Or another way to attack DLS is to have a simple offense, but with those basic plays be able to execute them to perfection. That would be out of the Vince Lombardi school of thought. His Green Bay Packers practiced a few basic plays to perfection, and then executed as a machine during their games.

Right now DLS is like a machine, because they execute, display discipline, and are highly conditioned. A couple years ago, I believed that they would elevate the level of play throughout the EBAL. That the opposing league schools would adjust to them, and eventually pattern their programs after DLS. So far I do not really see that. Sure MV had a good squad, led by a QB now at Stanford (Brett Nottingham). But they could not rise to the occasion. Last year Cal was clearly the next best team, but in two attempts they could not get it done against DLS.

So really until Lad hangs it up as a coach, probably in another 5-seasons, DLS will continue to rule the NCS football landscape. But they will not fade that quickly after his departure. I would say possibly another 3-seasons following his retirement, the Spartans will slip a notch. Meaning not winning an NCS football crown.

With the exception of those two “private” school football leagues, the rest of the various sectional playoffs within NorCal would continue as they do now. So we are talking about a 5-game league season, which for DLS would work out well, allowing them to continue playing their games against nationally ranked opponents.

St. Mary’s has become a consistent power within the SJS, though not at the level, which DLS has operated at for over 3-decades now. But those Rams are getting closer to that level each season. One reason they do not win the SJS every season, is because there is better depth within the SJS. What do I mean by that? Well there is a greater number of powerful teams that exist lie within the SJS, as compared to the NCS.

I am not just talking about Grant (Sacramento) either. Schools like Rocklin and Folsom come to mind too, each having won the past three SJS D-II titles. Last season Folsom finished ranked as the #5 team nationally, according to Max Preps. Nevada Union has played in 3 of the past 6, SJS D-I title games, winning two of them.

I am not at all saying, that either Rocklin or Folsom could have beaten DLS the past two seasons. But without a doubt they would have posed more of a playoff threat to DLS than Heritage, Granada, and California did this past season. Likewise with American, Foothill, Monte Vista and Pittsburg during the 2009 NCS playoffs. A dandy of a game would have been DLS vs. Grant in 2008, that was the season Grant received the Open division bowl, and DLS the D-I bowl. Grant went on to upend LB Poly, while DLS were edged by Centennial, 21-16.

But anyhow I think that if St. Mary’s (Stockton), and not DLS were in the EBAL. They would be the team to beat, and still would have beaten Cal for the league crown last year. Okay last season DLS beat the Rams, 49-14. But it was only 14-14, a 19-0 3rd quarter run by the Spartans was the difference. Remember in 2009 the Rams beat a very good Bellermine team, 34-10. The Bells wound up playing in the state D-II bowl, and barely lost that game vs. Oceanside, 24-19.

I just do not see any NCS school, with the exception of DLS, being able to go toe-to-toe against a SoCal power. Whereas in recent years history has seen SJS schools like Grant (2008, won), Rocklin (2009, lost 33-30 to Servite the overall state champion), Folsom (2010, won, whipping Serra-Gardena), St. Mary’s (2008, lost to Cathedral Catholic-San Diego, 37-34), and etc.

But as far as NCS goes, only Cardinal Newman, and Marin Catholic in D-III, and Novato to an extent in D-II have demonstated anything, though they all lost in those games. However, in a 2006 loss to highly touted Oaks Christian, Cardinal Newman played tough in a 27-20 loss. The same can be said of Marin Catholic during their 2009 bowl loss to Serra (Gardena), which was only a 24-20 setback.

No way will NCS D-I contenders like Berkeley, James Logan, Pittsburg, SRV, MV, and etc be able to do this. In D-II besides Cardinal Newman, and Marin Catholic, perhaps Encinal, or a program on the rise, like Bishop O’ Dowd with head coach Hardy Nickerson now running the show can get to that level. But at the moment the SJS and CCS schools seem to have more talent. Remember Palo Alto has had some good teams the past few seasons, they also won the D-I bowl game last season against Centennial (Corona), 15-13. They also reached the D-II bowl game in 2006. Bellermine went 12-1 and won the CCS Open Division in 2008, but were unable to secure a bowl berth.

dont let ur ego get in the way of ur greatness

WHO is the new Dublin coach or is it still open?