San Diego Program Preview: Cathedral Catholic Dons
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Cathedral Catholic had a down year by their program’s standards finishing 6-6 with three losses to San Diego opponents (Lincoln, Madison, Mater Dei Catholic). Coming into 2023, the Dons have a second-year starter at QB and a talented group of…
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Continue ReadingCathedral Catholic had a down year by their program’s standards finishing 6-6 with three losses to San Diego opponents (Lincoln, Madison, Mater Dei Catholic). Coming into 2023, the Dons have a second-year starter at QB and a talented group of juniors with playing experience. They’ll look to avenge their 2022 season-ending14-9 loss to Mater Dei Catholic in the D-I Section Playoffs with a home matchup this Friday. Other important games on the schedule include Helix, Liberty (#2 in NV), Lincoln, and Madison.
Key Players: QB Jack Stevens Jack Stevens 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Cathedral Catholic | 2024 State CA , RB Ethan Ford, RB Rocco Balistreri, OL Sam Bjerke Sam Bjerke 6'6" | 315 lbs | OL Cathedral Catholic | 2024 State CA , OL William Buck, ATH Anthony Taylor Anthony Taylor 5'9" | 170 lbs | ATH Cathedral Catholic | 2025 State CA , WR Charlie Abts, WR Thomas Gruytch, DL Luke Westfall, LB Jonathan Solomon, DB Ty Cortes Ty Cortes 6'0" | 190 lbs | DB Cathedral Cathoic | 2024 State CA
Schedule
- 8/18 vs. Mater Dei Catholic
- 8/25 @ Chaminade
- 9/1 vs. Brophy Prep (Phoenix, AZ)
- 9/8 @ St. Ignatius (San Francisco)
- 9/15 vs. Helix
- 9/22 @ Liberty (Henderson, NV)
- 10/6 vs. Lincoln
- 10/13 @ Madison
- 10/27 vs. St. Augustine
Offense
Second-year starting QB Jack Stevens Jack Stevens 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Cathedral Catholic | 2024 State CA added offers from Appalachian St., UC Davis, Arkansas St., Georgetown, Lehigh and UNLV this offseason. He’s extremely mobile from the pocket and excels at rolling outside the tackles finding receivers on the run. He can improvise, make plays with his legs, and has a fluid release as a passer. Senior RB Ethan Ford is likely to handle significant touches out of the backfield. He’s a quick, elusive back with natural burst and agility. Fellow senior Rocco Balistreri should compete for carries as well. Leading the way up front is senior LT Sam Bjerke who’s added offers from Marshall and Georgetown since June. Bjerke’s a towering LT at 6’6”/310 that excels as a pass-blocker with refined footwork and technique. He’ll be one of the top senior OTs in San Diego this season. The OL unit added senior William Buck from Inderkum (Sacramento) in the summer. Bucks’ an extremely physical presence on both sides of the ball (OT/DT) that just picked up an offer from USD in July. Charlie Abts (Sr.) and juniors Anthony Taylor Anthony Taylor 5'9" | 170 lbs | ATH Cathedral Catholic | 2025 State CA and Thomas Gruytch are WRs to watch for this offense.
Defense
The defense features three rising juniors that offer potential to be breakout players among their positions this season. Junior DE Luke Westfall is one of the most underrated 2025s in San Diego- he plays great with his hands/length over OTs and uses an effective swim move to beat OGs off the snap. OLB Jonathan Solomon should be another junior to watch- he was a contributor on defense and special teams last season. CB Anthony Taylor Anthony Taylor 5'9" | 170 lbs | ATH Cathedral Catholic | 2025 State CA played both ways as a sophomore (WR/CB) and is one the most athletic skill guys on the roster. He plays with great speed, fluidity, and ball skills at both positions. Senior S Ty Cortes Ty Cortes 6'0" | 190 lbs | DB Cathedral Cathoic | 2024 State CA has been a major stock-riser this offseason picking up offers from Penn, Utah St., Army, Air Force, and Stony Brook. Cortes is an extremely versatile and instinctive defender in coverage that can play single-high S, two-deep, shallow/flat, and nickel. He’s a physical downhill hitter that can close space quickly and tackle in space. Cortes is one of the top senior safeties in San Diego heading into the season.