Article 440: How We Saw It: Week 5: St. Francis at Bellarmine

10/1/2016

After losing 11 straight in this WCAL series against Bellarmine, St. Francis came out attacking on their first three possessions as senior running back Cyrus Habibi-Likio (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) scored on a 58 yard run while senior Garrett McCarthy (5-foot-9, 170 pounds) had punt return touchdowns of 54 and 60 yards. After the 2:57 mark in the first quarter, the Lancer offense had a non-existent passing game and used the running game to melt the clock to win 21-12. The Lancer defense had several key stops and timely sacks to end Bellarmine drives as junior Tyler Manoa (6-foot-4, 290 pounds, BYU commit) had 1.5 sacks for the game.

The Bells are normally a disciplined, mistake-free team. Bellarmine's first offensive play was a botched snap that resulted in a 19-yard loss. Senior quarterback Ike Ogbogu (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) was pressured into four sacks and one interception. The Bells were held scoreless in the first half but mounted two scoring drives in the second half. But the special teams missed the first PAT that led to a failed two-point attempt on the second score after already giving up two punt return scores to the Lancers. On the bright side, the defensive unit shut out St. Francis after the first possession and the offense has senior tight end Justin Malone (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) who was a big and open target.

Article 424: Bellarmine wins TO battle, game

10/3/2015

The West Catholic Athletic League opener between Serra and Bellarmine was hard fought but the Padres had too many turnovers to overcome. The Bells bolstered their claim to being the team to beat in the WCAL with the 36-28 win.

The first quarter was scoreless as both defenses came up with big stops to prevent scoring chances. Serra quarterback Leki Nunn had a tipped ball that was intercepted in the red zone while Bellarmine was stopped on a fourth and one at Serra's five yard line. Serra scored first in the second quarter on a three yard run by Kelepi Lataimua that was setup by two key passes by Nunn to extend the drive. Bellarmine got a big 53-yard kick return from Will Wegner that ended with an Antonio Garcia one yard score to tie the game at 7-7. A Nunn fumble led Bellarmine to a 42-yard field goal. The Bells had first and goal at the two but a Troy Martig interception ended the half with a 10-7 advantage for Bellarmine.

Lataimua started the third quarter with a 52-yard score to give Serra the 14-10 margin. Bellarmine scored on their next three possessions with a Martig 51-yard running score, another Garcia one yard run (missed PAT), and a Martig 13-yard scamper. Serra helped by having back-to-back interceptions by Nunn and on a trick play pass by Nikolao Vaefaga. Trailing 30-14, Serra got a seven yard passing score from Nunn to Brandon Monroe (missed two-point conversion) but Martig answered with a 52-yard connection to Kyle Macauley (missed PAT). Nunn completed the scoring with an 18-yard passing score to Vaefaga (two-point conversion) but the Padres could not recover the onside kick to lose 36-28.

The Bells' past formula has always been a strong running game with an opportunistic and stout defense. Martig runs the offense efficiently and minimizes the risk for turnovers. The Bellarmine defense won the turnover battle with three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Bellarmine has another big test at home next week against Archbishop Mitty.

Serra's backfield of Nunn and Lataimua has big play capability on every play. But Nunn's three turnovers ended scoring chances and gave the Bells a short field. The Serra defense had trouble stopping Bellarmine as the Bells had close to 32 minutes in time of possession. The Padres have a trip to San Francisco to face Archbishop Riordan next.

Players of Note:

Troy Martig 6-foot-0, 175 pounds QB Bellarmine 2016: Martig manages the game well. He is not flashy with his athleticism but makes good decisions and moves north-south with the ball efficiently on his runs. He only completed 5-of-12 passes but did run for 156 yards.

Jacob Bergstrom 6-foot-3, 225 pounds LB Bellarmine 2016: Bergstrom was constantly in the backfield making key tackles against the Serra running game. At the high school level, he dominates the line with his size and height. As a college prospect, he is a solid linebacker option.

Justin Malone 6-foot-2, 210 pounds TE Bellarmine 2017: For a team that is run oriented, Bellarmine has a good target with Malone who slipped through the line for a few catches in the first half. His catches helped extend drives, as he is a good third down option with his size and speed to outmatch opposing linebackers or defensive backs.

Leki Nunn 5-foot-10, 175 pounds QB Serra 2017: Nunn is an athletic, mobile quarterback who is high risk, high reward in his playmaking. He helped move the chains but also had three turnovers. Nunn passed for 175 yards and ran for 141 yards.

Kelepi Lataimua 5-foot-8, 200 pounds RB Serra 2016: The senior is shifty and elusive for his size. He averaged nearly 10 yards a carry for 183 yards with two touchdowns.

Article 393: Gators run to 6-0

October 18, 2014

Sacred Heart Prep and Terra Nova played to their strengths on Friday evening in Pacifica as the Gators ran for seven touchdowns while Tigers scored on four passing touchdowns. The Gators remain undefeated at 6-0 while Terra Nova drops to 2-4 after the Gators posted a 49-28 win.

Sacred Heart Prep jumped out to a 20-0 advantage with scoring runs by running back Lapitu Mahoni (five yards out), quarterback Mason Randall (29 yards out), and JR Hardy (14 yards out). Terra Nova finally scored in the second quarter on an Anthony Gordon to Eric Viana 10-yard pass to end the half with a 20-7 deficit.

Mahoni and Hardy would add second touchdown runs of five and 26 yards respectively in the third quarter to increase the lead to 35-7. The Tigers cut the lead to 35-28 with three straight possessions of passing scores to wide receiver Jordan Genato (29, 25, and 15 yards out) that included recovering an onside kick.

Ben Burr-Kirven made his season debut by scoring from 48 yards out to increase the Gator advantage to 42-28. Genato would return the ensuing kickoff to the Terra Nova 37 and then make two consecutive catches to the Gator 15. But the second reception dislocated his hip, which required paramedics to cart him off. The long delay was both a mental and physical drain on Terra Nova, as Gordon would throw his second interception to Mitchell Martella in the end zone. On the next offensive play, Burr-Kirven would race 80 yards to conclude the scoring.

The Gators were 5-0 without Burr-Kirven and look to be that much stronger with him. A tantalizing matchup with the other undefeated Peninsula Bay League member Burlingame (6-0 currently) in three weeks could decide the league title. The Gator passing game is suspect but it seems moot, as the running game is deep.

Terra Nova squares off against Burlingame next week in a must win game if they still aspire to win league. The defense has not been competitive all season and the offense has had to shoulder the burden.

Ben Burr-Kirven 6-foot-0, 200 pounds RB/LB Sacred Heart Prep (2015): The Washington commit made his season debut with 143 rushing yards. He quietly made sure-handed tackles in the first half but made his mark in the running game with the last two touchdown runs of 48 and 80 yards to put the game away.

Anthony Gordon 6-foot-3, 180 pounds QB Terra Nova (2015): Gordon ran the high pace passing attack well with 320 passing yards. He could make all the throws but was a bit inaccurate on some of the long passes that led to interceptions. He needs to add some bulk for the college level but could fit nicely in a pass friendly scheme.

Lapitu Mahoni, 5-foot-11, 185 pounds RB/LB Sacred Heart Prep (2016): Mahoni is a bruising back who was able to run up the middle for good yardage. The junior had two running scores in the victory.

Article 390: Padres stay perfect in West Catholic Athletic League

October 11, 2014

In its only allotted annual evening home game in San Mateo, Serra was able to pull away to a 32-20 victory over St. Ignatius. After going winless in their first two games, Serra is now 3-2 and undefeated in two league games. Conversely, the Wildcats started with three wins but have lost both of their WCAL games to also stand at 3-2 overall.

