Gators look to continue rebuilding football program
From 2012-2015 Sacred Heart Prep put together a remarkable run, winning four consecutive Central Coast Section championships and advancing to two state championship games. In 2015 in the final year of that run the Gators were led by the running back combo of Lapitu Mahoni and Isoa Moimoi. Both were 1,000-yard rushers that season.
"Willard is a great leader and great player,'' Grieb said "Moimoi had a great off-season. A real explosive runner, a great blocker and linebacker on defense. He worked on his pass catching ability and now is a multi-dimensional threat.''
"He's an exciting player and a versatile threat,'' Grieb said.
Jake Davison is a leader on an offensive line unit that also includes Cody Wiebe and Ben Horvath.
Hardy, lauded by Grieb for his physical play, will start at linebacker, Brian Tinsley at cornerback and Wilson Weisel at safety. Joey Dahlkemper, younger brother of former SHP soccer star Abby Dahlkemper, will start at defensive end.
"He's a very athletic lineman,'' Grieb said.
Back
This season a Mahoni-Moimoi tandem could happen again as younger brothers Tafu Mahoni and Tevita Moimoi are in the running back rotation along with John Willard.
Mahoni and Moimoi are two of a score of younger brothers and relatives on the SHP roster (some of the others include Bryant Gavello, Dante Cacchione, Nick Stalder, Brian Tinsley, Jack Kirkham and Thomas Hardy). It's a family affair with the Gators this season as the young boys try to bring back some of what their elders achieved.
SHP went 3-7 last year in Mark Grieb's first season as head coach, but a winning season looks attainable this year. There are a good number of returning players.
"We have more depth than last year,'' Grieb said.
Senior Jack Moultrup and sophomore Raymond Price III are competing for the starting quarterback job to replace Brad Yaffe, who is now at the University of Oregon.
At running back Willard and Moimoi are both team captains and are joined by Mahoni, who transferred from Menlo-Atherton.
"Willard is a great leader and great player,'' Grieb said "Moimoi had a great off-season. A real explosive runner, a great blocker and linebacker on defense. He worked on his pass catching ability and now is a multi-dimensional threat.''
Tommy Barnds, who is headed to Princeton to play lacrosse, will start at flyback.
"He's an exciting player and a versatile threat,'' Grieb said.
Cacchione will play split end with Kirkham and J.P. Frimel at tight end.
Jake Davison is a leader on an offensive line unit that also includes Cody Wiebe and Ben Horvath.
Hardy, lauded by Grieb for his physical play, will start at linebacker, Brian Tinsley at cornerback and Wilson Weisel at safety. Joey Dahlkemper, younger brother of former SHP soccer star Abby Dahlkemper, will start at defensive end.
"He's a very athletic lineman,'' Grieb said.
The level of difficulty of SHP's non-league schedule has been scaled back. San Benito and McClymonds are no longer on the schedule and SHP will play five teams from 'B' and 'C' divisions (Carlmont, Burlingame, Saratoga, Hillsdale and San Mateo, although Burlingame and Hillsdale are 'A' level teams).
The hope is that the Gators can build some confidence and chemistry before ultra-competitive Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division play begins.
Sacred Heart Prep football schedule
Date Opponent Time
Aug. 24 at Carlmont 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 vs. Burlingame 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Saratoga 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Hillsdale 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 vs. San Mateo 2 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Aragon* 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Half Moon Bay* 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 20 vs. Menlo-Atherton* 2 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Terra Nova* 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 vs. Menlo* 7:30 p.m.
*PAL Bay Division games
Sacred Heart Schools Atherton
Founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, SHS is a Catholic, independent, co-ed day school for students in preschool through grade 12
