High school football 2024 preview: West Catholic Athletic League
As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
WEST CATHOLIC ATHLETIC LEAGUE
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN
Coach: Adhir Ravipati
2023 record: 7-4
What to expect: When Riordan is firing on all cylinders, no team in the Bay Area has the firepower that the Crusaders boast. It all starts with junior quarterback Mike Mitchell Jr., who threw for 31 touchdowns and set a WCAL record with six TD passes against Valley Christian. Washington commit and reigning WCAL receiver of the year Chris Lawson headlines a WR core that also features D-I prospects Judge Nash, Cynai Thomas and Wesley Winn. OL Tommy Tofi and Peter Langi both weigh over 300 pounds and have offers from colleges across the nation. Lineman Salesi Manoa Lata and senior linebacker Skylar Tiatia lead a defense that should be much-improved compared to last season. The San Francisco school, led by former CCS champion coach Adhir Ravipati when he led Menlo-Atherton, has the talent to dethrone Serra. The Crusaders have a gauntlet of a non-league schedule. They open at Oakland powerhouse McClymonds, travel to St. Bonaventure-Ventura and then visit Pittsburg.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at McClymonds, 7 p.m.
No. 2 SERRA
Coach: Patrick Walsh
2023 record: 12-1
What to expect: The strong core that led Serra to the past three CCS Open Division and NorCal Open titles has graduated. Patrick Walsh’s Padres should still be a force in the WCAL even if the longtime coach said replacing 18 of 22 graduated starters will be “an epic challenge.” The strength of the team is undoubtedly the offensive line, where returning starters Lemani Fehoko and Eli Shamieh will be joined by Louis Akpa and team captain and starting center Jonah Alapati. Three-year starter Teddy Chung will once again line up at safety, and senior CB Jermaine Barrett is the fourth and final returning starter. WR Charlie Wiley and RB Nano Latu played reserve roles a season ago, but should be the focal points of the offense this season. No team in NorCal has as tough a first three weeks as Serra, which travels to Folsom and De La Salle, then plays host to mega-heavyweight St. John Bosco-Bellflower. The Nov. 2 game at Riordan could decide the league champion.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Folsom, 7:30 p.m.
No. 3 ST. FRANCIS
Coach: Greg Calcagno
2023 record: 7-4
What to expect: The Lancers, coming off a stunning first-round exit to Wilcox in the CCS playoffs last season, will once again be a force to be reckoned with in the WCAL. As is tradition, Greg Calcagno’s power rushing attack will feature a stud tailback. Kingston Keanaaina rushed for over 1,500 yards and scored 19 touchdowns a year ago. He is committed to BYU. Multiple WCAL coaches tabbed him as the league’s preseason MVP, with one saying he’s “the most dominant RB” in years. Linemen Atamai Matau and Sione Netane are both maulers in the run-blocking game. Returning team captain Aaron Knapp threw for 12 touchdowns and forms a big-play combo with wideout Perrion Williams, who caught a team-high seven touchdowns. The Cahoons – Jackson and Chase – are a formidable duo at linebacker, and Sefanaia Alatini is a DB with multiple college offers. Calcagno says non-league games against Helix-San Diego, McClymonds and De La Salle will tell a lot. The Lancers will “find out if we are any good,” Calcagno said.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vat Helix-San Diego, 7 p.m.
No. 4 VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Coach: Mike Machado
2023 record: 6-6
What to expect: Valley Christian bounced back from an uncharacteristic 1-9 season in 2022 to make the Division I playoffs in 2023. The Warriors will see if they can rejoin the upper-echelon of the league this season. Mike Machado shouldn’t have any problem playing power football. Their best player is four-star lineman Champ Taulealea, who tips the scales at 330 pounds and stands an imposing 6-4. Guard Nathaniel Banuelos and Terrence Johnson are also solid blockers next to Taulealea. Colton Hider is a standout at tight end, pass-rusher and longsnapper. Returning senior Marcel Leggett should be the top rusher for Valley Christian after putting up 805 total yards and scoring eight touchdowns. Linebacker Ethan Flynn seems primed for a big season. Just like last season, Valley Christian opens with a game against perennial public-school power Wilcox.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Wilcox, 7 p.m.
