High school football preview: Peninsula Athletic League
(Predicted order of finish) No. 1 MENLO-ATHERTON
Coach: Chris Saunders
Spring 2021 record: 5-0
What to expect: There’s no denying the top-line talent the Bears return from a team that didn’t drop a game this spring, their first season under coach Chris Saunders. Quarterback Matt Macleod and his top target, wide receiver Jalen Moss, are both back. Thomas Taufui also returns as starting running back and linebacker, where Andrew Buck is also an impact player. At 6-foot-2, Jeremiah Earby plays a long and athletic cornerback and is drawing Pac-12 interest. He’s also Macleod’s No. 2 option in the passing game. With all those playmakers, Saunders said, “it’s a shame we only get to snap one football.” They’ll be battletested after hosting three opponents (Pleasant ValleyChico, Placer-Auburn and McClymonds-Oakland) among the top 125 teams in the state, per CalPreps’ ratings, as well as one of the top teams from Oregon (Tualatin). The Bears may be depth-challenged and will need to replace size in the trenches, but if all goes right, they should contend to be one of the top teams in the region.
Season opener: Aug. 27 at Bellarmine Prep, 7 p.m.
No. 2 SACRED HEART PREP Coach: Mark Grieb
Spring 2021 record: 5-1
What to expect: The Gators’ only loss was by a single possession to crosstown rival M-A, the closest any team came to knocking off the Bears. Repeating that success will be a challenge with only two starters returning on either side of the ball, but coach Mark Grieb (27-14, 5 seasons) hasn’t had a down year since his first season, when he took over a 3-9 squad in 2017. Running back Andrew Latu had a breakout sophomore season (62 carries, 264 yards, 8 touchdowns) and will be back in the backfield, but he’ll be taking handoffs from a new quarterback. Senior Jack Harrell will be tasked with replacing Teddy Purcell, one of the leading passers in the CCS, who the Gators lost to graduation, along with their three leading receivers. Senior Jake York and junior Carter Shaw should be some of his top targets and will also feature in the defensive backfield.
Season opener: Aug. 28 vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral, 2 p.m.
No. 3 HALF MOON BAY Coach: Keith Holden
Spring 2021 record: 3-3
What to expect: Half Moon Bay’s spring record is deceptive -- two tough-luck losses by a combined four points. The Cougars return the core of that team and add to it. The offense will run through senior quarterback William Moffitt, a threat with his arm and his legs who should contend for the league’s offensive MVP. His top target, Jack Furr, a great route-runner with reliable hands, is also back for his senior season. When they run the ball, seriously strong senior lineman Carlos Ruiz will be leading the way. Senior Sam Lowings will anchor the defense from the linebacking corps, but the Cougars’ secondary could surprise. They’ll be getting an instinctive safety who can play the ball and bring down ball carriers in the open field with safety Quinn McCauley, who returns for his senior season after an injury kept him sidelined in the spring.
Season opener: Aug. 27 at Salinas, 7 p.m.
No. 4 BURLINGAME
Coach: John Philipopoulos
Spring 2021 record: 3-3
What to expect: Even with a young team in a pandemicaltered season, coach John Philipopoulos willed his squad to a .500 record. The Panthers were shut out twice and averaged only 16.8 points per game but held opponents to even fewer (15.2). Defense should be Burlingame’s strength again. Senior safety Will Urich will roam the field as needed and could contend for the league’s defensive MVP. Seniors Aba Haba and Charlie Koch team up off the edge as a pass-rushing force, while Xavier Breunig, one of the top heavyweight wrestlers in the CCS, stuffs the run up the middle. On offense, senior quarterback Ryan Kall will be given the full reins after splitting time last season, and Philipopoulos believes rising junior Joey Nawrocki will be a breakout star in the backfield. As one other league coach said, “Burlingame should be on your radar.”
Season opener: Aug. 27 vs. Capuchino, 7 p.m.
