- East Bay Prep Corner
De La Salle to play St. Thomas Aquinas
By Ben Enos
Friday, February 25th, 2011 at 9:32 am in East Bay Football.
The long-rumored matchup has finally been announced. De La Salle, the CIF Open Division champion, will travel to Florida next season to take on St. Thomas Aquinas in a game that will be televised on the ESPN network. The Raiders are the Florida High School Athletic Association 5A Champions. The game will take place on Sept. 23.
The 2011 schedule will also include games against St. Mary’s-Stockton (in Stockton) and Bellarmine, in addition to a full East Bay Athletic League slate. I’ll have the exact dates for you shortly, along with reaction from the athletic department.
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February 25th, 2011 at 10:25 am
The 2011 season will see De la Salle with their hands full…both St. Thomas and Bellarmine should be pretty tough and this sould be a up season for St. Mary’s of Stockton….DLS lost a lot of top guns and although they have a 11-0 JV team to feed off and a top QB to lead…theres a chance that DLS won’t be walking over teams like in the 2010 season
February 25th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
DLS will get destroyed in this game… Florida Athletes are the best around
February 25th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Sometimes a loss helps build up for the rest of the season. It also can set a new standard to achieve.
February 25th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
The annual DLS doubting begins….
Usually the next post is how DLS will get beat up physically.
Funny stuff.
February 25th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Too bad the game isn’t in the Bay Area! I’d guess I’ll just have to watch on TV!
February 25th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
I don’t think the 2011 DLS team will have a big drop off. They have a bunch of good key players coming back. Houston, Huttchings, Te’o, Barton, Williams, just to name a few. DLS will have a tough time in the perseason but there is no reason to belive that they will be beaten with the best QB in California coming back. P.S. who was that stud freshman that as on the JV team?
February 25th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
dont wrry dls will recruit some studs
February 25th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
ManDown- His name is Dasmond Tautalatasi. A RB/LB. Another freshman who played on JV was Bart’s younger bro who is a stud DE and might play on the OL as well on varsity.
February 25th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
This game will could be epic. The ingredients are certainly there. Both of these teams will be great again next year. Both teams had significant losses but also some keys coming back. Houston’s brother and Tautalatsi will probably both be starters coming up from 11-0 JV team. 2 linemen(who woulda been starters last year)will be back from injury this year. And lastly DLS will certainly be battle-tested after playing Bell and St. Mary’s prior to STA. Should be great.
@NCS Fan
C’mon man! “Destroyed”…lol. Like Junior said, we’ve heard it all before. Not saying the Spartans will DEFINITELY win. I believe that they will win, though. But this will not be a blowout by either team. Do your homework first.
February 25th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
DLS can hang with good FL programs….they played Lakeland to the wire a few years(who, along with St. Thomas Aquinas, is one of the top programs in FL and the country).
February 25th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
The Spartans will have their share of varsity underclassmen returning for the 2012 campaign. Many of these boys saw lots of PT last year. I would expect them to be just fine. The preseason is shaping up to be a challenging one for Sparta with STA, the Bells and St. Mary’s…It will be interesting. I would expect Cal, SRV and MV to reload and continue gunning for the Spartans next year. George M, ManDown and Gades10, it’s good to see you gentlemen back on the boards with your insight. Good football to all in this cold Friday afternoon!
February 25th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
GreenNsilver – Many years I lived near St. Thomas Aquinas know the program very well. I have also watched plenty of DLS football now living in the east bay. Remember this day when I said DLS will get destroyed in this game. Florida Athletes are freakishly good.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
We get it NCS Fan- Spartan fans heard the same thing in 2008 when Lakeland came to town- I assume you have seen them a time or two?
In fact, DLS fans hear this EVERY year. It is music to the Spartans ears- as they are often the underdog to “athletic” teams. Good thing this isnt being played in shorts and t shirts.
I’ll bet on the football players over the athletes any day of the week.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Athletes don’t necessarily win you games just ask Crenshaw. DLS might get destroyed, I mean Bosco did it only two years ago. But I also STA is having to replace a D1 QB, 2 D1 WR, 3 D1 DB, and 2 D1 OL, to go along with having to replace their longtime coach who just retired after this last season. So it’s not like they are coming in with a bunch of experienced players.
On a side note LSU is very close to offering Michael Barton a schollie.
February 25th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
DLS will destroy both Bellarmine and StMary’s. Nither team have lots of speed. Bells will be decent, and return quite a bit of players, but not even sure they will win thsie league. If this Bells team was like the one 3 years ago, they would have a shot, but not next season. Bells QB is good, but will lack skill speed. St mary’s will hav a good spread, but defense won’t be able to stop the Spartans.
