With the 2016-17 school year approaching, Prep2Prep takes a look at some of the teams to watch for in each coverage area. This feature focuses on the teams within the Central Coast Section. All records listed are from the 2015 season.
Bellarmine (13-2, 6-1 WCAL)
The Bells graduated quarterback Troy Martig, but the offense should be in capable hands with three-sport athlete Ike Ogbogu behind center. The return of two-way standouts Jackson Burrill (FB/LB) and Justin Malone (TE/OLB) should also provide some continuity on both sides of the ball.
Bellarmine did lost a lot of talent on both lines, but returning all-league players Bobby Facchino and Cade Hall should ease the transition to a newer group of grinders up front, in the Bells’ run-heavy offensive attack.
Prior to WCAL play, the Bells take on Menlo-Atherton, 2015 Central Section Division I semifinalist Clovis North, and defending Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF state bowl game champion Del Oro-Loomis.
Menlo-Atherton (6-5, 4-1 PAL-Bay)
The Bears return a wealth of talent at the skill positions, plus a combination of size and athleticism up front, to make them a team to watch in the section.
Junior Miles Conrad returns at quarterback, and he is joined in the backfield by returners Jordan Mims and Stavro Papadakis. Mims is a threat every time he touches the ball, on the ground or through the air. There is additional talent in the passing game, with the return of Tate Tussing and Marquise Reid.
Defensively, the return of Christian Wiseman and Papadakis should help against opposing run games, and the front line on both sides of the ball should be talented. Juniors Noa Ngalu, Ryan Buck, Makisi Tonga, and Ben Makoni add size and athleticism to a senior class which includes Epeli Mataele and Adrien Carrou. All of them are varsity returners.
The Bears will have to rely on their experience during a difficult non-league slate, playing Bellarmine, Marin Catholic, Sacred Heart Cathedral, and Los Gatos prior to league play.
Milpitas (10-4, 6-0 SCVAL-De Anza)
The Trojans return multi-talented junior Tariq Bracy from last year’s team which nearly beat Campolindo in a CIF NorCal regional final. Senior Josh Jackson should also play a large role in the backfield with Bracy.
Milpitas does need to replace quarterback Oliver Svirsky, but whoever wins that job will have a few targets to throw to, notably six-foot-three junior Tuni Faletau-Fifita. Senior D’vaughn Jones also showed big-play capability last season.
Outside linebacker Alii Matau should be a force defensively, along with junior strong safety Tai Nguyen. Junior linebacker Gabriel Erickson should be an anchor in the middle, while Bracy will likely be avoided in the secondary after notching seven interceptions last year.
The Trojans’ marquee game prior to league play will be when they host Antioch and top national recruit Najee Harris.
Oak Grove (11-3, 7-0 BVAL-Mt. Hamilton)
The Eagles’ four leading rushers from last year are all gone after graduation, including Rashaan Fontenette, but Oak Grove got a big-time transfer in the backfield with former King’s Academy standout Maurice Washington III. They also return quarterback Tyler McGovern, who threw for 14 touchdowns last season.
Receiver Grady Ryan was a top of target of McGovern’s last year, and figures to play an even larger role in 2016. Defensively, Ryan should ease the loss of Anu Tuiono. He will be joined again at the linebacker position by Deangelo Hester and Isaiah Ossai, both among the team’s leading tacklers last season.
Six-foot-six, 300-pound senior Dillan Misaalefua will anchor both lines, while senior Siloe Pena could provide interior strength.
Oak Grove will certainly be tested entering Mt. Hamilton play, facing Saint Francis and Granite Bay in the non-league schedule.
Palma (10-2, 6-0 MBL-Gabilan)
The Chieftains bring back two of their three leading rushers from last year’s team which narrowly fell to Riordan in the Open III semifinals. Emilio Martinez and Kevin Telford could be workhorses following the graduation of quarterback Jack Richardson.
Isaiah Blanco could be back for another big year at receiver, after leading the team in all major receiving categories last season. And the offensive line, of course, will be anchored by senior Drew Dalman.
Palma has a meat-grinder of a non-league schedule, opening at Northern Section power Sutter, hosting Saint Francis and Sacred Heart Prep, and concluding the non-league slate with a road game at Aptos.
Sacred Heart Prep (11-4, 4-1 PAL-Bay)
The Gators have amassed 50 wins in the last four seasons, including last year’s Open III title, which led to a berth in a state bowl game.
SHP needs to replace standout quarterback Mason Randall, but the return of running back Isoa Moimoi in their fly offense system should ease the transition. The top two receivers from last year are also gone, but the Gators do return seven other players who caught passes in 2015.
Defensively, the return of linebacker David Peterson immediately solidifies the middle of the defense, along with the return of fellow man in the middle Brendan Semien. The Gators have a wealth of talent returning in the secondary, with Tyler Wine, James Kirkham, and Schafer Kraemer all back for 2016.
The four games prior to league play should say a lot about this team. Sacred Heart Prep opens with San Benito before a pair of road games against Riordan and Palma, followed by a date with a McClymonds team which will be intent on revenge after falling to the Gators in the CIF NorCal regional final last season.
San Benito (7-5, 3-3 MBL-Gabilan)
The Balers have significant returners in 2016, which makes them a team to watch after losing in the Open I semifinals last year.
