Pacifica Tritons: Division 6 Southern Section football preview
Pacifica's RJ Maria and Malik Sherrod form arguably the best QB/RB duo in Division 6. And that's just the beginning. Here's an inside look at the 2019 Tritons.
Links: Pacifica team page | 2019 schedule
2018 IN REVIEW
Overall record: 11-2 (4-1 in Pacific View League). Lost 20-13 to eventual champion South Hills in the Division 6 semifinals.
HEAD COACH
Mike Moon is entering his seventh season as head coach. His overall record is 43-28. Moon also coordinates defense and special teams.
TOP PLAYERS
Offense
RB: Malik Sherrod – 5’8”, 165, Sr.
QB: RJ Maria - 5’8”, 185, Sr.
WR/RB: Michael Johnson III – 5’7”, 165, Sr.
WR: Savonne Farmer – 6’0”, 170, Sr.
WR: Kyrie Wilson – 5’11, 165, Sr.
OG: Julio Rey – 6’2”, 285, Sr.
Defense
LB: Caleb McCullough – 6’3”, 215, Sr.
LB: Dylan Ibarra – 6’3”, 275, Sr.
DE/OLB: Devin Aupiu – 6’4”, 200, Jr.
CB: Nohl Williams – 6’0”, 175, Jr.
SS/OLB: Pup Aina – 6’0”, 220, Sr.
CB: Isaiah Moon - 5’8”, 165, Sr.
THREE TO SEE
Malik Sherrod - RB
Arguably the best running back (and athlete) in the division, Sherrod ran for 1,438 yards last season. With second-leading rusher Allan Johnson gone, he might carry the ball even more this season. Sherrod has already received 12 D-1 offers, including Utah State and Air Force Academy.
Caleb McCullough – LB
McCullough, a 3-star OLB, registered an eye-popping 211 tackles last season. He’s back for his senior year, and is up to 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds. McCullough has already received 20 Division 1 offers. Any questions?
RJ Maria - QB
Last season, Maria threw for well over 2,000 yards, and 28 touchdowns. His production, combined with great efficiency, led to a whopping quarterback rating of 119.62. Maria, a pro-style QB, is one of the best passers in the division by far, and very steady.
OUTLOOK
Pacifica is returning almost an entire team that went 11-2 last season. This squad has over 50 combined D-1 offers coming into the season, and that’s in the Southern Section’s Division 6. Expectations are incredibly high for a team that should clearly have state title aspirations.
Pacifica returns nine starters offensively and 12 players on defense who have started at least six games. RJ Maria and Malik Sherrod form probably the best QB/RB duo in the division, and the Tritons have perhaps the best projected defense as well. While they will have excellent competition coming from multiple teams threatening to knock them out, Pacifica is a clear favorite to advance to the Division 6 championship game.
