The matchup in the first-ever California small-schools state football championship game produced the most lopsided outcome in the short history of CIF Bowl Games, with St. Margaret's crushing Hamilton 59-7.
Of course, the 59 points scored against the Braves was only St. Margaret's fifth-highest total of the season, so Hamilton can't feel too disheartened by its performance. There's a chance the two teams could meet again, as St. Margaret's is once again among the favorites in the Southern Section and Hamilton is one of the top teams among the Northern California small schools.
Based on the Freeman Ratings, which is one of the methods the CIF uses to help determine teams for the state championships, Parker is the top team to start the season in Southern California, and Modesto Christian is the No. 1 team in the North. Here's a closer look at the top 10 small schools in each division.
Southern California
1. Parker (San Diego), 12-1
The Lancers came very close to receiving the small-schools berth for Southern California last year, but a loss to Westview during the regular season was enough to give the nod to undefeated St. Margaret’s. Parker may be too hard to pass up this year.
With All-San Diego Section quarterback Deon Randall back running the show for coach John Morrison, the Lancers should once again dominate the Division V playoffs in San Diego. The Lancers have six starters back on offense and five on defense. Replacing the defensive starters may be Morrison’s toughest task, but his offense should be impressive with DeMaree Harris (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) returning at running back and Wes Gavin (6-5, 265) back on the offensive line.
John Muryama, St. Margaret's
Photo by Louis Lopez
2. St. Margaret’s (San Juan Capistrano), 15-0
The Tartans have a 43-game winning streak and have won three straight section titles, along with the 2008 Small Schools Bowl Championship. The Tartans also have one of the best coaches in the state in Harry Welch, who has won a pair of bowl championships with two different teams.
So why aren’t the Tartans the SoCal favorite? For one, they need to replace a ton of talent on the offensive line. Secondly, Welch will have to find a replacement for Dave Mothander, a do-everything quarterback who also did all of the team’s kicking. Fortunately, Welch has five starters back on offense and six on defense, along with a 9-1 group of juniors moving up from the JV level. John Murayama (5-5, 140), a dynamo of a running back, returns in the backfield. The Tartans also have two experienced starters back in linebacker Mike Schmall (6-0, 190) and defensive back Chris Adams (6-0, 185).
3. Central Valley Christian (Visalia)
If the Central Section is ever going to get a representative in the CIF bowl games, it might come in this division. The Cavaliers certainly have a solid history with a 58-17 record over the past six seasons. However, all signs point to the Cavaliers needing another year to rebuild before making a run at a bowl berth.
Only seven total starters return from last year’s 9-3 team and the JV group went just 3-7 last year. The good news is that coach Mason Hughes returns running back Conner Potts (5-10, 180) to lead the offensive attack. He’ll have some solid players in front of him, including offensive lineman Miles Chorley (6-0, 260) and junior tight end Brandon Dykstra (6-2, 175).
4. Aquinas (San Bernardino), 10-2
While St. Margaret’s is the favorite out of the Southern Section, keep an eye on Aquinas. The Falcons have 17 total starters returning from a team that went 10-2 and lost twice to Twentynine Palms. Jim Jones moves to quarterback after earning all-section honors at receiver. He has a big target in Jake Henderson (6-2, 235), who was an all-section pick at linebacker.
There’s also a familiar name at defensive tackle with Uche Amajoyi expected to dominate there. Amajoyi is the last of three brothers to star for the Falcons. The other two brothers are currently playing in college at Stanford and U.C. Davis and were members of Aquinas’ section championship team in 2005.
5. Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach), 6-5
The Eagles might be the fifth-best small school team in Southern California, but they’ll have to get through the minefield that is the Coastal League in the San Diego Section. Facing Parker, as well as Christian of El Cajon, there is no room for error if Santa Fe Christian hopes to reach the bowl games.
The Eagles don’t return a ton of players on either side of the ball; however, running back Sam Hoekstra, sophomore defensive back Connor Moore and linebacker Trent Von Yokes all earned second-team all-league honors last year.
6. Linfield Christian (Temecula), 10-3
The Lions came within a game of reaching the Northeast Division finals in the Southern Section, finishing 10-3 overall. Coach Jimmy Kemmis loses league offensive MVP Daniel Musquiz to graduation, but a number of talented players return, including a all-leaguers Colin MacKichan (FB), Brandon Blake (WR), Zac Starrett (TE), Matt Fetzer (6-6, 241, T), Addison Campanella (FB) and Justin Carter (WR).
Blake caught 37 passes for 804 yards while Carter grabbed 19 for 304 yards. Starrett was the star on defense, racking up 125 tackles.
7. Rio Hondo Prep (Arcadia), 10-3
The Kares won the Northeast Division championship last year with a 13-6 win over Riverside Christian. Coach Ken Drain has 13 starters back from that squad that posted a 10-3 mark, including two of the team’s top receivers, Cody Cowell (6-0, 210, TE) and J.T. Parker (5-11, 175). Nick Preciado, a junior who saw some time on the varsity last year as a sophomore, is the top threat at running back. Chris Llamas also returns at quarterback.
8. Christian (El Cajon), 10-2
The Patriots are the third of three Coastal League juggernauts vying for a bowl berth. Christian was 10-2 last year and finished second behind Parker in league play. The Patriots are also just three years removed from a section title (2006). Coach Matt Oliver returns one of the section’s top linebackers in Steven Pitts (6-1, 190), who will get help on defense from junior Tyrone Sauls (6-2, 230) at defensive end and Matthew Knight (6-2, 240) on the defensive line.