No. 5 ST. IGNATIUS
Coach: Lenny Vandermade
2023 record: 7-5
What to expect: Year 1 of the Lenny Vandermade era was a success as the San Francisco school reached the CCS Division I semifinals and pushed eventual NorCal champion Los Gatos to the brink. The Wildcats have the talent to surprise the WCAL’s best this year. “Being solid up front will give us a chance in any game we play this upcoming season,” Vandermade said. Four-star lineman John Mills is a Texas commit, defensive lineman Manoah Faupusa is a transfer from Los Alamitos in Southern California and Isaia Vandermade was the WCAL freshman of the year. Three-year starter Soren Hummel is a steady presence at QB, and RB Jarious Hogan rushed for 11 touchdowns and caught two more. Senior linebackers Daniel Leupold and Latham Davis can line up at multiple positions. The Wildcats open against San Ramon Valley for the second year in a row, this time in Danville.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at San Ramon Valley, 7 p.m.
No. 6 BELLARMINE
Coach: David Diaz-Infante
2023 record: 2-8
What to expect: Last year was a season to forget for first-year coach David Diaz-Infante, who is ready to lead the Bells into another era of success. Diaz-Infante said, “We enter the 2024 season with something to prove, not only to the league but also to ourselves.” Outside linebacker Henry Clark is the “unquestioned leader” of the defense and will pair with fellow senior Nico Tatom at linebacker. Charles Swall is converting to edge rusher full time, and Connor Johnstone is expected to have a breakout season at left tackle. QB Nick Weber could be a surprise story in the WCAL and has a strong arm and quick feet. Reece McKeever is a powerful runner. Infante said Luca Bavone should be the team’s best receiver thanks to his elite quickness. Don’t expect much finesse from the Bells this season, with Infante noting, “This past off-season brought renewed focus to the tradition of toughness that has been a hallmark of Bellarmine football.”
Season opener: Aug. 31 at Menlo-Atherton, 1 p.m.
No. 7 SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL
Coach: Antoine Evans
2023 record: 0-10
What to expect: Things can only get better for Sacred Heart Cathedral after a winless season. The Fightin’ Irish have the passing attack to win a high-scoring game or two this year. Quarterback Michael Sargent threw 11 touchdown passes last season and has interest from several colleges. WR Obryan Flanigan made the WCAL first-team after compiling 713 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns. Leading rusher Legend Williams should have a breakout year as a junior. WR Chase Jenkins made plays in limited opportunities last season, and senior Mykel Patton threw for four touchdowns and also had the team’s only interception as a DB. Games against Soledad, Sacred Heart Prep and Wilcox will test the Fightin’ Irish early.
Season opener: Aug. 30 at Soledad, 7:30 p.m.
No. 8 ARCHBISHOP MITTY
Coach: Danny Sullivan
2023 record: 5-6
What to expect: Coach Danny Sullivan faces a steep challenge trying to match up with the WCAL’s juggernauts, but his Mitty team has stunned the outside forecast before. After going 0-9 in 2021, the “Gritty Mitty” squad reached the CCS Open championship game in 2022. Jonah Kroenung impresses Sullivan with his work ethic and will be the team’s starter under center. Tight end Owen Harrington should be one of his top targets. Junior Lazaro Faraj-Washington is a powerful runner and will be the team’s No. 1 RB with the graduation of workhorse back A.J Cenizal. Caden Kelley and Andre Lopez Monsivais are wideouts who should also contribute at linebacker and DB, respectively. Sullivan said Dylan Beigi is the “stalwart for the group” at offensive line. Keep an eye out for athletic wideout Marquis Marshall.
Season opener: Aug. 30 vs. James Logan, 7 p.m.