Sometimes you can foresee the outcome of an event before it happens. Then it plays out
in real time and it feels anticlimactic. The St. Helena High football team’s 32-7 CIF
North Coast Section Div. IV playoff win over the Arcata Tigers would be one such event.
in real time and it feels anticlimactic. The St. Helena High football team’s 32-7 CIF
North Coast Section Div. IV playoff win over the Arcata Tigers would be one such event.
In 2011, the Saints went 11-1, including 10-0 in the regular season for their first
undefeated regular season campaign since 1975. The Saints outscored teams 475-125.
Before head coach Brandon Farrell arrived in 2008, St. Helena went through 13 coaching
changes in 28 years.
undefeated regular season campaign since 1975. The Saints outscored teams 475-125.
Before head coach Brandon Farrell arrived in 2008, St. Helena went through 13 coaching
changes in 28 years.
The 2011 season was like a perfect storm. Farrell was the only coach that senior class ever
knew. The talent in the program had numerous talented players that never experienced a
loss in the Carpy Gang, which is St. Helena’s youth football program. The JV team for St.
Helena High went 10-0 in 2009. Much hype had surrounded that cast of characters. I
remembered thinking, “Pump the brakes but as long as Farrell remains the coach and
gives the program much needed continuity, there’s a good chance the success translates
when those players reach varsity.”
knew. The talent in the program had numerous talented players that never experienced a
loss in the Carpy Gang, which is St. Helena’s youth football program. The JV team for St.
Helena High went 10-0 in 2009. Much hype had surrounded that cast of characters. I
remembered thinking, “Pump the brakes but as long as Farrell remains the coach and
gives the program much needed continuity, there’s a good chance the success translates
when those players reach varsity.”
Despite all of that success, the 2011 Saints had a streak to break. The program had not
experienced a postseason victory since winning the NCS Class A title in 1977, defeating
Ferndale 14-7. The aforementioned 1975 Saints whitewashed Calistoga 42-0 in the NCS
playoffs before losing to Ferndale 7-6 in the championship game.
experienced a postseason victory since winning the NCS Class A title in 1977, defeating
Ferndale 14-7. The aforementioned 1975 Saints whitewashed Calistoga 42-0 in the NCS
playoffs before losing to Ferndale 7-6 in the championship game.
This game and team had a historic element as well. Jacob Gallagher (offensive/defensive
lineman) and Alex Quirici (tight end/linebacker), each have fathers that played for the
1975 team, Bob Gallagher and Darrell Quirici. Twins Joey and Danny Brink (receiver,
running back defensive back) have a distant cousin (Will Densberger) that played on the
1977 team. Densberger and Jeff Brink, who is the aforementioned twins father that died
in 2000, are cousins. Densberger was, and still is, a Saints assistant coach. I remember
interviewing the elder versions of Gallagher, Quirici and Densberger. The connection
with the past and creation of the then present fascinated me.
lineman) and Alex Quirici (tight end/linebacker), each have fathers that played for the
1975 team, Bob Gallagher and Darrell Quirici. Twins Joey and Danny Brink (receiver,
running back defensive back) have a distant cousin (Will Densberger) that played on the
1977 team. Densberger and Jeff Brink, who is the aforementioned twins father that died
in 2000, are cousins. Densberger was, and still is, a Saints assistant coach. I remember
interviewing the elder versions of Gallagher, Quirici and Densberger. The connection
with the past and creation of the then present fascinated me.
Despite the undefeated record, the Saints entered the postseason as a No. 5 seed largely
because of the perceived lack of strength for their league, North Central League I. Arcata
was the No. 12 seed entering the postseason with a 4-6 record.
because of the perceived lack of strength for their league, North Central League I. Arcata
was the No. 12 seed entering the postseason with a 4-6 record.
Because of the family lineage, I pitched a story idea to St. Helena Star editor Dave
Stoneberg for the front page of the newspaper and would simply update the story based
on the outcome of the game. However, given the win-loss record disparity between the
two teams, I was pretty confident in the outcome. Pun intended but Stoneberg gave the
green light to take the ball and run with this story.
Stoneberg for the front page of the newspaper and would simply update the story based
on the outcome of the game. However, given the win-loss record disparity between the
two teams, I was pretty confident in the outcome. Pun intended but Stoneberg gave the
green light to take the ball and run with this story.
Thumbnail sketch of the game: On a night that featured steady rain, St. Helena
dominated the proceedings from the opening kickoff. Offensively, the Saints line opened
up holes that allowed running back Charles Bertoli to amass 164 yards on 20 carries,
scoring all four St. Helena touchdowns. Quarterback Richard Hoppe completed 5 of 7
passes for 85 yards. Brian Begerow was on the receiving end for two catches for 62 yards.
dominated the proceedings from the opening kickoff. Offensively, the Saints line opened
up holes that allowed running back Charles Bertoli to amass 164 yards on 20 carries,
scoring all four St. Helena touchdowns. Quarterback Richard Hoppe completed 5 of 7
passes for 85 yards. Brian Begerow was on the receiving end for two catches for 62 yards.
Manuel “Tutui” Gomes accounted for the Saints other score with a 37-yard field goal.
Defensively, Quirici had 12 total tackles, four for lost yardage. Gallagher had three tackles
for loss and two fumble recoveries. Begerow had a fumble recovery of his own.
Defensively, Quirici had 12 total tackles, four for lost yardage. Gallagher had three tackles
for loss and two fumble recoveries. Begerow had a fumble recovery of his own.
What it meant: Though the Saints season ended the following week with a 27-24 loss to
No. 4 seeded Healdsburg, the program did not have to wait 34 for years to win a playoff
game. Between 2011-2018, the only season St. Helena missed the playoffs was 2017.
Including that streak breaking postseason win over Arcata, the Saints have seven
playoff wins.
No. 4 seeded Healdsburg, the program did not have to wait 34 for years to win a playoff
game. Between 2011-2018, the only season St. Helena missed the playoffs was 2017.
Including that streak breaking postseason win over Arcata, the Saints have seven
playoff wins.
Farrell remains the head coach with the 2019 campaign being his 12th. Farrell, who is
the program’s all-time leader in coaching victories, recorded his 100th career triumph.
The 2019 season is one that has St. Helena fans being optimistic with the returning and
upcoming talent on the roster.
the program’s all-time leader in coaching victories, recorded his 100th career triumph.
The 2019 season is one that has St. Helena fans being optimistic with the returning and
upcoming talent on the roster.
No comments:
Post a Comment