Galileo’s title boosted AAA’s image
Tobias Whitley is in his first season as head coach at Mission, and even he knows the significance of Galileo winning a state title in 2017.
“Galileo shined a lot of light” on the Academic Athletic Association, he said. “Our kids believe they can do what they achieved. It’s definitely a reachable goal.”
Galileo coach Mark Huynh and his Lions (11-2, 5-1 AAA) thoroughly enjoyed the bright light that went with going on the road to claim unprecedented Division 6-A Northern California and state championships last season.
Led by AAA Player of the Year Yarvell Smith and AAA Defensive Player of the Year Jimmy Edwards, the Lions traveled 602 miles by bus to knock off Vincent MemorialCalexico near the Mexican border, 38-20.
It gave a much-maligned league some gridiron cred heading into 2018.
Huynh — whose team returns Smith (1,522 rushing yards, 21 TDs, 78 tackles), Edwards (139 tackles, 14 sacks) and game-breaking back Ronald Fox (moving from running back to quarterback) — wants more.
“Being state champs hasn’t changed anything at Galileo except as a coaching staff, we have a higher standard and goal with state in mind,” Huynh said.
Galileo has much more than the big three. All-City defensive back Michael Duran and receiver Reese Bickart return, as do utility player Thomas Santos and two-way lineman Joseph Ale. Newcomers Kobe Cabuntala, Robby Lee and Rafael Oropeza also impress Huynh.
The toughest challenge might come from Lincoln. Coach Phil Ferrigno has led the Mustangs (7-4, 4-2) to six San Francisco Section titles since 2005 and this could be a seventh, with the likes of safety and running back Jovan Baker (5-9, 160), quarterback-tight end and linebacker Eugene Larios-Felton (6-1, 200), running back-cornerback DeSean Crawford (5-7, 150).
“All these kids got the job done in the classroom and in the weight room in the offseason,” Ferrigno said.
Whitley, who graduated from Mission in 1998, replaced Greg Hill, who led the Bears to 16 wins in two seasons. Mission has won four straight round-robin league crowns.
The Bears (8-4, 6-0) are led by all-around back Jelani Al-Malik (5-8, 160), the AAA’s sprint champion, quarterback and linebacker McKinley Oliver (6-0, 190) and wide receiver Matthew Cohn, up from the JV team.
Whitley, the JV coach the past three years, expects the Bears “to compete for a state title.” West Catholic Athletic League Sacred Heart Cathedral: Coming off the team’s first winning season since 2011, the Irish (6-5, 3-4 WCAL) were hit hard by graduation, especially on offense, where only three starters return: running back Anthony Heard (5-8, 175), tackle Spencer Golddfein (5-9, 200) and receiver LeVar Watkins Jr. (5-10, 180).
Second-year head coach Barry McLaughlin is trying to build off last year’s success when the Irish beat St. Ignatius (21-14), Riordan (42-21), and Mitty (35-25).
“We have more good speed, especially on defense, which is ahead of the offense at this point,” said McLaughlin, who has 47 players on the roster. St. Ignatius: The Wildcats (3-7) had their third straight losing season and have had just two winning records since 2006. Both those teams won CCS titles.
Eighth-year head coach John Regalia has loads of experienced players, led by All-WCAL players Mark Biggins, a 5-10, 185-pound linebacker/running back, and two-way lineman Jack Dyke (6-4, 260), both of whom are third-year starters. There is a three-way competition for quarterback between senior Jack Hagfeldt and juniors Teddye Buchanan and Zach Taylor-Smith.
“All three are comparable and bring something slightly different to the table,” Regalia said. “We have some good experienced guys on both sides of the ball. I’m very optimistic.” Riordan: The Crusaders went 2-8 and 0-7 for the second straight season, but secondyear head coach Jay’Sen Morris is optimistic they can improve behind returning running back/receiver Louie Mezie (5-10, 155) and two-way linemen Michael Estrada (6-0, 240) and Ian Tupulua (6-0, 240).