Central Catholic prepares to host California power Serra in key nonleague game

Central Catholic receiver/defensive back Trace Hernandez remembers the first time he met TP Wentworth.

Though the pair were just in eighth grade, Wentworth was hard to miss.

“He came in a big kid and (we knew) he could throw the ball.” Hernandez said.

Entering high school, Brooklyn Cheek joined them, and in their fourth year playing together, the three have turned into a dynamic playmaking trio. They gained experience and worked through ranks, winning league titles, a section title and finishing as a runner-up in the state playoffs.

Hernandez’s speed at receiver can take the top off of most defenses, and Cheek’s crisp route running on offense and ball hawking abilities on defense make things easy on the field. They also get along off the field.

“We have a great bond,” Wentworth said. “We go to dinner after practice a few times throughout the month. … We have a great relationship both on and off the field, and I think that attributes to our success on the field. Just having that chemistry and being able to feel each other throughout the game.”

Friday, they hope to knock off one of California’s giants.

Central Catholic hosts Serra of San Mateo, which is 2-0 after beating the Sac-Joaquin Section’s top team, Folsom, and handing mighty De La Salle its largest shutout loss in 44 years. The Padres are the No. 5 team in California and No. 25 team in the nation heading into the weekend.

In 2019, Central Catholic hosted De La Salle when the program was in the middle of a 300-plus game winning streak against Northern California opponents, and the Raiders have hosted their share of big games since. They beat Bullard of Fresno at home to claim the 2021 NorCal championship and played the first Division I playoff game in school history at home against Stagg last season.

But is Friday’s game the Raiders’ biggest home game since 2019?

“Oh, yeah,” Canepa said. “What are they, fourth or fifth in the state and 20-something in the nation? They’re good. They just beat De La Salle and Folsom.

“I think it’s going to be packed. … and I like it. We’ve been in big games. Our fans will be here, I guarantee it … and Serra is going to bring a lot, so we’re telling the kids, man, it’s going to be go time.”

Friday’s matchup will be the second game of a home-and-home series with the Padres. Last season, Central Catholic traveled to San Mateo and took an early lead but ultimately lost, 42-30.

Cheek did not play due to injury, and Hernandez was hurt in the second quarter before things began to spiral downhill.

“We were rolling,” said Hernandez, who had six catches for 59 yards in just over a quarter last season. “Our defense was good, we got a pick early after a touchdown and then after that we had a couple of injuries and then we lost it from there, we just lost control of the game at that point.

“It sucked because I knew I couldn’t do anything for my team, especially after how much I was producing in the first quarter. It sucked having to watch us lose that bad. With Brooklyn, too, I know that’s something coming into this game that he’s going to have in his head the whole time.”

This year, with healthy players at the skill positions, they are hoping for a different outcome.

“We’re feeling excited, it’s a big game, obviously, having Serra come to our place,” Wentworth said. “It’s a great time for CC football. … I’m just excited to go compete again. We gave them a good game last year and I’m excited to try to do it again.”

Shuffling the line

In Seth Van Dyk’s varsity career, he’s played mostly one position: tight end.

The senior was called up from junior varsity in 2021 during his sophomore season and saw big stages during the Raiders’ run to the Division 2-AA state championship game that year and last season when the team played in the Division I section playoffs.

Entering this season, the plan was for him to continue playing tight end, until two weeks ago when an offensive lineman was hurt during a loss to St. Mary’s. For the past two weeks, he has played left tackle in his place.

“First couple of games, I was playing tight end, and that was still the plan, but our left tackle broke his hand against St. Mary’s, so my role kind of changed and Canepa asked me if I can play left tackle,” Van Dyk said. “Whatever he asks, you take the role and just do whatever it takes to help the team win. That’s all I’m here for.

“I have never played tackle and he called me into his office and he’s like, ‘Hey, you think you can play tackle?’ and I was like, ‘Whatever you need.’”

The Raiders lost another lineman last week when Zion Denning injured his knee in Reno. They worked this week to get players caught up.

“It’s tough to get better when you’re plugging guys in,” Canepa said. “It’s high school, it’s not like you can go to the waiver wire and grab a lineman, but we’ll get better. The kids are working hard.”

The key to victory

Despite the injuries on the line, Canepa believes the key to success in football is simple.

“Work hard,” he said. “People think we have all the best football players. We have great football players, don’t get me wrong, but we also work as hard as anybody. We’ve won all those games because we’ve outwork people. Not saying other people don’t work hard, but we work hard.”

That mindset translates to the players.

“Going a little harder on your last sprint, a little harder on your down block or making an extra block, making an extra tackle, just like trying to do every little thing right to be prepared for that game.” Van Dyk said.

It is not normal when your quarterback, who is also a top baseball recruit, plays offense and defense. But Wentworth isn’t normal. The 6-foot-5 southpaw not only throws an excellent deep ball, he secured a one-handed interception in Week 2 and recorded two sacks last week. He has played safety since he was an underclassman and this year has lined up at defensive end.

“I’ve always wanted to play defense. I’ve been in the coach’s ear since my freshman year and I played on varsity as primarily on defense my freshman year so I’ve always loved defense,” said Wentworth, who recently committed to play baseball at Clemson. “Keeping them off the scoreboard is huge in any game. I’ve had a blast rushing the quarterback and then trying to make interceptions downfield has been fun too. So I’m just trying to be out there, be an athlete and play defense. It’s fun.”

Entering Friday, they know they’re the underdog, but that doesn’t bother them. It’s what they’re used to.

“We just have to have that mentality where we’re on the gas, all four quarters,” Hernandez said. “We can’t give up. This(Serra) is a team where if we give up, they’ll take over and there’s no chance of coming back. We have to be a team that just stays on the gas pedal from the first quarter all the way to the fourth.

“We know it’s a big game and we have to prove ourselves. That’s how it’s been since my freshman year. I feel like these types of games are how we earn our respect.”