Lincoln the favorite in S.F. section
Galileo sophomore running back Yarvell Smith is a calm, even-keeled kid, except when you put a football in his arms.
“He runs with a mean streak,” Galileo coach Mark Huynh said. “He’s a tough, angry runner who enjoys and unleashes contact.”
Huynh said he has had to pull in his reins during practice before Smith “does any damage.”
At 5-foot-10, 215 pounds with breakaway speed, Smith did more than a little damage last season.
As a freshman, he rushed for nearly 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns and was named the Academic Athletic Association Back of the Year.
“He’s got a chance to be very, very special,” Huynh said. “He’s the first legitimate Division I player I’ve seen in this league, and we have him three more years.”
At 4-7 last season, Galileo wasn’t nearly a San Francisco Section title contender, but with Smith a year stronger and a strong supporting cast, the Lions should contend this season, along with Lincoln (8-6) and Mission (8-5).
Galileo returns quarterback Adrian Poot and his top target Jackie Guo. It also has a strong line led by All-League center Ahmed Balwi and tackle Johan Lacayo. Add in all-around athlete Ronald Fox and strong linebackers Antonio McBride and Jimmie Edwards, and Huynh, starting his ninth year, has a reason to be confident.
“We’ll be a lot better,” he said, “but I wouldn’t call us the favorite.”
That designation likely goes to defending champion Lincoln, which returns running back Josiah Calvo-Martinez, defensive back Jackson Walker and kicker Lucky Fenton, all 2016 first-team All-AAA players. Calvo-Martinez (5-7, 170) rushed 171 times for 934 yards and five touchdowns last year.
“Josiah is a hammer,” coach Phil Ferrigno said. “Great kid. Plays hard. Great leader and example for others.”
As usual, Lincoln outmuscles AAA teams up front and has more depth. Albert Moore (6-0, 225) leads the line that should aid new quarterback Rocky Marania. Desean Crawford, Jack Gaughan and Jovon Baker add all-around skills.
Second-year Mission coach Greg Hill just missed out on the Bears’ third straight title in 2016 and graduated two-time AAA Player of the Year Niamey Harris. But the Bears have lots of impressive players, including running backs Cheeko Wells (6-2, 180) and Jelani Al-Malik (6-0, 180) and linemen U’Jah Pratt (5-9, 200), Robert Lee (6-3, 210) and Marvin PusungZita (6-1, 220).
Mission opens its season Friday at Jefferson-Daly City, and Balboa (4-7 in 2016) hosts San Lorenzo Valley-Felton on Saturday.
WCAL
The three S.F. teams finished at the bottom of the rugged eight-team West Catholic Athletic League last season and will be hard-pressed to make it to the top half this season. Riordan (2-8, 0-7): First-year head coach Jay’Sen Morris is happy with his team. The Crusaders feature three-year starter Lasa Tofi (5-10, 230), a two-time All-WCAL pick who will start at linebacker and also will run the ball.
Max Mezie (5-11, 170) is a returning two-way starter, and tight end Mel Faaleava (6-0, 240) and receiver Jordon Fox (5-8, 150) are team captains. “I like the spirit of the kids and they’re working really hard,” Morris said. Sacred Heart Cathedral (2-8, 1-6): First-year coach Barry McLaughlin was an SHC assistant for 11 years, including the past three under Ken Peralta, who resigned in February. McLaughlin’s squad returns 12 starters but is rather thin. The Crusaders will count on skill players, including quarterback Will Irons and receiver Areon Mitchell (6-2, 195).
Other top players include two-way lineman Sami Nazzal (6-3, 300) and linebacker Zack Lealao (5-11, 205).
“We have a lot of team speed and guys who can make plays with the ball,” McLaughlin said. “It’s baby steps, though. We need to stay healthy.” St. Ignatius (4-6, 2-5): The Wildcats return Jaedon Roberts, a 6-4, 250-pound two-way tackle who was the 2016 WCAL Sophomore of the Year,, along with another strong, balanced squad.
Coach John Regalia, who is in his seventh season, has led St. Ignatius to a 32-40-1 record, including a 10-4 mark in 2012 when it won the school’s first Central Coast Section Open Division championship.
Other returning All-League players are receiver David Woodruff, lineman Kieran O’Keefe and defensive back Charlie Katz.
All three teams open play Friday. St. Ignatius travels to Clovis East, Sacred Heart Cathedral hosts Fernley (Nev.) at Kezar Stadium and Riordan plays at Central Catholic-Modesto.
MaxPreps senior writer Mitch Stephens covers high school sports for The San Francisco Chronicle.