Bishop Amat is ranked No. 1 by the Tribune. The Lancers hung close to Inland Empire power Los Osos before losing, 24-20, to open the season.
Bishop Amat then shocked many when they overcame a 24-0 deficit on the road and rallied in the third quarter to stun Orange Lutheran, one of the top teams in the state.
The Lancers are led by quarterback Jerry McClanahan who gets plenty of protection from a *stout* offensive line. (Note: I had towering line but that was my bad, blogger dude. Freddy gets the assist on that correction, too).
The defensive unit is anchored by UCLA-bound linebacker Isaiah Bowens, who is expected to make his return Friday, and UCLA-bound cornerback senior Sheldon Price.
Others can be a big factor, too. Seniors Brent Seals and Jesse Prieto are strong linebackers along with Jonathan Maffie, who also is a senior. Deshawn Gaisie will get a load of carries at running back.
The Lancers defense have shown several different fronts and coverages and have the ability to blitz and also play man coverage. They can rush five and play zone, too.
Bishop Amat boasts an all-star coaching staff and at the center of the defensive schemes is former USC standout Daylon McCutcheon, the defensive coordinator.
Steve Hagerty, a 1980 Bishop Amat alumni, is in his first year as coach of the Lancers and boasts an impressive resume.
Hagerty won three consecutive CIF-SS championships from 1997-99 in his first head coaching gig at Paraclete, and later won two more as an assistant at J.W. North and Citrus Hill before returning to Bishop Amat.
Bishop Amat has played powerhouses Los Osos and Orange Lutheran, handily beat West Covina (4-1) and Damien (1-4), and edged Diamond Ranch (1-4).
The Lancers have played far more superior teams than St. Francis has, making Bishop Amat’s schedule stronger compared to the Golden Knights’.
“It’s not going to be easy,” Bonds said. “It’s by far the toughest game we’ve played.”
It’s going to get tougher for St. Francis the following week. The Golden Knights will then face another Serra League powerhouse in Crespi, who is 4-1 in the season and also play in the PAC-5 Division.