STA will be a different story. Hopefully the Spartan defense will be like last season. Good thing they have a couple tune up games.
February 25th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
Barton also got a offer from Oregon St, Washington and Washington State
February 25th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
I heard Houston is now in the mix by getting an offer from Colorado. (his first one). NorCal, I like your confidence, however, it’s my understanding that the Bells return something like 18 starters…I hope you are right! Regardless, It will be a typical DLS schedule…brutal.
February 25th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
@NCS FAN
Noted. AND I’m telling you right now that DLS will not get “destroyed”. As ‘Gades said, it can happen, Bosco beat ‘em up pretty good, but IMO this DLS team is(will be) better than the ’09 team and certainly will be more prepared with 2 solid games under their belt. STA is replacing pretty much all of their skill players aside from their RB, but will be good for sure. Saying DLS will get destroyed is showing ZERO respect for what and who they are. But I guess we’re entitled to our opinions. We’ll shall see, right.
February 25th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
@Renegades, Ebal fan, Silver
It’s funny ’cause I was just YouTubing De la Salle and STA games and I found a individual vids on Michael Barton and Bart. I know we heard about Blake and Dylan all day, but I was just thinking watching Barton that this guy is a stud, gonna be studlier, and be a D1 player one day. Houston will be playing on Saturdays also. With Hutchings, Barton, and others coming back, along with clear talent coming up from JV, I think DLS will be as good as last year…maybe better.
February 25th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Ok GreenNsilver will use a better word, DLS will get CRUSHED will not even be close. Lots of family in West Palm and Fort Lauderdale will make sure to fly there for this one. Wish DLS the best but not happening.
February 25th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
YES, Dasmond Tautalatasi! He is going to be a stud. I like the way he plays. Do you think the will put Hutchings in the backfield with Te’o next year? If so that ould be a crazy duo.
February 25th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
If we were talking basketball, I’d be more inclined to agree with NCS Fan. Football is another story altogether. Every DLS coach will tell you that there was far more talent in ’09 but the ’10 team was much better. Why? The line played better together and the QB returned and ran the show. You can have all the talent in the world but if your line isn’t strong and/or your QB is inexperienced, your team will struggle against other good teams. Don Bosco was a great team in ’09 but DLS didn’t even have anyone who could take a snap when they played them. The Bosco defense could just load up with no fear at all. If I remember, both Spartan RBs were hurt as well..
Servite beat 3 nationally ranked teams last year and DLS made them look like awful. The only unknown here is how well the Spartans will play in September, a month they have had some trouble with in the recent past. My guess is, with a lot of experienced players, VERY good coaching (this staff does not get the credit it deserves-the Spartans have won 3 state titles and have been in every state title game since it started in ’06, name a DLS alum that’s a D-1 star right now), and the year around dedication the players put in, they’ll represent themselves well in FLA. I’m not saying they’ll win because I know STA is a great team, but it will be a great game..
February 25th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
NCS Fan……..Waxon……….the Sunshine Pimpernel unmasked
February 25th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Enjoy STA Spartan nation, because in the midst of being crazy about your position in high school football, a Cal upset may be lurking in the shadows….
I know you guys are nose-to-the-grind hard workers but you can’t win ‘em all, and don’t take Cal lightly for any of the next three years. Washington, Dunn, Ezebuiro, and Krause will be all over you guys, along with an incredible amount of depth, and let’s not forget the coach is from your school. I can barely wait for November 18.
February 25th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
ManDown,
I expect to see Hutch moving to the Willie LB spot and Barton to the Mike…I think you will continue to see Hutch and Wiliams as the 1 & 2 receiver…I hear Pepe (not sure of his full name) maybe in a good position to fight for the 2nd spot in the backfield. Would not be surprised to see Barton playing TE now that Blake is gone…at post 22, looking forward to Cal, I think that program will continue to improve with coach B @ the helm…
February 25th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Pepe has a great shot at RB opposite Teo. Barton at TE follows the Amack, Renaud mold of MLB/TE- dont count out Moffett tho- he is a player.
February 26th, 2011 at 3:53 am
NSC fan *clap Clap your from flordia.. and you supposedly know all your flordia sports… but your opinion holds no weight in this arguement. Be real california athlethes are good. I can tell your Baptized with Espn 150 and Scouts inc.. Ask Boise and Tcu or penn state where they actually pick players because whats really on the grid iron heart. Theres no way you can sit here and tell me DLS will get blown out by any high school football team in the Nation. PERIOD. DLS got “blown out” by don bosco true.. But that team LOST TREMODOUS Talent and still won a state title when they started gelling in the end of lst year.. I am not a fan of private high schools.. But i am a fan of DLS..