The Wildcats have not won against the Padres since 2005 and started the game with a fumbled kickoff that resulted in a Dominic Scarpino touchdown return for a 6-0 Serra advantage. St. Ignatius would drive their second possession for a 23-yard scoring pass from Ryan Hagfeldt to Dylan Elder. The Wildcats would extend the lead to 10-6 with a 36-yard field goal to end the quarter. Serra would counter with Sitaleki Nunn's two touchdown runs of 63 and nine yards respectively to end the half with a 19-10 advantage.

Serra's opening third quarter possession was an interception returned for a score by the Wildcats to cut the deficit to 19-17. The Wildcats had a chance to take the lead but missed on their field goal attempt. The Padres would drive 80 yards capped by Kelepi Lataimua's 22-yard touchdown run to give Serra the 26-17 margin after three quarters. The Wildcats would narrow the deficit with a field goal but Nunn would run 75 yards to cap the Serra scoring with the 32-20 win.

Serra was breaking in transfer quarterback Hunter Bishop who statistically did not have a great game but shows good size, has good arm strength, and is mobile. He replaces Nunn who provides an explosive running option in the backfield as opening season starter Kava Cassidy was lost to a collarbone injury in their second game. The Serra defense is versatile and quick as the unit registered five sacks and two interceptions. The special teams recovered a kickoff for a touchdown but also missed two PATs.

The Wildcats could not muster a running game with -8 yards rushing and that lack of balance put constant pressure on the Wildcat passing game. When given time, Hagfeldt was accurate with his passing. The defense gave up big running scores just like they did against Bellarmine in their previous game.

Creighton Felise 5-foot-10, 230 pounds DL Serra (2015): Felise is an undersized lineman but showed quickness in registering 2.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles in the game. Felise could move to the linebacker role in college if he has enough lateral movement and cover skills.

Ryan Hagfeldt 6-foot-3, 195 pounds QB St. Ignatius (2015): Hagfeldt was under duress in the second half and could not get into a rhythm. He accounted for the only offensive touchdown but also threw two interceptions. The Wildcats will need to have a more consistent running attack to give Hagfeldt more time.

Hunter Bishop 6-foot-3, 180 pounds QB Serra (2016): Statistically, Bishop had an off game as he had two interceptions too. He displayed mobility and leadership while having the arm strength to make all the throws, albeit they were not always accurate. If the running game can be this effective, Bishop should eventually ease into a comfort zone.

Sitaleki Nunn 5-foot-10, 160 pounds RB Serra (2017): The sophomore ran for 207 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. He switched from quarterback to running back and will have a big role on the offense going forward. Coming into the game, he led the team in rushing with 160 yards and likely will be the leading rusher for the season.

Jack Dreyer 6-foot-8, 290 pounds OT Serra (2015): The Stanford commit just stands out with his height and size on the field. Nunn's long runs came on the left side, which is also the side that Dreyer mans.

Article 389: Bellarmine stays perfect

October 5, 2014

Going into Saturday's West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) matchup, Bellarmine and St. Ignatius won their first three games in contrasting ways. The Bells dominated their games by double digits while the Wildcats won by one score. St. Ignatius was positioned to pull out another close victory but fell short 31-28 to the Bells.

Bellarmine rotated quarterbacks but the Bells leaned on an effective running backfield in Anthony Guttadauro and Kyle MacAuley as Guttadauro ran 67 yards to setup a 4-yard running score by MacAuley on the first possession. Bellarmine fumbled on their next possession in their own territory that allowed Wildcat quarterback Ryan Hagfeldt to convert on a 7-yard passing score to wide receiver Danny Conte to even the score at 7-7. The Bells converted on a 4th and 1 in their own territory that led to a 59-yard catch and run score by MacAuley to give Bellarmine a 14-7 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

The team exchanged punts and then turnovers as the Wildcats were able to return an interception to the Bellarmine 4-yard line. Wildcat running back Brian Vollert ran it in to tie the game at 14-14. The Bells drove down the field for a 39-yard field goal to end the half with a 17-14 advantage.

St. Ignatius took the second half kickoff down the field methodically that ended with a 13-yard touchdown reception for Conte to put the Wildcats ahead 21-17. Bellarmine responded quickly as MacAuley sprinted 70 yards for the score and the 24-21 advantage. St. Ignatius engineered another time-consuming drive that ended with a 3-yd running score by Rob Meagher.

Trailing 28-24 early into the fourth quarter, Bellarmine got a big running score by running back Antonio Garcia from 31 yards out to give the Bells the final advantage of 31-28. The Wildcats had the ball three more times and went into Bellarmine territory twice. On the final possession, Hagfeldt made an accurate 30-yard pass to Conte that could have been the game winner but was dropped. The Wildcats turned the ball over on downs to end the game.

Bellarmine utilizes a dual quarterback system with Troy Martig and Griffin Quinn. Martig was the better runner on Saturday as he had a 74-yard running score nullified by penalty while Quinn has the prototypical size. Neither quarterback was effective with downfield passing while they accounted for the team's two turnovers. The Bellarmine skilled positions are deep as Macauley highlights this group of versatile playmakers. The defense had trouble stopping opposing drives but did not give up the big yardage plays.

The Wildcats have a good ball control offense led by Hagfeldt who has a plethora of receivers. The defense made big plays with two turnovers caused but also was gashed by big running plays. The special teams helped with field position, as Freddie Gaines was elusive in the return game.

Bellarmine will travel to Valley Christian while St. Ignatius makes the trip to Serra. Serra defeated Valley Christian 24-10 on Friday evening. Starting WCAL play with two losses would probably end that team's chances for the regular season crown while starting with two wins would make that path easier.

Kyle MacAuley 5-foot-10, 170 pounds RB Bellarmine (2016): MacAuley scored three times on the day. The junior is versatile as a playmaker either as a runner or receiver. He produces like a Wes Welker type of player.

Anthony Guttadauro 5-foot-10, 170 pounds RB Bellarmine (2015): The senior had a big run on the opening drive. Guttadauro complements Macauley well in the backfield, as he is more of a power runner.

Troy Martig 5-foot-11, 165 pounds QB Bellarmine (2016): The Bells employed a quarterback rotation. Bellarmine is a run control offense and Martig was effective running it on Saturday. He displayed good speed as he broke a few big runs.

Ryan Hagfeldt 6-foot-3, 195 pounds QB St. Ignatius (2015): Hagfeldt is efficient in his passing and makes good decisions. He was sacked only once and did not put his team in bad down and yardage situations. His arm strength is good as he was able to make all the throws accurately and with good placement for his receivers.

Danny Conte 6-foot-0, 150 pounds WR St. Ignatius (2015): Conte had two touchdown receptions and almost had a game winning third touchdown reception. The senior had a knack of getting open throughout the game as he also made several drive extending catches.

Jack Mckeon 6-foot-1, 180 pounds DE/TE St. Ignatius (2017): The sophomore made the fumble recovery that led to the first Wildcat score. Mckeon was active and made several of the running tackles. He projects to be a linebacker at the next level who can direct the defense.

Article 387: SI rallies in wild one

September 21, 2014

St. Ignatius pulled out a double overtime victory of 27-24 at home against St. Mary's-Stockton. The Wildcats remain undefeated at 3-0 and are one win away from matching last season's four win total. The Rams go to 2-1 and have another tough non-league game against Los Gatos.

The Rams scored within the first minute of the game as quarterback Noah Righetti ran 57 yards for 7-0 lead. The defenses battled for field position for the rest of the half, as St. Ignatius was able to start in Ram territory and driver 47 yards that culminated with a Brian Vollert 1-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game at 7-7. The Rams ended the half with a Righetti 3-yard pass to Stephen Gudino to give St Mary's a 14-7 advantage.