No. 5 THE KING’S ACADEMY
Coach: Pete Lavorato
Spring 2021 record: 1-3
What to expect: Few players leave larger shoes to fill than TKA’s do-it-all star Noah Short, one of the top rushers in the CCS who starred in all three facets of the game and earned a scholarship to Navy. Talented sophomore running back Jayden Underwood will see time in the backfield in his place. Three of the Knights’ four games were decided by one possession, but they won only one of them in their least successful campaign since coach Pete Lavorato arrived four years ago. They’ll rely on a strong defensive front that features the tandem of senior third-year starters Jemarie Dumas and Zach Denis, who Lavorato described as “the most explosive defensive lineman I have ever coached.”
No. 6 TERRA NOVA
Coach: Jason Piccolotti
Spring 2021 record: 0-3
What to expect: The Tigers won eight games in their first season under coach Jason Piccolotti, and this fall will be their first fair test to see how they build on that success. Terra Nova was reduced to a three-game spring schedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic and dropped all three in uncompetitive fashion. The Tigers were one of two teams barred from practicing by their school district longer than their league counterparts. But they return senior quarterback Dominic Gordon, who will line up behind an offensive line that features four returning starters. Season opener: Aug. 27 at Hillsdale, 7 p.m.
OCEAN DIVISION
No. 1 MENLO SCHOOL
Coach: Todd Smith
Spring 2021 record: 4-1
What to expect: Menlo tore through the PAL’s middle division in the spring and with quarterback Sergio Beltran back for his senior season, there’s no reason to believe they won’t do it again. One opposing league coach said Menlo -- and Beltran, in particular -- could compete in the Bay Division. Upper-division opponent Sacred Heart Prep dealt the Knights their only loss this spring. Beltran is equally adept at reading defenses, delivering catchable passes and using his legs. He was Menlo’s passing and rushing leader in the spring. Senior WRs Carter Jung, Ben Banatao and Tyler Flynn accounted for half of Menlo’s receiving yards in the spring and should be Beltran’s top targets.
Season opener: Aug. 28 vs. Sequoia, 2 p.m.
No. 2 HILLSDALE
Coach: Mike Parodi
Spring 2021 record: 4-1
What to expect: Hillsdale won its final four games of the spring after a season-opening loss to Menlo. The Fighting Knights will look to ride that momentum into the fall with starting quarterback Liam Smith and running back Josh Violette both returning. Only a junior, Smith already has a full season of experience under his belt; he passed for 356 yards and ran for 140 more in five games this spring. Standing 6-foot-5, senior OL/DL Cole Sullivan brings size, athleticism and experiences to the trenches on both sides of the ball. However, the Knight lose all three players who earned All-Bay Area News Group honorable mentions in the spring.
Season opener: Aug. 27 vs. Terra Nova, 7 p.m.
No. 3 ARAGON
Coach: Steve Sell
Spring 2021 record: 2-4
What to expect: If not for two losses by a total of less than two touchdowns, the Dons could have finished the spring 5-1. Junior running back Jared Walsh returns after rushing for a team-high 554 yards and seven touchdowns in the spring, but their success could come down to getting the ball to an impressive duo of receivers without any returning quarterbacks with varsity experience. Junior WR/DBs Lloyd Walter and Allen Tanielu give coach Steve Sell explosive playmakers on offense and athletic defenders in the secondary. Sell expects Walter to be one of the top defensive players in all of San Mateo County. “He is that good,” he said. “No exaggeration.”
No. 4 CARLMONT
Coach: Eric Rado
Spring 2021 record: 4-0 (Lake Division)
What to expect: After an undefeated spring campaign in the PAL’s lowest division, Carlmont made the jump back into the Ocean Division. The Scotts are hoping for more success this time around, after going 0-6 against Ocean Division opponents in 2019, relegating them down a peg. Carlmont has experience on its side, returning their starting quarterback, junior Jack Wiessinger, and a running back duo of juniors Luke Nessel and Jaquari Hughes. Senior DL Antonio Castillo led the team in tackles, TFL and sacks in the spring and headlines the list of returners. Season opener: Aug. 27 at El Camino, 7 p.m.
No. 5 JEFFERSON
Coach: Sergio Portela
Spring 2021 record: 2-2
What to expect: Jefferson (Daly City) didn’t play a game in the spring decided by more than one touchdown and won this division the previous fall. DL John Bolles, a second-team All-Bay Area News Group selection in the spring, is a big loss. But the Grizzlies return talent on both sides of the ball in senior WR/DB/KR Dylan Camp and junior DL/OL Joey Lealao. Camp has gotten college looks and was avoided by opposing QBs in the spring. Coach Sergio Portela said he believes Camp “will play on Saturdays” and could contend for the league’s defensive MVP. Senior OL/DL D’Rey Magalei and junior WR/DB Tyler Taylor also make an impact on both sides of the ball.
