Chad West, St. Mary's
Photo by Heston Quan
St. Mary's moves down to Division III this year after the CIF adjusted its enrollment divisions earlier this week. The Rams immediately move to the top of the NorCal division of the Freeman Rankings, which are one of the methods used by the CIF Bowl Committee to choose teams for the state bowl games.
Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure, meanwhile, will fight it out for the Southern Section No. 1 spot. The Lions were the Division III representative in 2006 while the Seraphs have won the berth the past two seasons.
Division III – Northern California
1. St. Mary’s (Stockton), 12-3
The Rams will miss quarterback Cody Vaz, who led the team to the Division II state bowl game and came within a few points of a state crown. Fortunately for coach Tony Franks, most of the remainder of the offense returns intact, including highly coveted receiver Josh Harper (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) and split end Louie Lechic (6-4, 190).
The Rams also have experience at fullback, where Jordan Davis (5-10, 190) returns. Franks expects the team to have good size on the offensive line to go along with the speed and quickness at the receiver spots.
2. Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa), 13-1
It’s all of the usual suspects back at the top of the Division III bowl standings, starting off with Cardinal Newman, which has appeared in two of the past three bowl playoffs. Last year, the Cardinals won their first 13 games before falling to St. Bonaventure in the Division III Bowl Game. Nine total starters return for the Cardinals, including four on offense and five on defense.
Coach Paul Cronin has to replace all of his skill positions, though, and he’ll start with 6-2, 215-pound senior quarterback Jack James, who replaces North Bay League MVP Randy Wright. Chris Reuter (6-1, 185) will be one of James’ top targets at wide receiver. Meanwhile, Teyo Green (6-0, 185) could be the team’s best defensive player at strong safety. The Cardinals open their season on Sept. 12 against No. 2-ranked Central Catholic.
3. Valley Christian (San Jose) 10-3
The Warriors might have been the best Division II team in Northern California last year, but they participated in the Open Division of the Central Coast Section and failed to qualify for a berth after falling to Bellarmine Prep in the playoffs. Valley Christian finished 10-3 overall with wins over Serra and Oak Grove as well as Novato. The Warriors lost most of the starting lineup from last year’s squad that finished 10-3 overall; however, sophomore Byron Marshall is expected to take over where brother Cameron Marshall left off at running back. Austin Lowe (6-3, 245) leads the offensive line candidates.
4. Central Catholic (Modesto), 11-2
For the first time in close to a decade, the Raiders are not the defending section champion in the Sac-Joaquin Section. That honor goes to Hilmar, which upended Central Catholic 17-6 in the Division V playoffs. Coach Roger Canepa, in his second year at Central Catholic, returns five starters on both sides of the ball and benefits from a 10-0 JV group.
Starting quarterback Dylan Swartz returns after throwing for 2,057 yards and 22 touchdowns. One of the school’s top athletes, baseball standout Billy Flamion, returns at receiver while mountainous Matthew Galas (6-2, 270) and Tyler Lee (6-3, 275) should dominate on the offensive and defensive lines.
5. Hilmar, 12-1
The Yellowjackets had a 2008 season that was reminiscent of the Hilmar dynasties of the 1980s. Hilmar was 12-1 last year and avenged its only loss with a victory over Central Catholic in the section finals. However, only one starter returns on both sides of the line for coach Frank Marques, leaving Hilmar to count on tradition and the experience of Quinton McCown (6-3, 205) at quarterback to get the Yellowjackets back to the section finals. Carlos Diaz (5-1, 120) will provide quickness at running back while Brad Avila (6-2, 180) is the leader on defense at linebacker.
6. Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton), 11-1-1
The Gators reached the Central Coast Section Division III finals before falling to Sacred Heart Cathedral for their only loss in an 11-1-1 season. Six starters are back on offense and defense, including standout running backs Matt Waite (6-0, 185) and Chris Gaertner (6-1, 200). The Gators also have one of the CCS’s top linemen in returning starter John Oppenheimer (6-0, 250).
7. Sutter, 11-1
Scott Turner stepped down as coach, leaving longtime defensive coordinator Ryan Reynolds as the man in charge of the Husky powerhouse. The offense will have to rebuild after losing all-section QB Jon Garcia, but the defense remains impressive with eight starters returning. The defensive line should be particularly effective with wrestling standout Austin Morehead at one defensive end spot and 6-7 basketball star Isaiah Bohmann at the other. Leszek Ratajczak will be a ballhawk at free safety.
8. Dixon 9-3
The Rams have had a rough time the past six years, but they appear to have turned around the program last year under coach Scott Winslow. Although sporting a 25-37 record during the past six seasons, Dixon was 9-3 last year and went undefeated in the Capital Valley League. Winslow also returns 17 starters from last year, including nine on defense. Nearly every skill player returns, including quarterback Jefferey Anderson and running back Mike Hendrix. Adam Watkins leads a solid group of offensive linemen.
9. Escalon, 11-1
While Central Catholic and Hilmar rank higher to start the season, don’t be surprised if Escalon emerges as the team to beat in the Sac-Joaquin Section. Longtime coach Mark Loureiro has size and experience on the line, as well as a returning quarterback in Spencer Franceschetti (5-10, 170). Nick Largent (6-1, 215) returns as the team’s top defender at linebacker while Jasn Johnstad (6-4, 270) is the Cougars' top returning lineman at offensive tackle. The Cougars also have a group of JVs that were 8-2 last year.