On the first offensive play for the Rams in the second half, a key fumble in their territory setup a Ryan Hagfeldt to Rob Meagher 3-yard touchdown pass to trim the Ram lead to 14-13 with the missed extra point. St. Mary's had all the momentum as Righetti ran 31 yards to give the Rams a 21-13 lead early in the final quarter. The Wildcats were able to come up with several key conversions on their final drive that allowed Vollert to run for his second touchdown from 2 yards out with less than a minute in regulation. The two point conversion was caught on a misdirection pass to Dominic Burke to tie the game at 21-21. The Rams frantically drove down the field but the 35-yard field goal attempt on the final play of regulation was no good.

In the first overtime, the teams started in the red zone at the 10-yard line. Both teams were stopped short of the endzone and exchanged field goals to make the score 24-24. On the second possession for the Rams, a deflected Rightetti pass ended up being intercepted by Peter Katz. The Wildcats ran one play before kicker Andrew Fererro converted on his second straight attempt to win the game 27-24 for St Ignatius.

St. Ignatius has a bye week before starting league play against Bellarmine. The team has played with a "bend but don't break" approach as each victory was by one score. West Catholic Athletic League play has always been tough but the Wildcats look like they will finish in the upper half of the standings this year.

The Rams committed the only two turnovers of the game. In addition, they seem to play too conservatively after going up 21-13. St. Mary's has two more non-league battles in Los Gatos and Buhach Colony before looking to challenge for the Tri-City Athletic League.

Ryan Hagfeldt 6-foot-3, 195 pounds QB St. Ignatius (2015): Hagfeldt made the necessary plays at the right time and did not make any costly mistakes. He converted several third downs on the Wildcat scoring drives including a fourth down conversion on the game-tying drive in regulation. He passed for 166 yards on an efficient 21 of 28. Hagfeldt said that his recruiting is mostly limited to feelers from Ivy League schools currently.

Dylan Elder 6-foot-1, 165 pounds WR St. Ignatius (2015): Elder is a possession receiver who made several critical catches. In the final possession in regulation, he snatched the ball from a defender in keeping the game tying drive alive. He also was the recipient of the key fourth down play.

Jack Mckeon 6-foot-1, 180 pounds DE/TE St. Ignatius (2017): Mckeon is a sophomore to watch as he made several key tackles both on special teams and in the opponent's backfield. He made the key fumble recovery that led to the Wildcats second score.

Noah Righetti 6-foot-1, 206 pounds QB St. Mary's Stockton (2015): Righetti is a dual threat quarterback who accounted for all three touchdowns for the Rams. He has the arm strength to make all the throws and made good decisions on the offense. The Rams also have skilled playmakers to complement Righetti.

Myles Cunningham 5-foot-11, 208 pounds DE/G St. Mary's Stockton (2015) and
Cutler Salmon 6-foot-5, 245 pounds DL St. Mary's Stockton (2015): Cunningham is undersized for the next level but he was providing a solid pass rush as he got to the opposing quarterback a few times. Salmon is probably a few inches shorter than his listed height but he also met Cunningham in the backfield on several occasions. The duo was effective in applying a consistent pass rush.

Marcell Spady 5-foot-10, 220 pounds RB St. Mary's Stockton (2015): Spady is a big bruising back who was able to get chunks of yards on his rushes. Spady does not have lightning speed but is difficult to take down on the initial hit. He should be the team's leading rusher for the season.

Article 355: Padres share WCAL title

November 17, 2013

Serra got three receiving touchdowns from senior Hamilton Anoa'i and had a stifling defense to gain a share of the West Catholic Athletic League title with a 31-7 victory over Archbishop Mitty on Saturday in San Mateo. Anoa'i also had an interception on defense as he scored the first two touchdowns of the game to give Serra a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. With the win, the Padres go to 8-2 while Mitty loses for the first time ans fall to 9-1 as both teams gear up for the postseason.

Serra's offense was efficient, had a balance passing and rushing game plan, and made key plays without any turnovers. Without senior Matt Dickerson, the Padre defense limited the prolific Mitty rushing game to only 104 yards while also getting three interceptions. A complete Serra team effort helped with the dominant victory.

The game was Mitty's season low for points scored and its season high for points allowed. The vaunted running attack was scoreless as the only touchdown was on a long first quarter 66 yard pass from Trent Scharrenberg to Tommy Hudson. The defense only gave up 280 yards in total offense but the three turnovers by the offense put the defense in difficult field position.

The win propels Serra to its first share of the league title since 2008. The Padres, with a balanced offensive attack and complete defense to make them a difficult matchup in the postseason, will likely be in the Open division for the CCS playoffs.

Despite the loss, Mitty earns a share of the league title and will also likely be in the Open division. Hopefully for the Monarchs, the regular season finale was an aberration, as they will need to raise their level of play on both sides of the ball to make a deep run in the postseason. Steve Hu

Hamilton Anoa'i 6-foot-2, 225 pounds S/WR Serra (2014): The senior had three touchdown receptions, went over 100 yards receiving, and had a key early interception on defense to lead the Padres. Anoa'i has good size and versatile skills on both sides of the ball. He could be a versatile prospect on the college level.

Matthew Fa'aita 5-foot-10, 190 pounds QB Serra (2014): Fa'aita was efficient as he completed 8 out of 11 passes for his 138 passing yards and three touchdown passes. He ran for 41 yards as well but it was his scrambling that helped extend plays. His athleticism and versatility will help the offense in the postseason.

Kava Cassidy 6-foot-0, 160 pounds RB Serra (2015): Cassidy had 77 yards rushing as most of his yards helped extend drives with key first down conversions. The junior did not break a long run or score a touchdown but did go over 1,000 rushing yards for the season. He should be the featured back during his senior year and should be on the recruiting radar.

Article 354: Eight is enough for Terra Nova

November 2, 2013

Eight was the magic number for Terra Nova as the Tigers stay undefeated for the season to go to 8-0 as they scored eight touchdowns in a 57-27 victory over Menlo-Atherton in Pacifica on Friday night. Menlo-Atherton scored first and trailed 28-21 at the half, but could not slow the Tigers down in the second half as the Bears drop to 5-3.

The Tigers scored a season high 57 points and broke the 50 point mark for the third time. The offense is stacked with playmakers led by junior quarterback Anthony Gordon, senior running back John Wallace, and senior wide receiver Domenic Ortisi. Terra Nova likes to run a spread offense that is up tempo that puts pressure on opposing defenses. On defense, the Tigers were physical and got after the opposing quarterback. Senior linebacker Nick Pierotti had several bruising hits and was an active tackler to lead the defense.

Next week, Terra Nova will face an identical 8-0 Sacred Heart Prep. Expect the Tigers to play a physical game on both sides of the ball in order to keep Sacred Heart Prep on its heels. The winner will most likely decide the regular season champion in the Peninsula Bay League.

Menlo-Atherton hung tough and battled back after giving 28 unanswered points to trail 28-7 before narrowing the deficit to 28-21 at the half. The offense was led by senior running back Isiah Nash who made several big runs while senior quarterback Brian Keare was versatile in both passing and scrambling. Senior Oliver Bucka deflected a few passes as a defensive end and also was a big target as a tight end.

Menlo-Atherton will face Menlo next week as both teams are battling for third place in the league. The Bears defense will have to tighten up as Menlo has scored over 40 points in seven of its eight games so far. Steve Hu

Oliver Bucka 6-foot-5, 225 pounds DE/TE Menlo-Atherton (2014): The senior was a big target going across the middle as a tight end and showed good hands catching the ball in traffic. With his height, Bucka also swatted a few passes and proved to be a good run stopper as well. At his height, Bucka is athletic enough that he could play at the college level.