February 26th, 2011 at 9:32 am
Just as the annual DLS will lose, because St Thomas has better athletes….
“the poor us we are replacing a lot of players and I am not sure if we have any talent at all to compete…hopefully the coaches work their wonders again with average players”
both comments are actually kind of annoying..DLS is talented and can compete with any team on any given night. i think they have proved that enough for that silly talk to not exist…as well as the silly talk of them having no talent as well.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:35 am
C.Sparks – Let me use a word you are familiar with, DLS will get BLOWN OUT by St. Thomas Aquinas not even close!
You got one thing right… I will be clapping plenty that night LOL
February 26th, 2011 at 10:14 am
Talent does not win football games- it helps, but it is WAY down the list of why HS football teams win. The best coached and conditioned teams are the programs that are elite.
75% of HS football success is coaching/leadership.
It is RARE to hear anyone say DLS does not have talent-instead, posters point out that there are plenty of teams with talent who do not, for many reasons, rise to the elite status. DLS has developed the elite formula and talent is a small portion of the equation.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
not gonna argue with the coaching/leadership as majority of success…but i disagree with the “rare” argument a LOT of DLS supporters like to claim that these kids cant walk and chew gum at the same time, before the program gets a hold of them. that just isn’t true…are they all D-1 athletes no…
and by talent i dont mean d-1 athletes. Colleges are looking for something different than a HS team is, just as NFL is looking for something different than colleges are. Success at any one level does not guarantees success at the next. Each level is a totally different game…
BUT DLS has very talented high school athletes plain and simple…and i am not accusing you junior of saying this, but if you believe it is “rare” then you are ignoring the parents and many fans comments in the stands, the blogs, etc.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
I played with two Tautalatas if he is related to those two watch out
February 26th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Okay NCS FAN. We got ya. Clearly you’re one of those guys/girls that are here to just get our gander up by saying that STA is gonna “crush” or “destroy” DLS…with absolutely no proof of evidence to back it up. ANYONE WHO KNOWS hs football would feel silly making your ridiculous claims in the face of logic and history. Just know that on other boards you won’t find ANY of the STA guys saying this crap…nor DLS people saying the likewise. Too much respect. But Ok…I’ll play along. I challenge you. Give me one LEGITIMATE reason as to why STA will destroy DLS. “Better atheletes” and “Florida blablablabla” don’t hold water here. We’ve heard it all before. Something legit PLEASE. Better RB’s….better coach…something. Enlighten us.
February 26th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@NCS FAN
…Oh and when you’re done, I’ll list all of the reasons as to why I think DLS could/will win this match up….AND why there is no way that DLS will be “destroyed” nor “crushed”. Anxiously waiting.
February 26th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Hahaha you forgot BLOW OUT… not much to explain you will see Sept. 23
February 26th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
I figured that’s all you had. All’s I can say then is cya in September.
February 26th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
SnG filling in for R10, admirably I might add. La Salle travelling to STA HAD to happen as the dollars were there via media moolah- those TV guys always are foaming for a top five matchup the next year, and I doubt a three-peat at the hands of Don Bosco, even early, would be a morale booster. Would have liked to see some scrambling to get Folsom (#5) or Palo (#13) instead of Bells. (St Mary’s STKN was probably locked in with a home and home.) It’s uncommon for 3 Nor Cal teams to be in the top 15 nationally. Bellarmine was skunked by PA, and rolled Novato and San Leandro… a little trigger happy too early for that one, but then again the memories of the first two of ’09 still fresh, yes?
Nonetheless, it will pan out for an interesting 11-12 campaign. La Salle probably weaning OUT of the EBAL for 12-13 with a proposed 5-5 schedule as a result and this will allow for sparta to schedule let’s say: VC-SJ, Grant, Serra, et al plus the two top Bay Area publics from the year before to promote a state bid. Will CIF take a two loss team to Carson with one of them possilby coming from a Nor Cal team? The stakes indeed will be high.
