Year 1 of rebuilding for SV football program

St. Vincent starts rebuilding program with a new coach.|

St. Vincent de Paul High School is in its 100th year of providing a quality education to Sonoma and Marin students. The St. Vincent de Paul High School football team is in Year 1 of its rebuilding program.

Under coach Gary Galloway, St. Vincent’s Mustangs built a reputation for unmatched football success among North Coast Section small schools.

However, in the last few years, faced with declining enrollment and playing in the talent-tough North Central League, the Mustangs have hit on tough times. Their last winning season was 2014 and, during the past two years, they won a total of three games.

Galloway kept the program alive during the tough years, just as he had during the Mustangs’ heyday. But he stepped down this season as former Casa Grande coach Trent Herzog was brought in as head coach.

Even before the first official snap of the 2018 season, there are strong indications that the rebuilding process is off to a strong start.

From a roster of 19 (when everyone was healthy) last season, St. Vincent has a roster of 38 this year. Of course, that includes 14 freshmen.

Several of the first-year players will be counted on to make immediate contributions to the varsity. Others will join the 11 sophomores to play junior varsity games when opponents can be arranged.

St. Vincent has dropped out of the North Central League and will play an independent schedule this season, with the intent of petitioning to join the North Bay League in two years.

St. Vincent unveils its new look, complete with new uniforms on its home turf Saturday afternoon against McKinleyville, a traditional small school power that was officially 0-9 last season, but six of those losses were by forfeit, the result of the use of an ineligible player.

Herzog is excited and optimistic about the upcoming season, but also realistic.

“We’re going to struggle at times, but I think we’ll be in the playoffs or right there,” the coach said.

Herzog said the players are dedicated to bringing success back to St. Vincent football. “They (the players) are working extremely hard,” he said. “We have a great work ethic and good leadership.

“They want to be excited to wear St. Vincent football gear in the community.”

The coach said there is competition for most positions, although some of the team’s top athletes will, of necessity, spend a lot of time on the field.

Among those who will be on the field a lot are all five quarterback candidates, who will play somewhere even if it isn’t behind the center.

Senior Trent Free played seven games at the position last season and, despite a lack of protection, completed 40 of 113 passes for 642 yards. “He has experience and he is a very intelligent football player,” Herzog said.

He is very high on the potential of Rory Morgan, who could end up at wide receiver, tight end or just about anywhere else. “We can use him everywhere,” the coach said. “I think he has college potential.”

Herzog called sophomore Shamus Edens, “one of our better overall football players.” He will play a lot on defense.

Sophomore Nate Bernikiau is a good all-around athlete in the quarterback mix. Another QB possibility is freshman Jacob Porteous, a ninth-grader Herzog described as a “super, super athlete. He knows the game better than anyone I’ve been around for someone his age.”

Herzog said St. Vincent has a four-headed monster at running back, with senior Daniel Burleson, junior Andrew Kohler, sophomore Devaneaux Sagaral and sophomore Aiden Offerman. Herzog said Burleson has the best open-field speed on the team; Kohler is the best receiver among the backs and Sagaral has incredible quickness and agility.

Herzog is very impressed with Offerman, who will probably fill the fullback position, calling him one of the best football players on the team.

Another fullback possibility is freshman Dante Antonini. “He has the ability to slow the game down,” the coach said.

Several speedsters will play at wide receiver. Among those expected to help are senior Marcus Mattais, sophomore Jeremy Bukolsky, sophomore Ryan Nalducci, senior Jack Belway, Morgan, freshman Luke Vollert and senior Diego Reyes, in his first year of football.

Senior A.J. Fetter, expected to be one of the team leaders, will be the tight end, with Morgan and freshman Killian Collins being counted on to help.

Gio Antonini, who is expected to make a major impact on defense, will also be important on the offensive line. Morgan Morarity, who Herzog called a “warrior,” will be on the line, along with Gio Vaca and Connor Yowell.

Also in the rotation for offensive line play are sophomores Andrew Pech and Garrett Carmucci, first-year football players Eddie Guzman and Xavier Sullivan and freshmen Liam Welsh and Terrence Chapin. Brandon Maher, Christian Bates and Hunter Collins could also help on either offensive or defensive lines.

Gio Antonini, anchor of the defensive line at nose tackle, is the team’s best all-around defensive player. Also on the defense front will be Vaca, Yowell, Morarity, Welsh, Chapin, Pech and Camucci.

Antonini will bounce around the defense and will often play middle linebacker, with Offerman, Fetter and Collins also playing inside linebacker.

In line for playing time at outside linebacker are Kohler, Sagaral, Reyes and Edens. Herzog said Edens could end up playing as many as five positions.

In the defensive backfield will be some combination of Burleson, Nalducci, Berniklau, Belway, Vollert, Matthias, Sagaral, Kohler, Liam O’Hare, Alex Torres, Carter Payte, Reyes, or Taki Belway.

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