December 15, 2011
The 2011 football season is winding down with the five CIF state bowl games set for the Home Depot Center. Before the action kicks off, the NorCalPreps.com staff took a look at some of the key storylines to look for, including breakout recruits, teams to watch and predictions.
1. Who are players to watch breakout as recruits during the state bowl games?
Douglas Benton: With a number of already known prospects playing this weekend, there is a good group of under the radar prospects who should be able to increase their stock this weekend. De La Salle juniors Austin Hooper and David Moffitt have the size and skills to draw coaches' interest this spring. Bellarmine quarterback Travis McHugh has been one of the most productive players in the region this year and is a tough runner who throws a good ball. Finally in the Division II game, Brandon Monroe and Zach Heath of Del Oro can both use this big stage to turn interest into offers.
Cameron Schott: In the senior class, I see can see a pair of Bells breaking out with dual-threat quarterback Travis McHugh and linebacker Joe Gigantino. Both players have led their respective sides of the ball throughout the season, but have had minimal recruiting attention. McHugh has an Ivy League offer from Harvard, while Gigantino holds an offer from local San Jose State. If they can keep up their success on a major stage, they can see their interest from other colleges turn into more offers.
In the junior class, I would keep an eye out for De La Salle defensive end Austin Hooper and Del Oro running back Brandon Monroe. Hooper has already had a solid campaign with 10.5 sacks and early interest from Cal. Monroe has also had a huge junior season, rushing for 1,605 yards and 22 touchdowns. All of these players have had amazing seasons, but this can be their chance to see their recruiting increase.
Steve Hu: De La Salle's LB Michael Hutchings and DE Austin Hooper. Last year, LB Michael Barton and QB Bart Houston parlayed a state title game into a recruiting bonanza during the offseason. This time around will see Hutchings and Hooper benefit from the center stage. In the case of Hooper, his recruiting stock would soar with another Spartan title.
2. Only De La Salle has a state title among the NorCal teams. Which other team has the best chance to win in Carson?
Douglas Benton: Northern California has a strong chance in most of the bowl games, but I think Del Oro has the best chance. With a physical running style and a sound defense, the Golden Eagles have a style of play that travels and has the experience of playing national level teams like Westlake this year and Bishop Gorman last season. Bellarmine also has a great chance due to the experience of being in a state bowl game before and being able to rely on a strong running game to combat any athleticism disadvantages.
Cameron Schott: As I have heard many times, Campolindo seems like the team of destiny. After being projected to finish last in their league, the Cougars went 14-0 including wins over Cardinal Newman and Marin Catholic in the playoffs. They make their trip to Carson with a last second field goal over Marin, and can win State if they are able to limit Notre Dame-bound receiver Deontay Greenberry. Greenberry has had more than 2,000 yards receiving this season with a team that has a lot of athleticism at skill positions. I think the Cougars will have the best chance to win a state title if they can handle Washington Union's athleticism.
Steve Hu: Del Oro gave Westlake, the Southern California Open opponent, a scare in overtime and could easily be undefeated themselves.
3. What team are you most interested to see play on the state stage?
Douglas Benton: Bellarmine and Del Oro. Both programs are among the best in Northern California and routinely in the state rankings. Each team has put together quality wins over the years, but adding a state title on its resume will only enhance their stature going forward.
Cameron Schott: I'm most interested in watching Le Grand play at the state stage. This team has consistently beaten teams by a large margin, but does not hold a victory over a quality opponent. Le Grand may be the high school version of the 2007 Boise State squad, or the 2008 Hawaii team.
Steve Hu: Le Grand is the only school from the ten teams to not be from the major Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno, Los Angeles, or San Diego counties. The Bulldogs will be the first Merced county program to play in a state game. Big stage and big expectations exist for the Le Grand program.
