Article 371: Vunipola returns home

June 22, 2014

When the 2012 high school season ended for the Pittsburg High Pirates, Feao Vunipola was headed for Bozeman in Montana. Vunipola redshirted his freshman year at Montana State University. As a redshirt freshman in his second year, Vunipola saw limited action as a linebacker in the defensive rotation but did excel on the special teams.

But after some soul searching, the East Bay prospect decided to return home after completing the football season this past fall semester to play for Diablo Valley College (DVC) at the junior college level. A primary reason was that Montana State plays a relatively conservative defensive scheme while Vunipola is much more adept at playing in an attacking defense as he is listed at 6-foot-0 and 236 pounds.

In high school, Vunipola played running back with good size and speed. He utilizes those attributes well to cover slot receivers while still being able to blitz and to disrupt the offense. Vunipola has had family and friends who went to DVC before signing on to Division I programs. Vunipola cites some friends from the DVC program that have gone on to the next level that include defensive end Tui Talia (Oregon) defensive end Suia Taufa (Utah State), and current DVC defensive end Gabe Newman (Fresno State signed).

In his native Tongan dialect, Vunipola's name means "With God" as he will be playing the Willy linebacker position in the nickel package and will rotate to the Sam linebacker position to cover tight ends and the slot receiver. By Vunipola's account, his spring practices have gone well as he runs 4.52 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a shuttle time of 4.31 seconds, bench presses 345 pounds, squats 425 pounds, and has vertical of 31 inches.

With the decision to go the junior college route, not many Division I programs are aware of his availability. The ones that have him on their linebacker radar include Boise State, Eastern Washington, Fresno State, Georgia State, and Northern Arizona. Vunipola still would like to stay on the west coast. During the upcoming summer, Vunipola will work on his lower body, quads, hamstrings, and hips to increase his explosiveness and power.

Vunipola believes that his game can be compared to another former East Bay product in DJ Calhoun from El Cerrito High who is now at Arizona State. . Vunipola says, "We are not the tallest, nor the biggest linebackers. But our similarities and strengths are in our speed and aggression."

The linebacker prospect says, "Once I get comfortable with the defense here at DVC, I plan to lead this defense to a nationally ranking. We went up a division so we have a chance to play against those highly ranked schools."

Vunipola's best football skills are his speed and explosiveness. He has the speed to cover slot receivers while he still has the strength to plug a 320 pound guard running downhill. He understands the principle of leverage so his size difference does not affect his performance.

The DVC football website itself states to have matriculated over 100 scholarship football players in the past five years. The DVC defense was the top rated defense in the state of California last season on the JUCO level. Vunipola expects to spearhead another solid defense for DVC before deciding on his next four year program destination during the fall in Pleasant Hill, Calif.

Article 370: Monroe making moves

June 2, 2014

Archbishop Mitty went 11-2 on the gridiron this past season. A big reason for that success was the No. 44 ranked football player in the NCP 2015 class, Dakari Monroe. As a junior, Monroe played all phases of the game as a running back (77 rushes, 747 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns), slot receiver (20 receptions, 419 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns), and defensive back (20 tackles, 1 interception, 2 pass deflections, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 fumbles caused, 1 touchdown).

At 5-foot-11 and 176 pounds, Monroe has both quickness and strength as he can run the shuttle time in 4.18 seconds, bench press 250 pounds, and squat 400 pounds. Mitty's two losses were both to West Catholic Athletic League rival Serra as the Monarchs only scored a touchdown in each loss (Monroe accounted for the lone score in the playoff loss to Serra to end the season). Monroe's season efforts earned him All-WCAL First Team honors, WCAL Receiver of the Year, and All-CCS First Team.

The rising senior will be going into his third year as a varsity starter and has been playing organized football for nine years. But that consistency still requires him to work on his craft during the summer as he says, "I work on my backpedal a lot and trying to be quicker out of my breaks. Also working on my eyes when playing the position because your eyes can help you a lot if you pay attention to the right things."

Another summer activity for football prospects is the college summer camp. Monroe's current list of camps that he will attend includes Oregon, Stanford, and USC. As for visits, he plans to tour the campuses of Arizona and Washington State during the summer.

In addition to football duties, Monroe is a versatile athlete who will be going into his third year on the Monarch varsity basketball program next season. He will be travelling with the Above & Beyond basketball club for the third summer.

Above & Beyond Coach Mani Messy says, "Dakari has been a great leader on court mainly because of his ability to communicate with his teammates, he knows every position on the court and can direct all the options out a particular play. You want to play with him as he will always find something positive to say to a teammate even when things aren't going so well for them. Additionally, he is a fierce competitor and hates to lose at anything. Liners, shooting drills, ball handling drills, you name it - he wants to be the best."

The Mitty point guard likens his basketball game to former Kentucky Wildcat John Wall because he pushes the tempo and likes to use his teammates. He also plays defense very hard and is an energy player. Monroe is a defensive point guard who does not focus on scoring, as he wants to make his teammates around him better. He considers his best skill to be his man-to-man defensive skills, similar to his football cornerback skill set.

Messy knows what it takes to be a Division I athlete as he played at Seton Hall as a forward before playing professionally in Europe for three years. Messy prepped at Saint Benedict's Prep in New Jersey and was then coached by current Rhode Island coach, Dan Hurley (older brother Bobby Hurley played at Duke and is the current coach of Buffalo & father is Bob Hurley who has over 1,000 high school wins and coaches at St. Anthony in New Jersey). Messy says about Monroe, "The thing I am more impressed with Dakari is his toughness. He has the ability as an athlete to go through a football game, practice and basketball all on the same day. As a basketball player, he has great instincts and can create off the dribble and finish at the rim without shying away from contact. He can shoot but needs improvement between shooting the long range and his in between game."

The WCAL should feature another challenging football season for Mitty. The Monarchs will welcome back former football coach Dave Brown as Matt Haniger is stepping down due to personal reasons. Monroe says about the change, "Coach Haniger was a great coach as Coach Brown will be as well. They both bring different aspects to the table but I think we will still be successful and will continue to be with Coach Brown leading the way."

After a strong junior season, colleges are looking at Monroe as a defensive back prospect. He has gotten offers from Arizona, Fresno State, Nevada, San Jose State, and Washington State. Schools that are showing interest include California, Oregon, USC, and Washington. "I think all of these schools are great and offer great chances for not only athletic opportunities, but academic ones as well," said Monroe.

For many high school seniors, college is an important decision from an academic and geographic perspective. Football prospects also need to factor in the athletics component as Monroe says, "I do have to look at what certain schools are recruiting me position wise, and where I see myself playing at the next level. I do want to go to a school where winning is important because that's just how my personality is built, I want to win. Also, the academic portion is very important as well and I will look in to if those schools have good kinesiology programs and criminal justice programs because those are the majors I'm thinking about."

Monroe considers his best skill to be his cover skills as he says, "The style I play is a man to man type of corner. It takes advantage of my skills because I feel I'm long and quick enough to stay with receivers. Also, my basketball background helps with the concept of guarding a man." For those who have not seen Monroe play in person, he likens his game to a former LSU Tiger, "Patrick Peterson plays a lockdown type of role in Arizona and on my team we play a lot of press man and cover 1. So, I try to watch him because he is one of the best at that."

The Monarchs had a strong season as their only losses were to WCAL rival Serra on the gridiron. In order for Mitty to avenge those losses in the upcoming season, the Monarchs will need Monroe to make more moves in San Jose, Calif.

