Pressing questions as Bay Area schools approach kickoff
Bay Area high school football kicks off in a week. Here are 10 of the most pressing questions for Metro teams heading into the season: 10. Who is the favorite in the WCAL?
Clearly, with four of the top 50 players in the region, and three more in the top 70, Valley Christian gets the nod, but Serra is right there, St. Francis is always a sleeping giant and Mitty, with the area’s second best quarterback in Shamir Bey, is a sleeper. 9. Does De La SalleConcord have a legitimate shot at beating SoCal superpowers?
Yes. Sure, Mater DeiSanta Ana and St. John BoscoBellflower, ranked first and third nationally by MaxPreps, have beaten the Spartans by a combined 70 points the past three seasons in the state Open finals. But this De La Salle squad, with superb dualthreat quarterback Dorian Hale, has the firepower to stay close and win late. 8. Who will have the biggest breakout season?
Marin CatholicKentfield’s 6foot1,180pound sophomore quarterback Michael Ingrassia. He forced his way onto the field as a freshman, moving perfectly capable QB Gaven Cooke to receiver. Ingrassia got his feet wet, and now he’s ready to begin what promises to be an outstanding career. 7. Which team will be the biggest surprise?
Half Moon Bay. The 2017 Northern California Division 3A champion (141) dropped to 47 last season, but look for coach Keith Holden to get the Cougars back up to speed. They have 16 returning starters, including one of the region’s top juniors, fullbacklinebacker Tristan Hofmann. 6. Which new coach carries the biggest burden?
No question, it is Menlo-Atherton’s Steve Papin, the former IndependenceSan Jose coach who takes over for Adhir Ravipati. Papin not only takes over a program that is a defending state champion, but one that returns loads of talent and is No. 5 in the Metro preseason rankings. Additionally, Ravipati, an offcampus coach, was extremely popular, leading the Bears to a 3815 record in his four seasons. He left to focus on his family and fulltime business. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Papin said. “I’m not going to reinvent the wheel.” 5. Who are the favorites for Metro Player of the Year?
LibertyBrentwood’s Jay Butterfield is the preseason leader, but versatile De La Salle twoway gamebreaker Shamar Garrett, MenloAtherton 5star receiver/returner Troy Franklin, Wilcox running back Paul M. Rosa, Moreau Catholic-Hayward running back Fresh Ison, Cardinal NewmanSanta Rosa quarterback Jackson Pavitt and Las LomasWalnut Creek twoway standout Isaiah Newell are all in the running. 4. Can Lincoln repeat its magical 2018 season?
In a word, no. Last year’s state 6A championship 130 season was perfect in just about every way. Though the Mustangs will be the San Francisco Section favorite again and they return Academic Athletic Association Lineman of the Year Leo Gallegos (63, 280), there’s not enough depth (only 21 players) to go the distance unscathed. 3. MenloAtherton, Wilcox, McClymonds — Will any of the three repeat as state champions?
MenloAtherton (3AA), WilcoxSanta Clara (3A) and McClymondsOakland (4A) all have strong teams returning — particularly MenloAtherton — but it may all depend on which division the CIF classifies them. As defending champions — McClymonds has won three straight — all would likely be moved up if they win section championships. 2. Does Liberty — or any other North Coast Section team — have a shot at ending De La Salle’s 27year championship run?
No. The Spartans are loaded again, especially with playmakers, and defensive coordinator Terry Eidson will have a young unit at full speed by midseason. Liberty coach Ryan Partridge isn’t conceding anything, even though the Open Division runnerup will not advance to the NorCal playoffs. “It doesn’t change our approach,” Partridge said. “As always, we will set bold goals and we will attack one practice and one week at a time. We are not content with last year’s (state title). We want more.” By the way, five ranked Metro teams are on the DLS schedule. 1. How many yards will Jay Butterfield throw for?
The Liberty quarterback threw for a Bay Areabest 3,294 yards last season on a 131 squad that won the state 1A title. The 6foot6, 202pound senior lost his top three targets to graduation, but Cody Muth and Peyton Borrelli are capable returners. Running backs Darrion Bartley and Brenden Bell also catch the ball well, and once transfer Justice Jackson is cleared, Butterfield will have many targets. The Lions will likely be involved in more competitive games, so look for the Oregonbound standout to approach 4,000 yards.