High school football top 10: WCAL's San Francisco schools soaring early

The West Catholic Athletic League power shift is on, with the San Francisco trio of Riordan, St. Ignatius and newcomer Sacred Heart Cathedral all holding spots in the Chronicle’s Top 10.

After combining to win three games by a combined score of 117-21 – all three giving up single touchdowns – No. 6 Riordan and No. 7 St. Ignatius each moved up one spot and the Irish advanced from the bubble. It is the first time since at least 2000 that the trio has been in the Top 10 at the same time.

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With league favorite No. 3 Serra posting an impressive win in Hawaii, the WCAL’s other four squads St. Francis, Bellarmine, Valley Christian and Mitty, which have combined to win 34 Central Coast Section championships, are on the outside looking in. The southern schools, led by Serra’s 10, have earned a combined 19 CCS crowns.

St. Francis, previously ranked No. 9, just dropped out of the Top 10 following a last-second 19-17 home loss to Sac-Joaquin Section power Del Oro-Loomis. But it has the most CCS titles with 17, just ahead of new No. 9, Los Gatos (16). 

No. 1 De La Salle-Concord (2-0, No. 1 last week): The Spartans were sparkling on defense, allowing just 67 total yards in a 42-3 home rout over previous No. 4 Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa. Senior first-year starting quarterback Jaxon Loftin continued to shine, completing 13 of 16 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns, both to sprinter Damari Dean (3 catches, 111 yards). Next: Friday vs. St. Francis (1-1).

No. 2 Pittsburg (1-1, No. 2 last week): The Pirates jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first six minutes at home against preseason national No. 1 St. John Bosco-Bellflower, but mustered just 222 total yards in what ended up as a 26-14 defeat. JaVale Jones threw touchdown passes of 6 yards to Deveon Wilson and 9 yards to Ramire Lewis but St. John Bosco’s depth – with 32 players reportedly with Division I college offers – wore down Pittsburg. Pittsburg coach Charlie Ramirez was philosophical about the outcome, noting, “Plenty to build off. I was very encouraged.” Next: Friday at James Logan-Union City (0-2).

No. 3 Serra (1-1, No. 3 last week): Caleb Bandel completed 17 of 24 passes for 220 yards, Andrew Takapautolo rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown and Charlie Walsh and Oregon commit Malakai Taufoou each accounted for 100 yards rushing and receiving in a 28-21 win at Kahuku (Hawaii). The Padres were coming off a 35-25 loss to De La Salle, traveled to the islands on Wednesday and raced out to a 21-0 halftime lead over the 10-time Hawaii state champs who entered the game 3-0. Next: Friday at St. Mary’s-Stockton (1-1). 

No. 4 San Ramon Valley-Danville (2-0, No. 5 last week): QB Cole Dawes completed all six of his passes for 116 yards, including touchdown throws to Colton Fitzgibbon and Xavier O’Guinn, and Owen Power needed just three carries to go for 116 yards and a touchdown as the Wolves overpowered Enochs-Modesto 54-13. Next: Friday vs. Clayton Valley Charter-Concord (0-2).

No. 5 Acalanes-Lafayette (2-0, No. 6 last week): Tyler Winkles completed 22 of 33 passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns, including one to Finley Rivera (eight catches, 100 yards) as the Dons went on the road to defeat Menlo-Atherton 41-13. Junior tailback Joaquin Bordi rushed 17 times for 75 yards and was one of six Acalanes players to score a touchdown. Winkles already has thrown for 606 yards and nine TDs. Next: Friday vs. St. Ignatius (2-0). 

No. 6 Riordan (1-1, No. 7 last week):After a tough opening loss in Utah, Riordan made a statement, racing out to a 41-0 halftime lead en route to a 47-7 beatdown of Clayton Valley Charter-Concord. Freshman quarterback Kalvin Bishop, one of three QBs to play, went 10-for-14 for 160 yards and three touchdowns, one to another ninth-grader, Jeffrey Palega (four catches, 111 yards). Next: Friday at Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa (0-2).

No. 7 St. Ignatius (2-0, No. 8 last week): Senior tailback Luke Tribolet rushed 21 times for 141 yards and four touchdowns as the Wildcats blitzed another North Bay power, this time Marin Catholic-Kentfield 42-7 a week after defeating San Marin-Novato by the same score. Sophomore quarterback Isaac Liu (14-for-17, 121 yards) threw two TD passes to Davion Moffett. Next: Friday at No. 5 Acalanes (2-0). 

No. 8 Bishop O’Dowd (2-0, No. 10 last week): The Dragons traveled nearly 500 miles to defeat Mater Dei Catholic-San Diego 34-17. Bishop O’Dowd used its big-play offense, getting two touchdown runs of more than 40 yards by Bryan Edwards and a 67-yard catch and run by OC Lehner to knock off the San Diego Section private school power. Next: Friday vs. Rancho Cotate-Rohnert Park.

No. 9 Los Gatos (2-0, not ranked): Senior first-year starting quarterback Jack Siri needed just 11 completions to account for 250 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers as the host Wildcats led 41-14 entering the fourth quarter before holding on to a 41-35 home win over Salinas. Devonte Troutt rushed for 121 yards and a score and Kade Duebelbeis had seven catches for 137 yards and a score. Next: Friday vs. Clovis (2-1).

No. 10 Sacred Heart Cathedral (2-0, not ranked): Though first-year starting quarterback Michael Vasquez (262 yards passing, one TD) continued to excel, the headliner in the Irish’s 28-7 win at Palma-Salinas was the defense, which gave up only 126 yards including 10 on the ground. The Irish broke Palma’s 11-game regular-season win streak and held the Chieftains scoreless until the fourth quarter. Next: Friday vs. Folsom at Kezar Stadium.

Week 2 notes: Heritage-Brentwood (2-0) already doubled its win total from a season ago under second-year head coach Nick Wisely after a 33-13 win at Castro Valley. Though junior QB Isaac Sandoval completed 13 of 14 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns, Wisely is thrilled with his rushing attack that piled up 174 yards (31 carries) and got two touchdowns from Jayden Moore. The Patriots will now travel 300 miles to Eureka for a Saturday game at St. Bernard’s (1-0), which opened with a 21-20 home win over two-time state champion St. Vincent-Petaluma. … Dejuan Compton Jr. threw for 250 yards and four touchdowns as defending 4-A state champion El Cerrito rebounded from a loss to San Ramon Valley with a 49-12 win at Pinole Valley. … Defending North Coast Section Division 4 champion Miramonte-Orinda (2-0) showed off its defensive prowess with a 17-7 win at Granada-Livermore, which had opened its season with an impressive win at Campolindo-Moraga. Ryan Jones had two sacks and Michael Fagundes rushed for 125 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown for Miramonte.

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This article originally published at High school football top 10: WCAL’s San Francisco schools soaring early.