Brian Keare 6-foot-2, 175 pounds QB Menlo-Atherton (2014): Keare played gritty as he was under pressure a lot. He was able to scramble out of trouble several times while making accurate passes. The senior threw for two touchdowns and rushed for one touchdown on the night.

Isiah Nash 6-foot-1, 195 pounds RB Menlo-Atherton (2014): Nash was a bruising running back with good size and adequate speed. His highlight play was an 81-yard catch and run that he eluded and outran the defense. He could project to be a fullback at the college level.

Domenic Ortisi, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds WR Terra Nova (2014): The senior wide receiver displayed good route running and sure hands as he was the favorite target for Gordon. Ortisi had one touchdown reception, but his impact was his ability to move the chains.

Nick Pierotti 6-foot-2, 215 pounds LB Terra Nova (2014): Pierotti quarterbacks the defense at the linebacker position for the Tigers. He had several big hits on defense and kick return coverage. The senior showed good instincts for tracking down the ball carrier on defense.

John Wallace, 6-foot-0, 195 pounds RB Terra Nova (2014): Wallace had three rushing touchdowns in the first half as he sat out the second half with a minor right leg injury. One of his touchdown runs was in the wildcat formation on fourth down that he took for 56 yards. Wallace has good strength and speed at the running back position.

Anthony Gordon 6-foot-2, 185 pounds QB Terra Nova (2015): Gordon ran the offense quite well and displayed a quick release, as he was able to make his reads. Gordon had three touchdown passes in the game. Only a junior, he could make a big leap if he can add size and strength, as he looked comfortable running the offense.

Article 353: Playmakers key in Milpitas win

October 26, 2013

In a SCVAL De Anza Division battle that will be critical in determining the eventual league champion, Milpitas rallied from a halftime deficit as well as a fourth quarter deficit to win 31-28 in Palo Alto. The Trojans scored five touchdowns as two came from star running back Squally Canada. Palo Alto had four touchdowns with Stanford commit quarterback Keller Chryst throwing for two and running for one.

Milpitas is undefeated in league play with four wins as Canada, Tre Hartley, and junior running back Savion Black lead the Trojans' attack. Canada is a bruising back who also has the speed to get to the edge on sweeps. Hartley is the most versatile as he was effective as a defensive back, wide receiver, and return man. Black provides a good second option to Canada in the backfield as he had two touchdown runs himself and will be featured on the offense as a senior. The Milpitas line play was effective on both sides as the running game was obvious in its productivity, but the defensive side was also able to apply pressure in their pass rush.

Palo Alto will go only as far as their line play will take them. Even with a BCS level quarterback in Chryst, he was constantly harassed and had to scramble out of the pocket to make plays. Senior running back Andrew Frick had two scores and senior wide receiver Keesean Johnson had one as they do provide Chryst with some offensive options. On the defensive side, the unit was able to make some key stops but got gashed on several double-digit yard runs and a few big pass plays.

Milpitas controls its own destiny in league play as they could face Los Gatos in the season finale for the league title. Despite being one dimensional in its offensive attack, opponents have had trouble stopping them even if they know what is coming. Milpitas needs to work on the penalties and special teams as they had a few unsportsmanlike calls and did not convert on the extra point or two-point conversions on its first four touchdowns.

Palo Alto will need to win out to have a winning record for the regular season, as their key game will be against Los Gatos, the other currently undefeated team in league play. The Vikings look like they will have to win in high offensive scoring games, as the defense has not been able to slow down formidable opponents up to now. With that kind of pressure, the offense has little margin for error and needs to be efficient with their scoring and limit turnovers as Chryst had two interceptions.

Squally Canada 6-foot-0, 190 pounds RB Milpitas (2014): Canada had 197 yards rushing in the game to help him eclipse 1,000 rushing yards for the year. In addition, he had the deciding score, which was a one-yard screen pass that he turned into a 57-yard touchdown with less than two minutes in the game. Canada hits the line fast and hard, but also has enough speed to get to the edge. He was difficult to bring down in the open field. Canada translates to being a productive running back on the college level.

Keller Chryst 6-foot-4, 230 pounds QB Palo Alto (2014): When given time, Chryst can make all the throws with both accuracy and arm strength. Even when harassed, Chryst was able to scramble out of a few dicey situations to get yardage or to make an outlet pass. Chryst had 252 yards passing with two touchdowns while his two interceptions were in the last three possessions of the game.

Andrew Frick 5-foot-11, 215 pounds FB/LB Palo Alto (2014): Frick had one score each rushing and receiving. His 57 yard touchdown was a tackle breaking screen catch that looked like the game winner with less than three minutes left. Frick was also critical on defense as he wrapped up the Milpitas runners and was sure handed in his tackling.

Tre Hartley 6-foot-0, 180 pounds DB/WR Milpitas (2014): Hartley showed the versatility usually associated with a Charles Woodson or a Devin Hester. Hartley had a 78-yard punt return called back in the first half but the return displayed how elusive he is in the open field. He was tight in his coverage as a defensive back. When the Trojans did pass, Hartley was usually the first option and would often be able to create separation or position himself well. He has solid hands and is an all-around athlete. He should be an instant contributor at the college level as he can play all three phases of the game.

Keesean Johnson 6-foot-2, 180 pounds DB/WR Palo Alto (2014): Johnson was the lead receiver and had a 42-yard touchdown reception in the first pass. He has good size and was elusive in the open field. He also played well in the secondary.

Savion Black, 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, LB/RB Milpitas (2015): Black had two nice touchdown runs in the game and complements Canada as a second option in the backfield. Black is the team's second leading rusher and has five rushing touchdowns for the year. The junior will emerge as a prospect to watch next season. 

Article 352: Padres trek through VC

October 20, 2013

Serra used a balanced offense with a stifling defense to remain undefeated in the West Catholic Athletic League with a 28-7 victory over Valley Christian on Saturday in San Mateo.

The Padres scored the game's first four touchdowns to take an insurmountable 28-0 early in the fourth quarter. Valley Christian's offense was only able to total 133 total yards from scrimmage as their lone score came late in the final quarter.

Serra's defense has kept all three WCAL opponents in single digits even without their top defensive prospect, Matt Dickerson who is still nursing a back injury. The Padres committed all three turnovers in the game but was not hurt by them. The offense was run-oriented as Kava Cassidy netted 133 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown.

The Warriors were one dimensional with a run attack that was without Kirk Johnson. Junior Tre Mccloud filled in with 66 yards rushing on 23 carries. The defense kept things close early but was worn down as the offense had too many short drives that resulted in seven total punts.

Serra's win leaves only Archbishop Mitty and the Padres as the two undefeated teams in league play with a premature but possible regular season finale that could determine the league title. Another premature possibility is that Serra runs the table in the regular season and the postseason to set up a rematch with De La Salle. The Padres are poised to make a deep run in the postseason as the team is balanced enough to do so.

VC is staring at a three game losing streak as it faces Bellarmine next week. If the passing game does not keep opposing defenses honest, the Warriors will have to lean on the defense. Valley Christian looks to be a middle of the pack team in a very tough WCAL season.

Matthew Fa'aita 5-foot-10, 190 pounds QB Serra (2014): Fa'aita is a dual threat quarterback even though he is a bit undersized. He had two fourth down touchdown passes that accounted for the first half scoring. Fa'aita passed for 128 yards and rushed for 22 yards.

Kava Cassidy 6-foot-0, 160 pounds RB Serra (2015): Cassidy is the featured running back as he went over 100 yards for the fifth straight game. He is averaging 109 yards per game and has seven rushing touchdowns for the season. With additional bulk, Cassidy could garner college interest.

Kelepi Lataimua 5-foot-7, 160 pounds RB Serra (2016): Lataimua only ran once but it resulted in a 60 yard rushing touchdown. The sophomore is the team's second leading rusher. He provides a solid second option to Cassidy.

