In 2014, one of the best football leagues in Northern California featured three teams in the CCS Open Division Playoffs. That league was the West Catholic Athletic League, and those teams were Bellarmine, Serra, and Valley Christian.
Along with St. Francis, expect those teams -- minus Serra which is banned from the playoffs for two years, as things stand now -- compete for a 2015 WCAL championship and a CCS Open division playoff berth.
But don’t discount the other four teams in the powerful alignment. Six of eight WCAL teams made the CCS playoffs last season, and Sacred Heart Cathedral and Riordan didn’t it solely because they had too many losses. But they weren’t bad teams, as shown by how tough Riordan played Open champ Sacred Heart Prep and by Riordan's 3-0 halftime lead against Serra en route to a loss. It’s just that the Crusaders and Fightin' Irish play in the WCAL, consistently one of the top football leagues in Northern California.
In fact, Riordan coach Kevin Fordon finds motivation in the criticism of Riordan football: “The WCAL is such a strong league. Each week is a battle. I've seen some of the preseason rankings of our league and I love that we are picked to finish at the bottom. Great bulletin board material for our kids. We talk a lot about earning respect in this league, and this year we are going to go out there and make sure teams know that the Crusaders are a legitimate team that can win each week.”
Parity is a little more prevalent in the league this year than in previous years when the league was the four Santa Clara Valley teams plus Serra and St. Ignatius, with Riordan and SHC usually bringing up the rear.
“(Winning the WCAL) will be very difficult as I feel the entire league is better this year than last from top to bottom,” said Serra coach Patrick Walsh.
Here's a look at each team, in no particular order:
MITTY (8-5, 4-3): After losing in the championship game of the 2014 CCS Division II playoffs, the Monarchs look to continue to grow as a team and compete for a WCAL title under new coach Keith Burns, a veteran of college and pro coaching.
Senior Derek Bauerle returns to the backfield for the Monarchs, hoping to carry his team this season. Senior Sam Serra, who sat out during his junior year, returns to the field to battle with Fremont transfer Phillip Tran for the starting quarterback job. If Tran is cleared to play Week 1, he is expected to be the starter, but so far his fate is a mystery. Seniors Matt Tofano and Blake Flovin will anchor the Mitty defense at linebacker.
RIORDAN (1-9, 1-6): A tough 2014 made the Crusaders a common pick for last place in the WCAL this year. But Fordon is using the perceived lack of respect as encouragement for his players.
“I feel like we have a group that could make the playoffs and challenge for the WCAL title,” Fordon said. “We are a heavy senior team that got a lot of reps last year. They now know what it takes to win in this great league.”
Senior quarterback Jacky Luavasa returns to lead the Crusader offense. Senior Raymone Sanders returns to the backfield after rushing for 867 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior Tony Orlando will anchor the offensive line, and senior Payton Ilalio will aid the defense at linebacker.
The biggest adjustment for Riordan could be the fact that it won’t be playing their home games on campus. The Crusaders will be splitting time between City College of San Francisco and Terra Nova High in Pacifica due to turf problems at Riordan caused by watering issues, the drought and the anticipated arrival of El Nino.
BELLARMINE (10-3, 5-2): The Bells are the consensus pick to win league, boasting what coach Mike Janda has called possibly the most experienced team he's ever had. Last year they finished third in the WCAL and fell 14-0 to Sacred Heart Prep in the CCS Open title game.
Senior Kyle Macauley should be the focal point of the Bells' offense, and could see playing time at both wide receiver and running back. Senior Troy Martig is the starting quarterback and he can run and throw. And 6-foot-3, 255-pound Wolfie Rehbock will anchor the offensive line; he'll attend Air Force in 2016-2017. Senior tight end/linebacker Josh Bringuel, and senior offensive tackle and linebacker Jacob Bergstrom are formidable.
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL (3-7, 0-7): One of the two teams to miss the CCS playoffs in 2014, the Fightin’ Irish and coach Ken Peralta looks to bounce back this season. Peralta has enjoyed success in the league before, leading Riordan to a WCAL title in 2000, its last.
Senior running back Jamar Williams-Sheppard will be the main focus of the SHC offense, and senior Ronan Murphy should contribute on both sides of the ball when healthy. Senior lineman Keith Ismael should also aid the offense and defense, and senior George Stefko takes over at quarterback.
The famous Bruce-Mahoney football game against St. Ignatius will take place on Friday, October 9 at former 49ers' home Kezar Stadium, remodeled years ago to for the smaller crowds of prep football and college soccer.
SERRA (7-4, 6-1): A two-year CCS playoff suspension -- if it's not reduced via mediation -- might be a big distraction for Serra, but the Padres are ignoring it as best they can.
Walsh’s expectations for this year are short and simple: “We expect to compete for the WCAL championship. That is our goal first and foremost of any season.”
Serra has won back-to-back co-titles, the most consecutive WCAL championships for the school since 1968 and '69 when Lynn Swann helped the Padres to consecutive unbeaten league slates.
According to Walsh, junior Leki Nunn will start at quarterback for the Padres after beating out sophomore standout Jack Damelio, though Damelio could still make his presence felt. Last year’s starting QB Hunter Bishop will move to wide receiver, and will play next to senior Brandon Monroe. Kelepi Lataimua is a game-breaker at running back who returns after missing multi games last season due to injury. He's also a shutdown cornerback who was the WCAL Junior of the Year.
The Padres season starts with the No. 1-ranked team in California, De La Salle, at 7 p.m. today at Brady Family Stadium -- with portable lights brought in for Serra's annual once-a-season night game.
ST. FRANCIS (9-4, 4-3): After defeating Mitty in the CCS Division II Championship, the Lancers hope to build off of a solid 2014 campaign.
Led by returning quarterback Kamalii Akina and running back Lutoviko Ahoia, St. Francis should be competing for a WCAL title. The other two team captains are offensive lineman Ryan Moles and LB/OL Kevin Glajchen. Defense should be the strong side of the ball for the Lancers.
ST. IGNATIUS (7-6, 2-5): After a heartbreaking loss to Aptos in the CCS Division III championship game for the second year in a row, the Wildcats will try to return to the playoffs in 2015.
Senior Peter Katz takes over the starting quarterback job from Ryan Hagfeldt, and Kela Butler should see most of the carries at running back. Senior Xavier Tharpe, who was second in rushing for the Cats last year, will see more playing time at wide receiver. Julian Villavicencio and Will Sweeney will anchor the offensive line, and Katz will look for junior tight ends Jack McKeon and Daniel Hagan as his primary targets.
The Wildcats have a tough game tonight at Campolindo.
VALLEY CHRISTIAN (9-3, 6-1): The Warriors are always a contender for a WCAL title, and 2015 is no different. Valley Christian lost in the second round of the CCS Open Division playoffs last year, but its goal is to return and win it all.
Senior wide receiver Collin Johnson, who is verbally committed to Texas, and senior running back Morian Walker will lead the Warrior offense. Defensively, senior Akili Jones, who is verbally committed to Colorado, will play both linebacker and defensive end. Junior Miles Kendrick is expected to start at quarterback for the Warriors.