Article 327: Spencer for Hire

September 14, 2012

The football season is early but the Inderkum Tigers have posted two impressive wins to stand at 2-0. A big matchup looms against Pleasant Grove. As always, the play at the quarterback position could be big as Inderkum sends out 2014 prospect, CJ Spencer, in that critical role.

At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Spencer is a dual threat quarterback who has the athleticism to force defenses to respect both his passing and running ability. As a result, his ability could be compared to former Oregon Duck Jeremiah Masoli or Syracuse Orange Donovan Mcnabb. Ironically, Spencer's father played for Oregon as a linebacker before transferring to Southern Oregon to finish his collegiate eligibility.

In their first two games of the season, Inderkum has outscored their opponents 73 to 14. Spencer accounted for 258 yards passing in those two games that included two touchdown passes and a 30 yard field goal as the team's placekicker.

Offensive Coach Terrance Leonard (aka to the players as "Coach T") says, "CJ's strengths are his leadership, his football IQ, his drive to get better, and he is a natural winner. He studies the field breaks down the defensive tendencies and weaknesses. He is able to translate that info to the coach on the field during the game."

Despite entering the season as a varsity starter for the first time, Spencer's physical attributes already has garnered him recruiting attention as Arizona, Boise State, Iowa State, San Jose State, and Washington State have cursory interest in the junior prospect. For Inderkum, Spencer runs the Wing T offense that utilizes his footwork and quickness. Spencer often looks for his favorite wide receiver in Tyler Dean who transferred back to Inderkum from Rancho Cucamonga.

Spencer is looking for a college that has strong academics and that has a history of producing NFL quarterbacks. He currently sports a 3.50 GPA with Math and Science as his favorite subjects as he would like to major in Sports Medicine.

The Inderkum coaching staff believes that Spencer is a likely Division I quarterback prospect who has all the intangibles, is a hard worker, good speed, arm strength, and the drive to continue to get better. His passing is also solid as he has a good spiral that is easy to catch and well placed.

During the past summer, Spencer attended football camps at Oklahoma and Oregon. He was the quarterback MVP at the UC Davis camp and the Cal State Underclassmen showcase. Off the field, Spencer watches football games to learn additional nuances of the game. He runs a small business that involves making organic dog food treats for local pet hospitals in the area.

Inderkum is looking to win the Tri-County League for a sixth straight year. But the Tigers need a signature non-conference win against Pleasant Grove this Friday. A big performance by the Tigers' signal-caller could be an indicator that Spencer is indeed for hire on the next level.

Article 274: NCP Roundtable

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.

Article 269: Demps doing double duty

December 2, 2011

At the recent NorCal Tipoff in Newark Memorial, Pleasant Grove showed it might be a sleeper to be reckoned with during basketball season. Surprisingly, the Eagles did not have their full arsenal of players as the football team is still in the midst of a postseason run. One of the gridiron boys who will be running the hard court is senior quarterback Cody Demps.

At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Demps has good size and height to read the coverage over defensive linemen. His Eagles are currently 12-1 and looking for a possible trip to Carson later in the year. He has completed 87 passes out of 128 attempts for 1,638 yards with 21 touchdowns and 3 interceptions as his quarterback rating is 141.

On a Pleasant Grove football team that features nationally recruited lineman Arik Armstead and a prolific scorer in running back Mark Jenkins, Demps has done well to carve his time in the spotlight. The two-year varsity starter has a good long ball and is apt with the deep post pass.

Demps likens his game to former Boston College Eagle Matt Ryan and Oregon Duck Darren Thomas. Demps is calm and collective when in the pocket but also can pull the ball down and run with it.

He entered his junior season with a knee injury from the summer. As a result, his timing with his wide receivers was off but his senior year has seen him double his stats and improve his effectiveness with his teammates.

Demps considers his basketball skills to be superior to his football skills but still has garnered attention from football programs. He has a 4.00 GPA with an 1880 SAT score as he would like to major in Engineering. Sacramento State, San Diego State, San Jose State, and UC Davis have been in contact for football.

Demps was critical in helping his Eagles to an 18-10 basketball record last season that ended in a playoff loss to Franklin 57-56. This year's team will have its hands full in the Delta River League. But with the addition of Demps and fellow senior D.J. Dunn, the Eagles look to fly high in league play.

Pleasant Grove will take on Granite Bay this weekend for a chance to win back-to-back Sac-Joaquin Section football titles. If Demps plays his normally efficient game, the Eagles will have a strong chance of winning and then making the trip to Carson. Thereafter, watch for Demps to do double duty for the Eagle basketball team in the Delta River.

Article 259: Olson ready for playoffs

November 10, 2011

As the regular season comes to a close, playoffs are looming for teams fortunate enough to make it. Hilmar finished the regular season at 8-2 with losses in the season's opener and finale. Quarterback Andrew Olson keys the Yellowjackets' potent offensive attack.

A 6-foot-3, 200 pound senior, Olson directed the offense to a 37.8 point average. His junior year was cut short by a broken wrist injury but he has bounced back strong passing for 1,307 yards with 18 touchdowns and two interceptions while running for 317 yards and six touchdowns. Olson is second in the Trans Valley League with 1,624 yards in total offense as he sat out many fourth quarters during some easy wins. As a team, the Yellowjackets had to rally after the death of offensive line coach Franky Silveira over the summer.

In the season opener against Beyer, Hilmar faced a competitive Division I team but held a comfortable halftime lead of 20-7. Olson passed for 205 yards with four touchdowns but Hilmar lost on a game ending field goal 30-27 to the eventual MMC league winner from Modesto. Another high profile game for Olson was the Modesto Christian game that was a league rivalry game that had him face against Arizona quarterback commit Nathan Sudfeld. Olson was efficient in throwing for 176 yards and two touchdowns as his Yellowjackets cruised to a 59-20 victory.

With the demands of school and the regular season, Olson still made time to work with his personal quarterback coach, Roger Theder. Theder, who has coached Cal commit Zach Kline and Wisconsin commit Bart Houston, helps Olson with his arm strength, footwork, and mechanics and assists him on route check downs and reading defenses. Theder is a well-known quarterback coach who has trained former Nevada Wolfpack Colin Kaepernik, Josh Johnson, and Trent Edwards. Olson started to train with Theder in the 7th grade as family friend, Kaepernik, recommended the coach.

Theder who has worked with Olson 46 times since he started training with him, says, "Andrew has gotten bigger and stronger since the summer. His footwork and mechanics are good. He's got ability with his size."

Division I recruiting is slow but he has been contacted by a hand full of Division II and NAIA schools. Menlo has indicated strong interest in Olson while several schools have asked for game film including CSU Pueblo, Fresno State, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Sacramento State, San Jose State, and San Diego State. All of the previously mentioned schools have indicated that they will continue to evaluate Olson through the end of his season and playoffs.

Regardless of what happens in playoffs and recruiting, Olson is working as hard as ever to get a shot to play at the next level. He broke Hilmar's power clean record at 260 pounds and can bench 335 pounds and squat 500 pounds. After the playoff season, Olson plans to focus fully on weight training and conditioning to get bigger and faster. Olson's mantra is "Never Quit." This quote was a favorite of the recently deceased Coach Silveira and is posted above the door on the way out of the weight room and is what drives Olson to football and overall life success.

Hilmar has had recent quarterback success. Nate Costa from the 2006 Hilmar class played along side Dennis Dixon for the Oregon Ducks. Costa was a top 20 national quarterback according to Rivals for his senior year.

Frank Marques is Hilmar's head coach. "Andrew has come back strong with no side effects from the injury. He has been an anchor for our team," said Marques. "He's had a great season and we are fortunate to have a player of his caliber leading us into the playoffs. I think Andrew has all the tools to be a next level quarterback. Strong accurate arm, mobility, running the spread, and generalship of the game makes him a great fit for a team who likes to run the spread offense."