Matt Dickerson 6-foot-5, 275 pounds DT Serra (2014): Committed to Notre Dame, Dickerson was not in pads for the game as he has yet to play in the season. From various resources, Dickerson had his back injury reevaluated. He probably will play later in the season.

Tre Mccloud RB Valley Christian (2015): The junior running back was the primary offensive option as Kirk Johnson was not in action. Mccloud had 66 yards rushing to lead the Warriors. Mccloud also made one reception as he can be an all around back and will complement Johnson well when the latter returns to action.

Article 350: Vikings win opener

September 14, 2013

On a night when Palo Alto alum and current San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh was in attendance for the game's coin flip, the spotlight was on Vikings' quarterback Keller Chryst in his home opener against San Benito. Chryst had two passing touchdowns while looking crisp with his footwork and passing motion in the 28-7 win over the Haybalers.

Against a one dimensional rushing offense of San Benito, the Vikings built a comfortable 21-0 halftime lead before allowing the Haybalers to score on their last possession of the game. Chryst was helped out on the offensive end by fullback Andrew Frick, who had both a rushing and receiving touchdown in the game.

Despite being its season opener, Palo Alto's offense was sharp and executed well. The defense contained the San Benito offense while picking up key turnovers to stop any scoring threats early in the game.

San Benito depends on the running game, but needs some balance with the aerial attack to keep defenses honest. The defense should see better days as they faced an elite quarterback who has a solid set of wide receivers. San Benito hung tough, but needs to limit turnovers to be more competitive.

Keller Chryst 6-foot-4, 230 pounds QB Palo Alto (2014): Chryst has the prototypical size and arm strength as a pocket passer. The Stanford commit threw with good touch while also zipping the ball on the out patterns with ease. His size also allowed him to scramble out of a few potential sacks.

Malcolm Davis 5-foot-9, 165 pounds DB/WR Palo Alto (2014): Davis was instrumental in coverage as he played tight and broke up a few passes. He showed elusiveness on a reverse while also pulling in a 31 yard touchdown pass.

Andrew Frick 5-foot-11, 215 pounds FB/LB Palo Alto (2014): Frick had two scores on offense and proved to be a load to take down. On defense, he helped key the run defense that limited the San Benito drives.

Keesean Johnson 6-foot-2, 180 pounds DB/WR Palo Alto (2014): Johnson was an accurate receiver who is a good sized target. He has good speed as he was featured in some bubble screens.

Zach Hicks RB San Benito (2014) and Chris Blake RB San Benito (2015): Hicks accounted for the only score for the Haybalers on their last possession. Blake and Hicks are undersized backs, but they have good speed and both got to the edge on several occasions for nice gains.

Article 349: Spartans rally in San Mateo

September 8, 2013

The Justin Alumbaugh era of De La Salle football is now 2-0 but the second win required the Spartans to rally in the fourth quarter. After a scoreless first half, Serra had a 14-7 lead midway into the final quarter before the Spartans battled to win 21-14.

The Spartans improved their NorCal win streak to 238 games. To reach such a streak, a team needs to play with guts and get some lucky breaks. The Spartans did not play their best game and had some critical first half injuries but dug down for the victory in the final quarter.

De La Salle will need to regroup as their next three games are against NCP Top 20 teams in St. Mary's Stockton, Del Oro, and San Ramon Valley. After that stretch, a trip scheduled to Southern California to face a perennial power in Servite of Anaheim. Any inconsistent play or lingering effects from the key injuries may expose the Spartans.

Serra's first half lack of offense may have been due to season opener jitters. But the defense kept the team in the game even without key starters. The offense showed some signs of life in the second half.

The Padres have a bye week to get healthy before taking on Encinal and Buhach Colony in non-league battles away from San Mateo. The league opener will be tough as they face Bellarmine in San Jose. This early stretch of road games could forecast how resilient the Padres will be.

Player Report

Adam Mayer 6-foot-1, 190 pounds WR/DB De La Salle (2015): Mayer elevated for a pass in the end zone at the end of the first half and landed awkwardly. The junior suffered a fracture in his leg as he was considered the top receiving threat in the passing game.

Dasmond Tautalatasi 6-foot-1, 190 pounds RB/DB De La Salle (2014): Committed to Arizona State, Tautalatasi dislocated his elbow early in the second quarter. His value on both sides of the ball will be missed and will test the depth of the Spartans.

Chris Williams 5-foot-11, 230 pounds QB De La Salle (2014): Williams is a load to take down as he had two goal line touchdown sneaks but also had a fumble and interception. With two of his skilled position starters on offense out, Williams will need to pick up the offensive load more now.

Austin Jackson 6-foot-4, 185 pounds WR Serra (2014): Jackson had two nice long receptions including the 85 yard score in the fourth quarter to give Serra a 14-7 lead. Jackson has good size for a receiver and displayed some shifty moves to get free for his long score.

Matthew Fa'aita 5-foot-10, 190 pounds QB Serra (2014): Fa'aita gives the Padres a mobile quarterback who can scramble out of trouble. He accounted for both of the Padres scores on a goal line sneak and the long passing play to Jackson. But Fa'aita also had two bad interceptions with the latter one setting up the winning score for the Spartans.

Matthew Dickerson 6-foot-5, 275 pounds DT Serra (2014): Committed to Notre Dame, Dickerson was not in pads for the game. With an extra bye week to rest, Dickerson should be ready for their matchup with Encinal.

Article 336: Padres cruise

November 4, 2012

Serra ran out to a 27-0 halftime lead against St. Ignatius before cruising to a 47-21 victory in San Mateo. The Padres had six different players score a rushing touchdown as senior Eric Redwood had 227 rushing yards. The victory assures Serra no worse than second place in the West Catholic Athletic League.

Scoring summary: In the first quarter, Serra's Angelo Arco broke through on a 33 yard touchdown run while promising sophomore Kava Cassidy had a 3 yard scoring run to give the Padres a 14-0 lead. Anthony Toms converted two field goals that complemented quarterback Zack Kazakoff's 4 yard touchdown run to give Serra a 27-0 lead at the half.

The lone score in the third quarter was a 30 yard interception return by Wildcat Charlie Ford to cut the deficit to 27-7. St. Ignatius scored first in the fourth quarter with an Albert Waters 1 yard run as the Wildcats trailed by two scores. But SI got no closer as Serra added rushing touchdowns of 1, 12, and 32 yards while St. Ignatius passed for a 3 yard score to conclude the game at 47-21.

Unit Breakdown: Serra had six different players rush for touchdowns as the team had 411 yards rushing. Kazakoff had one nice deep throw to setup a late first half field goal but his arm was not needed for this game. Seniors Arco and Redwood are a solid tandem but the Padres will return sophomore Cassidy and junior Kevin Mcgee for next season.

The Wildcats went to the air game as quarterback Jack Stinn completed 14 passes out of 32 attempts for 146 yards. Stinn led the team in rushing as well with 52 yards. The offense was never in sync and had to rally from a huge deficit that made the play calling even more difficult.

Defense: Serra allowed St. Ignatius to get some first downs on their first two drives of the first half that did not lead to any scores before the unit forced three and outs on the final three possessions of the half. The Padres did not give up any big plays and forced the opponent to drive the ball down the field. The secondary allowed less than 50 percent in completions while the front line surrendered only 69 yards rushing on 22 carries.

The Wildcats defense caused the only two turnovers of the game but that was not enough to offset the 470 yards in total offense. Aside from the turnovers, the defense could only force one punt while the Padres scored on eight different possessions. The team has given up 82 points in the two consecutive losses to Bellarmine and Serra.

