Football preview: Menlo-Atherton Bears

2017 playoffs: 1-1, CCS Open Division I semifinals

Key returners: Daniel Heimuli (Sr., RB/LB); Noa Ngalu (Sr., OL/DL); Feleti Malupo (Sr., QB/LB); David Tafuna (Sr., OL/DE); Justin Anderson (Jr., WR/CB); Uate Uhila (Jr., OL/DL); Troy Franklin (So., WR/CB); Joe Posthauer (Jr. LB/SS); Treavon Norton (Jr., WR/DB).

Key newcomers: Jack Alexander (Jr., QB); Malik Johnson (Sr., WR/DB).

Outlook: The Bears could be entering a golden age of unprecedented talent to come through the program as this year’s team is chock full of college-caliber players.

Everyone knows linebacker Daniel Heimuli, one of the most sought-after recruits in the country, and defensive tackle Noa Ngalu, who has committed to University of Washington. But there are also the likes of receivers Justin Anderson (junior) and Troy Franklin (sophomore), who have both already received several college scholarship offers. M-A head coach Adhir Ravipati said he wouldn’t be surprised to see offensive lineman David Tafuna start garnering some college attention, following a strong offseason.

“M-A’s always had a lot of talent. It started to be developed when Sione (Ta’ufo’ou, former M-A head coach now at Mitty) was here,” Ravipati said. “The talent is here, now we have the guys who have the discipline and grades in the classroom (to be eligible to be recruited).”

The Bears will be looking to show that the 2016 season is the new norm, one that saw them go undefeated in Bay Division play, win a Central Coast Section title and an appearance in a state championship game, and not 2017’s team that struggled to a 7-5 overall record and 3-2 in league play.

“Last year, everyone said we struggled with the talent we had. … I don’t think we handled (2016’s success) well,” Ravipati said. “Our kids were a little embarrassed from last year. They felt a little slighted.”

The Bears graduated 14 players from that 2017 squad, including eight or nine starters. But Ravipati said the starting lineups changed significantly last season, so a lot of those players returning in 2018 and moving into official starting roles already have plenty of snaps under their belts.

“We have a pretty talented roster,” Ravipati said. “A lot of the guys we brought back either started or played a lot.”

The defense is loaded with the likes of Heimuli and junior linebacker/strong safety Joe Posthauer and a combo of Anderson, Franklin and Malik Johnson holding down the secondary. The offense could be dynamic with those same defensive backs serving as receiving targets for M-A quarterbacks. Senior Feleti Malupo will take the bulk of the snaps for the first half of the season as Jack Anderson, a junior, recovers from a foot injury.

“[Malupo] is a really talented kid. He adds a lot of dimensions to our offense,” Ravipati said. “I think there are a lot of schools around where Feleti would be starting.”