Academically, Olson has a 3.2 cumulative GPA and scored a 20 on the ACT test to be eligible for college. Being a college level quarterback is important to Olson, but he will be the first person in his family to attend a four year university as junior college was the previous level achieved by his family. He wants to major in History and become an educator (teacher or professor) and also incorporate coaching football. After football season concludes, he will participate in community service programs till graduation.

Olson's football journey reads of the small town kid trying to make it to the big town stage. His path was going well till his injury last season that derailed his recruiting exposure. If Olson was on center stage in the San Francisco area instead of Merced County, he could have been in more highly profiled and highly covered games.

Hilmar will start as the third seed in the Division IV bracket for the SJS playoffs. Hilmar will play at home against Linden. Regardless of how far the Yellowjackets get in the playoffs this season, Olson is back on the right track for his gridiron goals.

Article 258: Cohan under the radar

November 9, 2011

Monte Vista Christian is 8-1 heading into the postseason. A big part of that success has been quarterback Taylor Cohan. Last season, the 6-foot-3, 200 pound senior led the Mustangs to a 7-3 record while throwing for 1,928 yards and 22 touchdowns that earned him first team honors in the Monterey Bay League. His career stats are nearing 4,300 passing yards and 55 TDs (24 of them this season).

Monte Vista Christian Coach David Reese says, "Taylor is very smart (over a 4.0 GPA) and a student of the game. He watches a lot of film of our opponent each week. He has a very strong arm and also good size and strength to go with it. He is a very strong leader both on and off the field. As a third year starter, he is like having a coach on the field."

The current schools that are in contact with Cohan include California, Cornell, Georgetown, Harvard, Holy Cross, Penn, Princeton, UC Davis, and San Diego. As of now, Cohan has an offer from Penn. With a 4.25 GPA and 2180 SAT score, he is academically eligible.

Cohan has these thoughts about his recruiting. "The Ivy League and New England schools are a great opportunity for me to get a great education and play football at a high level. Also, I've been watching Aaron Rodgers dominate the NFL this year and I've tried to model my game after his play this year cause of his strong accurate arm and ability to extend plays."

Cohan models his game after former Cal Bear Rodgers. Cohan is a pro style quarterback who plays in a west coast, spread offense. This scheme takes advantage of his arm strength, accuracy, and ability to read defenses. His best football skill is being able to read the defense and put the ball where he wants to with good accuracy and velocity.

During the offseason, he worked the most on his footwork and timing with his receivers and quarterback coach Adam Tafralis. In addition, he also worked a lot with his offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Lonzo Caves. Cohan also had throwing sessions with former Fresno State Bulldog Trent Dilfer.

Coach Reese adds, "As good as Taylor is at football, he is even better at being a student and teammate. Taylor will do whatever it takes to get the job done. His work ethic is second to none and I think he has what is needed to play NCAA football, at what level time will tell."

Cohan is originally from the Bay Area but moved to Aptos during his freshman year. He hopes that he will be able to lead his Mustangs deep into the Division IV playoffs. After that, he hopes to take his game to the college level.

Article 256: Kuh plays it cool

October 24, 2011

Bellarmine has stormed out of the gate this season as one of the top teams in the country. The Bells are at the cusp of the top 30 national rankings according to Rivals.com as they have been undefeated since an opening season double overtime loss to De La Salle. Since then, the Bellarmine defense has been the anchor for the team's success.

The Bells run a 3-5-3 defense that heavily depends on linebackers who can fly on run support while being able to back pedal with running backs or tight ends leaking into the secondary. A key member of the linebacker core is senior Brad Kuh.

At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Kuh can run the 40 yard dash in 4.80 seconds, has a 4.20 second shuttle time, and has a 31 inch vertical. As a junior last season, he had 52 tackles and three forced fumbles in helping the Bells to a 9-3 record that ended in the playoffs to eventual state champions, Palo Alto.

Kuh plays a similar style to that of former USC Trojan Clay Matthews because he plays with passion, intensity, and relentlessness throughout the entire game. In this 3-5-3 scheme, Kuh is one of the middle linebackers as he is primarily responsible for run support. So far this year, Kuh has 49 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.

Schools that have signaled interest in the linebacker prospect include Cal Poly, Chapman, Colorado, Denison, San Jose St., Marietta, Sacramento State, San Diego, San Diego State, Southern Utah, and Utah State. San Jose State, which is less than five miles from the Bellarmine campus, has offered.

Kuh has a 3.40 GPA as he is looking for a program that has a solid coaching staff and is supportive of its athletic program. He prefers the west coast, particularly the state of California, and wants to be challenged academically during his college studies.

The Bellarmine defense surrendered 26 points in their opening game loss to De La Salle but has allowed only 47 points in the following six wins. Kuh, who has been a varsity starter since his sophomore year, worked hard during the offseason improving his agility, explosiveness, and strength to become a huge part of the Bells' recent defensive dominance.

He does not take things for granted as a close cousin died at the age of 19. Hence, Kuh leaves it all on the field and is hoping to help the Bells make a run at league, CCS, and possibly a trip to Carson. Thereafter, he is hoping to be able to ink his letter of intent on National Signing Day.

Bellarmine has been impressive in league play and will face a big challenge this week against Serra who showcases a stellar running attack. Kuh and the Bells' linebacker core will have their hands full stopping the run attack. Watch for Kuh to play it cool against the Padres and for the rest of the season in San Jose, California.

Article 255: Marcel is a secondary Marvel

October 10, 2011


As the young 2011 football season goes into league play, the Palma Chieftains have shown early success as a potential top five team in Northern California. The team is anchored by a solid running game on offense while their front seven on defense have limited opposing offenses. But one player in the secondary has also been helping in run support and coverage.

At 6-foot-0 and 190 pounds, Marcel Brinson is a combination of speed and strength as a defensive back. Brinson can run the 40 yard dash in 4.58 seconds, has a 4.40 second shuttle time, bench press 260 pounds, and squat 345 pounds. As a junior last season, he earned second team all league.

Brinson plays a similar style to that of USC Trojan Taylor Mays because he is a good size for his position, can play free safety, also play strong safety, and play inside the box like a line backer. Brinson plays strong safety and free safety but can play in one on one coverage or play inside the box as a line backer.

Palma Coach Jeff Carnazzo says, "Marcel's strength is his his physical brand of play. He is big strong and physical and plays his SS position like a linebacker. He plays the game with passion and is smart and instinctual. He always seems to be around the ball."

Humboldt State, Colorado State, University of San Diego, and Washington have interest in adding a secondary component such as Brinson into their recruiting class. Brinson had this to say about the colleges that he has been looking at so far, "Northern Arizona - I like the area and I know I can play there. University of San Diego- it's nice and not too far away from home and I have friends there. Humboldt State is not too far away from home and I know I can play there." Brinson wants to major in Radio Broadcasting in college.

Coach Carnazzo adds, "Marcel has tremendous leadership skills. Player and coaches are drawn to him like no one I have ever coached. He is our leader on and off the field. He will definitely be playing football on Saturdays next year. His play this year will dictate the level that he will play."

Brinson has been a varsity starter since his junior year. He gives Palma flexibility as he can play any position in the secondary. Brinson also plays with mental toughness as he was hurt in his first game last season but toughed it out to be an effective piece in Palma's run to the second round of the playoffs. In addition, Brinson lost his twin brother to cancer when he was 8 years old. As a result, he is very family oriented and spiritual.

