All six of the PAL Lake teams have rivalry games against league opponents, meaning league play in San Mateo County’s lowest division will start later than any other CCS league. Woodside’s normal rivalry game with Menlo-Atherton has been replaced by a clash with Jefferson for competitive balance, so along with the Battle of the Strip and Bell Game, league play will finish with both local trophies and league titles at stake. Capuchino and a resurgent Mills program are among the frontrunners, meaning the Battle of the Strip could also determine the league title and playoff spot, but Jefferson is off to a strong start as well. Typically a one-bid league, every game in the Lake Division is essentially an elimination game.
Capuchino (2-3)
With a two-headed rushing attack in twin brothers Sione and Marcelino Kafoa and an aggressive offensive under the direction of head coach Jay Oca, the Mustangs are among the favorites in the Lake Division, confirming their presence with a 28-14 win over Aragon.
“Beating Aragon was a great mental boost for this program,” Oca said of the program’s first victory over the Dons since 1987. “The mentality is changing and guys are realizing that they can compete.”
Junior quarterback Devin Meyer, also a star pitcher on the baseball diamond runs the offense, and both he and the Kafoa brothers have plenty of time to make plays thanks to the blocking of sophomore center Isaiah Mendoza and Tim Bryning.
El Camino (0-5)
The Colts may be winless entering league play under first-year head coach and 2009 El Camino alum Rustin Mayorga, but they’re certainly battle-tested. They opened the year against a resurgent San Mateo squad, took on a defending state champion in Lincoln and squared off with one of the region’s best in Half Moon Bay.
“We didn’t play any slouches,” Mayorga said. “We’re getting healthy at the right time, too.”
El Camino has played two straight games without running back Ian Arehart and lineman Chris Smith has yet to take the field this year for the carmine and gray, but both are expected to be at full strength during league play. Linebacker Gio Galarza and wide receiver/defensive back Javion Tarusan are among the Colts’ best playmakers, but perhaps their biggest strength is at tight end with the combo of Ezekiel Gomez and Justin Vargas. Sophomore Elijah Vasquez, pulled up from the JV unit, is expected to be a major contributor as well at both running back and in the secondary.
Jefferson (3-2)
The Grizzlies look to continue the momentum that their program had built under Will Maddox, who left to take a job in Florida but handed the reins off to Sergio Portela Jr., who coached the running backs last year and had served as the JV head coach for the four years before that.
“We’ve done as much as we can to get the parents involved and the community involved,” Portela said of the developing culture at Jefferson.
Injuries and a thin roster have made for obstacles early in the season, but the Grizzlies have thrived on their versatility. Portela described Seuma Peleseuma as the team’s Swiss Army Knife, who converted from running back to play on the offensive line when depth made it necessary. He also starts at middle linebacker and even stood in at quarterback during a win over Oakland Tech when Felix Luna Jr. went down, and he also has wide receiver experience in his background from his days at Riordan.
Luna and running backs Brooks Daniels and Daniel Abesames-Hammer make up the backfield for the Grizzlies, with the two main backs offering completely different skillsets. The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Daniels is a bruiser, while Abesames-Hammer stands at just five feet and 130 pounds, yet has even managed to earn praise from Marshawn Lynch after his performance in that win over Oakland Tech.
Jefferson has had to rely on a handful of two-way starters, but having St. Ignatius transfer Alfred Ugaitafa among them has provided a huge lift.
“You’re wondering how he’s lasting as many snaps as he does with that same energy,” Portela said.
Ugaitafa lines up at defensive end and receiver, while the line is anchored by South San Francisco transfer Romeo Alapati, Elijah Teodosio, John Bolles and Glen Ocampo.
“It’s becoming less of a secret now, but Glen’s quietly one of the best athletes in the school,” Portela said. “Whatever ball he decides to play with, he’s just good at it.”
Mills (4-1)
One of the best stories in the CCS so far this year, the Vikings are off to their best start since the days of Adam Tafralis quarterbacking the squad. They rely heavily on two-way starters but are extremely physical, led by three-year starters in quarterback Domonic Piefer and all-around athlete Nuku Vahai. Junior Tevita Fifita was recognized by Hillsdale head coach Mike Parodi as one of the best backs in San Mateo County, and junior Tupou Netane leads the defense at linebacker. If Mills can stay healthy, there’s hope for playoff football in Millbrae for the first time since 2006.
South San Francisco (0-5)
Early returns on the scoreboard haven’t been promising for first-year head coach Tau Elisaia, whose Warriors have been outscored 277-13, but the program was welcoming in a young roster with minimal football experience.
“We’re trying to create structure,” Elisaia said. “Our goal is to build a program, not just a football team. Many coaches were trying to avoid here because they say there aren’t many athletes here, there isn’t a youth program and there are low numbers.”
Elisaia and his staff have managed to dig deep to construct a roster of athletes who have experience playing other sports and are starting to figure it out on the gridiron. With just 15 seniors, most of this year’s core will be back moving forward, including junior Elijah Avegalio.
“He’s the go-to guy on offense,” Elisaia said.
The Warriors also have a sophomore quarterback in Ferdinand Galang who’s been praised for demonstrating high football IQ, and Avegalio helps anchor a secondary that’s the strength of the defense.
Woodside (0-5, 0-4 on field)
The Wildcats were absolutely decimated by injuries early on, forced to forfeit the final quarter of their game at Seaside and their home contest with Burlingame, but they enter league play with improving health and tons of potential. Senior quarterback Brody Crowley is among the top passers in all of San Mateo County, and Josh Peterson has shone at running back in a single-wing offense that the program has implemented this year.
“We dabbled with it at the end of last year, and now we’re on a learning curve sorting it out,” head coach Justin Andrews said of the new scheme. “Week by week, you’re not sure how teams are going to line up against you.”
Woodside had put together encouraging defensive results after the first two weeks, even with low numbers, thanks largely to the efforts of defensive end Cody Bowers and Deontae McKean’s prowess in the secondary. Two-way starters Ethan Mooney and Brendan Smith have also thrived as defensive backs for a team that allowed just 26 points to a talented Leigh outfit.
Andrews also sang the praises of junior lineman Miguel Gutierrez, one of the hardest workers and most improved players over the course of the offseason.
