SGV/WHITTIER PREP SPORTS ZONE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2022: BISHOP AMAT, LA SALLE
Lancers' hoping for bigger inroads in 2022; La Salle seeks major improvement.
Delano Franklin, Bishop Amat HS. (Photo: 24/7 Sports)
Bishop Amat High School
Coach: Steve Hagerty
2021 Record: 8-4; CIF-SS Division 2 Quarterfinalists
2021 Calpreps.com Rating: 58.2
Last Six Year Calpreps.com Avg. Rating: 57.36
Numbers of Returning Players: 36
Number of All-League Players Returning: 5
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Zach Hagerty
Number of Off. Returning Players: 8
Number of OL Returning: 3
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 5
Rushing yards: 1442 (118.5 YPG, 5.6 Avg.)
Passing Yards: 2231 (185.9 YPG, 11.6 Avg.)
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Delano Franklin, 5-11, 170, WR, 12: 2021 Stats: 38 rec. 635 yards, 5 TDs; 1st Team All Mission League
Aiden Ramos, 5-10, 205, RB, 12: 2021 Stats: 149 carries, 784 yards, 12 TDs, 1st Team All Mission League
Josiah Johnson, 6-2, 240, TE, 12: 2021 Stats: 4 rec. 52 yards, 2 TDs
Hunter Watson, 6-3, 200, QB, 12: 2021 Stats: 42-70, 561, 5 TD’s, 2 INT
Julian Borrayo, 5-10, 170, WR, 12
Dominic Rubio:, 5-10, 170, WR, 12
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Ryan Castillo, 6-2, 275, OG, 12
Frank Molina, 6-1, 275, C/OG, 12
Eduardo Ramirez, 6-3, 260, OT, 12
Mason Viramontes, 6-3, 280, OT, 12
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Sean Koelle
Number of Def. Returning Players: 9
Number of DL Returning: 3
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 6
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
Carlos Alvarez, 5-11, 175, SAF, 12: 1st Team All Mission League, 2021 stats: 39 tackles (31 solo), Fumble Recovery,
Richie Munoz, 5-10, 185, SS/QB, 11: 1st Team All Mission League; 2021 stats: 51 tackles (38 solo), INT
Rayjohn White, 6-0, 180, CB, 12
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Tiumalu Alalava, 6-3, 275, DT, 12: 1st Team All Mission League; 31 tackles (16 solo)
Raymond Macias, 6-2, 285, NG, 12: 2021 stats: 24 tackles (16 solo), 2.5 sacks
Freddy Lujan, 6-1, 255, DE, 12: 2021 stats: 28 tackles (15 solo), Fumble Recovery
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Stacy Bey, 6-0, 225, LB, 11: (Transfer from Jurupa Hills)
Chris Cooper, 6-0, 185, OLB, 12: (Transfer from Beaumont)
Foster Slaughter, 6-0, 180, OLB, 12: (Transfer from San Jacinto)
Aiden Valdez, 6-4, 235, TE, 12: (Transfer From Los Altos - Hacienda Heights)
COMMENTS FROM STEVE HAGERTY:
“Defensive line should be strong, and WR/TE should be really solid. Defensive secondary and QB position are areas we really need improvement. Sierra Canyon makes the Mission League even stronger than before. League will be as tough as ever from top to bottom.”
2022 Schedule (with 2021 season records)
Week 0: at Valencia (8-6, CIF-SS Div. 5 Champions)
Week 1: at La Habra (6-6, CIF-SS Div. 5 Quarterfinalists)
Week 2: vs. St. John Bosco (10-2, CIF-SS Div. 1. Semifinalists)
Week 3: BYE
Week 4: at Leuzinger (7-5, CIF-SS Div. 7 Quarterfinalists)
Week 5: at Damien (3-7, 0-4)
Week 6: at Sierra Canyon (7-5, CIF-SS Div. 2 Quarterfinalists)
Week 7: at Serra (11-4, CIF-SS Div. 3 Champions)
Week 8: vs. Chaminade (5-5, 2-3) (CIF-SS Div. 3 First Round)
Week 9: at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (2-8, 1-4)
Week 10: at Alemany (8-4, CIF-SS Div. 2 Finalists)
CRYSTAL BALL: This is a team that is a bit of a tough read for us. The obvious advantage is that Hunter Watson and Richie Munoz are back at the QB position. Don’t look for coach Hagerty to make a call as to who will start until August. Watson caught the eye of observers at the Mission Viejo Passing League tournament. Whoever gets the call will have the advantage of the best OL line unit in the area and the league, as four starters return for their senior year. That is a huge advantage. Add to the mix the return of talented wide receiver Delano Franklin and running back Aiden Ramos and you begin to see the upside of the offensive group.. The intriguing unit is the TE group with Josiah Johnson returning and the addition of Aiden Valdez from Los Altos, which means that Amat will be more than happy to line up in a 2-Tight End (12 personal) set and run the ball down the throat of opposing defenses. The Defensive line looks solid enough, but the back seven will be watched closely by Lancer fans. When you couple the issues in the back seven along with Hagerty’s concern about the quarterback play, that should be the cause of some concern. The Lancers should be OK to make the playoffs. As for winning the uber-competitive Mission League… that’s a different story.