Special Teams: Serra made its only two field goal attempts but did miss one PAT. The kickoff and punt return games did not produce anything noteworthy. Serra recovered a key onside kick in the fourth quarter to stem any Wildcat rally.

Next Steps and Analysis: Serra hosts St. Francis next week. The Padres running game will be difficult to slow down and the defense looks balanced. Serra should make another deep run into the postseason.

St. Ignatius lost the battle for first place last week against Bellarmine, lost the battle for second place this week against Serra, and will play for third place against Archbishop Mitty next week. The defense will have to put up a more spirited battle against Mitty and in the postseason as a whole. The offense has the weapons to be balanced but cannot succeed when trailing heavily.

Article 335: Bells alone atop WCAL

October 28, 2012

On a sunny afternoon in the Sunset, Bellarmine and St. Ignatius entered the day tied for first place in the West Catholic Athletic League. Both teams feature dual threat quarterbacks who were indeed playmakers for their respective teams. But in the end, the Bells' ground game grinded enough yards to give them a 35-28 victory and sole possession of first place in league play.

Scoring summary: In the first half, St. Ignatius converted on a turnover in Bells territory to take a 7-0 lead on a 15 yard pass by quarterback Jack Stinn. Bellarmine scored the next three touchdowns in the half as quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels was responsible for the scores on a 38 yard pass, a 3 yard run, and a 35 yard pass.

St. Ignatius converted on another Bellarmine turnover in the third quarter to lead to an Elijah Dale rushing touchdown of 1 yard to cut the deficit to 21-14. Carta-Samuels ran for another 3 yard touchdown to make the score 28-14. In the ensuing possession, Albert Waters weaved 80 yards to bring it back to a seven point deficit at 28-21. Bellarmine's Joey Sanfilippo scored midway into the fourth quarter on a 29 yard run to increase the lead to 35-21. The Wildcats engineered an 11 play and 80 yard drive that was capped by a 3 yard Stinn pass to close the scoring at 35-28 as the Bells ran the clock out.

Unit Breakdown: Bellarmine has a balanced attack as Carta-Samuels is a legitimate dual-threat quarterback but he can be turnover prone as he had an opening drive fumble and two interceptions. The Bells have two underrated running backs in Kenneth Olugbode and Sanfilippo who helped pick up key yards to extend drives and eventually to run the clock out. In addition, the offense had some holding penalties that stalled out drives.

The Wildcats have a similar offense as the Bells as they also have an effective dual threat quarterback in Stinn who was apt at scrambling while his favorite passing target was 6-foot-5 receiver Andrew Vollert. Dale and Albert Waters are both undersized but tough, shifty runners. The Wildcats are not one dimensional and are a matchup challenge.

Defense: In the two key league victories against Serra and St. Ignatius, the Bells' opponents scored 34 and 28 points respectively. The defense was not spectacular but has played well enough in a bend but not break fashion. The Bells did give up a big 80 yard touchdown run to Waters where containment was broken in the secondary.

The Wildcats had given up a total of seven points in their previous two games. Bellarmine is the league standard right now. With season ending games against Serra and Archbishop Mitty, the Wildcats defensive level will be revealed in the upcoming matchups.

Special Teams: The special teams were fairly mundane. Bellarmine missed a PAT but offset that with a two point conversion. The Wildcats squib kicked it several times and could not recover the onside kick on their final kickoff.

Next Steps and Analysis: Bellarmine closes with Valley Christian and Sacred Heart Cathedral who have a combine one win in league play which Valley Christian had against Sacred Heart Cathedral. It may presumptuous, but crowing Bellarmine as WCAL champions is not that outrageous of a statement at this point. But for the Bells to make a deeper run in postseason, they need to limit the turnovers and play a more stout defense.

St. Ignatius has a tougher road with Serra and Mitty as losses to both drops them out of the top three in league play. The defense has to put up a similar effort comparable to the offense in these tough matchups. As the season winds down, these two matchups show the true grit of the team.

Article 332: Bells stop Serra in OT

October 14, 2012

The weekend started with Bellarmine, Serra, St. Ignatius, and St. Francis undefeated in West Catholic Athletic League play. St. Ignatius defeated St. Francis on Friday while the Bells defeated Serra in San Mateo, 35-34, in overtime.

Scoring summary: In the first half, Serra's Eric Redwood started the scoring with a 3 yard touchdown run. K.J. Carta-Samuels tied it up with a 17 yard pass to Joey Sanfilippo. Serra regained the lead 14-7 on a Zack Kazakoff 9 yard pass to Fia Malepeai. Carta-Samuels then ran it in from 5 yards to tie it 14-14. Daniel Fields gave Bellarmine a 21-14 halftime lead on a 5 yard punt block return.

In the second half, Carta-Samuels scored on a 2 yard run to give the Bells their biggest lead at 28-14. In the fourth quarter, Redwood had touchdown runs of 3 and 75 yards to tie the game at 28-28 in regulation. Carta-Samuels threw a 10 yard touchdown to Austin Changras to make it 35-28. Redwood then added a 4 yard run for Serra's overtime possession but the two point conversion running attempt by him was stopped to end the game.

Unit Breakdown: Bellarmine has a true dual threat offensive with Carta-Samuels. He accounted for all four offensive touchdowns as he was efficient in completing 12 of 15 passes for 201 yards and running for another 31 yards. Inexplicably, the offense fumbled the away on the first plays from scrimmage in both the first and second quarters but overcame the lone turnovers of the game.

Serra has a triple threat in the backfield that features Redwood who had 180 yards with 4 touchdown runs. Angelo Arco had 71 yards rushing to complement Redwood while quarterback Kazakoff is a mobile scrambler. Redwood is a threat to score every time he touches the ball which would make opponents wise to load up against the run and force the Padres to throw more often.

Defense: After giving up 41 points to De La Salle in the season opener, the Bells had been playing stifling defense up to this game. The offense had two fumbles that set the defense up with bad field position. But the unit came up big in the overtime with the key stop on the two point conversion and should be expected to play more stoutly for the rest of the regular season.

Give the Serra unit credit as the team could have folded after trailing 28-14 in the third quarter. The team made key stops to give the offense chances to tie and possibly win the game during regulation. A quarterback of the caliber of Carta-Samuels will give most defenses fits as this Serra defensive effort was not all self inflicted but a stronger effort will be needed if the team wants to go far in the postseason.

Special Teams: Bellarmine was able to kickoff into the end zone most of the times to negate Redwood's return ability. The punt block was critical as it swung momentum right before the first half ended. And the two point conversion miss by Serra in overtime was the difference.

Next Steps and Analysis: Bellarmine is the favorite to win the WCAL as they have key matchups with St. Francis and St. Ignatius in the following two weeks. The latter game could be a battle of league unbeatens to determine first place. Carta-Samuels looked accurate with his short, mid, and long throws while being quite elusive in the pocket to buy time or to scramble for yards. The blowout loss to De La Salle looks to be a long time ago as the Bells have made great strides to reach this point of the season.

Serra was unable to replicate a two point conversion like in their win against Buhach Colony. The Padres end the season with St. Ignatius and St. Francis as much is still on the line. Redwood is a shifty runner who can break away at any time. Defenses should key on him and force others on offense to make plays. The Serra defense hung in there against the Bells passing game but should not force the offense to win these offensive slugfests. The boys from San Mateo look to regroup against league doormat Sacred Heart Cathedral to build confidence going into the final three games of league play.

Article 328: Paly muffs, Mitty wins

September 15, 2012

Palo Alto came into this matchup with a high octane passing game while Archbishop Mitty boasted an efficient ground attack. Both offenses put up four touchdowns each. However, the Vikings muffed its fourth extra point attempt to end up on the losing end 28-27.

