Two stalwarts in middle of it all for St. Ignatius
Uluaki Netane wanted something special for his son Seta, a new environment and point of view. He wanted him to be challenged academically, socially and on the football field, with new friends and athletes to push him to new heights — teammates like Jack Burnett.
Everything Uluaki could have wished for has been delivered at St. Ignatius, where seniors Seta Netane and Burnett will play their final game at 1:30 p.m. Saturday against visiting Serra.
The two players are literally in the middle — Burnett as center and Seta as nose guard and middle linebacker — of a resurgent program that last season won its first West Catholic Athletic League championship in 13 years and is now ranked sixth in the Bay Area.
More than winning, Seta says, the St. Ignatius community has proved to be like a second family, even before Uluaki died suddenly in December. The father of five, a native of San Bruno and former Capuchino football player, was 41.
“I have nothing but love for St. Ignatius,” Seta Netane said. “They’ve given me nothing but consistent love since I stepped on campus there. At my dad’s service, there were St. Ignatius people there who didn’t even know him. Nothing but caring people and a loving school.”
There’s a lot to love about the 5foot11, 225pound Netane, say teammates and coaches, not even counting his relentless motor, quick feet and hands, and natural strength that contributed to him earning firstteam AllWCAL honors as a junior. His contributions run deeper, Burnett said. The Wildcats (30) feed off his energy and enthusiasm. His nature is probably why his father thought Seta could thrive in a private school setting.
“He’s just a natural leader,” Burnett said. “Everyone loves the guy. He works his butt off. He’s a great role model for the younger guys.”
He was to Burnett, a San Francisco native and baseball player who entered St. Ignatius as a pudgy 6foot1, 250pound newcomer to football. Netane, a Pop Warner star on the Peninsula, taught him every trick in the book. But it wasn’t easy.
“I was a new center and he was an experienced nose guard and he whipped my butt every day at practice,” Burnett said. “He didn’t bully me, but he didn’t make it easy. He physically and mentally made me better.”
Netane said Burnett’s improvement was steady and workbased. It didn’t hurt that Burnett hit the weights and grew into his now 63, 320pound frame. He also earned firstteam AllWCAL honors as a junior and is set to play next season at Air Force in Colorado Springs.
“He’s a great, great football player,” Netane said. “He’s so physical and has such great feet and hands for his size. I honestly think he’s the best offensive linemen in the league.”
That didn’t seem possible three years ago. “It’s amazing how far Jack has come,” Netane said. “Sky’s the limit for that guy, yet he’s stayed so humble. I love Jack to death. He’d do anything to win and anything for the team.”
Commitment is where Netane and Burnett ultimately connect, St. Ignatius coach John Regalia said. Both have taken on added responsibility on the other side of the ball: Netane also starts at left tackle and Burnett starts on the defensive line, too. Both held the team tight during the pandemic.
“They really do define us as a program in terms of commitment, pride and work ethic,” Regalia said.
Displaying those traits would make his dad proud, Netane said. So would his 3.5 grade point average. A win for a second straight year over the secondranked Padres (40) would also please Uluaki. So would a college scholarship, which hasn’t been offered yet, perhaps because of Seta Netane’s perceived lack of height.
Some things, as Netane knows well, are out of his control. His dad taught him to make the most of what he has. He’s dedicated this season — this life — to his father.
“I definitely miss seeing him on the sideline,” Netane said. “He brought me into this sport and into this school to give me a better future. I know he’s up there watching so I’m always going to leave it all out there on the field. Nothing is ever going to stop me.”