Playing in a new league gives SHP playoff hopes Playing in a new league gives SHP playoff hopes (September 09, 2005)

by Tim Goode

Sacred Heart Prep is in a new league and a new section, giving the Gators postseason aspirations for the first time in school history.

SHP (7-3) will compete in the newly formed Bay Football League, taking with them previous CCS independent teams Kings Academy and Harker Academy to join Salesian, St. Elizabeth, Berean Christian and California School for the Deaf. The winner of the league will advance to the North Coast Section Class A playoffs.

"This is much better for us," said coach Pet Lavorato. "It feels better going into the season. We're part of something now and we're wanted. We're excited about that."

Numbers also are better than they have ever been, with 28 on the varsity and 41 on the frosh-soph, a 50 percent improvement from when Lavorato took over two seasons ago.

Sacred Heart Prep returns a veteran team, losing just three senior starters.

"Defensively we will be much better than we have been," Lavorato said.

Senior Eric Cowell (6-4, 220), a standout on the basketball court, returns at rush end and is the team's best all-around athlete, Lavorato said. Cowell will double as a tight end. Joining him on the line are returning starters Zack Skelton (6-2, 280), Greg Casciaro and Sam Chaknova. Nick Harstrick (6-2, 295), a senior transfer from Los Angeles, will play nose tackle.

"He was a real nice surprise," Lavorato said.

The linebackers are Spencer Kemp and Anthony Riesch, a starter last season as a sophomore. Kevin Diefendorf and Robbie LaRue also will see plenty of time at linebacker.

Dan Filice and Adam Fagan, both seniors, return at the corners. Senior Kevin Dos Remedios also will help at defensive back, in addition to playing wide receiver. Senior R.J. Horsley will see double duty as a safety and running back.

The biggest challenge for the gators will be replacing Hudson Smythe, one of the most productive rushers in the area last season.

Senior quarterback Pat Coffey will account for most of the missing offense in Sacred Heart's fly scheme.

"Pat is going to be one of the premier players on the team," Lavorato said. "He runs the offense really well. He is always a threat on the edge and throws well on the run. He can make things happen."

Coffey doubles as the school's point guard on the basketball team, where he earned player of the year honors in the Private Schools Athletic League last season.

Helping Coffey on offense will be Dillon Chambers, who moves from flyback to tailback and will get most of the carries. Fullback Riesch is a powerful runner. Ty Hyland will be the flyback and back up Coffey at quarterback. Braden Currier will be one of Coffey's main receiving threats, along with Cowell at tight end.

Riesch was injured in last Saturday's 28-15 season-opening loss to visiting El Camino, along with placekicker Cory Hatton. Hatton, also a member of the SHP soccer team, will forgo the remainder of the football season and play only soccer.

Coffey completed 11 of 14 passes for 118 yards against El Camino while Cowell caught six passes for 77 yards. Coffey rallied the Gators early in the fourth quarter with a 23-yard scoring toss to Currier to cut Sacred Heart's deficit to 16-15.

The Gators return to nonleague action tonight at 7 p.m. against Menlo at Woodside High. SHP also will play Mills of the PAL Ocean Division before heading into its new league.

"We're going against teams that are tough," Lavorato said. "We are just trying to make our kids better."

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