TOP TEAMS TO WATCH (2012 record): Bellarmine Prep-San Jose (11-2), Palo Alto (8-3), Serra-San Mateo (9-3), St. Ignatius-S.F. (10-4), Oak Grove-San Jose (10-1). OFFENSIVE MVP: Keller Chyrst, QB, Palo Alto DEFENSIVE MVP: Matt Dickerson, DL, Serra SURPRISE CONTENDER: Valley Chrisitan-San Jose BREAKDOWN: There’s never any shortage of intrigue when it comes to the CCS Open Division. When the regular season ends and the eight-team field is set, this could be one of the most competitive fields in several years. Even the first-round games will be notable. If we had to pick out a top three right now, though, we’d settle on Bellarmine, Serra and Palo Alto. Bellarmine will have a dogged determination to return to the final after losing to St. Ignatius in OT a year ago, but the Bells aren’t even a lock to repeat as West Catholic Athletic League champs. Serra, even in losing star RB Eric Redwood to graduation, could very well be the team to beat thanks to a very physical defense led by Notre Dame-bound Matt Dickerson up front. Palo Alto has star QB Keller Chryst and an array of playmakers on both sides of the ball. Junior RB Kirk Johnson will have Valley Christian back in the conversation, also. CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION: Serra over Palo Alto
TOP TEAMS TO WATCH: Wilcox-Santa Clara (8-4), San Benito-Hollister (8-5), Milpitas (9-4), Menlo-Atherton (6-5). OFFENSIVE MVP: Delshawn Mitchell, RB, Wilcox DEFENSIVE MVP: Squally Canada, DB, Milpitas SURPRISE CONTENDER: Piedmont Hills-San Jose BREAKDOWN: If everybody comes back healthy and focused, this looks like it could be Wilcox’s year for a title, assuming the Chargers don’t end up in the Open Division or Div. II — where they were ousted in the semifinals a year ago. Running back Delshawn Mitchell (1,640 rushing yds, 24 TDs in 2012) leads a talented class of seniors that will give Wilcox both depth and experience. Defending champions San Benito return RB David Stanton, who missed a few mid-season games a year ago but was big for the Haybalers down the stretch. He had 13 TDs in seven games, nine of those scores came after the calendar turned to November. Milpitas is always a contender in this division, and that shouldn’t change in 2013. Look for the Trojans to excel behind senior QB Ronnie Reed and Boise State-bound mutli-purpose back Squally Canada. Piedmont Hills should be back in the mix this season too after a dropoff in 2012. CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION: Milpitas over Wilcox
TOP TEAMS TO WATCH: Archbishop Mitty-San Jose (8-4), St. Francis-Mountain View (8-5), Los Gatos (8-5), Leland-San Jose (6-5), Aragon (8-4). OFFENSIVE MVP: Nick Bawden, QB, Los Gatos DEFENSIVE MVP: Landon Baty, DB, St. Francis SURPRISE CONTENDER: Willow Glen-San Jose BREAKDOWN: It’s always hard to predict which WCAL schools won’t make the CCS Open Division cut and trickle down to the lower divisions. It’s possible that defending Div. II-champ St. Francis does enough to warrant the bump this year thanks a good returning nucleus headlined by WR/DB Landon Baty (104 tackles, 5 INTs last season). And we could make the same argument for a reverse trip for Mitty, which reached the semifinals as the No. 7 seed in the Open tournament last year. The Monarchs return a handful of key players, including RB/LB Chandler Ramirez and do-a-little-bit-of-everything back Dakari Monroe. It could still be enough to crack the Open field, but if they don’t, they are immediate title favorites in Div. II. Los Gatos has a new coach, but could really thrive behind QB Nick Bawden, and perennial-contender Leland will have a good deal of experience after taking lumps as a young roster a year ago. CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION: Mitty over Los Gatos
TOP TEAMS TO WATCH: Aptos (10-3), Saratoga (6-5), Burlingame (5-6), Terra NovaPacifica (6-5) OFFENSIVE MVP: Jonathan Walters, QB, Saratoga DEFENSIVE MVP: Jacob Moen, LB, Christopher SURPRISE CONTENDER: Christopher-Gilroy BREAKDOWN: Valley Christian-San Jose won this division a year ago, topping Aptos 51-20 in the final. We think the Warriors find their way back to the Open Division this year, which should pave the way for Saratoga and QB standout Jonathan Walters. Walters torched the CCS last season for a section-best 3,503 yards and 39 TDs. If the Falcons can round out their defensive unit, they should have a real shot at reaching the title game. Terra Nova could be another team to watch with playmaker Jaylen Jones lining up on offense. Runner-up Aptos remains a threat, as does a Burlingame team led by running back duo Keoni Keahi and Manase Palu. Christopher-Gilroy, despite just a 2-8 mark a year ago, could leap forward in a big way thanks to a slew of returning skill players and junior LB Jacob Moen (161 tackeles a year ago). CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION: Saratoga over Aptos
TOP TEAMS TO WATCH (2010 record): Seaside (11-1), Sacred Heart Prep-Atherton (12-1), Carmel (9-2), Menlo School-Atherton (10-3) OFFENSIVE MVP: Connor Marden, QB, Carmel DEFENSIVE MVP: Ben Burr Kirven, LB, Sacred Heart Prep SURPRISE CONTENDER: Scotts Valley BREAKDOWN: Connor Marden and the high-flying Carmel offense should have more than enough firepower to not only contend for a CCS crown, but potentially a CIF Bowl berth as well. Of all the divisions, this will be the one to watch if you’re one who enjoys offensive football. Seaside graduated standout Joseph Jakubowsky but returns WR Ronald Turner (11 TDs in 2012). Menlo QB Jack Heneghan threw for 2,764 yards and 34 TDs last season as a junior and also rushed for 452 more yards and nine scores. Defending-champion Sacred Heart Prep needs to replace the most pieces, but can never be counted out. CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION: Carmel over Menlo
TYPE: CCS career rushing yards THE HUNTED: Toke Kefu, San Mateo – Established the section record by rushing for 5,439 yards from 2001 to 2003. THE HUNTER: Trevor Bearden, Live Oak-Morgan Hill – If Bearden can match last year’s season total of 2,176 yards, he would set a new CCS record of 5,653 career yards. He also rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore. For state record updates throughout the season, visit CalHiSports.com.
Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™
Score Digital Content: Scan SSM With LAYAR
August 22, 2013
SportStars™
23