FOOTBALL: PAL Bay Preview

There has once again been some shifting in the Peninsula Athletic League's Bay Division. But don't expect much to change atop the standings.

Terra Nova enters Friday's start to the league season as the favorite to defend its 2009 championship. And Sacred Heart Prep, last year's runner-up, appears to be strong again.

The top four PAL Bay finishers gain automatic berths to the Central Coast Section playoffs. Last year, The King's Academy and Aragon joined Terra Nova and SHP in the postseason, and all four programs advanced past the first round.

Burlingame, the Bay's lone newcomer, has plenty of talent back from the 2009 unit that earned an at-large CCS berth after finishing second in the rugged PAL Ocean Division. The Panthers figure to be a more formidable opponent than Woodside, the program Burlingame replaces in the PAL's top division.

The Bay boasts some elite returning talent – running back Amir Carlisle (The King's Academy) and offensive lineman Brian Moran (Sacred Heart Prep) have both given oral commitments to Stanford. And several other players – including Terra Nova quarterback Chris Forbes and Aragon wide receiver Aaron Eder – have excelled early in the season.

All told, this may be the most competitive Bay Division in years.

With the PAL Bay season set to begin, here is a look at the division's six teams. The teams are listed in predicted order of finish.

1. TERRA NOVA (2-2 in 2010)

Coach: Bill Gray, 20th season

2009 Record: 9-4, 5-0 PAL Bay

The Tigers are coming off a spectacular season that included an undefeated run to the PAL Bay title and an appearance in the CCS Division III championship game. Despite significant losses, they appear to have retooled in a hurry and should be tough to dethrone in the Bay.

Continuing its tradition, Terra Nova opened this year by facing tough opponents, and it dropped its first two games to Sacred Heart Cathedral and Wilcox. The Tigers had opportunities to take leads in both games, but three turnovers in each defeat proved costly.

Since then, Terra Nova has rolled to big wins against Pioneer (49-7) and San Mateo (50-29).

Junior quarterback Chris Forbes has stepped right in where former signal-caller Carl Cox, a dynamic playmaker, left off. Forbes goes into league play having thrown for nearly 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, while running for seven other scores.

Forbes' receiving threats may be inexperienced, but they offer plenty of talent and size. Juniors Ryan Virgin (6-foot-3, 235 pounds), Nick Manessis (6-2, 200), Elias Vargas and Jake Smith all have at least 16 receptions and two touchdowns thus far.

Senior running back Josh Cruz missed much of the Wilcox game and all of the Pioneer contest with an injury. But he didn't miss a beat after returning, rushing four times for 70 yards and a touchdown against San Mateo.

Forbes and Cruz add solid running threats to the wide-open passing attack that has foiled all PAL comers since offensive coordinator Tim Adams installed it a year ago.

2. SACRED HEART PREP (4-0)

Coach: Pete Lavorato, eighth season

2009 Record: 8-4, 4-1 PAL Bay

Despite losing three top running backs to graduation, including Stanford walk-ons Matt Walter and Chris Gaertner, Sacred Heart Prep has started out very strong this season.

Coach Pete Lavorato wanted to focus on rebuilding the Gators' running game, and the plan has worked to perfection. SHP has totaled 15 rushing touchdowns in its 4-0 start.

Brian Moran, a 6-foot-7, 290-pound lineman who has orally committed to Stanford, helps fuel the Gators' power running game.

Senior quarterback John Geary has been active with his arm and legs this season. He has thrown for seven touchdowns and run for three others.

Running back Tyler McCool is another player to watch. A dynamic athlete who can change the game in a single play, McCool has already recorded four rushing touchdowns and three receiving scores.

Although the Gators have looked potent at the outset, Lavorato is not taking anything for granted in the Bay.

"Burlingame is better than Woodside," said Lavorato, whose program takes aim at securing its first PAL Bay title. "All the teams are as good if not better than last year."

SHP visits Terra Nova on Nov. 5. That league finale for both programs may well decide the PAL Bay championship.

3. THE KING'S ACADEMY (3-1)

Coach: Ron Kellner, eighth season

2009 Record: 8-4, 3-2 PAL Bay

After finishing third in the PAL Bay last year, The King's Academy looks to be in a similar standing entering the league season. The Knights need much to go right for them to best Terra Nova and Sacred Heart Prep.

Fortunately, TKA returns a very strong running back core, including the Stanford-bound Amir Carlisle and rising star LeeRoy Richardson. The pair has combined for 11 of the team's 19 touchdowns through four games.