Brinson wants to see a strong finish to his senior year as he is looking to make it to a few all-star teams. But more importantly, he wants to help Palma make a run for an undefeated season and deeper playoff stint. Brinson runs track during the offseason to help keep his speed up but plans to be a football prospect on the next level.

Watch for Brinson to help continue Palma's early season success. If that continues, expect the Chieftains to have a top five finish at the end of the season and Marcel to be a secondary marvel on the college level in 2012.

Article 254: NCP Football Roundtable

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.

Article 251: Palma 'Powers' up

September 16, 2011

In video games, the protagonist is often chasing mushrooms or getting magical stars to power up his skill level. In high school, football teams often look for their junior varsity squads to reload the varsity team. In the case of the Palma Chieftains, they are literally powering up with 2013 defensive end Jack Powers.

At 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, Powers is a force at the line as he also can run the 40 yard dash in 5.0 seconds, bench press 250 pounds, and squat 400 pounds. The junior has been a starter since his sophomore year when he helped Palma to a 13-1-1 record. As a sophomore, Powers recorded 71 tackles, 5 fumble recoveries, 7 deflected passes, 6 sacks, 1 blocked punt, and 1 interception that earned him 2nd team all TCAL, TCAL sophomore of the year, and first team all-state defensive team.

Palma Coach Jeff Carnazzo says, "Jack has great size and athleticism. He is a hard worker and is a team leader. He also shows great toughness. Jack plays hard on every play and is the key to our defense. He is our Rush end and plays equally well against the pass and the run."

Powers models his game after 49er Justin Smith because he is huge and physical, but has enough finesse to be a rushing threat. Powers is used as an outside rush that stops the run but also puts pressure on quarterbacks.

Powers sports a 3.50 GPA as English is his best subject and he is undecided on his major. He wants to play for a great coach at a great program where he can showcase his skills. He is open in his geography and is looking for a solid academic program.

Coach Carnazzo adds, "Jack is a great leader on and off the field. He is a very good student and a great person. Jack is a definite Division 1 prospect. The sky is the limit for Jack and he is only a junior. As long as he continues to dedicate himself he will be able to excel at any level."

Powers was raised in an Irish Catholic home and considers family to be important as he has seven siblings. His immediate goals for his football team are to win TCAL, CCS, and then state.

Powers also has started on the varsity basketball team since his freshman year and has been to a CCS championship and a CCs semifinal game in his first two years. Last year, he was named TCAL first team All League and Monterey Herald first team all county. Despite his success in basketball, his main focus is on football.

This defensive end should be pin balling off of opposing offensive lines into the quarterback. Palma to "Powers" up in its journey to a deep postseason run in Salinas, California for the next two years. Then watch for Powers to level up to the college gridiron in the fall of 2013.

Article 246: Catching up with Feao Vunipola

August 25, 2011

Feao Vunipola will be a key component for Pittsburg High this upcoming season. This 2012 prospect can play both ways for the Pirates at the linebacker and running back positions. Vunipola had 72 rushes for 466 yards and six touchdowns and caught 12 receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns while registering 31 tackles on defense.

At 6-foot and 220 pounds, Vunipola can run 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a shuttle time of 4.20 seconds, can bench press 295 pounds, squat 475 pounds, and has a vertical of 32 inches.

The current schools that are in contact with him include Cal, Cal Poly, Colorado, Fresno State, Idaho, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, USC, Utah, Washington, and Washington State.

Vunipola, whose name means "With God", has had some initial thoughts about these schools and their conferences that he is in contact with.

Big Sky Conference (Cal Poly and Northern Arizona): Vunipola says, "I think the Big Sky conference is an underrated conference. They might not have the biggest name of all the others but I see that they are developing a lot of great athletes for the NFL. They have stepped up their recruiting process and brought a lot of great athletes to that conference. This conference has a lot of speed the last time I checked, especially Eastern Washington."

Mountain West Conference (San Diego State): "The Mountain West Conference is another under rated conference in my opinion. There's lots of big names in the conference that can do some damage against the big named teams, such as Cal, Washington, etc. I believe that's the reason why they brought up Boise State because they have been dominating lately. Don't let the little names fool you. These teams have some great athletes - especially Boise State and San Diego State."

Pac-12 Conference (Cal, Colorado, Oregon State, USC, Utah, Washington, and Washington State): "The Pac-12 conference is my probably my favorite conference of all. I love that is in the west coast and I can stay close to home. One of the reasons why I love this conference is because I think they're the most competitive conference in all of sports. This conference has the most national titles from all sports from softball, football all the way to tennis. This conference is great in every sport. My goal is to work my way up there to one of these schools."

Western Athletic Conference (Fresno State, Idaho, and San Jose State): "I would love to play for any team in the WAC conference. Every team in this conference has great programs. I have a lot of interest in Fresno especially."

Vunipola was busily attending football camps at Cal, San Diego, and USC during the summer.

When asked about what he worked on the most during the summer for his senior football season, Vunipola says, "During the summer my main goal was just to get faster and bigger. I spent most of my days in the summer either in the weight room or on the field. We did a lot of speed training. Before the summer we tested, I ran a 4.6 in the 40 yard dash. Then we tested again after the summer I ran a 4.48. I also gained 15 pounds. I improved a lot from last year. I'm ready for whatever next year."

Pittsburg quarterback Malik Watson considers Vunipola to be the heart and soul for the football team. Watson says, "The guy is a beast and he reminds me of Rey Mauluga on defense and Stanley Havlili from USC when on offense but he's a RB right now so he is just a total savage coming out of the backfield with that 4.4 speed and weighing that much that is just something I've never seen in high school and I can't wait to see what he does this season because he is a great leader and player and he leads by example on the field. And he lets his play do the talking."

As a linebacker and running back, Vunipola has these thoughts on some of the contemporary players that he follows.

Frank Gore: "Frank Gore is probably one of my favorite running back in the league. He's been outstanding the past 4 years. First running back in 49er history to rush for 1000+ yards for four years consecutively. He is like a little bowling bowl out there on the field. He might be a little undersized but it won't be easy to tackle him. One thiing I like about his the most is his patience, he has great patience when he's behind his linemen."

Adrian Peterson: "Adrian Peterson is maybe one of the best running backs to ever live. He has done a lot of crazy things in the short amount of time he's been in the NFL. Just by the way he runs you can tell he's a great running back. He has the power to run over d-lineman and the speed to outrun cornerbacks. If he continues to do what he's doing he can easily be known as the best running back of all time."

Derrick Brooks: "Derrick Brooks is one of my favorite linebackers. A lot of people doubted him at linebacker due to his size. When he was drafted, they projected him to transition to safety but he refused to change positions. The main thing I loved about him was his heart. He was a little bit undersized but he definitely played as if he was a lot bigger."

If the Pirates start the season clicking, they should be heard deep into the playoffs. A big reason for that outcome will be the play of Vunipola. Watch for Vunipola to run with purpose in the upcoming season in Pittsburg, California.

Article 245: Finding Nemo

August 24, 2011

As in the 2003 Pixar animated film, Finding Nemo, the Pinole Valley Spartans will be looking for 2012 dual sport star Nehemiah Winston to find his stroke on both the basketball hard court and football field. The Spartans had a successful football season last year when they were able to go 11-1-1 before losing in the third round of the postseason. Winston will be only in his second year of football this upcoming season as a tight end and safety.

On the hard court, Pinole Valley went 19-9 last season. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Winston can play the small forward position. During this past summer, he played for the Oakland Soldiers 17 Blue club.