Season opener: Aug. 27 vs. Lincoln (San Francisco),
7 p.m.
No. 6 CAPUCHINO
Coach: Jay Oca
Spring 2021 record: 2-3
What to expect: The Mustangs return the majority of their starting defense and some playmakers on offense but were picked by other coaches to finish last. Jay Oca’s squad won its first two games but ended the spring season on a three-game losing streak. Difference-makers this season include senior RB/LB Isaac Nishimoto, senior OL/ DL Jonah Leua and senior WR/DB Nico Caruso.
Season Opener: Aug. 27 at Burlingame, 7 p.m.
LAKE DIVISION
No. 1 SAN MATEO
Coach: Jeff Scheller
Spring 2021 record: 0-6 (Ocean Division)
What to expect: The Bearcats will face easier competition this season after not winning a game in the spring while competing a level higher in the Ocean Division. Junior quarterback Giancarlo Selvitella runs the triple option and also boasts a strong arm. Senior OL/DLs Misi Latu (a third-year starter) and OL/DL Aisea Scheller (6-4, 235) pave the way in the trenches. Senior FS Connor Moriarty brings physical play to the secondary. And senior WR/DB Noah Rodriguez makes an impact on both sides of the ball. Season opener: Aug. 27 at Saratoga, 7 p.m.
No. 2 SEQUOIA
Coach: Rob Poulos
Spring 2021 record: 3-2
What to expect: Sequoia loses its starting quarterback but returns nearly the rest of its offense from the runnerup squad in the division this spring. Senior LB Wilson Crum, “the heart of the defense,” according to coach Rob Poulos, will compete with RB/SS Jaymason Howard and LB/WR Jack Kern to be the team’s top tackler. Howard and Kern also led the Ravens in receiving yards in the spring, and No. 3 WR Nicholas Swee is back, too. Poulos expects Jack Elgaaen to break out as one of the top WRs and CBs in the league and said senior C/DE Puamau Tuiaki brings a great motor to the trenches.
Season opener: Aug. 28 at Menlo School, 2 p.m.
No. 3 WOODSIDE
Coach: Justin Andrews
Spring 2021 record: 2-3
What to expect: Top rusher and receiver both graduated after a one-win spring campaign, but Woodside ended on a nice note with a win over Ocean Division opponent Jefferson. Senior safety Rafael Gonzalez is back after averaging 9 tackles per game and earning an all-Bay Area News Group honorable mention in the spring. He leads the secondary, while senior DL Tau Latu provides pressure up front. Senior QB Ben Shepard is “ready to take the reins’’ after splitting time in the spring, coach Justin Andrews said, while impact LB Ben Giovannetti will take on a bigger role as a running back.
Season opener: Aug. 27 vs. Silver Creek, 7 p.m.
No. 4 EL CAMINO
Coach: Archie Junio
Spring 2021 record: 2-2
What to expect: Scored blowouts against lesser competition but dropped close games against the top teams in the division in the spring. Will be challenged by the losses of starting quarterback Noel Valdez and top rusher Jovaughn Williams, but top returners RB Elijah Vasquez and WR Toby Woodworth will attempt to patch the holes. Season opener: Aug. 27 vs. Carlmont, 7 p.m.
No. 5MILLS
Coach: Kevin Thorson
Spring 2021 record: 0-0
What to expect: Did not play in the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tied for first place the previous fall, the first season under coach Kevin Thorson, the Vikings’ fourth finish with a record above .500 since 2004. A unanimous pick by other coaches to finish fifth in a preseason survey.
Season opener: Aug. 27, at Aptos, 7:30 p.m. No. 6 SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO Coach: Dion Evans
Spring 2021 record: 0-4
What to expect: On their third coach in four seasons, the Warriors are seeking their first win since 2017. They were outscored by opponents by a lopsided 18-181 margin in four games this spring. A unanimous pick by other coaches to finish last in a preseason survey.