SnG- Yes, B will have them prepared early; a la week 10′s in ’08 and ’10.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:09 pm
I think one thing that nobody is talking about is the fact that STA’s coach George Smith just retired. He is to STA what Lad is to DLS. Smith took STA to the level they have reached today. Even if DLS had the most talented team coming back, if Lad wasn’t on the sidelines, I’m sure there would be a huge question mark. Replacing a long time coaching legend is harder than having to reload after losing a bunch of D1 players.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:10 pm
In regards to the other two games, St. Mary’s is the back end of home and home. Bellarmine has 18 starters returning from their CCS semi team. Paly losing a lot and so is Folsom. Bells should be better than both next year.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
okay.. so now i know you offically became a JOKE to me.. you joined the list of *bleacher coach and “geore mantley (but i think there the same people).. all you can say is they will get blow out watch watch with no logic. AGAIN your a joke this stuff your doing would have worked on me in this 6th grade lol smh.. this just goes to how me how your ideology is so dam behhind and your train of tought by just arguing Hs sports with you …
February 26th, 2011 at 9:34 pm
*** SPEAKING TO NSC FAN Btw
February 26th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
R10 – You are a great and well respected man. The ONLY DLS poster who can defend his school with real class. Have learned more about DLS from R10 than anyone else here.
The rest ??? well they should learn from R10
February 26th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
C.Sparks – The example of NO class. Learn from R10
February 26th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
NCS – Destroy, Blow Out, Crushed – Dude let me add one more ANNIHILATED
DLS will go down against STA
February 27th, 2011 at 12:55 am
I’m not gonna predict victory, but NCS, you have zero credibility. I know you’re just trying to be provacative, but….. For what it’s worth, Dallas Jackson, who runs rivals HS football poll predicted 31-28 DLS, and he’s no Spartan homer. Outside of ’04 season, DLS has lost 10 games in 25 years and only one could be described by any of the adjectives you’re using and that was to a consensus NC team when we had no QB and our 2 best players on the sideline. We struggled early that year (’09) and lost to Lakeland in OT, when we went for 2 and the win. The other 3 of those 1st 5 games were 7, 11, and 7 point wins against Serra, Amador Valley (we were down at half by 11) and Monte Vista. We beat those same teams in ’10 by 38, 56, and 48, as well as beating MV later in ’09 by 37. DLS ’11 ought to resemble 2nd half ’09 and ’10 teams more than the team that struggled early ’09. As has been mentioned, the QB is #1 in CA, 26-0 as a starter with 2 SBG wins under his belt. Coach Lad can build around that.
@ NCS, if you’re really very serious about your feelings, we could make a wager, and set up an escrow account. I assume you’ll give me at least 21.
February 27th, 2011 at 10:17 am
ooooo DLSPop you are so intelligent ooooo such an expert
Blah blah blah crap crap crap
MORON!
February 27th, 2011 at 11:25 am
@Just wanna say
You and NCS are comical. “Oooo so intelligent…,”. You sound like a 5th grader. Pop just threw down only a fraction of the evidence that he could of justifying why this will not be an “annihilated” and all’s you got is that?! Move along little children until you guys have something credible to print.
@NCS
“No Class”. Now you REALLY have offended me. I’m done with you but I’ll leave you with this. We(the rest other than R10)showed a lot of class and sympathy by engaging you in the first place. Also let me let you in on a little secret…R10 doesn’t respect you either…he just has too much class to tell ya publically.
February 27th, 2011 at 11:47 am
ooooo GreenNsilver so tough ooooo so scared
All you got is your fat A** behind your computer
blah blah blah Wah Wah Wah
MORON!
February 27th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
NCS – you are entitled to your opinion but I disagree 100%. DLS will not only win the game but win by 10+ points. Just ask Servite. They were a very good team this last year and their coach said “his players weren’t ready for the DLS onslaught”. Athleticism only gets you so far – the rest is hard work and determination. DLS is #1 in those two areas every year. Good luck with the blow out but I think you have a better chance winning the CA lottery. Might want to buy a ticket for that instead of the game.
February 27th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
^^zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz^^
February 27th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Obviously Grizzly fans.
Last time we heard about getting “annihilated” DLS won 48-8
February 27th, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Oh really. I don’t seem to remember any Grizzly fans predicting they would “annihilate” DLS. Most thought they would play them tough, which they did. Revisionist posting. Maybe some Servite fans said that? No reason to drag Cal fans into this.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:25 am
Prep,
EB fan 2 is right, we heard it from your Cal Brethren in December. Some of the non regulars (one time blogger) All in good nature of course! For what it’s worth, I have a ton of respect for the programs at SRV and Cal, I think those two programs are top notch in the East Bay and always give DLS football a run for their money. Regardless of their season, they seem to “play up” when playing the Spartans. I’ll admit as Spartan Fan, I am concerned with the pre season schedule, particularly the Bells and STA. For what it’s worth they will battle tested early. Prep, how many starters does Cal have coming back next year?
February 28th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Wel, he is not right that they are “obviously Grizzly fans”. That is as bush as the notion that DLS will get annihilated.