Soldiers Coach Ray Thomas says, "Nehemiah is an athletic 3/4 type player. He has a great midrange jumper. His strength is rebounding and being physical. He is very vocal leader. Nemo (nick name) is a passionate player who is all over the court, doing all the dirty work. Off the court, he is a cool, calm cat that treats everybody like his brother. College wise, I believe Nemo will play D1 football."

Chico State and Sacramento State have shown some interest for Winston on the basketball court. In addition, Winston has a 3.50 GPA and a qualifying SAT score.

Winston is no doubt an athlete as he can run the 40 yard dash in 4.60 seconds, bench press 265 pounds, and squat 300 pounds. These skills allowed him to catch 15 passes that included 8 touchdown receptions last season. Those numbers earned him first team ACCAL.

Pinole Valley football coach Steve Alameda used these short phrases to describe Winston. "Good athlete...only 2nd year of football coming up...plays basketball...3.5 student...elected captain by his peers...good hands...average speed... better deep threat than short stuff...combo of smarts, athleticism, size tough to overlook...Needs to greyshirt and redshirt but will be a good D1 guy."

The Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez tight end and forward combination type of player is getting more football interest. The schools that have shown interest include Arizona, Boise State, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Oregon, San Jose State, Stanford, UC Davis, Utah, Washington, and Washington State.

The 2003 Pixar film was about a juvenile clownfish looking to find his way in the vastness of the great oceanic water. The 2011 Finding Nemo version is about a Pinole Valley high school dual sport teenager trying to find his way in the college recruiting gauntlet. Watch for Nemo to come out victorious in this gauntlet in Pinole Valley this upcoming season.

Article 244: Lawson looks to lay down Law

August 23, 2011

The focus in the upcoming season on the Valley Christian Warriors will be on running back Byron Marshall. But opponents should not overlook Marshall's backfield partner, Jarrod Lawson, also a 2012 prospect who plays both running back and linebacker.

At 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, Lawson helped Valley Christian to finish last season at 11-2 but was defeated by eventual state champion Palo Alto in the playoffs. Lawson started on varsity as a junior at both the running back and linebacker positions. He had 18 rushing touchdowns while earning first Team All WCAL and 2011 Male Athlete of the Year Award for Valley Christian as only a junior. The latter achievement is rather significant considering Valley Christian had the aforementioned Marshall, 2011 lineman Justin Satele, and 2011 center fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. (committed to Vanderbilt but decided to go to the Chicago Cubs farm system).

Valley Christian employs the wing T formation that relies heavily on the running backs. As a result, agile and skilled running backs are a necessity in this scheme. Lawson's performance on the field is comparable to the running styles of Oklahoma Sooner Adrian Peterson and UCLA Bruin Maurice Jones Drew.

On defense, Lawson is a ferocious tackler and is key in calling out the defensive schemes to his teammates. As a result, he plays like Mississippi Rebel Patrick Willis.

Lawson will be going into his second year as a varsity starter on both sides of the ball. During this summer, he worked on switching the ball from left to right to improve his ball security in addition to drills to improve his agility, strength, and footwork. Lawson also attended camps at Boise State, Oregon, San Jose State, and Stanford.

Colleges that are in contact with Lawson include Boise State, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Fresno State, Idaho, Navy, Northwestern, Sacramento State, San Jose State, UC Davis, Washington, Washington State, and Yale. Lawson says that Cornell and UC Davis were in heavy contact with him during the summer and several of the other programs were interested in seeing him play again in September. His conversations with the various coaches have them wanting him to play running back or cornerback in college but Lawson would prefer to play running back as he believes that he is a playmaker on the offensive side.

Lawson has a preference to stay on the west coast as his family is local but is not against leaving sunny San Jose to another part of the country for a football program that is best suited for him. Lawson sports a 4.00 GPA and has a qualifying SAT score as he considers Math to be his best subject and has the desire to major in something that would allow him to be an FBI agent.

His analytical skills are also applicable to his football program decision making as he says this about his future program, "I want a school that can continue to teach me the game and get me to the next level. I want to be a leader and not a follower on the football team. I believe that football is not only a physical game but a mental game and focus is a big key for me. I'm going to take notes in every session and learn more and more from not only my coaches but teammates as well."

He considers last year to be challenging because he was switching to varsity and had to learn both positions on the fly. Lawson says, "It was extremely challenging but I spent extra time with my coaches and really studied the play sheets. It was mentally draining because I'm a perfectionist and I want to do everything right. I put in the extra effort and had a great season. I ended up getting WCAL 1st team all league. Now I'm back in my comfort zone at running back so I'm excited for people to see what I'm capable of."

His individual goal for the upcoming season is to score 20 touchdowns while averaging 10 tackles a game. His team goal is to go undefeated and win a CCS championship for Valley Christian while being a strong leader for his team. Watch for Lawson to lay down the law in San Jose this upcoming season.

Article 243: Brown looking to go Downtown

August 16, 2011

St. Mary's Stockton had an impressive 11-2 season in the previous year. For the Rams to have a successful upcoming season, they will need a big season from 2012 athlete prospect, Marcus Brown.

At 6-foot-1 and 224 pounds, Brown can run 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a shuttle time of 4.35 seconds, and can bench press 230 pounds. Brown chipped in with 36 tackles, 1 interception, and three rushing touchdowns. Brown's efforts helped the Rams go undefeated in the Tri-City League but lost to Grant in the third round of the playoffs.

St. Mary's Coach Tony Franks says, "Marcus' strengths are his versatility, motor, and intensity. He plays very hard on every play on the field. Off the field, he is a real gentleman and is considerate of others and hard working. He would be a top player at the NCAA level. Any coach would be fortunate to have Marcus on their team."

Brown is versatile enough that he can play wide receiver, tight end, and running back on the offensive side while he is a linebacker and defensive end on defensive. Brown would be open to playing tight end or linebacker on the college level. As of now, Brown has been in contact with Colorado, Louisiana Tech, Oregon State, San Jose State, Washington, Washington State, and Weber State.

Brown would like to major in Sports Medicine in college. He wants to attend a college program that would give him the opportunity to start. Brown is open to any college from a geographic perspective.

Brown played many minutes last season but this upcoming season will be his first year starting. During the offseason, he is working on his foot work as Brown has been playing for close to nine years. Brown also plays on the basketball team after the football season.

His teammates call him Downtown Brown while he also has a unique style of running, pigeon-toed. His individual goal for his senior year is to get a scholarship while his team goal is to win state. Watch for Brown to go downtown in Stockton, California during this upcoming season.

Article 242: Terra Nova QB on Forbes list

August 10, 2011

The annual Forbes 500 list details the world's largest companies. High school quarterbacks aim to be on the short list for college recruits. For Terra Nova signal-caller Chris Forbes, he is on the radar of several college programs.

At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Forbes can run 4.74 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a shuttle time of 4.30 seconds, bench press 285 pounds, has a vertical of 32 inches, and a long throw of 70 yards. Terra Nova finished last season at 9-4 and was able to be Central Coast Section champions.

Forbes started on varsity as a sophomore at the linebacker position. As a junior, he transitioned into the quarterback role when he threw for 3,121 yards, rushed for 715 yards, had 27 passing touchdowns with 10 interceptions, and 16 rushing touchdowns while earning first team All Peninsula Athletic League and team MVP, among several other Bay Area media awards.

Because of Forbes' linebacker experience, he is often compared to a tough running quarterback such as Washington Husky Jake Locker. However, Forbes tries to emulate his game after Tennessee Volunteer Peyton Manning.

Terra Nova employs a run and shoot offense that has many similarities to the college level game plans of Hawaii and Southern Methodist. The Tigers like to spread the field that allows Forbes to use his arm strength but also allows him to run the ball often. Forbes likes to lower his shoulder and take it to the defense but is also apt at reading defenses and pass coverage.

