Bellarmine (San Jose, Calif.) at De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)Bellarmine has eight returning starters on both sides of the ball including talented senior quarterback Travis McHugh. But will it be enough to hang with the Spartans, who are ranked No. 3 in this week's Xcellent 25 rankings? The Bells should have success moving the ball on the ground on offense, but stopping the run on defense is a question mark. There isn't a lot of size or experience on their defensive line.
Two-time defending Open Division state champion De La Salle returns one of the nation's top quarterbacks and the core of an outstanding defense. Wisconsin recruit
Bart Houston enters his third year under center. The 6-4, 215-pounder has completed over 66 percent of his passes for his career and last season racked up nearly 2,000 yards through the air. The Spartans' defense features a pair of Division I-caliber linebackers in California commit
Michael Barton (6-0, 200) and junior
Michael Hutchings (6-1, 205).
Mitch Stephens: De La Salle 35, Bellarmine 21
Steve Montoya: De La Salle 34, Bellarmine 20
Stephen Spiewak: De La Salle 28, Bellarmine 14
Kevin Askeland: De La Salle 42, Bellarmine 6
Jamie DeMoney: De La Salle 39, Bellarmine 20
De La Salle again has high expectations.
Photo by Dennis Lee
