Previewing the Top 50 high school football teams in California: No. 32 St. Augustine Saints
SBLive California is previewing the Top 50 high school football teams in the state ahead of the 2020-2021 season. Even with the season on hold, we will continue to highlight the best teams, players and coaches in California. Here’s an inside look at the St. Augustine Saints of the CIF San Diego Section, the No. 32 team in our countdown.
ST. AUGUSTINE TEAM PAGE | 2021 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
ST. AUGUSTINE HEAD COACH
Joe Kremer, 3rd season (18-7)
2019 AT A GLANCE
Overall record: 8-3
League record: 3-1
Playoffs: Lost to Helix 12-7 in the semifinals of the San Diego Section Open Division
KEY DEPARTURES
Connor Heffler - LB
Eavan Gibbons - DB
Tyson McWilliams - DB
Samuel Scaife IV - WR
Travis Hall - DB
Michael Ambagtsheer - TE
Angelo Peraza - QB
2021 SCHEDULE
(All game times 7 p.m.)
Jan. 8 vs. Eastlake
Jan. 15 at Santa Margarita
Jan. 22 vs. Steele Canyon
Jan. 29 at Helix
Feb. 5 at Mater Dei Catholic
Feb. 12 at Madison
Feb. 19 vs. Cathedral Catholic
Feb. 26 vs. Sierra Canyon
Mar. 5 at Point Loma
Mar. 12 vs. Lincoln
RETURNING STARTERS
- 6 on offense
- 6 on defense
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Richard Colmenero (Senior-QB) (6-0, 200)
Coach Kremer: “He’s a smart kid, he’s athletic, he’s an arm talent guy that can make all the throws and he’s a leader.”
2019 stats: 1,298 passing yards, 15 touchdowns
Isaiah Pressley (Junior-RB) (5-7, 180)
Coach Kremer: “He’s worked extremely hard in the weight room, a very explosive back. A very good inside zone kid who understands the reads and how to cut back or stay frontside.”
Tangitangi Pongia (Senior-OL) (6-2, 315)
Coach Kremer: “He’s one of the most athletic 300-pound kids you’ve seen in your whole life. He can pull, he can block zone, he can do it all. He’s our best guy up front.”
Misa Sandoval (Sophomore-OL) (6-6, 320)
Coach Kremer: “He’s like a future five-star kid man. He’s a six-foot-six, 320-pound monster that’s very, very good in protection. He can pass set on anybody in my opinion and he’s a good run blocker so he’s gonna be a stud.”
Malcolm Williams (Senior-LB) (6-0, 230)
Coach Kremer: “Our mike linebacker, a team captain and three-year starter. He’s just got the ability to run and tackle people.”
2019 stats: 65 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Gracen Halton (Junior-DE) (6-4, 250)
Coach Kremer: “Obviously a well-known kid in the community. He’s a four-star kid, all the offers in the world. He’s a very talented defensive lineman, he’s gonna play (strongside end) for us.”
2019 stats: 55 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, interception
Jake Bolin (Junior-LB) (6-2, 230)
Coach Kremer: “He’s a stud man. A high-academic kid, very physical and he’s shown me a lot during this offseason so I’m very excited about his play.”
2019 stats: 75 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 sack
Christian Gaeta (Senior-DL) (6-2, 270)
Coach Kremer: “He’s our nose guard. He’s been starting since the day he stepped on campus, he’s started something like 38 games for us. He’s big, athletic, explosive.”
2019 stats: 38 tackles, 2 sacks
IMPACT TRANSFERS
- Jake Bolin - 2022 LB (San Marcos)
- Luke Bolin - 2022 OL (San Marcos)
WHO TRANSFERRED OUT?
Byron Cardwell - 2021 RB (Morse)
Jalil Tucker - 2022 WR/DB (Lincoln)
IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON ST.AUGUSTINE FOOTBALL
COVID-19 has affected every high school football team differently. Coach Kremer shares how COVID-19 has impacted St. Augustine football over the past few months:
“We’ve been super on top of it. I’m on campus along with three other full-time staff members so we are doing a great job in my opinion of developing our kids and sticking on top of academics and I’m there with them every day. I’m a football coach. Like 7-11 I don’t shut down.
"I’ve just been doing my part and our kids have really responded. They’re really positive and I’m inspired by them every day. They keep working hard even with no certainty of what’s going to happen. I’m very, very proud of our group.”
BEST-CASE SCENARIO FOR ST. AUGUSTINE
The Saints have as good of an offensive line group as there is in San Diego and an experienced quarterback in Richard Colmenero to go with it. If St. Augustine is able to smoothly navigate through a very challenging schedule that includes two top Southern Section opponents and a loaded Western League then the Saints should see themselves competing in San Diego's four-team Open Division bracket.
MOST REALISTIC SCENARIO
The Saints lost several key contributors in the defensive backfield from last season's team that will need to be addressed prior to the start of league play. Competition in the Western League will be fierce with St. Augustine, Cathedral Catholic, and Lincoln all with legitimate claims to take the top spot.
A solid showing throughout the season should put the Saints in position for an Open Division spot or at worst one on the top seeds in Division One.
COACH SAID
"I am really excited about our (offensive) line. The guys are super big, strong, and athletic. They just look like a group that’s going to be really good for us.”
“We’ve been training for 15 weeks in a row man. Our kids are so dedicated, and they just want to play. Hopefully we can, but our goal is to win every single rep. If we can win the rep and go through our organized thought process, then we believe that we can be champions in whatever we do. Let’s just win the moment so that’s my message to the guys.”
- Joe Kremer