During the summer, Forbes works on his throwing mechanics and getting his feet in the correct position so he can be accurate and powerful. This past summer, he has attended several camps including Nevada, San Jose State, Southern Methodist, Tulsa, and USC.

With his height, size, and dual skill set, several colleges have indeed put Forbes on their list. Colorado State, Fresno State, Nevada, Northwestern, San Jose State, Tulsa, USC, Utah, and Wyoming have watched his practice and have been in contact by telephone.

This 2012 prospect is far from deciding where he wants to play in college. However, he does like Fresno State due to its location and coaching staff. Southern Methodist is also a favorite as June Jones' offense has many similarities to his Terra Nova scheme. Forbes is partial to staying in California but would not be adverse to anywhere in the country.

Forbes maintains a 3.20 GPA and has a qualifying SAT score. He plans to major in Business or Criminal Justice. From a football perspective, he wants to play for a program that is pass oriented and can help develop him for the next level.

Forbes' older brother is Jack Forbes who graduated from Terra Nova in 2007 and is currently at defensive end for Portland State. His brother was involved in a serious stabbing in 2006 that also puts some perspective on life for the younger Forbes. His older brother also played linebacker and quarterback while at Terra Nova.

Last season was Terra Nova's first section victory in 25 years. The school has never won the state title and that would be a senior goal for Forbes. In addition, he wants to be mentioned among the top quarterbacks in the country.

After navigating through the thick fog on the way to Pacifica and surviving the steep drive down Highway 1 past Devil's Slide, one will arrive in the valley where Terra Nova is located. Watch for this Tiger to move up on the Forbes list and on the college level in 2012.

Article 241: The Devin is in the details

August 10, 2011

The age-old question of what makes an ideal quarterback will always include a laundry list of requirements. Size, height, quickness, leadership, intangibles, among other criteria would be included on this list. As a result, one would ask what the "devil is in the details" of a successful football program, but for the Carmel High football team, Devin Pearson is that key factor in the Padres' success.

Carmel Coach Golden Anderson lauds the skills of his signal caller. "Obviously [Devin] is a great athlete who can perform at a high level athletically...but he works extremely hard. He is our hardest worker and every single player and coach in our program would agree. He puts in all the grunt work to prepare for the football season," said Anderson. "I've also coached him in baseball - and when he goes into the cage to hit, it's all business - it isn't just try hard when he hits BP on the field. He will hit the tee, soft toss; do all the drills every time without being told. Devin doesn't need to, and most high school athletes who have success don't, but he outworks people. He is the most competitive high school athlete I have been around. He wants to win at everything he does - he turns conditioning in to a competition - and he isn't just a guy who is mad when he doesn't do well so people say 'oh he must be really competitive'. He is literally trying to find a way to beat his opponent, or challenge himself in everything he does. He has missed 1 day of football practice since I've coached him - three summers and two seasons so far and he's missed one day when he was sick...one day."

At 6-foot-0 and 186 pounds, Pearson can run 4.52 seconds in the 40-yard dash, bench press 285 pounds, and can squat 315 pounds. Carmel finished last season at 11-2 and advanced to the Central Coast Section championship game. Pearson threw for 2,673 yards, ran for 1,093 yards, scored 24 passing and 12 rushing touchdowns that earned him Mission Trail Athletic League Player of the Year.

Pearson compares his game to Texas Longhorn Vince Young because he can throw accurately but also make plays with his feet. Carmel runs the spread that allows Pearson to make proper reads but leaves the option to run. Pearson has been a varsity starter since his sophomore year and his favorite move is the cutback.

During the summer, he works on his speed training and quarterback footwork. He also attended several camps including Elite 11, San Diego State camp, Stanford camp, UC Davis camp, and University of San Diego camp.

"[Devin] is a leader. He makes everyone around him better," said Anderson. "He is an extremely composed athlete. If he threw a touchdown or an interception you wouldn't know the difference in his body language or demeanor. Devin is in the top 10 percent in his senior class, and extremely well respected on campus. High school athletes usually have plenty of classmates who dislike them or may be jealous. I don't see that at our high school with Devin."

Cornell, Harvard, Penn, Sacramento State, San Jose State, Stanford, UC Davis, and San Diego are interested in this two sport star who also plays center field in baseball. Cornell and Stanford are his favorites as of now, because they have great coaches who have made an effort to stay in touch with him. Pearson has a 3.64 GPA, 4.00 weighted GPA, and 1820 SAT score, as he would like to major in kinesiology and minor in business.

Coach Anderson has this college take on Pearson. "I know he can play at that level- what position will that be? What sport? I don't know. People will downgrade what he's done based on being at a smaller school, but if it was so easy to do what he's done, it would be done every year by numerous athletes. He is a winner and he plays mistake free in a high risk offense. Those traits are hard to come by. In 469 attempts in high school, he has completed over 70 percent of his passes and has a 55-10 in td/int ratio. He's also rushed for 19 touchdowns. Devin has said over and over that he doesn't care if he throws five touchdowns or five interceptions as long as the team wins. He is 23-2 overall and 5-1 in the playoffs. Those five playoff wins are the only playoff wins in Carmel High School football history."

Pearson considers his biggest sports related adversity to be the loss in this past season's CCS championship after being up by 28 at halftime. "I have worked as hard as I could this off season in order to not have that feeling again. I have felt what it was like to win the CCS championship in 2009 and feeling the opposite in 2010 was terrible. I plan on this year being different," he said.

Then there is the situation of his mother's cancer. "She was diagnosed with brain cancer 7 years ago. The doctors gave her 1 year to live. Our family came together and she has been cancer free ever since. Almost losing her was terrible but going through that has made me and my family stronger."

This two-sport star will definitely shine brightly in Carmel by the Sea also known for its former movie star mayor, Clint Eastwood. Nevertheless, the success of the Padres will depend on the devil in the details of its football program, specifically Pearson.

Article 232: Olson back on the Hill

July 20, 2011

Injuries are just part of competitive sports. While there is never a good time for an injury, having one during the high school junior year can really slow down the recruiting process for a prospect. For Andrew Olson of Hilmar, last season ended in the third game.

Despite that setback, Olson is a 6-foot-2 and 185 pound quarterback who can run 4.90 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a shuttle time of 4.49 seconds, bench press 300 pounds, squat 500 pounds, has a vertical of 33 inches, and a long throw of 60 yards. Hilmar finished last season at 6-4 with a first round playoff loss. The loss of Olson did affect the continuity of the team.

Hilmar Coach Frank Marques says about the injury, "His injury was a blow to our team. The positive thing that came out of the injury was how he still came to practice and help his back up with reads and encouragement. No doubt that missing the majority of last season hurt our team, his development, and the recruiting process. Without much film and statistics, it is hard for recruiters to evaluate Andrew. So, that's why for him, it's going to be important to have a fast start."

Olson models his game after Nevada Wolf Pack Colin Kaepernick because he has good footwork, accuracy, and makes good decisions with the ball. Hilmar runs the spread offense but Olson also trains under center with his quarterback coach, Roger Theder. Despite the injury, Olson has started six varsity games as he considers his best skill to be his accuracy as he has the ability to place the ball anywhere on the field with a flick of the wrist.

Olson has been playing football since he was eight years old as he has attended several summer camps that include Fresno State, Menlo, Nevada Reno, Sacramento State, San Diego State, and San Jose State. He won the quarterback MVP at the National Underclassman Combine at Chabot College in Hayward earlier in the summer. He has also been invited to participate in the Ultimate 100 in Los Angeles as well as the Cal State Game 5 Star Skills and Drills Camp in Oxnard, California.

