The Division II Bowl Game produced one of the more thrilling games at the CIF state championships last year, with Cathedral Catholic outlasting St. Mary's 37-34. Cathedral Catholic is back in the mix this year (St. Mary's has dropped to Div. 3), but other teams have emerged as the early favorites to earn a berth in the 2009 Division II Bowl Game.
According to the Freeman Rankings, one of several methods the CIF uses to help determine bowl participants, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, with returning Gatorade State Player of the Year Ryan Kasdorf at quarterback, is the favorite in the south, while Northern Section powerhouse Paradise gets the nod in the north.
Following is a look at the top 10 teams in the Division II North and South preseason rankings.
Division II – Southern California
1. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 11-1
The Knights were ranked among the top teams in the country at one point thanks to the play of quarterback Ryan Kasdorf, who eventually earned Gatorade State Player of the Year honors. Kasdorf is back, and while he has not picked up many college offers, he has shown that he can produce on the field, with more than 3,000 yards passing last year.
He also has nearly every lineman returning from last year, including Ben Gottschalk (6-4, 250), an All-CIF Pac-5 selection. Although Kasdorf’s receivers are a bit inexperienced, he does have a gamebreaker in the backfield in speedy running back Kenny Boggs.
2. Servite (Anaheim), 7-4
The Friars are the favorites in the always tough Trinity League thanks to seven returning starters on both offense and defense, and a group of juniors that went 9-1 at the JV level last year. Servite finished tied for first in league play last year and returns the quarterback that helped lead it to the title in 6-2, 195-pound senior Cody Fajardo.
He’ll have plenty of beef in front of him, as a strong group of linemen returns, headed by Matthew Jakubiec (6-8, 310) and Kirifi Taula (6-4, 285).
3. Moorpark, 12-2
While the Pac-5 tends to dominate the Division II bowl candidates from the Southern Section, a candidate from the Northern Division has emerged in the form of Moorpark. With nine starters back on offense and five on defense, the Musketeers could improve on an already stellar 12-2 mark from last year.
Brian Blechen (6-3, 205) returns to lead the offense at quarterback, while Austin Edmonson will help in the backfield at running back. Joe Frank is the team’s top lineman at 6-4, 290. Coach Tim Lins indicates that the Musketeers should be solid on pass defense, but will be young across the defensive line.
Alex Crosthwaite, Cathedral
Photo by Louis Lopez
4. Crespi (Encino), 6-4
After suffering through an 0-3 record in the Serra League and a 6-4 mark overall, the Crespi Celts hope to regain the form they showed in 2007 when they won the league championship. The Celts have one of the top quarterbacks in the Southern Section in Bryan Bennett, who is in his third year as the starter for Crespi.
He’ll have a strong line in front him, led by All-CIF center Hroniss Grasu and all-league picks Ben Loth and Mike Mitchell. Kevin Williams and Brad Lattanzio lead an experienced secondary.
5. Valhalla (El Cajon), 11-2
The San Diego Section received the Division II berth last year, and that could happen again this year if Valhalla improves on its 11-2 effort from 2008. The Norseman have one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the country in Grossmont South MVP Pete Thomas (6-5, 207).
He’s not the only talented skill player returning for Valhalla. All-league running back Traivonne Brown returns, along with receiver Matt Swanger (6-2, 175). The defense has one of the league’s best defensive linemen in Shane Pennix (6-4, 256), while Taylor Phipps is the team’s top returning offensive lineman.
6. Cathedral (San Diego), 14-0
The defending Division II state champions will miss Tyler Gaffney, the state’s player of the year after scoring more than 50 touchdowns for the Dons. Jordan Lance could take over the bulk of the carries this year after earning all-league honors as a junior.
Meanwhile, Brien Moynihan returns as the team’s top receiver. The Dons have a pair of outstanding linemen on both sides of the ball with Alex Crosthwaite (6-5, 290) earning national recognition on the offensive line and junior Mustafa Jalil (6-3, 270) emerging as a top prospect in the class of 2011.
7. Norco, 8-5
With Centennial expected to be down a bit from last year’s state championship team, the Norco Cougars could be the favorites in the Big VIII.
Coach Todd Gerhart has seven returning starters on both sides of the ball from a team that went 8-5 last year. Gerhart isn’t unfamiliar with winning big games either, as his squad won section titles in 2005 and 2006. Deantre Lewis returns to lead the offense at running back, while Carl Bradford (6-1, 225) figures to be one of the top tight ends in the state. Joe Smith (5-10, 195) leads a solid group in the secondary.
8. Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 8-4
The Monarchs no longer have Matt Barkley calling signals, meaning Bruce Rollinson will have a new quarterback for the first time in over four years. Fortunately, the Monarchs have one of their top returning running backs in Jordan Allen to carry some of the load for the new QB.
Chris Ward (6-5, 300), one of the top tackle recruits in the country, will provide plenty of protection. The Monarchs were 8-4 last year and tied for first place in the Trinity League. The JV group was 9-1 last year, helping to give Mater Dei depth at the skill positions. However, Rollinson notes that his team will be inexperienced on the lines.
9. Lutheran (Orange), 10-3
The Lancers surprised Mater Dei last year during league play and helped create a three-way tie for first place in the Trinity League. Lutheran then reached the semifinals of the Pac-5 playoffs before falling to Tesoro. The Lancers only have four starters back on offense and two on defense, but they are standout players.
Bobby Wheatley (6-3, 210) showed great improvement last year at quarterback and could be among the league’s best. Meanwhile, Garret Gilliland (6-0, 210) should be the heart of the defense at linebacker.
10. Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach), 10-4
While the Mustangs aren’t usually mentioned in the same sentence with the other powerhouses in the Southern Section Division II bowl rankings, the return of 18 starters has a way of changing the conversation.
Mira Costa reached the Western Division finals last year before falling to Quartz Hill, and has 10 starters back on offense from that group. Leading the way is a pair of linebackers in Kellen Lockwood (6-2, 210) and J.R. Tavai (6-1, 240). The duo could emerge as one of the best tandems in the southland. Kyle Nunn is the top returning offensive player at receiver.
Division II – Northern California
1. Paradise, 11-1
The Bobcats have been the team to beat in the Northern Section ever since Rick Prinz took over the program nine years ago. With a 61-9 record over the past six seasons with four section crowns, the Bobcats could find a spot in the state bowl games this year.
Only two starters return on offense, but one of them is running back Jordan Dobrich (6-3, 210), who showed flashes of what to expect as a sophomore last year. The defense should be much more solid with seven starters back, including linebacking standouts Matt Talamantes (6-4, 210) and Aaron Ropp (6-1, 215).
2. Los Gatos, 10-3
The Wildcats won the Central Coast Section medium school division last year but qualify as a large school in the bowl division rankings. Coach Butch Cattollico’s team could be a serious candidate for a bowl berth this year thanks to the return of six starters on offense and seven on defense from a team that went 10-3 last year.
Nick Hirschman is back at quarterback for the Wildcats. At 6-4, 225, Hirschman is one of the top signal callers in the South Bay. He has a pair of big targets on offense in wide receiver Andrew Berg (6-1, 185) and tight end Alex Gletzer (6-3, 230). Gletzer is also the team’s top returning defender at linebacker. The Wildcats will have to find replacements for the offensive and defensive lines, however a group of juniors that went 8-2 last year will help.
3. Encinal (Alameda), 13-0
The Jets were 13-0 and won the North Coast Section Division III title last year, with East Bay MVP Jonathan Brown leading the way at quarterback. Brown is gone, but eight starters return on offense and seven more are back on defense to help coach Joe Tenorio make a bid for the state bowl games.
Tyronne Duckett (6-2, 210) takes Brown’s spot at quarterback while Abraham Amiri (5-11, 185) will take most of the carries at running back. Jesse Mercado (5-9, 200) is the top returning lineman.
4. Enterprise (Redding), 8-4
The Hornets return all of their skill players from last year’s 8-4 team, including the talented brother combination of Anthony and James Williams. Standouts in basketball and track and field, the Williams duo will line up at quarterback (Anthony) and receiver (James).
Brian Coleman, a 1,000-yard rusher as a junior, also returns in the backfield. Six starters return on both sides of the ball for Darren Trueblood’s squad.
5. Foothill (Palo Cedro), 6-5
The Cougars are hoping to make good on the bowl berth that eluded them in 2007. Foothill went undefeated in 2007 but was passed over for Novato for the Division II bowl bid. This year, Foothill opens with Novato at home in Palo Cedro.
Coach Bryon Hamilton has eight starters returning on offense and defense, and has one of the north state’s fastest players in running back/receiver Marcial Lawson. Mike Farris (6-3, 180) also returns at quarterback, but the defense took a hit when Aaron Boals (6-2, 315), an all-section pick in 2007 as a sophomore, decided not to play this year.
6. Casa Roble, 13-0
The Rams won the Sac Joaquin Section Div. III championship last year, completing a 13-0 season behind a high-scoring, explosive offense. However only one starter returns from that group and none of the skill players are back, leaving coach Norm Ryan with a rebuilding season on that side of the ball. Fortunately the Rams have a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball. Scott Patalano (6-2, 210) returns at safety while Dillon Markau is back at defensive end and Justin Hayden returns at outside linebacker.
7. St. Francis (Mountain View), 3-6-1
The Lancers had a losing record last year and have the always daunting task of working their way through a WCAL schedule. However, a group of underclassmen that went 9-1 last year has given Lancer fans cause for hope. St. Francis also returns a pair of solid running backs in Nathan Morace (5-8, 180) and Glen Borel (5-7, 170) from last year’s squad.
Kyle Miller also returns at quarterback while his favorite target, Poppy Livers, is back after an all-league season as a junior.
8. Shasta, 9-3
The Wolves are the fourth of four Eastern Athletic League teams from the Northern Section to crack the Div. 2 rankings. Shasta has one of the northstate's top running backs in Evan Taylor, who already has over 3,000 career rushing yards entering his season season. Shasta also has one of the section's best linebackers in Rich Stevenson, a two-time all-leagu selection.
9. Novato, 11-3
The Hornets won three straight section titles and then fell just short of making it four in a row last year in a 35-28 loss to Encinal. Novato continues to be one of the top teams in the North Bay and it returns WR Jake Caliguire, LB Jacob Kraft and RB Ricardo Mendez.
Coach Travis Brackett’s squad has gone 66-13 over the past six seasons and 44-3 in league play. Novato has a tough preseason schedule to get through that includes games on the road at Foothill (Palo Cedro) and Oakdale and a home game against Foothill (Pleasanton).
10. Inderkum (Natomas), 11-2
The Tigers fell just short of a Sac-Joaquin Section championship last year, falling to Casa Roble in overtime on a pass intercepted in the end zone. Junior lineman Nate Falo leads the line play after earning all-league honors as a sophomore. Elusive quarterback Demetrius Williams also returns for the Tigers along with all-league linemen Antonio Kanaday and David Weider.
Editor's Note: Rankings have changed from earlier post due to change in CIF Enrollment Divisions.