Carlisle has been a sensational athlete from the time he took the PAL Ocean by storm two years ago. The gifted running back should sparkle in his senior campaign.

TKA coach Ron Kellner is confident going into league play.

"We're looking at film, tying up some loose ends," he said. "We've got the basics under control. We just need to fine tune."

The quarterback situation, though, is a bit in question. TKA has already used two quarterbacks in four games.

"We're going to try to improve the passing attack," Kellner said. "We're really optimistic going into the season."

In its one game against a team with a winning record thus far, TKA fell to Homestead 21-14. A Homestead punt return for a touchdown was the difference.

On Oct. 16, the Knights renew a spirited rivalry with Sacred Heart Prep that dates back to the teams' former alignment in the North Coast Section. The following week, TKA hosts defending-champion Terra Nova.

4. BURLINGAME (2-2)

Coach: John Philipopoulos, ninth season

2009 Record: 7-4, 3-2 PAL Ocean

After finishing second in the PAL Ocean last year, the Panthers are back in the PAL Bay for the first time since 2007.

The most dynamic aspect to Burlingame will be its defense. The Panthers enter Friday's opener at Sacred Heart Prep allowing an average of 12.5 points per game.

After last week's 42-12 romp at Woodside, a Bay program last season, Burlingame coach John Philipopoulos said of his defenders: "They play well, they're physical, they're disciplined and they're going to take us where we want to go."

In particular, the Panthers' coach has touted cornerbacks Kevin Kim and Kevin Nasre.

But Burlingame brings much more than just a talented defense.

Returning star Jordan Pessah is taking the lead at running back while undersized standout Ilan Lesov recovers from an injury. Daidyn Stewart is also beginning to contribute at that position.

Once Lesov is healthy, the Panthers figure to have an enviable core of runners. The shifty Lesov ran for over 1700 yards and more than 20 touchdowns in a stellar junior year.

Burlingame will have a pair of difficult measuring sticks to start the Bay season. After playing SHP, the Panthers visit Terra Nova.

Expect Burlingame to compete for the Bay's fourth CCS playoff spot.

5. MENLO-ATHERTON (1-3)

Coach: Sione Taufoou, first season

2009 Record: 1-9, 0-5 PAL Bay

M-A's back-to-back PAL Bay titles of 2007-08 are a distant memory as the program attempts to atone for last year's dismal campaign.

The Bears opened this season by committing 12 turnovers in their first three games – all losses. But a road win over San Mateo on Oct. 1 suggests M-A has begun to turn the corner.

M-A defeated the Bearcats 34-6 by limiting its mistakes, winning the turnover battle 2-1.

The victory followed a bye week during which the Bears appear to have made significant strides.

M-A quarterback Uilifeleti Fonua said, "The win felt good for us. During the bye week, we made sure our attitudes were set straight."

Strong play on both lines figures to be the Bears' calling card this season. M-A's powerful defensive front – a unit that allowed just 2.8 yards per rush against Jefferson and San Mateo -- should stall several Bay running threats.

The offense remains a work in progress. Finding consistency, developing playmakers and avoiding turnovers are all focus areas.

If M-A can manage an early win against either The King's Academy or Aragon, the players' confidence could get a huge boost.

The Bears face an uphill battle entering league play, but their first-year head coach, Sione Taufoou, is optimistic.

"I know there is a lot of talent on this team. It's just a matter of us putting it together and

playing as a team … not as individuals," Taufoou said. "Our kids are hungry. They want to win some games."

6. ARAGON (2-2)

Coach: Steve Sell, 11th season

2009 Record: 7-5, 2-3 PAL Bay

With many of the PAL Bay teams improved from a year ago, Aragon must limit its mistakes to keep pace. Thus far, that has proved difficult with a youthful and inexperienced team.

"We're feeling the effects of a young team," said Dons coach Steve Sell, whose program has fallen off after winning four straight PAL Bay titles from 2003-06. "We're really good at times, sloppy at times."

Sell called Aragon's defeats to San Mateo and Carlmont "mistake-prone losses."

In the Dons' two wins, they averaged 32.5 points. In their two defeats, they totaled 21 points, including a 20-6 loss to Carlmont, which plays in the lowest-level PAL Lake Division.

Third-and-long situations have been troublesome -- many of the team's turnovers have come in such instances. "When you get into these situations, you're vulnerable," Sell said.

Aragon relies on playmaking wide receiver Aaron Eder. One of the bigger surprises for the Dons has been the play of quarterback Anthony Nichols, who replaces three-sport star Sam Tuivailala.

Running back Sam Pacholuk is another solid option for the offense.