Despite being hurt most of last season, Fresno State and Sacramento State still have Olson on their radar. Olson wants to play for a competitive program with a good coaching staff and would prefer to stay close to home, but he would go anywhere that wants his services. He wants to major in History and wants the college to provide a wide scope of History courses.

Coach Marques has this opinion of Olson, "Quick release, strong arm, great decision making on the zone read, leadership, work ethics, and is physically and mentally strong. Andrew leads by example and is a fierce competitor on the field. Off the field, he is dedicated to the weight room and is a student of the game. I think he has the tools to play at the college level. We will have to see how he performs this season. He has had a great spring and summer. So, I'm very optimistic. I do think that Andrew will end up having a successful college career. The only question is, is at what level. We are lucky to have Andrew here at Hilmar High School."

Olson considers himself to be very good at memorization as the ability to memorize is vital to the game of football to know all the plays, recognize coverage, and be able to call out blocking schemes. His biggest football adversity was breaking his arm last season while remaining optimistic. His biggest non-football adversity was the recent death earlier this summer of Hilmar High Offensive Line Coach Franky Silveira who was 25 years old.

Olson muses about the sudden death of Coach Silveira and what he meant to his team, "He was not only a great coach, but he was a friend to many as well as a loving brother. One word that I would use to describe Coach Franky would be "dedicated." He was so into Hilmar Football and our team as a whole. He was always there to open up the weight room, always there to give us advice and words of encouragement as well as an occasional kick in the rear end if we needed it. The O- line has retained a lot of information from Coach Franky and they intend to put it to use this season. Coach Franky was about pushing all of us to the limits to make Hilmar Football the best that we can be. He knew just how vital the O- line is to the game as he put everything into coaching the position but also mentored all of us at every other aspect of the game. Coach Franky will be greatly missed but not forgotten. We will play each game in his memory making him proud as we fight hard, week in and week out, to bring the Blue banner back to Hilmar."

Needless to say, Hilmar will dedicate the upcoming season to Coach Silveira. Olson wants to pass for 3,000 yards, rush for 1,000 yards, and help his team make a run for the state title. Watch for Olson to be back on the hill for his Yellow Jackets in Hilmar this upcoming season.

Article 220: 1-On-1: Arik Armstead

June 21, 2011

Elk Grove (Calif.) Pleasant Grove dual-sport athlete Arik Armstead has a bunch of numbers attached to his name.

In football, he's a four-star strongside defensive end, the No. 23 overall prospect in the nation in the Rivals100 and the third-best in the nation at his position.

In basketball, he's the No. 7-ranked prospect in the NorCalPreps 2012 Boys Basketball Top 40. He led Pleasant Grove to an 18-10 record this past sason while averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds.
 
At 6-foot-8 and 280 pounds, Armstead can run the 40-yard dash in 5.00 seconds, bench press 315 pounds, squat 480 pounds, and has a vertical of 30 inches.
 
While a dominant force on the gridiron, Armstead - a solid verbal commit to USC - ia also passionate about basketball as he plays the power forward position.
 
On his way to the USC Basketball Camp this past weekend, NCP asked Armstead about his basketball background, future, and interests.

Steve Hu of NCP: Who would you compare your basketball game to and why?
 
Arik Armstead: I have a unique game as I can play a big post but also can dribble and shoot from outside. I try to combine post players and wing players. I would say for a wing player, I like Carmelo Anthony for his post up and face up. For post players, I like Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard and how they have good footwork and positioning.
 
NCP: Most people would assume football players who play basketball just rely on their brute, physical strength on the hard court. In your case, would you disagree with that and why?
 
AA: I disagree with that. Some may rely on both. I have played basketball longer than football as I started playing basketball at six years old. My dad at played at Sacramento State. My dad's workouts with me are guard focused. As a result, I have a lot of moves, can dribble, and can shoot. Straight brute strength won't work at the higher levels.
 
NCP: Pleasant Grove had a successful football season last year but the basketball team finished tied for third in the division. Aside from the obvious answers, what do you want to accomplish in your senior year in basketball and how will you achieve that?
 
AA: I want to go farther in the playoffs and help out as much as I can. I want to be more of a leader. I plan on helping on defense more, rebounding, and getting the ball to the guards to start the fast break. I will be a bigger post feed for my guards too.

NCP: Why play for the Compton Magic? What were some of the other reasons of having to make the journey to Southern California for your summer club team?

AA: Exposure is a big reason. Teammates Isaiah Austin (Grace Preparatory Academy) and Gabe York (Orange Lutheran) attract a lot attention at the games. Also, Armond played with the Compton Magic as well.
 
NCP: College football overlaps the college basketball season by over month - and longer if the football team has a January bowl game. How do you plan to make the transition mid-way into the basketball season?
 
AA: I plan to rest a few days and work out. Then, get the rust off and get shots up. The timing would have me playing right when the Pac-12 conference season begins. I would just try to play my way into the conference season.
 
NCP: From a professional perspective, is there anything that would convince you to give up either sport? As an example, if you were projected to be a high first round pick in either sport. Or is the end goal to play both sports professionally?
 
AA: I want to be the first person to play in both the NBA and NFL. I would continue to play in both sports even if I was not drafted in both. I would want to play in an NBA season right after its all star break.
 
NCP: How much of an influence does your brother's (Armond) sports experience impact you or will impact you? As an example, he is projected as a high NFL lineman prospect.
 
AA: He helps me a lot as I watched him through the recruiting process, his high school games, and his college games. I can see what I need to do to reach a high level.
 
NCP: You train with your father's training program, To The Hoop, which is a widely known basketball training service in the Sacramento area. What is it that you learn from his services and some of the professional basketball players that he has worked with?
 
AA: He's taught me everything I know. He was the first person to put a basketball in my hands. I also have watched the pro guys that he trains and observe their work ethic. I see how hard they work to make it and how to maintain their level. One of the players that my dad works with is Mike Wilks (10 year NBA player who went to Rice). He has stayed with my family for 10 summers. I learned from him on and off the court and how hard he works and how he approaches things in life and how he made it. I have also learned from watching Ryan Anderson and Matt Barnes who have also worked with my dad.
 
NCP: You have visited many colleges and USC in particular with your brother there. What do you want to major in college? What occupation would you pursue if you did not play sports? What kind of college experience are you looking for?
 
AA: I would want to major in Sports Management. Since USC does not have that major, I plan to go to Marshall Business School. I would want to start my own business something like training or being a sports agent. The college experience that I want is to get a good education, have a good college career, and be a better student athlete to help achieve my goals of playing both in the NBA and NFL.
 
NCP: Any other comments?
 
AA: People think basketball is a hobby for me. But I am serious about both sports. If people watch me, they will realize that as well.

NorCalPreps.com analyst Douglas Benton, who has been scouting since 2004, recently attended the Sacramento Professional Developmental League (basketball) to watch Armstead play.
 
"Arik played a sound game in the SPDL to finish with 14 points in scoring from different areas on the floor," Benton said. "He is in the mold of a face up power forward who you can use in the screen and roll game and also work off the ball going toward the basket. He highlighted his effort with a nice spin move to score in showing off some of his agility.
 
"As a football prospect, he has some of the best feet I've seen for a lineman prospect and should be very successful at the next level on either side of the ball. His future though is on the defensive line."

Article 219: NCP Roundtable

June 20, 2011

While the school year has been over for less than a month, it is already time to start looking ahead towards the next football season. With the 2012 class being one of the best to come through the region in a number of the years, NCP analysts Douglas Benton and Steve Hu discuss the most pressing questions in this edition of NCP Roundtable.

