Where does Serra go from here?

[ArmchairGOAT]

Both Serra and Riordan had a strong freshman class. Serra with its overall depth in roster numbers kept almost all of them on its freshman team and took the Frosh title. Riordan had 5 freshman starters and/or saw significant minutes on varsity and the others played JVs. Finishing with only 2 losses.

 

[dcpanda]

First of all Yes. MD and Bosco are dominant teams. Let's not hide from that fact, definite powerhouses.
However, it's not just and only that. DeLsalle folks have it correct and are right when they say EXECUTION is a major factor. To say Serra executed a game plan at a high level is incorrect. Blocked punts and several special teams miscues. Fumbles everywhere especially on regular snap exchanges. Blown coverages where receivers broke straight down the middle of the field for bombs. Even DeLasalle would say beat our team short, but you ain't gonna beat us deep. For Mater Dei, short, medium as well as Long was wide open all night.
Serra had Zero points. ZERO. DeLasalle scored points and were competitive, why? Their EXECUTION.
DeLasalle has played a national schedule before in the past. So does MD and Bosco. Serra I don't think plays a tough preseason schedule.
So for sure a tough title game for Serra, but one cannot say definite reason was dominance. Serra execution and preparedness was sorely lacking

If DLS is so good at executing, why didn’t they score against Serra?

 

[THEOC89]

If DLS is so good at executing, why didn’t they score against Serra?

They were running that Hybrid Veer nonsense that they could not execute ….

And remember, the first time MD and SJB played this year MD lost 28-0…..

MD had the opportunity to play SJB a second time and won 35-7….. Maybe if DLS got a Second shot at Serra this year they beat Serra….

 

[remc]

I think there should be a separation of publics and privates, but there will still be dominant teams. No matter how you split it, there will always be teams that control the titles. I think the advantages that most private schools have is what bothers people the most

What about the "Open Enrollment " publics? They've got the same advantage the private schools have in terms of getting players who aren't necessarily local kids. Do you lump them in with the privates?

 

[Streak One]

What about the "Open Enrollment " publics? They've got the same advantage the private schools have in terms of getting players who aren't necessarily local kids. Do you lump them in with the privates?

I think there is a difference between Serra/De La Salle and Folsom. But you are correct that there are publics that have advantages that other publics don't in terms of open enrollment. And while a separation of competing is needed, it is almost impossible to draw lines.

 

[jordan24]

I like the Private and Public separation. There should also be an option for any public school to opt up with the Privates. My $.02

 

[remc]

I think there is a difference between Serra/De La Salle and Folsom. But you are correct that there are publics that have advantages that other publics don't in terms of open enrollment. And while a separation of competing is needed, it is almost impossible to draw lines.

Why can't there be a classification for open enrollment publics? It's just as unfair to the boundary public schools. Its easier than the private schools. The Serras and DLS's are tuition based. Every student has to be accountable for that $ amount. Whether its full scholarship, part scholarship (parents working partly to pay some costs at the school) there is a financial accounting for that student's presence. Open enrollment public's dont have to concern themselves with any of that red tape. At most, its just a matter of using an address. So Id advocate for 1 Privates, 2 Open Enrollment Publics3 Boundary Publics. That is, if the goal is equitable competition

 

[EthanRKassel]

If DLS is so good at executing, why didn’t they score against Serra?

As we've seen, DLS gets much better as the year goes on, and over the last two years, Serra has been extremely well prepared for everything DLS ran.

 

[ankleassassin]

Why can't there be a classification for open enrollment publics? It's just as unfair to the boundary public schools. Its easier than the private schools. The Serras and DLS's are tuition based. Every student has to be accountable for that $ amount. Whether its full scholarship, part scholarship (parents working partly to pay some costs at the school) there is a financial accounting for that student's presence. Open enrollment public's dont have to concern themselves with any of that red tape. At most, its just a matter of using an address. So Id advocate for 1 Privates, 2 Open Enrollment Publics3 Boundary Publics. That is, if the goal is equitable competition

not all privates are equal... they dont want to play where they arent able to compete.

 

[remc]

not all privates are equal... they dont want to play where they arent able to compete.