4. Prediction time: Who wins each game and why?
Douglas Benton: The Open Division game features De La Salle going for its third straight title in taking on Westlake. The Spartans appear to have rounded into form with the running of Tiapepe Vitale and a first team defense which is dominating teams right now. Westlake has a very good defensive line with quarterback Justin Moore and running back Dashon Hunt giving the offense a pair of playmakers. Still, I don't think Westlake will be able to stay with De La Salle physically as the Open Division title stays in NorCal. De La Salle wins 31-14
In Division I, this game is pretty much a toss-up as Bellarmine will try to get its running game going with McHugh and Tim Crawley to posses the ball in support of a defense which has stopped a variety of attacks. Santa Margarita may have the best collection of linemen in the state as well as a talented dual threat quarterback in Johnny Stanton and running back Ryan Wolpin (1,446 yards and 25 touchdowns). Throw into the mix head coach Harry Welch, who has won two state bowls at two different schools and I'll go with Santa Margarita in a very close one. Santa Margarita wins 28-27
Division II may be the best chance for Northern California to pick up a win outside of De La Salle as Del Oro takes on Helix. The Golden Eagles are led by the running of Nick O'Sullivan and Monroe and a defense which is more athletic than past year's editions. They will be going up against a very fast defense in Helix, which can move the ball in multiple ways on offense and is coming off of a big section win in knocking off longtime power Oceanside 44-6. In a low scoring game, go with Del Oro 17-14
At this point in Division III, can you really go against Campolindo? The Cougars moved through three private school powers en route to winning the North Coast Section Division III finals behind the steady play at quarterback from Brett Stephens and two-way star Griffin Piatt. They will face their most explosive athlete of the year in Greenberry. Washington Union has won 21 straight games and has outscored its opponents 578-102. The momentum of Campolindo has been really impressive to watch and it does it one more time on Saturday. Campolindo wins 24-21
The Division IV game has been a struggle for Northern California since the game was created as Modesto Christian is the only win for the region. Le Grand has won 21 straight games with back-to-back section titles in outscoring its opponents 702-133. However, it hasn't faced a team close to the athletes of Sierra Canyon, led by Division I type quarterback Tyler Stewart (2,245 yards, 32 touchdowns, two interceptions). Look for Sierra Canyon to win the opener on Friday afternoon. Sierra Canyon wins 35-14
Cameron Schott: In the Open Division, I see De La Salle beating Westlake. De La Salle has all of the qualities to win a State Title Game, with the combination of skill and experience. This team has been almost unstoppable for the past decade, and I see their success continuing with a win over Westlake.
In Division I, this one could go either way. Bellarmine has been able to wear down opposing defenses all season and seem to improve as the game progresses. Playing in a tough division like the WCAL will always help prepare a team for a State Bowl Game, in addition to a double overtime contest against De La Salle. Likewise, Santa Margarita has gone through the tough Pac-5 League which is always a challenge. The Bells have had trouble with extra points this season, which could be costly in a game of this magnitude. In the end, I see Bellarmine winning this in a battle of the offensive and defensive lines.
In Division II, I would pick Helix in another close one. After losing their first game, they have averaged victories over their opponents by 39 points. On the flip side, Del Oro has had a nice playoff run over quality opponents, and look to keep rolling. However, I think Kene Anigbogu and the Helix squad will pull off a close victory.
Like I said earlier, Division III will be another close one that can go either way. If Campolindo can handle the athletes, I see them capping their Cinderella season with a State Bowl Game victory.
Finally in Division IV, I would pick Sierra Canyon over Le Grand in the battle of unbeatens. Le Grand has not played a quality opponent this season, and could be shocked to see a team such as Sierra Canyon. However, like I previously said, we do not know how good Le Grand really is, so that's why they play the games.
This weekend seems to have five great games on display, which can all go either way.
Steve Hu: Westlake 14-0 played a much tougher schedule in the Marmonte League that includes St. Bonaventure and Oaks Christian. After Bellarmine and St. Thomas Aquinas, De La Salle 12-1 did not have a real challenge the rest of the season. But the rule of thumb seems to be to never go against De La Salle in the state title game as the Spartans win 28-7.
Santa Margarita (Orange County) 12-2 was arguably not even the best team in their Trinity League as Servite was upended during the playoffs. Bellarmine 12-1 could easily have been playing in the Open title game if their special teams field goal kicking was up to par in their season opening loss to De La Salle. Expect Bellarmine's defense to play well in a 28-14 win over Carson Palmer's former high school.
Both Del Oro 13-1 and Helix (San Diego County) 12-1 had early season losses. Helix cruised for the rest of the season as they enter the game with a string of nine straight games limiting the opponent in the single digits. Del Oro on the other hand had struggles with Nevada Union and Granite Bay in mid-season. Del Oro will break through the double digit mark and win 28-21.
Washington Union (Fresno) gave up a total of 102 points in their 13-0 season and basically cruised in the second half of their season. Campolindo on the other hand had to survive against Cardinal Newman and Marin Catholic to remain undefeated at 14-0. Expect Campolindo to be more battle tested and prepared in winning 35-21.
Le Grand went 12-0 and outscored their opponents by 569 points while Sierra Canyon was 14-0 and outscored their opponents by 499 points. But the private program Sierra Canyon out of Chatsworth (in the Los Angeles County) will end up prevailing 42-21.
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