The scoring started off with a 16 yard run by Mitty's Chandler Ramirez in the first quarter. Following a turnover by Mitty, Palo Alto's Matt Tolbert ran it in from nine yards out to tie the game. The Vikings' highly touted quarterback, Keller Chryst, completed a 46 yard scoring play to Malcolm Davis for Palo Alto's only lead of the game at 14-7.

Mitty sophomore Dakari Monroe took the ensuing kickoff 99 yards to tie the game at 14 apiece. The Monarchs displayed an efficient offense as quarterback Wyatt Hansen passed for a 16 yard touchdown to Andrew Scott to conclude the half with Mitty leading 21-14.

The third quarter went scoreless but setup an eventful final quarter. Kyle Evans ran 13 yards to put Mitty up 28-14 with over seven minutes left in the game. The Vikings countered with a three minute drive that resulted in Tolbert running six yards for a score to cut the deficit to 28-21.

The Vikings forced a punt and struck with another Chryst to Davis pass play of 65 yards but the extra point attempt's snap was muffed to conclude the scoring at 28-27.

Palo Alto got the ball back with 55 seconds but Chryst was sacked and fumbled the ball away to end the game.

Offensive Comparison: The Monarchs' running game is the focal point of the offense with Ramirez being a sturdy runner and Hansen capable of running the option. Despite being undersized, Hansen displayed an accurate and strong arm. Hansen plays in the same vein as former Boston College Eagle, Doug Flutie.

Only a junior, Paly's Chryst put up big numbers as a sophomore and should do the same in his junior season. The receivers are undersized but speedy. Tolbert can help add some balance as he did run for two scores in the game.

Defenses Hold: The Monarchs line was able to sack Chryst several times and disrupt his flow. But when the line did not apply pressure and gave Chryst time to throw, the Viking quarterback was accurate as he did have those two long touchdown passes.

Palo Alto's defense had a bend but not break performance. Mitty was able to move the ball well against Palo Alto but did not capitalize on all their scoring chances. The defense will be shielded by the offense's ability to put up points.

Special Teams the Difference: In addition to the Monroe kickoff return, the Monarchs had a few other good kickoff returns and the punting was solid in its distance.

The Vikings employed the speedy wide receiver Davis in the return game as he displayed good elusiveness. Chryst also served as the punter but was at best average in his punts. And the missed extra point was the difference in the game.

Next Steps and Analysis: Mitty has a bye week before playing Serra and Bellarmine consecutively. That stretch could determine the West Catholic Athletic League. Mitty moved the ball well offensively as Hansen is a solid dual threat. The defense was able to apply pressure and win the battle of the trenches. To win the WCAL, Mitty will have to win that battle.

The Vikings play hometown rival Gunn before the De Anza League play starts. Palo Alto is still the favorite in their league. Chryst was harassed consistently in the backfield but was accurate with his passes when given time. The defense looked porous at times. Palo Alto should be able to outscore most of its opponents until the postseason rolls around.

Article 326: DLS rings the Bells

September 1, 2012

Both Bellarmine and De La Salle replaced Division I quarterbacks from last season's teams. But the Spartans looked to be already in midseason form as both their offense and defense were dominant in both team's season opener that was played at San Jose City College. De La Salle ran its winning streak to 12 games with a 41-7 victory.

Scoring summary: In the first half, De La Salle ran out to a 28-0 lead before closing the half with a 35-7 margin. The lone score in the second half would come in the first 20 seconds as the Spartans held a 41-7 lead for the rest of the half as the two teams traded punts for the rest of the game.

Spartan running back, Tiapepe Vitale, had three touchdown runs that were highlighted by opening half possession runs of 79 and 27 yards respectively. Quarterback Chris Williams had two short touchdown runs and one 58 yard pass play to Austin Hooper. The Bells lone score was a 55 yard bomb from K.J. Carta-Samuels to Jared Vallner.

Unit Breakdown: De La Salle's running game looks to be deep as senior Vitale is the featured back and has junior Das Tautalatasi backing him up. Lefty quarterback Williams has good size to run the ground game but also displayed a crisp pass when the run setup the pass. The Spartan line dominated in the trenches and helped pave several running lanes throughout the game.

The Bells had a difficult time establishing any rhythm. When given time, Carta-Samuels displayed a strong arm that delivered catchable passes. The running game's effectiveness may have been stifled by the Spartan defense and should see better days against lesser defenses.

Defense: The Spartan front seven was consistently in the Bells' backfield and harassing Carta-Samuels. The defense's speed also limited any big running play as the lone big play surrendered was the Bells' passing touchdown. This Spartan defense looks prime to give up fewer than 100 points for the entire year.

Last year's front seven for the boys from San Jose was core to the defense and replacing that senior laden group was going to be difficult. This year's team had trouble containing the running game and gave up several big plays.

Special Teams: The kicking game of the Spartans missed a few extra points but the two point conversions helped offset two of those miscues. A second half kickoff return by Allan Marion to the Bells 27 was impressive. The punting game also won the field position battle with a few punts within the opponents' 20 yard line.

The Bells had several kickoff return opportunities but did not make any real spectacular returns. The punting game had one mishandled snap and a few wobbly kicks.

Next Steps and Analysis: De La Salle plays Colorado power Mullen who went through some turmoil during the summer as they had a coaching change. The following week will be a visit from St. Mary's of Stockton.

If there were any major question marks going into the season, the offense would be it as a new quarterback brings much uncertainty. But with Williams' opening game performance with a balanced running game and a vaunted defense, De La Salle looks hard pressed not to be a comfortable favorite in every regular season game.

Bellarmine will look to bounce back with non-league games against San Leandro and Piedmont Hills.

Whereas De La Salle had some questions answered, the Bells still have several remaining. Was the performance of both the offense and defense due to De La Salle's skill level? Carta-Samuels looks to be promising as the Vanderbilt commit has an accurate and strong arm when given the proper time. The middle of the season has consecutive league games against Archbishop Mitty, Serra, and St. Francis that could make or break their league standings.

Article 260: VC-Serra follows script

November 13, 2011

When the NCP preseason was released prior to the season, Saturday's matchup between Valley Christian and Serra looked to be a highly anticipated season finale for the West Catholic Athletic League opponents. Both teams started the season in the top 10, but only the Padres were ranked at game time. In addition, Serra was looking to avenge two losses to the Warriors from last season including a season ending playoff loss.

Valley Christian started the season slow but looked more dominant in victories the past two weeks. The Padres had a strong start but had a few hiccups the past few weeks. Both teams brought solid two-headed running attacks but Serra won the turnover battle and used a 28-0 first half advantage to win easily 44-21 to take 2nd place in the WCAL.

Offense: The final stats were misleading as the Warriors had 320 total yards while Serra had 389 yards, all of which on the ground. However, the Warriors had three key turnovers that were drive killers and momentum shifters. The Padres only attempted one pass the entire day but Valley Christian's run defense was still unable to stop the Serra running game despite knowing what was coming.

Padres senior Erich Wilson had 190 yards rushing with three touchdowns while junior Eric Redwood had 174 yards rushing with two touchdowns. Wilson set the career rushing mark for Serra that was accomplished on an 89 yard run in the third quarter to seal the game. Warriors seniors Jarrod Lawson and Byron Marshall had 88 and 75 yards on the ground with one touchdown each.

The Defenses: Valley Christian's defense gave up touchdown runs of 59, 41, 89, and 33. In four of their five losses, the Warrior defense gave up more than 35 points and was porous in run defense. The Padres, on the other hand, were opportunistic and made the stops early to coast after leading big. The Serra defense had one real bad showing in the season during its loss to Archbishop Mitty, giving up 35 points.

Special Teams: Valley Christian was unable to recover a kickoff in the first quarter that bounced and was eventually recovered in the scrum by Serra at the 1-yard line. The subsequent touchdown put Serra ahead 21-0. This special teams play was indicative of VC's day.

