If they can get their QB back maybe not. Losing their starting QB changed their whole dynamics. And let’s give S.I. some credit. They are a good team.
WCAL Football 2019-20 - NCP's All NorCal Team + SF Chron All Metro & Merc Teams
- Thread starter Rmbr26
- Start date
If they can get their QB back maybe not. Losing their starting QB changed their whole dynamics. And let’s give S.I. some credit. They are a good team.
S.I. is a good team. Although their loss to SHP and then SHP’s loss to HMB 40-0 is a head scratcher. That is why transitive’s can be problematic.
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Yes WCAL - Serra should have an easy win over the Lancers the same way they had the easy win over Mitty...
“The Curse” still exists for the Padre Faithful...
OUCH! I was a bit surprised to see this score as VC usually doesn't run the score up on the weaker teams. But did they run it up or is SHC that bad? The score was 34--0 at the 1/2 and then 13 in the 3rd and 14 in the 4th for a 27 point 2nd 1/2. Could VC have simply run the ball like M-A did on the Bells after leading 48-0 at the 1/2?
I don't think anyone likes seeing scores like that IF they can indeed be avoided [lessened to any degree].
I quit watching in the first quarter. I thought we'd at least score some. The Varsity has no Senior leadership. I'm really surprised at the defense.
Irish Frosh won 28-12. They shut SI out 18-0 also. They're 3-2 on the year, although one of those losses was against Aptos' JV team.
I am a little concerned for VC’s future as the frosh team is unremarkable. They do have two frosh starting on varsity. Maybe if they were on the frosh team things would be a little different?
This is the team we’re suiting up.
In all seriousness a good passing team will shred Saint Francis. Serra has that and I don’t see the game being close.
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WCAL Football 2019-20 - Recent Scores + Update
VC 61-0 over SHC - VC led 34-0 at 1/2 and added 27 in 2nd for blow-out win - not good for SHC or WCAL
Serra 35-29 over Mitty - Monarchs a big underdog and took it to the Padres who barely escaped with win.
S.I. 35-26 over SF - The Wildcats "are who I thought they were" and led Lancers throughout game.
Bells over Riordan 28-27 in Double O/T - in gutsy call Riordan goes for win in 2 O/Ts and falls just short.
Team Records:
Serra 6-0
VC 6-0
S.I. 4-2
Mitty 4-2
SF 2-4
Bells 2-4
Riordan 2-4
SHC 0-6
Points Scored Per Game:
1. Serra = 44
2. VC = 33
3. Mitty = 31
4. S.I. = 25
5. Riordan = 24
6. SF = 22
7. Bells = 13
8. SHC = 12
Points Allowed Per Game:
1. VC = 6
2. Serra = 15
3. S.I. = 19
4. Mitty = 22
5. SF = 29
6. Riordan = 31
7. Bells = 33
8. SHC = 40
CCS Rankings as of 10/14 - Top 15 + lower ranked WCAL teams:
1. Serra 6-0
2. VC 6-0
3. Wilcox 4-2
4. S.I. 4-2 Wildcats move up again after good VC effort and win over SF - highest ranking in years for S.I.
5. MA 3-3
6. HMB 6-0 Weak schedule with exception of 40- blow-out of SHP - HMB the "dark horse" of top 10 teams
7. SF 2-4 Lancers retained higher rankings previous on tough pre-season & SF past history
8. Mitty 4-2 Monarchs best effort of season vs Padres and should boost confidance
9. SHP 5-1 Weak schedule but noteworthy win over S.I. along with noteworthy loss to HMB 40-0.
10. Los Gatos 6-1 exposed by Wilcox in 37-0 loss and dropped in rankings
11. Kings Academy 6-0 has not played any ranked teams with winning records - weakest schedule of top 15 teams
12. Palo Alto 5-2 lost to the 2 good teams Paly played - S.I. and Wilcox
13. Salinas 5-1
14. Palma 3-2
15. San Benito 3-2
16. Bells 4-2 Bells move up in rankings after a desperately needed win over a game Riordan team
24. Riordan 2-4 Crusaders would have moved up with win over Bells - Riordan went for win instead of tie in O/T
33. SHC 0-6 Not looking good for Irish with 4 league games left and time to plan forward to next season
CA State Rankings:
14. Serra
23. VC
79. St. Ignatius
116 SF
128 Mitty
297 Bells
382 Riordan
463 SHC
VC 61-0 over SHC - VC led 34-0 at 1/2 and added 27 in 2nd for blow-out win - not good for SHC or WCAL
Serra 35-29 over Mitty - Monarchs a big underdog and took it to the Padres who barely escaped with win.