That's true, Those high end privates can compete among themselves. They are a small number compared to the majority of private schools.

 

[FBIQ]

Been really quiet on the Serra front. How are these guys looking for 2024?

Another year of NorCal Dominance for the Padres or is it over, is Folsom or DLS coming for the crown?

 

[larry legend33]

I'm by no means a Folsom homer but they are so ridicolously loaded this year its not funny. If they don't go to open this year it will be a big disappointment.

You have likely the top player in calif returning. (Lyons)
There entire supporting cast is nearly returning off 13-2 team that won a SBG.
You had a great JV/Frosh teams. Think they went 21-1.
You have some big time transfers on roster now.

A team with easily 15+ kids with D1 offers.

So what does it all mean? Probably a 42-7 loss in SBG from either MD or SJB.

 

[FBIQ]

I'm by no means a Folsom homer but they are so ridicolously loaded this year its not funny. If they don't go to open this year it will be a big disappointment.

You have likely the top player in calif returning. (Lyons)
There entire supporting cast is nearly returning off 13-2 team that won a SBG.
You had a great JV/Frosh teams. Think they went 21-1.
You have some big time transfers on roster now.

A team with easily 15+ kids with D1 offers.

So what does it all mean? Probably a 42-7 loss in SBG from either MD or SJB.

LOL

 

[colhenrylives]

Back on topic, the Padres, in Coach Walsh's 24th campaign on the Peninsula, are in full-on rebuild mode. At least 12 sophs will be varsity performers right out of the San Mateo chute in August. More could follow. The 2023 frosh were that strong. If Vasquez is gone and the QB position is less than stellar, 2024 will be a very long slog indeed. The non-league sked is the toughest in the 78-year history of the varsity program. And the WCAL is never a stroll in the park. Far from it. As you can imagine, Serra will get no sympathy from its league mates. The Padres have been a WCAL bully for some time. The upcoming campaign should see a change in that condition. At least for a year.

 

[LecheDeMiPalo]

Walsh will recruit him a QB just like he did with Maealiuaki, don’t you worry about that.

 

[FBIQ]

Walsh will recruit him a QB just like he did with Maealiuaki, don’t you worry about that.

What does that look like at the high school level?

 

[LecheDeMiPalo]

What does that look like at the high school level?

Probably a coach selling parents on their school’s education being superior to the student-athlete’s current school. A public school education is free (though we all pay for it through taxes) and thus it is perceived that it isn’t worth anything. Meanwhile a private school education has a hefty price tag on it. You tell a kid’s parent that he will be gifted a $22,500 a year education for free and most will bite the cheese HARD.

A coach convincing a parent that their kid’s chances of landing a free college education (and now, NIL money) will sky-rocket in their program and under his tutelage and then setting up transportation or housing (such as an arrangement with a host family) for it all to be possible. The kid Serra had these last 2 seasons is from Sacramento (transferred from Inderkum High and still has Sacramento listed as his location in his twitter bio) and my understanding is that he was living with the family of a teammate.

Put it like this, one of those 12 sophomores that will likely be promoted to the Padre Varsity squad is Walsh’s kid who is a receiver. Do you think for a second that Walsh is going to let him operate without a QB? No, he will find him one.

 

[colhenrylives]

...and there is more...Serra reportedly has become a Nike-sponsored program...can you see dollar signs fluttering over Freitas Field?

 

[SJS Lord]

I'm by no means a Folsom homer but they are so ridicolously loaded this year its not funny. If they don't go to open this year it will be a big disappointment.

You have likely the top player in calif returning. (Lyons)
There entire supporting cast is nearly returning off 13-2 team that won a SBG.
You had a great JV/Frosh teams. Think they went 21-1.
You have some big time transfers on roster now.

A team with easily 15+ kids with D1 offers.

So what does it all mean? Probably a 42-7 loss in SBG from either MD or SJB.

I agree. The only question I have is are any of the transfers allowed to play the first few games or do they have to sit? Those are the only games I could possibly see Folsom losing. If they get those guys playing from day 1 I see them going undefeated until the open. The transfers are all D1 guys and I do believe they need everyone against LBP.