Valley Christian Outlook: In the Warriors' five losses including this one, they were physically outmatched in the ground game. VC has a potent running game of its own but cannot be expected to keep up with opposing teams who have strong offenses. The Warriors' postseason will go only as far as consistent defensive performances will take them.

Serra Outlook: If the Padres play in the Open bracket as opposed to Division I, a rematch with league champion Bellarmine is inevitable. Most of the top teams speculated to be in the Open includes Bellarmine, Palma, and Oak Grove. The common theme for all these teams is strong running games with consistent defenses. When Serra has had success in the season, this formula proved to be the key.

Article 252: Cardinals outrun VC

September 17, 2011

In a matchup of Top 20 teams in San Jose, host and No. 9 Valley Christian was looking to duplicate last year's 34-0 defeat of No. 16 Cardinal Newman. However, the Warriors lost running back Byron Marshall midway in the second quarter and the Newman offense found its rhythm to avenge last year's loss with a 35-28 victory. Steven Tomasin accounted for three touchdown runs in the win.

Offense: The Cardinal's run game helped to set up the pass. The offense really reminded one of the current Nebraska Cornhusker offense as quarterback Matt Sullivan often took off up the middle for sizable runs, handed off to Tomasin, or threw in the open middle space vacated by the linebackers who cheated on the run support defense. Sullivan accounted for the other two scores as he threw for a 62 yard score and had a one yard dive for a touchdown. After the game, Tomasin stated that the team gave good effort and executed well. Sullivan noted that the offense was balanced as the offensive line opened big running lanes but also was solid in pass protection.

When Marshall came up hobbled in the middle of the second quarter, the prospect of winning looked bleek for the Warriors. But they have a deep running game. Jarrod Lawson accounted for the first score of the game by going 43 yards to give VC its only lead of the game at 7-0. The deceptively fast Lawson tied the game at 14-14 with a 63 yard run. Ryan Severson also ran for a 42 yard score to tie the game at 21 midway in the third quarter. Sophomore quarterback Jay MacIntyre is still raw but has the tools to be an effective passer. But opposing defenses will probably put eight men in the box to force the young signal-caller to beat them with his arm. Despite being down by 14 points with about six minutes left, Valley Christian was run heavy in a scoring drive that cut the deficit to 35-28 but also left less than two minutes left in the game.

Defense: Newman allowed a few break away runs but for the most part tackled well and limited the damage to those long touchdown runs. The Cardinals looked to be the more physical team and was flying to the ball in this game. After the game, some of the Cardinal players were bloodied up and muddied up despite the fact that the Valley Christian field is artificial turf.

Valley Christian made some big plays to keep them in it that included two interceptions by Dillion Saldivar. But Newman's balance on offense kept the Warrior defense guessing.

What's Next: Cardinal Newman ends their regular season non-league play at Palma next week. Ironically, Palma's postseason ended last year against Valley Christian. A win against Palma would allow the Cardinals to avenge both of their non-league losses from a year ago. Palma is run oriented but also has a big wide receiver threat in Noah Allen. In addition, the defensive line is anchored by Jack Powers.

Cardinal Newman is the dominant team in Division III and there is no reason to think that they will not continue so for the rest of the season. Last year's team missed out on a state title invitation despite a formidable strength of schedule. This balanced offense looks to be a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.

Valley Christian ends its non-league schedule with a home matchup against a talented Vacaville team that upset Granite Bay and played well against Marin Catholic. Marshall's injury is reported to be a shoulder and he may not be available in the next game.

Regardless of Marshall's status, the Warriors' running game will be keyed on by opposing defenses. The passing game will need to be the difference in the more contested games. The defense looked to be physically dominated in this loss and will face similar physical opponents in the WCAL.

WCAL outlook: Sacred Heart Cathedral and Serra are both undefeated at 3-0. Serra had to squeeze a win over DIII Encinal in overtime and St. Francis bounced back as they got their first win against Willow Glen. Before league play even starts, the early favorites would have to be Bellarmine and Serra.

Division III outlook: Marin Catholic had a very good win against Vacaville who will play Valley Christian next week. And of course, Cardinal Newman probably has the season's signature win for the DIII teams up to now.

Article 250: Padres stampede Monte Vista

September 11, 2011

In a matchup of Top 20 teams in San Mateo, host and No. 10 Serra literally ran away from visiting No. 13 Monte Vista 54-13. The Padres ran off 41straight points in the first half to cruise to their second consecutive 50 plus point performance to start the season 2-0. Monte Vista was never able to develop any offensive rhythm to go 1-1.

Serra ran for 404 yards on 46 carries (8.8 yards per run). Junior running back Eric Redwood had 139 rushing yards with three touchdowns, quarterback Joey Erdie had 100 rushing yards with two touchdowns, and Erich Wilson added 79 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. The final Padres touchdown was a 97 yard kickoff return by Jordan Jauregui who also had the game's lone interception.

Monte Vista's two touchdowns came through the air as senior quarterback Jeff Lockie passed for 206 yards. He completed 18 passes in 34 attempts but his receivers had a few drops and Lockie was constantly harassed by the Serra pass rush.

Offense: The Padres were run oriented as Erdie only threw for 48 yards. But with the tandem of Redwood and Wilson, opponents will plan to load up in the box to stop the run. Wilson was deceptively strong as he broke several arm tackles on his carries. Redwood displayed a lower center of gravity and a quick burst. Coach Patrick Walsh commented on how Erdie, who was a free safety last year, has been directing the team's offense well so far.

The Mustangs depended on Oregon commit Lockie's arm. In a game where they trailed early, the Padres were able to be more aggressive in their defensive schemes. Despite being rushed, Lockie showed good accuracy on his passes of all distances.

Defense: Colorado commit Wilson also played at cornerback. Wilson stated that he had no preference in his position at the college level. At 6-foot-1 and possessing quick feet, Wilson would be an effective cornerback. Serra's defense has now given up 19 points in the first two games and those points were surrendered when the games were already decided.

The Mustangs may be in many offensive shootouts for this season. Their offense may have to keep them in the game as the defense has not done its part in the first two games.

What's Next: Serra travels on Friday to play Encinal who they defeated 42-13 last season. It would not be a surprise if they scored 50 plus for the third straight game. If St. Francis loses to Willow Glen next week to start 0-3, Serra will probably be undefeated going into their last three games of the regular season that includes Bellarmine and Valley Christian.

The key to stopping Serra is to limit the run game and force first year quarterback Erdie to throw. The Padres run various motion offensive schemes that can still trip up opposing defenses. The Bellarmine defense would seem to be their toughest matchup for the remainder of the season. The Serra defense passed the test against a division I level quarterback in Lockie. The WCAL is a run oriented league and that will be the ultimate test for the defense.

The Mustangs face a Pittsburg team that they defeated last year on Friday. However, Pittsburg has a balanced offense that has been efficient in their first two games that features quarterback Malik Watson and running backs Mister Cotton and Feao Vunipola. If the Mustangs are to win, they will have to score frequently.

The Mustangs were able to generate 71 rushing yards to not be entirely passing focused. But the season's success will depend largely on how the defense plays. If the defense cannot slow down opposing offenses, then the Mustang offense will have to shoulder the load.

WCAL versus EBAL: De La Salle defeated Bellarmine 26-23 in two overtimes that could have gone either way. Archbishop Mitty was winning 14-13 against San Ramon Valley before the game was postponed. Serra won 54-13 against Monte Vista.

Bellarmine, Serra, and Valley Christian look to be fixtures in the NCP top 10 throughout the season. However, De La Salle will still stay at the top until someone in Northern California can defeat them. These four teams all have common traits - run control offenses with solid defenses.