S.I. 35-26 over SF - The Wildcats "are who I thought they were" and led Lancers throughout game.
Bells over Riordan 28-27 in Double O/T - in gutsy call Riordan goes for win in 2 O/Ts and falls just short.
Team Records:
Serra 6-0
VC 6-0
S.I. 4-2
Mitty 4-2
SF 2-4
Bells 2-4
Riordan 2-4
SHC 0-6
Points Scored Per Game:
1. Serra = 44
2. VC = 33
3. Mitty = 31
4. S.I. = 25
5. Riordan = 24
6. SF = 22
7. Bells = 13
8. SHC = 12
Points Allowed Per Game:
1. VC = 6
2. Serra = 15
3. S.I. = 19
4. Mitty = 22
5. SF = 29
6. Riordan = 31
7. Bells = 33
8. SHC = 40
CCS Rankings as of 10/14 - Top 15 + lower ranked WCAL teams:
1. Serra 6-0
2. VC 6-0
3. Wilcox 4-2
4. S.I. 4-2 Wildcats move up again after good VC effort and win over SF - highest ranking in years for S.I.
5. MA 3-3
6. HMB 6-0 Weak schedule with exception of 40- blow-out of SHP - HMB the "dark horse" of top 10 teams
7. SF 2-4 Lancers retained higher rankings previous on tough pre-season & SF past history
8. Mitty 4-2 Monarchs best effort of season vs Padres and should boost confidance
9. SHP 5-1 Weak schedule but noteworthy win over S.I. along with noteworthy loss to HMB 40-0.
10. Los Gatos 6-1 exposed by Wilcox in 37-0 loss and dropped in rankings
11. Kings Academy 6-0 has not played any ranked teams with winning records - weakest schedule of top 15 teams
12. Palo Alto 5-2 lost to the 2 good teams Paly played - S.I. and Wilcox
13. Salinas 5-1
14. Palma 3-2
15. San Benito 3-2
16. Bells 4-2 Bells move up in rankings after a desperately needed win over a game Riordan team
24. Riordan 2-4 Crusaders would have moved up with win over Bells - Riordan went for win instead of tie in O/T
33. SHC 0-6 Not looking good for Irish with 4 league games left and time to plan forward to next season
CA State Rankings:
14. Serra
23. VC
79. St. Ignatius
116 SF
128 Mitty
297 Bells
382 Riordan
463 SHC
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Crusaders visit the Hilltop @ Valley Christian this Friday. VC put the smackdown on SHC this past week - most likely to shake off that close game vs the 'Cats the week before. Let's hope for a competitive game and everyone comes away healthy as we approach the latter stages of the season...
How about this possible scenario: SI wins out the rest of the way in WCAL, goes 6-1 in league play; Serra beats remainder on its schedule with one exception, SI on last day of regular season, going 6-1; VC goes 6-1 in league play (losing to Serra) as well. Yes, papal backers, it's another tri-title. Rejoice, all ye true believers. The WCAL takes few prisoners.
Then again posters, its not who wins WCAL, its who wins CCS and then advances to NorCal.
Let's replay last season: SF went undefeated 7-0 and the undisputed WCAL Champ - Hooray!!
SF Lancers then sleep-walk thru the first 2 rounds of the CCS Open DIv II playoffs first cruising by Aragon 34-13 before crushing Serra for a 2nd time 38-8, but Oh Wait - SF still has to play VC once more having escaped with a 7-3 win in WCAL league play. And as so often happens close WCAL games reverse themselves and VC gains revenge winning over SF by 31-30 in double O/T [revenge is sweet for VC]. So what matters more? SF's WCAL crown or VC's CCS Championship over the Lancers? SF went on to lose the NorCal regional to Del Oro by a slim margin of 14-13 while VC lost their state bowl game to SoCal Liberty by 33-21.