Projected record: 7-3
Projected League order of finish: 1) Sierra Canyon, 2) Serra, 3) Bishop Amat, 4) Chaminade, 5) Alemany, 6) Sherman Oaks Notre Dame
David Vanden Bosch, La Salle HS (Photo: La Salle HS Athletics)
La Salle High School
Coach: Ben Buys
2021 Record: 1-8
2021 Calpreps.com Rating: -18.1
Last Six Year Calpreps.com Avg. Rating: -0.76
Number of All-League Players Returning: 2
OFFENSE
Offensive Coordinator: Ben Buys
Number of Off. Returning Players: 8
Number of OL Returning: 4
Number of Off Skill Players Returning: 4
Rushing yards: 1086 (120.7, 6.8)
Passing Yards: 2138 (237.6, 13.7)
Key Offensive Skills Players Returning
Dave Mysza, 5-11, 180, WR, 11: UCLA Commit for baseball. 2021 stats: 17 rec, 274 yards, 2 TDs
Mauricio Pavon , 5-9, 150, WR, 11: 2021 stats: 52 rec. 663 yards, 6 TDs.
Aiden Leyland, 5-8, 175, WR, 11: 2021 stats: 25 rec. 300 yards, 2 TDs.
Anthony Balurdi, 5-11, 185, WR, 12
Key Offensive Lineman Returning
Athan Darlas, 6-3, 225
Adam Pavon, 6-1, 215
DEFENSE
Defensive Coordinator: Eddie Ficklin Jr.
Number of Def. Returning Players: 9
Number of DL Returning: 4
Number of Def. Skill Players Returning: 5
Key Defensive Skills Players Returning
David Vanden Bosch, 5-10, 180, CB, 11: 2021 Stats 9 Tackles (2 solo)
Anthony Balurdi, 5-11, 185, WR, 12: 2021 stats: 22 tackles (8 solo)
Daniel Arroyas, 6-2, 170, Safety, 10
Rayjohn White, 6-0, 180, CB, 12
Key Defensive Lineman Returning
Andrew Boecking, 6-2, 220, DE, 12: 51 tackles (20 solo)
Ian Truitt, 6-2, 350, NG, 12:
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER SKILL PLAYERS
Drew Ward, 6-2, 175, Safety, 9
TOP NEWCOMING/TRANSFER OFF/DEF LINEMAN
Raymond Marshall, 6-4, 320, 11
James Soleimani, 6-3, 275, 11
COMMENTS FROM BEN BUYS:
“A lot of returning experience, a lot of young guys got quality reps last year. Up front much bigger and experienced. Good young talent still.”
2022 Schedule (with 2021 season records)
Week 0: at Brentwood (4-6, 1-2)
Week 1: at Village Christian (9-2, CIF-SS Div. 11 Quarterfinalists)
Week 2: vs. Bonita (9-3, CIF-SS Div. 4 Quarterfinalists)
Week 3: vs. Rosemead (6-6, CIF-SS Div. 12 Quarterfinalists)
Week 4: at Cathedral (1-8, 0-4)
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: vs. St. Pius X-St. Matthias (11-3, CIF-SS Div. 7 Finalists)
Week 7: vs. St. Anthony (9-5, CIF-SS Div. 10 Finalists)
Week 8: at. St. Bernard (no games in 2021)
Week 9: vs. St. Genevieve (10-2. CIF-SS Div. 5 Quarterfinalists)
Week 10: at Harvard-Westlake (5-6, CIF-SS Div. 12 First Round)
CRYSTAL BALL: There is no team that was hit harder in the transfer portal more than this team with quarterback standout Richie Munoz leaving for Charter Oak. If Munoz was back, this team becomes a viable league championship contender. Without him, it’s going to be tough. Which is a shame because this squad is quite talented. Dave Mysza is a UCLA commit in baseball that is called one of the top athletes on team and is projected to be the starting quaterback. Skill guys are not the issue and neither is the offensive and defensive lines. It comes back to the quarterback play. Jack Lampton is a 6-4, 175 freshmen that will be competing with Mysza and Noah Sim for the starting QB spot. Trying to find wins on the schedule is very tough. Seven of the teams made the playoffs last year and six of them advanced past the first round. But let’s take a glass half full approach and say that this team will be on our radar very early in the season.
Projected record: 4-6
Projected League order of finish: 1) St. Genevieve, 2) St. Anthony 3) St. Pius X-St. St. Matthias, 4. La Salle, 5) Harvard-Westlake 6) St. Bernard