1. What teams are looking for a bounce back season?

Steve Hu: Nevada Union. After coming off a 13-1 season in 2009, the Miners started 2010 at 4-1 and looked to have another solid season. But the team lost every league game, granted all of them were reasonably close losses. Leading tackler Tanner Vallejo will be returning as he was just a sophomore.

Pittsburg. The Pirates also had a Jekyll and Hyde 2010 season as they started the season winless at 0-5 but then won every league game to only lose a rematch playoff game to league rival Heritage to end the season at 5-6. Feao Vunipola and Malik Watson will be key returning players at linebacker and quarterback to lead the Pirates.

Douglas Benton: At the end of the first half of the season, it looked like Nevada Union was primed to make another run at a SJS Division I section title. However, the Miners went winless in their first year in the Sierra Foothill League to miss the playoffs with a 4-6 record. This year, head coach Dave Humphers returns the vast majority of his starters and should be read y to compete near the top of a difficult league. Also look for Foothill-Pleasanton and Pittsburg to bounce back from first round exits after being fixtures in the NCP Top 20. Another team who will try to take the next step as a playoff contender is Elk Grove of the SJS, which returns 21 of its 37 players including 1,100 yard rusher Deon Ransom.

2. What teams have questions to answer heading into the fall?

Steve Hu: Palo Alto. When you win state, the target will be that much bigger on you. In addition, the Vikings lose Davante Adams (Fresno State), Kevin Anderson (Stanford), and T.J. Braff (Santa Clara baseball). An early season test against Archbishop Mitty will be a good indicator if the Vikings are in rebuilding or reloading mode.

Folsom. Another team that will have the bulls eye on opponents' schedules. The big question is the quarterback position as Dano Graves accounted for 62 passing touchdowns. The Bulldogs will have back to back games against Grant and San Ramon Valley to gauge where their offense is at early in the season. Folsom lost their first game last season to Grant before going unblemished the rest of the way.

Douglas Benton: Palo Alto went on a special run last season with an undefeated mark in capturing the CIF Division I state championship. The Vikings are now tasked with replacing a strong senior core, led by quarterback Christoph Bono as well as talented defenders in Anderson and Braff. They will also have to deal with WCAL teams Bellarmine and Valley Christian-San Jose which should be able to make a potential championship run. Another section finalist which will have to retool is Monterey Trail, especially in the ever expanding football area of Elk Grove. In a league with Grant at the top and a challenging non-league slate, we should know more about the Mustangs after the first month.

3. De La Salle is the clear No. 1 team. Which other schools will be in the state title discussion?

Steve Hu: Football is the consummate team sport. With that said, look at the Rivals 250 list, which only lists 4 and 5 star prospects. If your team has a 4 or 5 star prospect, that should be worth at least a few points in your advantage. Shaq Thompson (#10, 5 star, Grant), Aziz Shittu (#12, 5 star, Buhach), Arik Armstead (#23, 4 star, Pleasant Grove), Zach Kline (#40, 4 star, San Ramon Valley), Byron Marshall (#90, 4 star, Valley Christian), Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick (#180, 4 star, Whitney), and Freddie Tagaloa (#206, 4 star, Salesian) will all give their respective teams legit chances of going undefeated and will have strong playoff teams. And keep in mind, these teams also have other players who are high caliber players as well. Interestingly, De La Salle has no one on the top 250 list but still return some really good pieces in Michael Barton, Bart Houston, and Michael Hutchings.

Douglas Benton: This has the potential to be another big year for NorCal on the state stage after winning four of the five games in 2010. Outside of De La Salle, Pleasant Grove and Bellarmine will be in the discussion for a bid all year as the favorites in the SJS Division I and CCS Open Division respectively in returning a high number of starters off of successful seasons. These two schools look to fill spots No. 2 and 3 in NorCal heading into the year. Other teams will be Grant and Del Oro out of the SJS in what could be another thrilling Division II playoff field. In the lower levels, Cardinal Newman should be very good again this year as well as Escalon with Josh Miguel back in the fold. Salesian should also challenge as a team playing excellent football down the stretch and the CIF Division IV runner-up Brookside Christian returns quarterback Tony Rodriguez.

4. What are the non-league games you would most want to attend?

Steve Hu: Folsom at Grant 8/27. Going into last season's playoff game, Grant was undefeated and had cruised in the earlier season matchup but lost to Folsom. This game can be a springboard for Thompson to showcase his national status. Like the college BCS system, the winner will be that much ahead in the state title playoff chance. But remember, Folsom lost this game last season and was still able to rebound against the long odds. Expect Grant to win at home as their offense will be hard to stop all year.

Pittsburg at Monte Vista 9/16. Monte Vista gets overshadowed by De La Salle but they feature a very strong team as well. Both Monte Vista and Pittsburg have very good quarterbacks in Jeff Lockie and Watson respectively. Pittsburg wins a close one as the offense has dual threat playmaking quarterback.

De La Salle at St. Thomas Aquinas 9/23. De La Salle will have tough matchups with Bellarmine and St. Mary's Stockton before this game. But if they can win both of those games, this game against St. Thomas Aquinas could be a national top 5 matchup as both teams finished in the top 5 of Rivals final team rankings for last season. The game will be televised live on ESPN as St. Thomas Aquinas will be breaking in a new coach. Playing at home, expect St. Thomas Aquinas to win with their defense as lineman Jelani Hamilton is one of the top recruits in Florida.

Douglas Benton: Putting aside the De La Salle-St. Thomas Aquinas match-up, which has the potential to be one of the best games in the country all year, there are plenty of intriguing non-league games in the first month. The first one is on September 2 when Bellarmine travels to play De La Salle. It will be a Top 3 match-up and feature the Spartans against WCAL competition. This game will be an excellent gauge on how big of a separation there is between DLS and the rest of NorCal as well as if Bellarmine is worthy of national status this year. Folsom will open up its season against Grant this year, but I like the match-up with San Ramon Valley the next week. The Wolves should be very competitive this year with Kline at the helm and will be a nice test for Folsom and its pass defense. An out of the area game to look for is when Westlake comes up to play Del Oro on September 3. The Golden Eagles have received some early talk as a potential nationally ranked team and will look to post an important win against a 12-2 team last year from Southern California after losing games to Bishop Gorman and Clovis West last year.

5. Which leagues will be the toughest in NorCal this season?

Steve Hu: East Bay Athletic League has the top team in the state in De La Salle. As a result, that level of competition raises the bar for all the other teams.
WCAL always seem to perform well out of conference. The league schedule is played at a grind it out pace that goes into the playoffs. Valley Christian will probably be the favorites but Bellarmine returns a lot of key starters as well.

Douglas Benton: There are four leagues that stand out to me in Northern California, led by the Sierra Foothill League. The SFL has star power at the top, strong coaching and the depth to make it a challenge almost every week. This year, it looks to be Del Oro as the early favorite, but Granite Bay and Nevada Union aren't far behind. Also, Rocklin is just two years removed from a state bowl bid. In no particular order the rest of the way is the East Bay Athletic League, the West Catholic Athletic League and the Delta River League. The EBAL has De La Salle at the top with nice depth of good teams with San Ramon Valley, Monte Vista and Cal. The WCAL is always tough and this year is no different with Bellarmine and Valley Christian the top contenders. Serra will also be a factor with a good running game returning. Possibly the biggest factor in this league is the rivalries, which keeps the competition close. Finally, the Delta River League was tough last year and will be again with Pleasant Grove and Folsom bringing back good squads. A dark horse team to possibly slide into the third spot is Sheldon under head coach Josh Crabtree.