Game Preview: Rancho Cotate Vs. Cardinal Newman

Two heavy weight Northern California powers clash on Tuesday night at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, CA. Cardinal Newman is coming off a State Championship win during the 2019 season and Rancho Cotate was State Championship Runner-Ups losing to a loaded Bakersfield Christian team. This Spring season, Rancho is 1-0 defeating Casa Grande and Cardinal Newman is 2-0 defeating a good Windsor team and a strong Vanden squad. Below, we will break down some of the top players from both teams that should make this clash one of the top games across the region this week. Mihalis Santorineos-Rancho Cotate HS One of the top defenders in all of Norcal and the leader on a loaded team, the Senior linebacker is a tackling machine with terrific natural instincts and good closing speed while able to apply pressure off the edge and time blitzes. He will be one of the top players on Tuesday night and will lead the Cougar defense. Dimitri Johnson-Rancho Cotate HS A very athletic jumbo athlete, Johnson is a downhill thumper that is physical at the point of attack and can catch the ball out of the backfield displaying soft hands and the ability to turn his hips and get up field. He will be one of the top two-way players in the entire North Bay and will be an anchor on both sides of the ball. Gianni Gigliello-Rancho Cotate HS Another two-way playmaker, the shifty slot receiver can play multiple positions and is a big time threat on both sides of the ball. Quick in and out of his breaks and displaying strong hands and good body control in traffic, he will be the top weapon for the Cougars. Gino Mencarini-Rancho Cotate HS Leading the defensive line on a stout front 7, Mencarini is a very balanced and sound edge defender that plays with a high motor and great toughness in the trenches. A very high IQ player that can play the run with heavy hands while creating knock back/getting off blocks, he can also rush the passer and convert speed to power in a hurry off the edge. Max Jones-Rancho Cotate HS An anchor in the middle of the defense, Jones is a two-gap plug that has surprising twitch for his size and an active use of hands upon contact with pass rush ability. He can also move well in space when blocking second level defenders and plays with strong hands and physicality. Max Uli-Rancho Cotate HS Another athletic lineman for the Cougars, Uli is a dominant force that is very athletic for the position and has a relentless motor. Playing with a low pad level and active hands with the ability to flip his hips and close in a hurry, he will be a two-way leader against one of the top teams in the state and plays with a relentless motor. Sai Vadrawale-Rancho Cotate HS Only a Sophomore, the long and rangy corner and outside receiver is one of the best young and unknown talents across all of Norcal. The 2023 prospect has outstanding natural ball skills and a huge catch radius while able to win 50/50 balls and break well to ball carriers and tackle in space while recognizing zone responsibilities and playing with good eyes. Garrett Ridley-Rancho Cotate HS A relentless pass rusher, Ridley is a high motor player that can win with speed and deceptive power at the point of attack. Understanding rush angles, pass sets and when to use low/high hands when rushing the passer, Ridley is an explosive presence off the edge. Gabe Roncancio-Rancho Cotate HS Only a Junior, he is a two-way player for the cougars and plays with a good motor and toughness at the point of attack. Compact while having a strong lower body, he plays with good pad level and hand placement while having a few power rush moves at his disposable. Along with his interior DL position, he will be playing offensive tackle and can block well in space and sustains blocks through the second level well. Santino Acevedo-Cardinal Newman HS The 2023 prospect is one of the top defenders regardless of class across the region and plays well in the box and in space. Showing fluid movement skills in space with good closing speed and tackling ability, he will also play running back for the Cardinals in this key matchup. Jordan Cooke-Cardinal Newman HS The Senior signal caller has had big shoes to fill with the departure of current Cal Poly quarterback Jackson Pavitt. He is a tall pocket passer that is comfortable in the pocket and goes through his progressions well while able to push the ball downfield and throw a nice deep ball with good velocity and spin. Tsion Nunnally Tsion Nunnally 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Cardinal Newman | 2021 State CA -Cardinal Newman HS The Washington State commit is a true deep threat receiver that can stretch the field and has terrific long speed and a huge catch radius. He is one of the most explosive players in all of Northern California and will be the best overall athlete on the field Tuesday night. Rhett Pavitt-Cardinal Newman HS A big and physical outside receiver, Pavitt is a down field threat that has terrific high point ability and strong hands in traffic. A top red zone target, he boxes out defenders well and uses his big frame to win 1 on 1 mach ups. Mitch Russell-Cardinal Newman HS All over the field from his linebacker position, Russell is an athletic linebacker that has a nose for the ball and can play in space and rush the passer when needed. Displaying quick play diagnosis and the ability to get off blocks and track ball carriers form behind, he will be one of the main defensive signal callers this season. Other Players To Watch Ryan Kane-Rancho Cotate HS Malik Cleveland-Rancho Cotate HS Michael Shockey-Cardinal Newman HS Conor Williams-Cardinal Newman HS Ethan Kelly-Cardinal Newman HS Bailey Ayre-Cardinal Newman HS Clayton Utter-Cardinal Newman HS Will Kesecker-Cardinal Newman HS