Cal had a lot of seniors starting this season. But because they were so successful, the backups played a lot this year a la DLS. Most games the backups were in during the second or third quarters (really all but DLS) and got a lot of playing experience against the other teams’ starters. The JV call ups also got a lot of play time in the 3 NCS games prior to the Coliseum. That recipe seems to have worked extremely well for DLS over the years, so hopefully the Cal backups will come into this season with experince and confidence.
The key returnees in the skill positions you might recognize are Washington, Krause, Dunn, & Ezeburio. The entire O-line was seniors and most of the D-line. The QB will most likely be Kevin Farley, who got in a lot of games, but the didn’t pass much as the Grizz were motly running the ball by that time due to the score. With SV having 4 players on the Cream of the Crop watch list and Cal none, DLS being DLS, MV returning Lockie, Bruce & Ertz, and Foothill looking to rebound from a rare off year, the Grizz will have their work cut out for them. But if last season was any indication, they won’t be intimidated by anyone.
February 28th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
prep fan where can i see the new cream of the crop team? or watch list?
February 28th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
C.Sparks, here is the link to this year’s Cream of the Crop list. For some reason, they never posted the watch list for next’s year’s team online. That was in the paper the same day as this year’s list came out. Maybe Ben or Jimmy can rectify this?
http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_17239387?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com&nclick_check=1
February 28th, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Every time a Cal High Fan whines about DLS, an Angel gets its wings.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Cal will only return two starters on offense (Krause and Washington), and not many on defense either. They graduate the following players this June:
Offense: Pearson, Garwood, Pricco, Watson, Hall, Reil, Sarmenta, Taft, Alvarez
Defense: Deans, Spalliero, Maalouf, Fielder, Preuss, Prenot, Dowling, I can’t really remember who else was a starter.
But don’t be deceived. The way CAL recovered going into 2010-11 will not be missed by next year, because it was such a huge recovery. I can tell by how much they take advantage of their depth that they will reload just fine. CAL is a team more than a solid program, as they have in spite of lacking any D1 players and from what I’ve heard as a matter of fact aren’t really sending many players to the next level in any division, achieved the ranking of number two in the east bay. I agree highly with Prep Fan’s comment that “the grizzlies will have their work cut out for them.”
I’m also glad to see that DLS football fans have a little more class than the soccer fans (and by a greater margin, the basketball fans), especially S1lverngreen, who understands that his school has a mission to promote better and more hard-nosed competition among the EBAL rather than harass it with their high status among the athletic powers. Even if there is still some bashing in favor of DLS, at least it wasn’t done before something provoked it. It will improve the NCS greatly for DLS to show class as a team, even to STA early in the year! No unnecessary roughness or what have you…….
February 28th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
You forgot about their kicker!
March 1st, 2011 at 10:17 am
Re: #57. Where do you come up with this stuff? No one from Cal is whining about DLS. Say something positive or constructive on here or just keep out.
March 2nd, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Prep Fan. Re: #60 ….agree x2 except for the “just keep out”, free speech and all that. I just learn to ignore and bypass their responses which is probably too bad because once in a millennium they might contribute something worthwhile
THEanonymous…Think we are in agreement that we both want a strong EBAL. (Tired of SouCal posters talking about the only competitive leagues residing in the southland).
Don’t think it is the responsibility of one school “to promote better and more hard-nosed competition among the EBAL….” That is the job of all the schools, their programs, players and fans. Beside playing their best in league games there are other ways to boost the League. How many student athletes, parents and fans go
to inter-league games even if it is not their team playing? Have you ever saw any East Bay Athletic League apparel for sale?…except at a few championship events?
The remark about “DLS football fans have a little more class….” reads like a sour compliment. I’ve worked home games for the last 4 years and I’ve seen a fair share of classless behavior from parents, fans and occasionally student-athletes from both the home and visiting teams. No-Class behavior is alive an kicking at all the schools.
BUT I have met many more great people from both sides whose love of their kids, of their schools and of prep football makes my job and Friday Night football special. People I look forward to seeing the next year and when luck has it we run into one another around the Bay Area or at other activities involving our kids.
Finally, thanks the updates on next years squad…Cal is becoming one of those teams I like to follow.
March 29th, 2011 at 10:09 am
STA sounds like a great program. I’m sure DLS will be up for it.
Bellarmine won’t be as good as last year but for them, that’s still plenty good and they’ll have a big team in another season.
August 21st, 2011 at 11:05 pm
De la Salle loses great players every year, yet they win every single year
September 20th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Thats not gonna happen Bothell destroyed Miami Northwestern in 2008 at Qwest Field 66-21
September 23rd, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Can someone tell me the final score? Thanks.