September 30, 2011
We are now five weeks into the 2011 football season with some of the preseason questions answered and more surfacing as we enter league play. In this edition of the NCP Roundtable, Douglas Benton and Steve Hu take at look at surprise teams, breakout players, early Player of the Year candidates and much more.
1. Who are the surprise teams in Northern California?
Steve Hu: Cardinal Newman and Serra. Cardinal Newman had a better showing against the same non-league opponents this year versus last year. This Division III program has shown that it can compete with the larger enrolled schools. The running game has opened up the passing game for them. Serra's quarterback play was probably the wildcard going into the season on the offense. Quarterback Joey Erdle has played well to give another running threat and has made key throws in the early season games.
Douglas Benton: Elk Grove was expected to be a much improved team, but dominating wins over Sheldon and Nevada Union heading into league play set the Thundering Herd up for a potential big season. Vacaville has also continued to show it is a legit program in Northern California to replace key graduation losses and still go 3-1 thus far through a difficult non-league. It holds wins over Granite Bay and Valley Christian-San Jose behind the running of Melvin Mason and company. In the Central Coast Section, Mitty was thought to be in for a down year, but has beaten defending Division I state champion Palo Alto and suffered a close loss to NCP Top 20 ranked San Ramon Valley in a game suspended due to lightning. The Monarchs add good depth to the WCAL.
2. What is the best game you have seen this year?
Steve Hu: Bellarmine at De La Salle. Bellarmine proved that they could hang with the most dominant team in the state in the past decade plus. De La Salle's loss to St. Thomas Aquinas could open the door for the debate in terms of the best team in California for this season. Bellarmine has played with a consistent run first offense and solid defense in its non-league games. The Bells have been the most consistent team in each of their games.
Douglas Benton: I'll cheat a little on this answer and say September 3 at the Battle at the Capital with Pleasant Grove-Lincoln (Stockton) and Del Oro-Westlake. Both games were well played and featured late game drama, including two overtimes in Lincoln's win. All four are among the best teams in the state this year with at least a dozen Division I prospects. It is in the conversation, if not at the top, for best night of regular season football I have seen.
3. Best under the radar players seen this year?
Steve Hu: Palma's Jack Powers is a lineman who will only garner more attention as he is only a junior. At his size of about 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, he will be on the radar for many college programs in the next two years. Valley Christian's early season woes may be attributed to key injuries at running back. But the truth is that the team has a deep stable of backs in Jarrod Lawson and Ryan Severson. Both play on both sides of the ball. Severson is a junior who should really take off next season as Byron Marshall and Lawson matriculate. Severson has a good blend of size and speed and is a playmaker.
Douglas Benton: Folsom quarterback Tanner Trosin has stepped into the position for the Bulldogs with little trouble in putting up monster stats through four games. He is a competitor at quarterback with the ability to make key throws in big situations. He will among the players making an entry into the player rankings in October. Franklin defensive lineman Nathan Di Donato has played with great energy for the Wildcats' defense and has made it a habit to play in the opponent's backfield. Anthony Williams out of De La Salle has emerged as a legit threat downfield for the Spartans with big play ability. His stock is one to watch the rest of the fall.
4. Which players have emerged as early Player of the Year candidates?
Steve Hu: Serra's Erich Wilson quietly committed to Colorado but his play on both sides of the ball as a cornerback and running back have helped the Padres to a top five ranking. Cardinal Newman's Steven Tomasin has been a scoring machine. Leading your team to a top five finish would warrant player of the year honors.
Douglas Benton: Many of their races are determined late in league play and into the playoffs, but a number of players are off to good starts. Wilson and Tomasin both lead unbeaten teams while playing both ways. Trosin has to be included due to his overwhelming statistics and helping Folsom solidify itself in the Top 20 despite playing Grant and making two trips to the Bay Area. Lincoln-Stockton running back Justin Davis is emerging as a big time recruit in surpassing 200 yards against Grant and St. Mary's-Stockton. A dark horse candidate to remember is Logan's Warren Miles Long, especially if the Colts make a deep run in the NCS Division I playoffs.
5. What teams have the most to gain or lose in the next month?
Steve Hu: De La Salle and Valley Christian. De La Salle's loss to St. Thomas Aquinas has put some doubt about the Spartans' dominance. DLS can regain some of their swagger if they crush all their opponents on their way to a state title game. However, if they lose another regular season game or even struggle in their victories, the doubt will only grow. Valley Christian's early season struggles is not due to Marshall's injury or the running game. The team has a promising young quarterback but the passing game needs to provide some balance. But the real question mark is on the defensive side as the defense has given up 30 point per game. If the defense can get it together, Valley Christian could go undefeated in league play. If the defense does not improve significantly, then a losing season would not be surprising for a preseason top 10 team.
Douglas Benton: California is once again in the top five after going 3-0, but the competition level picks up with Foothill-Pleasanton, Monte Vista and San Ramon Valley the next three weeks. It shouldn't surprise anyone if the Grizzlies come out of this stretch 6-0, but it should give observers a more well rounded understanding of how this team compares to last year's squad. Elk Grove is a viable contender in the Delta Valley, but gets Grant in the league opener on October 7 as a good measuring stick. Nevada Union also needs a good showing the Sierra Foothill League as it tries to erase doubters after a winless performance in 2010 and suffering a home loss to end the non-league.
6. After a month of action, what are the best leagues in NorCal?
Steve Hu: WCAL. The Bellarmine and Serra game in late October may decide everything in the WCAL. Both teams have good chances to finish in the top five at the end of the season. The second tier teams in the WCAL will be very good as well. Sacred Heart Cathedral and St. Ignatius had solid non-league results for the San Francisco based schools. Valley Christian and St. Francis had tough results in their non-league schedules but will be tough opponents during league play. Mitty was supposed to be in rebuilding mode but could easily have been undefeated in their non-league schedule if not for a lightning storm delay that stemmed their momentum in their loss to San Ramon.
Douglas Benton: In no particular order, it is the WCAL, SFL and Delta River. In the WCAL, Bellarmine and Serra look to be elite teams with Valley Christian-San Jose always dangerous and St. Francis-Mountain View, Mitty and Sacred Heart Cathedral providing good depth. The SFL is headlined by Del Oro, the No. 3 ranked team in the NCP Top 20, with Granite Bay and Nevada Union also ranked. Also, Roseville, Woodcreek and Rocklin give this league no guarantee wins. In the Delta River, Pleasant Grove is the leader going into league play. Folsom is still a talented team with Oak Ridge and Sheldon to follow.