And yes BTW St. Ignatius IS dangerous!
Let's replay last season: SF went undefeated 7-0 and the undisputed WCAL Champ - Hooray!!
SF Lancers then sleep-walk thru the first 2 rounds of the CCS Open DIv II playoffs first cruising by Aragon 34-13 before crushing Serra for a 2nd time 38-8, but Oh Wait - SF still has to play VC once more having escaped with a 7-3 win in WCAL league play. And as so often happens close WCAL games reverse themselves and VC gains revenge winning over SF by 31-30 in double O/T [revenge is sweet for VC]. So what matters more? SF's WCAL crown or VC's CCS Championship over the Lancers? SF went on to lose the NorCal regional to Del Oro by a slim margin of 14-13 while VC lost their state bowl game to SoCal Liberty by 33-21.
And yes BTW St. Ignatius IS dangerous!
I prefer that VC beats Serra and the rest and goes undefeated in league.....
Is that on your Santa Claus wish list?
Well, there's just something about a WCAL title...can't explain it...it goes way, way back...
After speaking with a few WCAL coaches they've all had the same perspective...CCS is now like the NCAA tourney. Just get in and then play like every game is a champ game. BTW - I asked if they are in favor of the new playoff system and it was 60% For the New system & 40% preferred the old system.
On second thought, remove MC from this arrangement and insert TKA. That avoids the non-CCS issue. Surely, the PAL wouldn't mind.
Too potentially spark the defense maybe SH should have Dowling go both ways. It would be a similar to how SI plays Teddye Buchanan. Like Buchanan he is the best player on the team. Again, like Buchanan he has good size and from watching he sure isn't afraid of contact. On another thread it was said that with victories over Riordan and Bell SH could potentially still qualify for the CCS. Maybe a drastic move like this could spark SH.
Apologies...was typing while at stop light. Clarification.."Update on Mitty-Serra game"
[B said:
If this info is correct I'd say that is huge for the Padres in applying pressure to the Lancers' #2 QB. Since the 2nd "unsportsmanlike" penalty results in an automatic ejection you'd tend to think the ref wouldn't reach for the flag unless it was something quite egregious.
Anyone else see the 2 "illegal hands to the face" penalties against the Detroit DE Trey Flowers in last nites game vs Green Bay? Flowers in his 5-year career had never previously been flagged for that offense. The calls came against [sorry to say] ex-Padre alum and Packers O-lineman David Bakhtiari who had previously approached the ref & complained the technique Flowers was using was in fact "hands to the face". So 2 game changing penalties in latter part of game, one of which changed what would have been a 4th & 15 into a 15 yard penalty and 1rst down. The 2 penalties altered the games outcome and GB kicked the FG to win as time ran out - a game that Detroit should have won.On the 2nd call the replay actually showed that Bakhtiari grabbed Flowers facemask and should have been the one flagged. While the NFL agrees that "at least" one of the penalties should not have been called, that does not change the outcome of the game.
IMO refs/umps should not be too quick to throw flags unless the action is clear-cut & demands it. This is especially true when the infraction is away from the ball and doesn't effect the play in any way, shape of form. Just me..
WCAL Football 2019-20
This Weeks Upcoming Games - Friday Nite Lights 10/18:
Mitty vs Sacred Heart Cathedral at Kezar Stadium 7:00PM
St. Ignatius vs Bellarmine at San Jose City College 7:00PM
Serra at St. Francis 7:00PM
Riordan (San Francisco, CA) at Valley Christian 7:00PM
Mitty vs SHC: the Monarchs coming off their best effort of the season in giving Serra a scare losing to the Padres by 35-29. The Mitty offense moved the ball against the previous solid Padre D and on defense did enough with some big plays to give their team a chance. SHC was down 34-0 at the 1/2 and it didn't get any better in the 2nd 1/2 losing a cringing score of 61-0. The point total was bad enough, but to add insult to injury to be shut out in the 2nd 1/2 going against VC's reserves' tells how far the SHC offense is below the rest of the league. Mitty should be up large early.
Mitty 35-14 over SHC
S.I. vs Bells: S.I. coming off its biggest win/best game in several seasons with the Wildcats 35-26 win over the Lancers. Bells got a desperately needed double O/T win over Riordan 28-27 when the Crusaders 2-point conversion attempt fell short - had Riordan settled for 1 the game would have ended in a tie. S.I. has momentum AND confidance now and should put the Bells away in what should not be a close nail-biter.
