHC 35-14 over Fernley [Irish need to get out early & then cruise control - last year was too close with Fernley]
SF 38-21 over Notre Dame [Sherman Oaks] Lancer's should have the horses to take down ND]
Riordan 35-14 over Salesian [Crusader's should be able to unleash their "O" against Salesian]
Mitty 27-21 over Oakdale [Monarch's go in as decided underdog - almost no one picked Mitty in weekly "Pick Ems"]
Serra-Gardena 35-24 over the Padres [Serra Padres need to execute well or this game could go south quick]
Anyone else want to post their own predicts?
The 2 toughest are Mitty & Serra unless I'm mistaken, but who knows after Pitt got upset last week.
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Mitty and Serra are definitely in very deep sushi this weekend. Bellarmine also may be physically over-matched. St. Francis does not have a walk in the park. So, it won't be a shock if the WCAL goes 5-3 or 4-4 in Week 1.
Hearing Bell /MA JV game cancelled for poor air quality! I fear more games in South Bay and Peninsula are gonna get cancelled tonight.
SF 20-12 late in 3rd - difficult to keep track of game as NFHSnetworks lost all video incl scoreboard [nothing new for this site which redefines the word "unreliable"..
From watching the play has gotten a bit sloppy, not all that unexpected in a 1rst game..
From watching the play has gotten a bit sloppy, not all that unexpected in a 1rst game..
2-3 opening night with Mitty and Serra going on Saturday. Obviously VC losing to Wilcox is the biggest surprise. Bellarmine and SI losses aren't upsets but tough to take losses to other CCS schools
WCAL Football 2018 - Last nites results
An interesting evening of games last night to say the least & some unexpected scores.
Wilcox 10-6 over VC Heavily favored VC goes down to a Wilcox team the Warrior's usually dominate. Could Wilcox be THAT good? Or could VC be that down this year??
SF 23-12 over Notre Dame -Sherman Oaks A grind it out game where ND stayed with the Lancer's 'til late in the game. In the end SF was too physical for ND.
Paly 21-14 over S.I. The Wildcats of S.I. jump to a 14-0 lead before collapsing in a disappointing loss.
M-A 28-0 over Bell's I gave M-A the edge but did not expect a shut-out/blow-out of the Bell's. Bell's fan's must be reeling after this dismal showing.
SHC 20-7 over Fernley A tie game of 7-7 towards end of 3rd quarter does not bode well for the Irish. While still a win this game was not expected to be competitive. Then again with VC's loss any win is good news.
An interesting evening of games last night to say the least & some unexpected scores.
Wilcox 10-6 over VC Heavily favored VC goes down to a Wilcox team the Warrior's usually dominate. Could Wilcox be THAT good? Or could VC be that down this year??
SF 23-12 over Notre Dame -Sherman Oaks A grind it out game where ND stayed with the Lancer's 'til late in the game. In the end SF was too physical for ND.
Paly 21-14 over S.I. The Wildcats of S.I. jump to a 14-0 lead before collapsing in a disappointing loss.
M-A 28-0 over Bell's I gave M-A the edge but did not expect a shut-out/blow-out of the Bell's. Bell's fan's must be reeling after this dismal showing.
SHC 20-7 over Fernley A tie game of 7-7 towards end of 3rd quarter does not bode well for the Irish. While still a win this game was not expected to be competitive. Then again with VC's loss any win is good news.
ND was tough against the run so not sure how much difference Page would have been to the Lancer's. Having said that the other RB that SF used was running hard when he did get the ball & I love that bowling ball Fangupo - what a beast! [5'10-235 is a load!]
At the St. Francis game, last night, I heard Wilcox may have it's best team in years. St. Francis scrimmaged Wilcox, last weekend.
Well - I certainly didn't expect a blow-out game. But Mitty is dominating Oakdale up to half time. We'll see if the Mustangs can make a game of this match up.
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