Below are a few select teams being previewed
No. 20 Pittsburg |
| COACH: Victor Galli LAST SEASON: 5-6 FINAL 2010 RANKING: NR in NCP Top 20 KEEP AN EYE ON: Consistency. Last year, the team started the season with five straight non-league losses. The Pirates then went undefeated in five straight leagues games. And then they fell flat in their playoff game. Giving a consistent effort from practice to practice, from play to play, and from game to game is a must. The talent is there to make a serious run. STRENGTH: The defense as a unit can really play team defense. On the offense, the run game will set the tone for a prolific passing game for the scoring. If players had to be singled out, then Mister Marshall Cotton (running back and free safety) and Feao Vunipola (running back and linebacker) are dual threats. Cotton, who is a summer transfer, has corner speed and hits like a linebacker will be forcing wide receiver opponents to address him by his first name and honorific title, "Mr." Vunipola can switch it into another gear on the ground game while he was a leading tackler for the defense last season. STAR OF THE SHOW: Quarterback Malik Watson. Run. Throw. Lead. Fill the water bottles. Clean the used jock straps. You name it and Watson will get it done for the team. The quarterback role is often the most scrutinized in football. But in the case of the Pirates, how Watson fares will be a good thermometer of the team's success. DON'T OVERLOOK: September 16 matchup against Monte Vista and September 29 matchup against Granite Bay. Monte Vista quarterback Jeff Lockie and Granite Bay quarterback Brendan Keeney are highly touted. These two non-league games will measure the Pirates consistency in addition to seeing these quarterback battles. |
No. 18 Buhach Colony |
| COACH: Kevin Swartwood LAST SEASON: 12-1 FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 9 in NCP Top 20 KEEP AN EYE ON: Offensive skill positions. Coach Swartwood commented on how his offense lost all five skills position players from last year. As a result, this year's team may go as far as the level of skill that the skills position players bring to the field. STRENGTH: Lineman. On the other hand, the offensive and defensive line returns most of the starters. If football is won in the trenches, then this is a good sign for the Thunder. STAR OF THE SHOW: Aziz Shittu and Matt Cochran. The colleges that get either of these linemen can probably pencil them for significant playing time as a freshman. Shittu and Cochran will anchor the defensive and offensive lines respectively in another run at an undefeated regular season. DON'T OVERLOOK: Juniors Joe Marquez and Roger Klauser. Marquez will be key as a wide receiver on offense while as a safety on defense. Klauser plays strong safety and tight end but will need to be a key outlet for quarterback Nick Datray. Cochran's baby brother is offensive tackle Aaron Cochran who is a "petite" 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds. |
No. 10 Serra |
| COACH: Patrick Walsh LAST SEASON:6-4-1 FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 14 in NCP Top 20 FINDING A SIGNAL CALLER: Quarterback position is an unknown as the Padres are breaking in a new quarterback this year. Coach Walsh has this assessment of his quarterback situation. "Anytime a team goes into a season with an unproven quarterback, it can create some uneasiness. But I am confident in the group of kids vying for the top spot." Zack Kazakoff and Joseph Erdie are the likely quarterback candidates. STRENGTH: Coach Walsh assesses his team's strengths. "The strength of our team so far, is our team work ethic and camaraderie. The team has really come together well this season. I am excited about watching these kids perform this year. Erich Wilson should be a top runner in our league and Luke Longinotti will be a top lineman candidate." RUNNING AWAY: Wilson had 972 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns last year. This 2012 prospect will be called upon even more as the passing game will be a surprise in terms of its production. Wilson is speed burner but is strong enough to go up the middle. EARLY IMPACT PLAYERS: Running back Eric Redwood and defensive back Justin Reyes. Redwood saw duty as a sophomore last year backing up Wilson. Redwood and Wilson as running backs can be compared to the Justin Forsett and Jahvid Best year's in Berkeley. Reyes is a lean, fast and shut down cover guy in the secondary. |
No. 7 Valley Christian-San Jose |
| COACH: Mike Machado LAST SEASON: 11-2 FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 8 in NCP Top 20 NEW WARRIOR: Quarterback Jay MacIntyre. MacIntyre is only a sophomore but has the benefit of getting some personal coaching from his father, who is San Jose State head coach Mike MacIntyre. Breaking in a sophomore quarterback may be asking a lot but the team has a star running back in Byron Marshall that MacIntyre can hand the ball to. WARRIOR BATTLE CRY: Junior middle linebacker Ryan Severson along with senior defensive lineman Theodore King will be key defensive players as Jamaal Rose graduated. Senior Jarrod Lawson doubles as linebacker and Marshall's wing partner. The Warriors will be explosive on offense and they can fly to the ball on defense. TOP WARRIOR: Marshall ran for 1360 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. He is a threat every time that he touches the ball. With a new quarterback, the running game will be the focus on the offense. WARRIOR EFFORT NEEDED: October 7 matchup against Bellarmine. This could basically decide the WCAL champion. Last year, Valley Christian's suffocating defense was the difference. Can the Warriors use a run control game and stifling defense to duplicate last year's effort? |
No. 3 Bellarmine |
| COACH: Mike Janda LAST SEASON: 9-3 FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 12 in NCP Top 20 LISTEN FOR THE FOLLOWING BELLS: The Bells return six All-League performers from last year. Three players who had big seasons last year will emerge as game changers in their senior year. Fullback Justin Taliaferro (first team WCAL), defensive lineman Epie Sona, and tight end Alex Manigo (second team WCAL) will be difference makers. Quarterback Travis McHugh returns for another year where his leadership will be needed. In addition, the depth chart is just that - deep. LOUDEST BELL ON THE FIELD: Joe Gigantino is a 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds linebacker who is a three year letterman, three year starter, first team WCAL for the past two years, and has some west coast colleges interested in him that include Boise State, Cal Poly, San Jose State, and Washington. He is extremely physical and is probably the hardest hitter in the WCAL. This middle linebacker is the anchor of the defense and will ring the bell every game. STRENGTH: Experience, especially the linebacker core. 18 starters return from last year's squad. The linebackers include Gigantino, 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds Brad Kuh, 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds Manigo, incoming junior Kenneth Olugbode (who follows his two brothers), 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds Justin Taliaferro, and 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds Brennan Ronald. This group will fly to the ball, cover leaking running backs or tight ends, and attack the opponent's back field. Penn State is considered Linebacker University but this Bell squad should see many single digit scores from the opponents this season. SOUNDS THE SAME: If Pleasant Grove gets upset by Monterey Trail in the previous week, then the September 2 matchup at De La Salle could be a rare 1 vs. 2 matchup. Bellarmine and De La Salle are basically identical teams in the season opener for both teams. They both have experienced coaching staffs. They both have ball control quarterbacks who make good decisions. Both teams have solid defenses anchored by the linebacker core. De La Salle has had a long run in Northern California, but this Bellarmine team has the defense to keep the game in the teens. A defensive slugfest would be expected at this Concord battle. A Bell win could ring in a run to state. |
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