S.I. 42-14 over Bells
Serra vs SF: Mitty should have provided a much needed wake-up call to the Padres and SF was exposed vs S.I. as not the 2nd or 3rd best team in WCAL, but perhaps the 5th. SF is not the team they were last season and in losing QB Daly the Lancers offense is not operating at its best. As to the Serra-Mitty game the score could have easily been quite different without the multitude of Serra penalties and several plays that went awry. A Serra punt return in which the ball was stripped and returned for a TD. The following play where an 80 yard KO return for TD was nullified due to a hold penalty and several others incl missed FG throughout the game. Serra could have been up by 2-3 scores on the Monarchs, however Mitty proved much more troublesome than the over-confidant Padres expected. Versus SF the Padres starters better plan on playing 4 quarters.
Serra 31-21 over Lancers
Riordan vs VC: the Warrior's are especially difficult to beat on their home turf and a difficult assignment for the Crusaders. Riordan must rely on its "ground & pound" slow grind it out run game to slow the tempo down and keep the game under control so to speak. Riordan will have the unenviable task of trying to slow VC's run game and QB Cory Taylor is efficient in passing to several good WR's incl. a rather large target at TE who had 2 terrific catches vs SF. The best Riordan can do is come up with a slow-down game plan, play for field position when possible and try to get through the game without any injuries.
VC 42-14 over Riordan
* It does not appear there are any possible upsets on the horizon this week with 3 of 4 games considered somewhat mismatches. Rmbr26 is 29/36 on WCAL picks to date.
This Weeks Upcoming Games - Friday Nite Lights 10/18:
Mitty vs Sacred Heart Cathedral at Kezar Stadium 7:00PM
St. Ignatius vs Bellarmine at San Jose City College 7:00PM
Serra at St. Francis 7:00PM
Riordan (San Francisco, CA) at Valley Christian 7:00PM
Mitty vs SHC: the Monarchs coming off their best effort of the season in giving Serra a scare losing to the Padres by 35-29. The Mitty offense moved the ball against the previous solid Padre D and on defense did enough with some big plays to give their team a chance. SHC was down 34-0 at the 1/2 and it didn't get any better in the 2nd 1/2 losing a cringing score of 61-0. The point total was bad enough, but to add insult to injury to be shut out in the 2nd 1/2 going against VC's reserves' tells how far the SHC offense is below the rest of the league. Mitty should be up large early.
Mitty 35-14 over SHC
S.I. vs Bells: S.I. coming off its biggest win/best game in several seasons with the Wildcats 35-26 win over the Lancers. Bells got a desperately needed double O/T win over Riordan 28-27 when the Crusaders 2-point conversion attempt fell short - had Riordan settled for 1 the game would have ended in a tie. S.I. has momentum AND confidance now and should put the Bells away in what should not be a close nail-biter.
S.I. 42-14 over Bells
Serra vs SF: Mitty should have provided a much needed wake-up call to the Padres and SF was exposed vs S.I. as not the 2nd or 3rd best team in WCAL, but perhaps the 5th. SF is not the team they were last season and in losing QB Daly the Lancers offense is not operating at its best. As to the Serra-Mitty game the score could have easily been quite different without the multitude of Serra penalties and several plays that went awry. A Serra punt return in which the ball was stripped and returned for a TD. The following play where an 80 yard KO return for TD was nullified due to a hold penalty and several others incl missed FG throughout the game. Serra could have been up by 2-3 scores on the Monarchs, however Mitty proved much more troublesome than the over-confidant Padres expected. Versus SF the Padres starters better plan on playing 4 quarters.
Serra 31-21 over Lancers
Riordan vs VC: the Warrior's are especially difficult to beat on their home turf and a difficult assignment for the Crusaders. Riordan must rely on its "ground & pound" slow grind it out run game to slow the tempo down and keep the game under control so to speak. Riordan will have the unenviable task of trying to slow VC's run game and QB Cory Taylor is efficient in passing to several good WR's incl. a rather large target at TE who had 2 terrific catches vs SF. The best Riordan can do is come up with a slow-down game plan, play for field position when possible and try to get through the game without any injuries.