 

[larry legend33]

I agree. The only question I have is are any of the transfers allowed to play the first few games or do they have to sit? Those are the only games I could possibly see Folsom losing. If they get those guys playing from day 1 I see them going undefeated until the open. The transfers are all D1 guys and I do believe they need everyone against LBP.

Great ? about the transfers. Seems like there is no guidance to follow. Some kids pass with no issues and others seem to pay a price. I wouldn't be suprised if Folsom has this worked out.

 

[Norcalguy111]

Where does Serra go from here?

 

[FormerD1Backer]

Where does Serra go from here?

Basketball season???

 

[parkdale]

Basketball season???

It's basketball season for everyone.

 

[FormerD1Backer]

It's basketball season for everyone.

Thank you as I thought it was badminton season.

 

[BoutDatAction]

Serra use to be the prime destination for talent throughout the peninsula but with St. Francis Riordan and SI on the rise. Serra has their hands full now. They use to have their pick of the litter but now there are multiple suitors for the top 8th graders and transfers in the area. The playing field is becoming more level recruiting wise and the talent is more spread among the top schools. Maybe this will wake the senses of Walsh and revive his competitive spirit to get back to the top of the WCAL..

 

[remc]

I don’t know anyone that DOESN’T want to separate the public and the private. lol

We’re a public school of about 1,000 students. We just recently had to decide how we wanted to proceed moving forward. Schedule top flight talent that basically guarantees us the 8 seed in D1 if we win the Gabilan, or schedule cupcakes to try and stay in D2.

We opted to not play the politic/seeding game, scheduled really good schools and basically just said “well, we’re going after Serra now.”

Far fetched? Of course. But the alternative just didn’t sit right with us. So we’re gonna go into it w/ the mindset we gotta figure out how to beat whatever the top private school is next year.

Like I said in an earlier post. I’d rather go 5-5 than beat up on a bunch of inferior talent like MD. Just not fun to me.

Id also separate Open Enrollment publics from boundary public schools. Open Enrollment publics have the same advantages that private schools have over public schools.

 

[colhenrylives]

Serra's 2024 offense was not helped by the departures (over two years) of no fewer than five QB's, all of whom wound up as starters at other schools. The reasons for their transfers varied. Regardless, it left the Padres very, very thin at the QB position.

 

[Sacchiefs]

Serra's 2024 offense was not helped by the departures (over two years) of no fewer than five QB's, all of whom wound up as starters at other schools. The reasons for their transfers varied. Regardless, it left the Padres very, very think at the QB position.

CHL..

5, that's a lot at one position. An extremely important position at that.

Looking at those numbers, QB's transferring out like that, tells me, in combination with their offensive performance in the Open last year, it isn't a position that the coaching staff places a lot of value in.

To me this is one of the reasons why I believe these kids should be allowed to transfer. I'd rather chase my dreams, instead of the dreams of another man.

Serra is a good program. I believe they will be back in the thick of things next year. At minimum competitive.

 

[cityfan]

CHL..

5, that's a lot at one position. An extremely important position at that.

Looking at those numbers, QB's transferring out like that, tells me, in combination with their offensive performance in the Open last year, it isn't a position that the coaching staff places a lot of value in.

To me this is one of the reasons why I believe these kids should be allowed to transfer. I'd rather chase my dreams, instead of the dreams of another man.

Serra is a good program. I believe they will be back in the thick of things next year. At minimum competitive.

It's strange that Serra doesn't place a lot of value in the QB position considering their OC played QB in high school and college.

 

[parkdale]

It's strange that Serra doesn't place a lot of value in the QB position considering their OC played QB in high school and college.

This is a really silly line of dialogue, and far from true.

 

[cityfan]

This is a really silly line of dialogue, and far from true.

That's what I'm saying...of course their QB play will drop when their top QBs leave the program and are left with an inexperienced starter at the position.

 

[ArmchairGOAT]

Coach Bell was a very good QB1 for Riordan. 2-0 vs Serra. Also was a very good aggressive OC when he had the talent with the 2015 Crusader team.

 

[dcpanda]

It's strange that Serra doesn't place a lot of value in the QB position considering their OC played QB in high school and college.

They had Nunn, Bottari, McLemore, Lampkin, and Smith at QB in a row. All were highly successful.