Colossal, gargantuan, titanic. All of those adjectives and many others representing grandeur can be used to describe the slate of games to cover the first week of football in the Central Coast Section, with match-ups pitting teams from top divisions and even a few local rivalry games.
Wilcox @ Valley Christian, Friday, 7 p.m.
After Wilcox opened last season with a stunning 10-6 victory over the Warriors, the entire Bay Area was put on notice. It was the start of what would turn out to be a state championship season for the Chargers, and while Wilcox did graduate six offensive starters and seven defensive starters, Paul Rosa is still around for his senior season. He accounted for 2,161 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior and will likely be an even more prominent figure this year with Alex Adame and Gabe Herrera graduating. The Chargers do have two key linebackers from last year’s defense that held Valley Christian to just six points in Aaron Ah Sing and Roan Poulivaati, but Valley Christian’s defense has its share of big-time returners as well, headlined by Moon Ashby, Kavir Bains and JT Reed. On offense, the Warriors return two of their strongest rushers in Isaiah McElvane and Michael Corini, and while teams know that head coach Mike Machado likes to keep the ball on the ground, the Chargers will have to respect Valley Christian’s passing game as well as Cory Taylor is a threat to launch a deep bomb at any time.
Palo Alto @ St. Ignatius, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Palo Alto may have graduated quarterback Jackson Chryst, but wide receiver Jamir Shepard and tight end Louis Passarello return for their senior seasons. St. Ignatius is full of noteworthy returners, including Teddye Buchanan, who was limited to linebacker duties in the second half of 2018 after suffering a thumb injury but will factor in on both sides of the ball this year. Head coach John Regalia has yet to name a starting quarterback between Buchanan and Zach Taylor-Smith, who started the final five games last year, winning three of them. Of the Wildcats’ eight losses last year, four were one-score games, including a season-opening 21-14 defeat to the Vikings. SI plans to welcome a big crowd on Saturday as increasing student support has been a massive focus of the athletic department this year.
Mitty @ Palma, Friday, 7 p.m. at Rabobank Stadium
With dynamic playmakers in Shamir Bey and Raymello Murphy, Mitty is the dark horse in this year’s WCAL race. The Monarchs are looking to bounce back this year, and while wide receiver Devan Sapp’s departure to play basketball at a prep school in Pennsylvania was an unexpected setback, they’ll still have their share of weapons. Palma enters what should be an interesting year as Anthony Villegas, who has rushed for 3,122 yards over the past two years, serves as the offense’s bell cow. Jeff Carnazzo will have to choose a starting quarterback between senior Luke Brigantino and sophomore Luke Rossi, a decision that will come clear when the Chieftains take the field on offense Friday night. Whoever does end up under center will be handing off frequently to Villegas, but when Palma does look to throw, they’ll have a great target to connect with in Jon Jon Berring, who also stands out in the secondary and could take life difficult for Bey and Murphy.
Riordan @ Terra Nova, Friday, 7 p.m.
Two new head coaches will make their debuts on Friday night as Mark Modeste takes the helm for the Crusaders and Jason Piccolotti leads Terra Nova into battle in a game where both teams will be unveiling new offenses. Riordan will run far more than in prior years, while the Tigers are ditching the run-and-shoot in favor of a more conventional system. Terra Nova will still look to the air frequently, but running back Jalen Camp, who transferred from Riordan, will give the hosts a huge boost on the ground.
Bellarmine @ Menlo-Atherton, Friday, 7 p.m.
What’s become a yearly season opener will have some extra intrigue this year as Steve Papin makes his M-A coaching debut. It’s also another chance to watch the electrifying Troy Franklin, who has stood out at wide receiver in the past two years but is also expected to play regularly on defense, rounding out a loaded secondary with Justin Anderson and Skyler Thomas. Bellarmine is coming off an abysmal two-win season and has a chance to make a statement with a strong showing on Friday against a team with the sort of athletes that the Bells will see in the WCAL.
Live Oak @ Burlingame, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Possibly the best of the matchups between the BVAL Mt. Hamilton and PAL Bay, Burlingame’s young core of two-way stars will get a chance to avenge one of last year’s two losses against an Acorns team that graduated quarterback Jonathan Singleton but has plenty of talented returners. Running back Nick Lomanto and wide receivers Elijah Fernandez and Caleb Ojeda headline the offense for Live Oak, while the Panthers have a monster rushing duo in Devon Malashus and Lucas Meredith. Ashton Green will take over at QB for the Acorns, and though he’s got Fernandez and Ojeda to throw to, Burlingame’s secondary is as good as any with Taylor Kaufman and Gino Lopiccolo.
Carlmont @ Sacred Heart Prep, Saturday. 2 p.m.
Can Jonaven Kuhn and the Scots continue their rise? Last year, Carlmont put up a respectable fight in a 21-6 loss to SHP before going on to run the PAL Lake Division, earning a promotion to the Ocean for the first time in a decade. Head coach Jake Messina has noted the increased physicality of teams in the upper divisions of the PAL, and the Gators certainly bring it in that department. Tevita Moimoi and Bryant Gavello are among key two-way returners while J.P. Frimel may be one of the best linebackers in San Mateo County. Eyes will certainly be on junior quarterback Teddy Purcell, who will be taking the reins in the wake of Raymond Price III’s transfer to Menlo-Atherton.
Leland @ Aragon, Friday, 7 p.m.
Aragon graduated its two stars, Camron Grant and Paul Lautaimi, from a team that went just 2-9 but did so against an insane schedule. The Dons are seen as one of the lower teams in the PAL Bay entering 2019, meaning the Chargers have an opportunity to show that the BVAL Mt. Hamilton is stronger than last year, when the league had tremendous parity but flamed out in the postseason without top talent. Kelly King Jr. takes over as head coach for Leland after Mike Ward’s departure, and he’ll have one of the best talents in San Jose to work with as quarterback Carson Yates enters his senior season.
Los Gatos @ Oak Grove, Saturday, 5 p.m.
A rare Saturday game at Oak Grove will be a special occasion as the playing surface is officially named Ed Buller Field before the game, honoring the legendary former coach. It’s strange to not call Oak Grove a defending league champion, but the Eagles’ hiatus from the top may be a short one with the return of quarterback Justin Munday, running back Malique Sumler and wide receiver Izaiah Nakanishi. The Wildcats have some holes to fill at skill positions, but with USC commit Andres Dewerk anchoring the line and Will Schweitzer at tight end, there’s a strong foundation in place.
14th Belgard Kup: Watsonville @ Pajaro Valley, Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Cabrillo College
Watsonville leads series, 11-2
One of the most raucous crowds in Northern California will descend on Cabrillo College to open the season as Watsonville and Pajaro Valley compete not only for the Belgard Kup but for the Spirit Award as well. The Wildcatz have won the Kup for the last two years and have overall dominated a series where defense has reigned. In the last seven meetings, the winning team has conceded no more than 12 points.
72nd Shoe Game: Carmel @ Pacific Grove, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Carmel leads series, 36-33-2
What used to be a huge small-school showdown has lost a bit of its luster in recent years as low numbers have decimated Pacific Grove’s program. Carmel has won the last two meetings by a combined 121-0 score, but a strong program like PG can’t be kept down for too long. If the Breakers can avoid being overwhelmed by Carmel’s star-studded core of Dakota Mornhinweg, Kai Lee and J.T. Byrne, it could be a sign that Pacific Grove’s stay in the Santa Lucia Division won’t be a long one.