VC 42-14 over Riordan
* It does not appear there are any possible upsets on the horizon this week with 3 of 4 games considered somewhat mismatches. Rmbr26 is 29/36 on WCAL picks to date.
Call me unbalanced (ask my devoted life partner for more data) but I don't see SF caving to Serra Friday. OK, paranoia runs deep. I get it. Can't help it.
[B said:
I hear ya brother Padre as "The Curse" runs deep with me from many years of disappointment. Every so often the Padres would have a promising team & I'd have high hopes for weeks in advance & later attending the game only to be disappointed & dejected once again. I sat next to Serra players in the stands of a CCS playoff game after SF had vanquished Serra once again only to listen to one player lecturing the other Serrra players "These St. Francis guys are just too good to beat - there's no way we can beat them" [and no other player argued otherwise]. Could it get any lower, any worse than that? I'd descended into "Lancer Limbo" as I'll call it - not knowing when or if ever in my lifetime Serra would defeat the mighty St. Francis Lancers.
For those who've forgotten or simply unaware Serra lost to St. Francis for 34 years in a row in a rivalry that had become misery to attend with every additional year "the curse" continued. It was in 2006 that I attended the game at Serra with my eldest son a grad of Serra like myself and witnessed salvation, a football epiphany of which the likes I'll likely never experience again. A battle back & forth the entire game with Serra's RB DeLeon Eskridge diving over the pile into the end zone with less than 4 seconds left for the longest awaited Serra victory ever! DeLeon went on to star at University of Minnesota before a brief career in the NFL. If I could ever see a live football game a 2nd time that game would be it without a seconds doubt - Nirvana and I could rest in peace...
Back to reality [unfortunately]. Yes I am wary of SF yet once again, however this is a game this Serra team should win and anything less will be unacceptable to the coaches, players and fans. I don't think Serra will be thinking ahead of SF like they appeared to with Mitty. I think when it comes to SF the entire Serra coaching staff knows better. It will be on SF's turf and the Padres better be ready to be tested and to take it to the Lancers.
Your Serra optimism is laudable. I remain terminally dubious when it comes to the Mountain View Marauders, especially when the contest is to be played on SF's college-like campus near the sprawling ancient oak tree just off the north end zone. Too many grim memories there.
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Yeah, but if he goes down SHC loses the most experienced player now...Buchanan has the other option at QB thats why it works for them. This may work next year but hopefully the frosh has a decent running back to step up, that is what is sorely needed because they needed Jackson to add some speed this year or next. The new current Frosh QB Daly..Is he related to Ryan Daly that transferred to St. Francis??
I thought of that but figured at this point the risk is worth the reward. I was thinking somewhere in the defensive backfield. I really like the thought of next year. The frosh do have some talented backs which as you pointed out are badly needed. The two QB Daly's are not related.
I noticed in the last few games that Riordan's best athletes are now playing both ways. QB Ledbetter has been playing safety, Gabe Martin plays both OL and DL, and Atu Kefu playing FB and DL.
Reagans is much more suited for Linebacker...he doesn't have the quickness or first step speed needed at tailback, but maybe as a fullback at the most. If Jackson played, the Irish would be better this year for sure because he is explosive with the ball, but he is needed for basketball...hopefully, he decides to play football next year, it would be nice to watch to see him put it together with his size and speed as a junior. With Ruiz out as a one of the few seniors on this team, it is difficult making this team gel for now. But next year, after a year of experience, the offense and defense should be much more battle hardened.
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This year is a disaster. The only saving grace is if they can scratch for one win against either Bellarmine or Riordan and I dont like their chances. Id say the only thing positive I've seen is they finally stopped having Dowling coming all the way back to the sideline to get the next play. What a waste of time and energy. The next thing they should do is stop having him roll out to the left and throw across his body to a WR thats 35 yards down field where the chances of completion are not so great.
I agree, that just tires out your QB and if you had a running back chewing up yardage that may be ok, but when your entire offense is Dowling now it doesn't make sense to tire him out more...To be fair, Dowling is not your typical guy, he is definitely scrappy and makes something happen out of nothing...I'm sure that is not what Coach Mac wants or any coach.