9. La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla)
If the Coastal League doesn’t produce the top candidate from San Diego, the Pacific League might. La Jolla Country Day returns 18 starters from last year’s group that went 8-4 overall. All of the skill players return, including quarterback Derek Hatfield (6-3, 190) and running back Montell Allen (6-0, 210). Junior Mike Bailey (6-3, 195) gives Hatfield a big target at tight end.
The Torreys have been the team to beat in the Pacific League for the better part of the past four seasons, finishing second last year and first the previous three seasons.
10. Santa Clara (Oxnard), 9-2
The Saints have developed into a small-school power in the Northwest Division of the Southern Section, posting a 9-2 record last year behind the play of All-American Cierre Wood. Unfortunately, the Northwest is also where nationally ranked Oaks Christian resides, and for the Saints to earn a bowl berth, they must get past Oaks Christian in order to qualify.
While the loss of Woods will be difficult to overcome, The Saints return some solid players on defense, including all-league defensive back Donald Espinosa, linebacker Svondo Bradley and defensive back Dyrell Lackey. Miguel Medina also returns on the offensive line, along with Jeremiah Navarro. The backfield returns two starters in Isiah Torres (RB) and Michael Laubacher (QB).
Northern California
1. Modesto Christian (Modesto), 8-3
The Crusaders may have had the best small-school team in Northern California last year, but they failed to qualify after losing to Hilmar in the playoffs. Modesto Christian has one of the top playmakers in the state in four-year varsity quarterback Isaiah Burse. He was the offensive player of the year in the Trans Valley League last season. He’ll get help from all-league RB Kevin Roya, as well as line stalwarts Kris Mora (5-11, 185, G), Tyler Jamison (6-4, 255, T) and Raymond Nelson (6-5, 215, TE).
2. Modoc, 12-0
The Braves just missed out on a bowl berth last year, as they were beaten out by fellow Northern Section school Hamilton. The CIF selection committee won’t have the dilemma of choosing between the top squads from the Northern Section this year, however, as section champions will play an additional playoff game to determine who will receive the bid.
Modoc looms as the early favorite with seven starters on offense and six on defense from a team that went 12-0. Matt Mayes (5-11, 190) leads the offense after rushing for more than 1,000 yards last year. Ulysses Gonzales (5-11, 165) also returns at receiver, where he was one of the team leaders in catches. Tyler Wood (5-10, 200), son of coach Shaun Wood, tops a strong group of linebackers.
3. St. Vincent (Petaluma), 11-1
The Mustangs will try to repeat as Division V North Coast Section champs after finishing 11-1 last year, with the only defeat coming by one point to Clear Lake (8-7). All-league RB Kris Farinha is back to pace the offense. Spencer Willin leads the defense on the line.
4. Hamilton, 10-3
The Braves are the two-time defending Northern Section Division III champions, but have dropped to Division IV due to a change in enrollment numbers. The Braves have a strong group of seniors and have 17 total returning starters; however, they lost all-league quarterback Brad Lohse, who transferred to Pleasant Valley (Chico). Leading rusher Omar Diaz figures to get more carries with Lohse gone. He rushed for 1,176 yards last year.
The line should be solid with Colby Anderson (6-0, 200) and Jonathan Jacobo (6-3, 200) both returning.
Tyler Takahashi, Bradshaw Christian
Photo by Andy Garza
5. St. Francis (Watsonville), 7-4
The Sharks could be a team to watch this year from the Central Coast Section, as coach Joe Gregorio has nine starters returning on offense and defense. Chad Lucas (5-10, 175) did a little bit of everything last year, rushing for 437 yards and catching nine passes for 156. He’ll play QB this year for the Sharks. Zach Scurich (6-2, 235) is a big target at tight end while Tyler Sambrailo (6-7, 270) gives St. Francis one of the league’s biggest players on the line.
6. Ferndale, 11-1
The Wildcats are a perennial favorite from the Humboldt Del Norte Little Five, where they have won six straight league titles. Coach Kim Jorgenson is 68-7 over the past six seasons, with just one league loss in that time (36-1). The Wildcats should be very tough on the line, where all-leaguers Dustin Walters and Silas Sarvinski return. Ryan Robertson started half the season at QB last year while Jake Coppini was second-team all-league at running back.
Andrew Matyshock joins Sarvinski and Walters on the offensive line and will anchor the defense at linebacker.
7. Portola, 10-2
The Tigers made great strides last year, going 10-2 and reaching the section finals against Modoc just two years removed from having to cancel the season due to a lack of players. Coach Steve Heskett has 11 starters back, including talented running back Cole Adams (6-2, 195), receiver Cliff Robinson (6-0, 165) and lineman Daylon Goings (6-1, 185).
The Tigers opened the season with a 35-6 win over four-time section finalist Maxwell.
8. Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento)
The Lions pulled off one of the bigger upsets in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs with a victory over Vacaville Christian in the Division VII finals after falling to VC 35-7 earlier in the season. Tyler Takahashi (5-9, 175) is back after rushing for 1,859 yards last year. He’s joined in the backfield by Brady Dragmire (6-1, 185), who ran for 1,125 yards.
Meanwhile, linebacker Joseph Pigeon (5-11, 220) led the defense last year with 11 tackles per game.
9. St. Elizabeth (Oakland), 8-5
The Mustangs are just two years removed from a North Coast Section Division V championship, and they advanced to the finals last year before falling to St. Vincent. St. Elizabeth has some talent returning in the form of all-league running back David Douglas and all-league defensive players Denzel Wright (DL) and Demario Robertson (LB).
10. Capital Christian (Sacramento), 5-6
The Cougars should be improved from last year’s 5-6 mark thanks to the return of QB James Lee. As a junior, Lee threw for 2,695 yards and 28 touchdowns. Lee returns two receivers who figure to be his favorite targets in TE Drew Reid (6-2, 190) and WR Paul Roberson (5-11, 175).
