WCAL Early Rankings

[FBAddict]

There is still much we don't know about the WCAl teams for 2025. But this is an early ranking... I beleive there was pre-On3 post abou this subject. But that's not onboarded yet.

St. Francis (at the very least among to top trio)
Serra (Possibly #1)
Riordan (D1 level talent suggests they should be #1 but they must prove themselves after 2 disappointing years)
St. Ingatius (Coaching changes may impact the Wildcats)
Valley Christian (Hints of offensive changes in 2024 may impact VC's ranking)
Mitty (could trade with SHC)
Sacred Heart Cathedral (Could trade with AM)
BCP (Hate to put them at the bottom, but there is no other option IMO)

 

[Norcalguy111]

Definitely think Serra shouldn’t be ranked number 1 going into the 2025 season. WCAL is definitely open for the taking this year. This could obviously back fire on me but keep your eye on SHC they’ve required a lot of players from the east bay and a future D1 player from Cen10. But AR should be number 1 with all that talent but they've lost to some questionable teams the last couple years.

 

[ArmchairGOAT!]

My early picks:

• Riordan-returns the most starters. Can they take the next step?
• St. Francis-defense and its strong running game. Loses its qb and rb to graduation and wr to a surprising transfer.
• Serra-young team, solid running game and D. Who will be the qb?
• Valley Christian-Soph qb now takes the leadership role.
• SHC-2nd best QB in the league that returns much of its offense. Defense and depth is the question.
• SI-new coach tries to replicate the lightning in a bottle championship season that loses most of its stars to graduation or left with the former coach.
• Mitty-great coach but do the Monarchs have the weapons?
• Bellarmine-how did they get here?

 

[Streak One]

It is a very interesting conversation at the top. Riordan has the most talent. Serra has the recent pedigree and can't underestimate a Walsh coached team. St. Francis kind of splits the middle of those two descriptions with better talent than Serra, but has more league success recently than Riordan.

 

[jordan24]

WCAL up for grabs for the teams at the top. Riordan's wins vs St. Francis and Serra last season were at home. The Crusaders get SI and VC at home this year. Losses to 2 teams named Wildcats over the past 2 seasons hurts. Mack and Pitt at home this season should be good ones.

 

[ArmchairGOAT!]

2025 Returning Varsity key positions (per WCAL All League-fill in any players I may be missing)

• St. Ignatius (rb Malone, wr Shelton, db Hicks)
• St. Francis (lb Cahoon, db Alatini, wr Barton, OL/DL Fifita Jacobson, DE McCoy, rb Keanaaina (jr)
• Riordan (qb Mitchell, rb Brown, wr/dbThomas, Nash, Winn,; OL/DL Tofi, Langi, Malupo; DE Sanchez, Kleppin, lb Tiatia
• Serra (rb Singleton, Henley; db Taufoou, Thomas; OL Heimuli, DL Fehoko, Barrett,; lb Maier)
• Valley Christian (qb Pritchard; ol Latu, Johnson, Patterson; ath Wade)
• SHC (qb Sargent; rb Williams; wr Seacrease Parham; de Williams; OL Hatch,Starks, Curiel; lb Barden; db Tate-Day
• Mitty (rb Washington, dl Eagleson, lb Sniffen, Chase, Graff)
• Bellarmine (db Crooks, rb Dononhue; lb Hanapua)

 

[FBAddict]

Way too early rankings discussion
The general consensus for the top 3 are Riordan, Serra and St. Francis
Riordan is the clear leader in player talent.
St. Francis is preferred due to consistent offense and defense, returning players and good coaching (which most are alumni).
Serra has good coaching, an excellent defense and historically explosive offense.

The next two are St. Ignatius and Valley Christian, with SI getting the nod.
St. Ignatius is coming off a great season and has a tendency to reload well from year to year. New coach JaJuan Lawson has been the offensive coordinator and QB coach for the last two years. So it appears the coaching staff will reload well too. SI provided a nice internal article about the upcoming season https://siwildcats.com/news/2025/3/...l-schedule-released-for-fall-2025-season.aspx
Valley Christian offensive face has been growing but still in a growing phase.

The next grouping is probably Sacred Heart Cathedral and Mitty.
Both teams will be seeking to improve their standing this year.

Last Bellarmine - hoping for a better season!

 

[Chewpa_Miverga]

1. Riordan
2. Serra
3. St. Francis
4. Valley Christian
5. SHC (but will lose to SI)
6. Mitty
7. SI (but will beat SHC)
8. Bellarmine

 

[FBAddict]

1. Riordan
2. Serra
3. St. Francis
4. Valley Christian
5. SHC (but will lose to SI)
6. Mitty
7. SI (but will beat SHC)
8. Bellarmine

By precieved returning and consistant talent pooling, I agree with this list. But to have Riordan at #1 and SI at #7 doesn't pass the recent historical test. Nevertheless, every team gets a fresh start at the beginning of their season. So it is entirely possible this list is right.

The near historical test suggests BCP must be at the bottom of the list. But using the new season talent potentioal pool test, BCP really shouldn't be at the bottom of the list.

 

[Chewpa_Miverga]

By precieved returning and consistant talent pooling, I agree with this list. But to have Riordan at #1 and SI at #7 doesn't pass the recent historical test. Nevertheless, every team gets a fresh start at the beginning of their season. So it is entirely possible this list is right.

The near historical test suggests BCP must be at the bottom of the list. But using the new season talent potentioal pool test, BCP really shouldn't be at the bottom of the list.

I hear you. I just think SI is going to have a difficult time replacing their senior and transfer Linemen. I didn’t see another John Mills or Manoah Faupusa on the sidelines and I’m not sure there’s another on campus. I didn’t see another see another Isaia Vandermade on the sidelines and I’m not sure there’s another on campus. I may be wrong but I do know those types of guys don’t grow on trees. I also know football is won and lost in the trenches and without some blockers, the skill guys don’t matter much. I know they recruited a QB over from the PAL but without a line he won’t be much of a factor.

 

[THEOC89]

I hear you. I just think SI is going to have a difficult time replacing their senior and transfer Linemen. I didn’t see another John Mills or Manoah Faupusa on the sidelines and I’m not sure there’s another on campus. I didn’t see another see another Isaia Vandermade on the sidelines and I’m not sure there’s another on campus. I may be wrong but I do know those types of guys don’t grow on trees. I also know football is won and lost in the trenches and without some blockers, the skill guys don’t matter much. I know they recruited a QB over from the PAL but without a line he won’t be much of a factor.

I also have a real hard time seeing SI repeat the terrific season they had last year…. In addition to the talent they lost, last year they won most of their game by 1 score, especially the league games….. I don’t see how they get through league without 3-4 losses as Riordan, Serra, SF and VC all bring a lot back and those were all very close games except for SF…. Plus, I wouldn’t consider SI to have a real explosive offense on the skill player side which could make up for the losses in the trenches….

Also, losing their Coach is a big deal too, because he did a great job there…. I am sure the replacement is good and will keep the culture going, but I see a step back this year….