Hunter Nye returns at running back after running for 1,323 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, and junior Jonny Gonzalez could be another player to watch in the backfield. Senior Hunter Raquet saw limited action at quarterback last year.
Dante Tomasini is back after being second on the team in catches last season from his tight end position. He also helps set the edge for an offensive line which returns senior Blaize Solis, junior Daniel Pasillas, and senior Marcos Flores. Those four will be key for San Benito’s run game, which averaged over 265 yards per game last year.
Defensively, end Miguel Camacho is back after leading the team in sacks last year, while Isaac Regalado returns in the secondary after pulling down six interceptions as a junior. Senior Colby Noble and junior Eric Fernandez are other key returners on the defensive side.
The Balers wasted no time finding top competition for 2016, opening with Sacred Heart Prep before also facing Los Gatos and Wilcox during non-league play.
Serra (6-4, 4-3 WCAL)
The return of dual-threat quarterback Leki Nunn has a lot of people buzzing about the Padres, despite some heavy losses at the skill positions. Junior running back Isiah Kendrick could be a name to look out for, while senior TC Lavulo figures to be an impact player both at running back and strong safety after earning first-team all-league honors last year.
Senior Charles Quinn had 13 catches last season, and could be a top target for Nunn in the passing game.
The defense also lost many of its leading tacklers to graduation, but junior Davis Vakalahi is back after emerging as a playmaker last season. Jovon Johnson and Shamir Wilson return to bolster the secondary.
There is also the motivation factor – after having to sit out last year’s playoffs, Serra is once again eligible to compete, and they plan on being ready for WCAL action with a gauntlet of non-league games to open the season. The Padres host St. Mary’s-Stockton before traveling to both De La Salle and Pittsburg in early September.
St. Francis (12-3, 6-1 WCAL)
The Lancers have some of the best college prospects among CCS schools, with running back Cyrus Habibi-Likio, receiver/defensive back Bennett Williams, lineman Tyler Manoa, and tight end Dominic Graziani. They also have the experience of playing in a state bowl game last year.
The St. Francis defense figures to be especially strong this season, with the return of Jadan Harris and Graziani at outside linebacker, Dominic Chang at defensive tackle, and a loaded secondary. Williams is joined again in the defensive backfield by Patrick Calcagno, De’jon Fort, and De’Maurier Jackson.
Offensively, the Lancers must replace quarterback Kamalii Akina, though junior Reed Vettel did see varsity action as a sophomore. Senior Brandon Bains could also contribute as a complement to Habibi-Likio in the backfield.
In addition to the always-tough WCAL schedule, Saint Francis opens the season with Oak Grove, Palma, and an Atascadero team which went 8-3 last year.
Valley Christian (8-4, 4-3 WCAL)
The Warriors’ offense will benefit from the return of both quarterback Miles Kendrick and all-purpose back Javon Sturns. Junior Conner Edgar could make it a true triple-threat in the backfield. Kendrick also welcomes back one of his top weapons in the passing game from a year ago, senior Anthony Flores.
The offensive line also figures to be a strength for Valley Christian, with Dylan McCreery, David Beltramo, Brad Murphy, and Daniel Machado all among the biggest and most talented linemen in the area.
Defensively, the return of middle linebacker Trent Laubach will pay dividends, while safety Isaiah Rodriguez and defensive end RJ Stone are two more returning playmakers.
Like all the other teams on this list, the Warriors will prepare for WCAL play with big-time competition, facing two-time defending NCS champion Campolindo, Wilcox, and Northern Section power Pleasant Valley-Chico in their non-league schedule.
Six more to keep an eye on . . .
Aptos (9-4, 5-0 SCCAL)
The Mariners captured their third straight section title last season, and look to be the class of the SCCAL once again. Aptos will once again prepare with a grueling non-league schedule, facing Mitty, Capital Christian-Sacramento, and Palma in succession.
Archbishop Mitty (6-5, 3-4 WCAL)
The return of quarterback Phillip Tran brings optimism to the offensive side of the ball, and he will have a pair of familiar targets in Austin Kause and Tyler Jochen. A season opener at Pittsburg will answer any questions about the toughness of this squad.
Archbishop Riordan (9-4, 4-3 WCAL)
Kevin Fordon’s squad was the surprise team of the league and section last year, and now must sustain heavy losses to graduation. Lasa Tofi is a big-time returner on both sides of the ball, however. The non-league schedule does include Sacred Heart Prep, but also gives opportunities for this group to get its feet wet.
Carmel (8-4, 6-1 MTAL)
The return of multiple offensive weapons have the Padres on the radar, especially after last year’s shootout win over The King’s Academy in the playoffs. Covossay Windham should have another big year at running back, while quarterbacks Jonathan Hugo and Daniel Higman both return as well, part of a group of 17 returning starters from last season.
Half Moon Bay (11-2, 4-1 PAL-Ocean)
The Cougars raced to the Division V title last season, and have the potential for an explosive passing game between quarterback Gavin Tomberlin and receiver Hayden Von Almen, to complement their always strong running game.
Wilcox (9-3, 4-2 SCVAL-De Anza)
The Chargers welcome back two-way playmaker Hesekaia Tali-Finefeuiaki, whom we can only imagine rarely gets his name pronounced correctly on the road by other public address announcers. Juniors David Hernandez and Michael Dinwiddie, along with senior Sione Taufalele, give Wilcox some pieces to make a run with this year.
