Competition is likely to be fierce in top leagues
The high school football season begins Friday and will feature many attractive earlyseason matchups.
But coaches will say that it’s all in preparation for league play. That’s especially true in the West Catholic Athletic League.
“In many ways, winning the WCAL carries as much or more weight as a section or state title,” Serra coach Patrick Walsh said. “The history is rich.”
Said St. Francis coach Greg Calcagno. “You definitely don’t enjoy it when you’re in the fray. Each week is an utter grind. But it sure tests you. Makes you better.”
With that in mind, here’s a look at the top leagues in the Bay Area as the 2017 season opens:
1. WCAL
Teams in The Chronicle’s
preseason rankings: No. 2 Serra, No. 4 St. Francis, No. 8 Valley Christian, No. 19 Bellarmine, No. 22 Mitty.
Top players (from The Chronicle top 50 players
list): No. 4 DT Tyler Manoa (St. Francis), No. 9 S D’Angelo McKenzie (Valley Christian), No. 15 DE RJ Stone (Valley Christian), No. 17 DE Joshua Pakola (St. Francis), No. 19 DE Nick Alftin (Mitty), No. 23 CB Alton Julian (Valley Christian), No. 25 WR-DE Patrick Nunn (Serra), No. 26 NG Antonio Mafi (Serra), No. 39 RB-S Isiah Kendrick (Serra), No. 41 LB Austin Ajiake (Bellarmine), No. 45 TE Junior Fehoko (St. Francis), No. 46 DB Charlie Bostic (Valley Christian), No. 47 DE Cade Hall (Bellarmine), No. 48 DL Jaedon Roberts (St. Ignatius).
Noteworthy: Serra handed St. Francis its only two losses of 2016, including a season ender. This league title will probably come down to the same matchup at St. Francis on Oct. 13. “That’s going to be a tough one,” Walsh said. “They’re going to come with fury.”
Predicted finish: 1. St. Francis; 2. Serra; 3. Valley Christian; 4. St. Ignatius; 5. Bellarmine; 6. Mitty; 7. Sacred Heart Cathedral; 8. Riordan. 2. East Bay Athletic League
Ranked teams: 1. De La SalleConcord; 13. Foothill-Pleasanton; 16. California-San Ramon; 21. San Ramon ValleyDanville; 23. Monte Vista-Danville.
Top players: No. 1 DT Tuli Letuligasenoa (De La Salle), No. 2 LB Henry To’oto’o (De La Salle), No. 8 G Blake McDonald (SRV), No. 11 RB Kairee Robinson (DLS), No. 12 TE Isaiah Foskey (DLS), No. 24 QB Ben Wooldridge (Foothill), No. 27 QB/P Ryan Wright (California), No. 40 WR Rob Funkhouser (SRV).
Noteworthy: As part of an agreement with the North Coast Section, De La Salle is part of the league — players are picked on the All-EBAL team — but doesn’t play for the league title. … Foothill boasts the East Bay’s top quarterback and returns its top running back, receiver, lineman and defender from last season, but bigger and more physical California and San Ramon Valley don’t match up well.
Predicted finish: 1. San Ramon Valley; 2. California; 3. Foothill; 4. Monte Vista; 5. Dublin; 6. Granada; 7. Dougherty Valley; 8. Livermore. 3. Bay Valley Athletic League
Ranked teams: No. 6 Pittsburg; No. 12 Freedom-Oakley; No. 17 Antioch. Top players: No. 5 DT Jacob Bandes (Pittsburg), No. 10 Omari Harris (Antioch), No. WR 36 A’Jae Boyd (Pittsburg), No. 43 WR Baylei Coston (Freedom).
Noteworthy: Despite a seasonending knee injury to promising quarterback Trey Turner, Pittsburg still has enough to win its first league title since 2014 . ... Liberty-Brentwood, with new coach Ryan Partridge, and Deer Valley-Antioch, with dual threat QB Dior Walker, might be the region’s two most improved teams.
Predicted finish: 1. Pittsburg; 2. Antioch; 3. Freedom; 4. Liberty; 5. Deer Valley; 6. Heritage. 4. Santa Clara Valley Athletic League: De Anza Division Ranked teams: 3. Milpitas; 18. Los Gatos; 25. Palo Alto.
Top players: No. 6 RB-WR-DB Tariq Bracy (Milpitas), 20. WR Tuni Fifita (Milpitas), 30. OT Justin Scrempos (Milpitas), 49. Tyree Bracy (Milpitas).
Noteworthy: The Bracy twins and Fifita give Milpitas quickstrike ability, and it also has beef up front.
Predicted finish: 1. Milpitas; 2. Palo Alto; 3. Los Gatos; 4. Wilcox; 5. Homestead; 6. Saratoga; 7. Los Altos. 5. Diablo Athletic League Foothill Division
Ranked teams: 7. Clayton Valley-Concord; No. 11 Campolindo-Moraga; No. 20 Miramonte-Orinda.
Top players: No. 16 OT Brandon Mello (Clayton Valley), No. 29 QB-S John Torchio (Campolindo), No. 50 QB Robbie Rowell (Acalanes-Lafayette).
Noteworthy: The title probably will come down to the Clayton Valley at Campolindo game on Nov. 3. Clayton Valley won last year’s game 50-15, but lost in the first round of the NCS Open Division. Campolindo went on to win NCS, regional and state lower division crowns.
Predicted finish: 1. Clayton Valley; 2. Campolindo; 3. Miramonte; 4. Acalanes; 5. Concord; 6. Las Lomas-Walnut Creek. MaxPreps senior writer Mitch Stephens covers high school sports for The San Francisco Chronicle.