10. West Valley (Cottonwood), 9-3
The Eagles could break Sutter’s grip on the top spot in the Northern Section thanks to the return of six starters on offense and four more on defense. The line play, led by Gabe Groff, should be the team’s strength while Derek Serna gives West Valley a breakaway threat in the backfield. Levi Cox takes over the role of quarterback for the graduated Josh Barrett.
Division III - Southern California
Logan Meyer, St. Bonaventure
Photo by Heston Quan
1. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 14-0
The Lions have dominated the Northwest Division in the Southern Section the past six seasons, winning six straight section titles and posting a 79-5 overall record, including a 14-0 mark last year.
And the best may yet be to come. Coach Bill Redell has 12 returning starters, including all key skill positions. Oh yeah, he also has NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana helping call plays. Montana’s son Nick, headed to the University of Washington, leads the offense, along with MaxPreps preseason all-state selections Malcolm Jones at running back and Eric Kohler on the offensive line.
The defense should also be outstanding, with two of the nation’s top defensive recruits, lineman Cassius Marsh and linebacker Zach Stout, leading the way.
2. St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 14-1
The Seraphs have won the last two state titles at the Division III level, and certainly could make it three in a row. Coach Todd Therien has 14 starters returning from a 14-1 squad and has a 10-0 JV group moving up to the varsity level.
The quarterback/running back combination of Logan Meyer and Devon Blackledge should be outstanding while the defense led by all-section linebacker Dylan Davis and defensive back Troy Hill will also be stellar. The Seraphs also have one of the state’s best offensive linemen in USC recruit Giovanni DiPoalo.
3. Serra (Gardena), 13-1
The Cavaliers may have the best receiver tandem in the nation in Robert Woods (6-2, 185) and George Farmer (6-2, 200). Woods is ranked among the top five pass-catchers in the nation while Farmer ranks among the state’s best. The rich then got richer in May when Los Alamitos standout receiver Paul Richardson enrolled at Serra.
Also ranked among the nation’s best receivers, Richardson gives Serra yet another dependable athletic receiver to take the pressure off of Woods. Richardson’s Los Alamitos teammate, quarterback Conner Preston, also enrolled at Serra, which helps the Cavaliers, who lost QB Ted Landers to graduation.
4. Paraclete (Lancaster), 11-3
The Spirits have been a steady playoff contender out of the Olympic League under coach Norm Dahlia. League champions the past two seasons, Paraclete won the Mid-Valley Division title last year. A total of 17 starters return, including defensive standouts Todd Davis (6-3, 230) at linebacker and Kyland Warren (6-0, 175) at defensive back.
Branden Owen is a stalwart on the offensive line and will also see time at defensive end. Finding a starting quarterback will be Dahlia’s biggest challenge.
5. Chowchilla, 12-1
The defending Division IV section champions in the Central Section will be hard-pressed to repeat as champs, as coach John Henson has just two starters back on offense and five on defense. None of the Redskins' top skill players return either; however, Chowchilla has done quite well over the past six seasons, posting a 59-17 record.
Garrett Slate (5-11, 175) and Edgar Armenta (6-1, 215) will take on the responsibilities at running back while Nick Sanchez returns to open the holes on the offensive line.
6. St. Joseph (Santa Maria), 10-2
The Knights won the Los Padres League last year and appear to be the favorite again with 12 starters returning for coach Mike Hartman. Although few skill players return, the Knights have an undefeated group of juniors moving up to the varsity level.
K.J. Cusack (5-9, 160) and Jason Buchanan (6-3, 185) are the gamebreakers at receiver for the Knights while Zach Perron (6-6, 265) is the force on the line.
8. Bakersfield Christian (Bakersfield), 12-1
Only a loss to Oaks Christian in the season opener kept the Eagles from posting an undefeated season. However, coach Doug Barnett will have to replace 4,000-yard quarterback Derek Carr, as well as do-everything receiver Jake Peterson. Tyler Miller, a 6-3, 255-pound offensive lineman, is the only returning all-league player for the Eagles.
9. Yosemite (Oakhurst), 8-4
The passing game should be deadly for the Badgers this year despite the loss of league MVP quarterback Jesse Lownsbury. Coach Aaron Eames is confident in Jackson Glines’ ability at quarterback, and one reason might be the quality receivers he has at his disposal. He has three all-league receivers to throw to, including Detri Dunn (6-1, 190) and Garrett Yoder (6-3, 215). The Badgers have a 10-0 JV group moving up to go with 13 returning starters on offense and defense combined.
10. JSerra (San Juan Capistrano), 5-5
The Lions might have only been 5-5 overall, but that’s because they play in one of the toughest leagues in the country, the Trinity League. JSerra will have a tough time qualifying out of the Pac-5 due to the high number of quality teams in that division. However, the Lions definitely rank as one of the top small schools in the Southern Section. JSerra has 18 returning starters, including 10 on offense.
The skill positions are loaded with Otto Behrle (6-1, 160) and Bobby Brown (5-11, 160) each returning at receiver and junior Joey Kimpler (5-11, 180) back at running back. Coach Jim Hartigan feels his team will have a strong group of returning linemen but will have to find a quarterback and gain some experience at linebacker.
