In his 5th season at Galileo, Marcus Blacksher Jr. has been promoted to associate head coach of the varsity team. His main role will be coördinating the varsity offense and working with player’s academic progress. Stephen Carton benefited from the change, gaining the role of frosh soph head coach for this season. Coach Mark Huynh will make a return to coördinating the varsity defense and retain the role of coördinating special teams for both squads. Additional coaches are currently slogging through the paper trail.
With the summer sessions over with, the Lions will take the field for the first day of practice on Tuesday, August 1st. All incoming freshmen are welcome to attend (2 rules to know; no red on the field and no profanity). All players need a physical to participate. All info and announcements for the 2017 campaign will be posted here.
Galileo will host San Lorenzo and Piner for Saturday matinees. In between, the Lions will travel to Hercules for a game under Friday night lights.
Galileo’s 2017 Spring Ball season is currently in session. With major offensive weapons returning from a high scoring 2016 season, the Lions are ready to light up the scoreboard at the spring game. Returning QB, Adrian Poot will be a force with his ability to spread the ball around. The 2016 AAA Running Back of the Year, Yarvell Smith will look to show the world what he can do as a sophomore next season but until then he is going to be a huge problem for Galileo’s defense in the spring game. Smith, a more than capable linebacker, will also get on the other side of the ball more this upcoming season. Other key offensive weapons to lookout for are sure-handed wideouts Jackie Guo and Erasmo Rivas. The biggest unknown for Galileo will be how it’s offensive line will respond from losing three seniors: it’s line is hinging on three rookie big boys; Thomas Santos, Eric Larreynaga, and Max Miles. Defensively, with the departure of all-city players; Connor Chavela (MLB), Demaje Ardis (OLB), and Miles Mainini (DE), the Lions will feature upcoming juniors, Ronald Fox (FS), Antonio McBride (MLB), and Johan Lacayo (DE/LB).
The Galileo Lions Football Program have awards for 3 different categories; summer awards, weekly awards during the season, and the end of the fall season awards. Varsity players are awarded helmet stickers after each game. All awards are not for personal glory but to recognize a player’s dedication and hard-work.
The Galileo Lions reached the playoffs but fell short of the championship game in a loss to Mission. Although the 2016 season was full of trials and obstacles, the Lions remain faithful and kept working together to achieve the goal of reaching the playoffs. This season was full of highlights as evident by the video.
The class of 2017 was honored in their last home game of the regular season. This senior class is led by 3-year varsity starter, Donovan Hasson (DB/WR) with all-city talents; Miles Mainini (DE/TE) and Connor Chavela (LB/RB). Mainini is the lone 2-year all-city standout (TE 2015, DE 2016). Among the notables of this group are; Demaje Ardis (LB), Marvell Despanie (FS), Kyle Cantave (OL), Jonathan Lai (OL), Yousef Saber (DE) and special teamster, Derrick Davenport (FS).
The Future Shines in Lions End-of-Season Playoff Loss
Galileo V 06–19 25
Mission V 22–27 49
A Galileo fumble by freshman running back, Yarvell Smith on the opening kickoff allowed Mission to take a 6–0 lead in the first minute of the 2016 playoff game at Kezar. The Lions mounted an answer but an illegal formation flag nullified a touchdown pass from Adrian Poot to Jackie Guo. The Bears would add another touchdown before Smith scored from 24-yards out to put the Lions on the board. Galileo’s playoff inexperience was notable in the opening half as Mission reclaimed momentum with another score right before halftime to take a 22–6 lead and all the air out of the Lions’ sails.
Big Plays Highlight Prequel to Playoff Showdown
Galileo V 28–08 36
Mission V 26–16 42
Coming into their last regular season game, the Galileo Lions knew that a win against the #1 seed Mission Bears would guarantee a playoff spot. If that fails, there is a less heroic route to the playoffs that culminates with a Burton loss at Lincoln the #2 seed-this was almost a guarantee and it became a reality when Lincoln dominated a decimated Burton roster to win 42–6. However, Galileo was playing Mission at the same time and would not know Burton’s demise until after their game. In other words, the Lions came out swinging and slinging as if their lives depended on it. In the end, this highlight reel game for both teams that turned into a narrow escape by the Bears, didn’t matter. After Mission picked off a Galileo pass at Mission’s own 5-yard line with 30 seconds left in the game, the Lions were decimated but it was a quick 180 when the Lions received news of the Burton loss-they hurried off the field knowing that they will have another shot at the Bears in the playoffs.