Friday nights in Mountain View feel different. It isn’t just the smell of overpriced popcorn or the crisp Peninsula air; it’s the weight of expectation that settles over Ron Calcagno Stadium. When you talk about Saint Francis High School football, you aren't just talking about a high school team. You’re talking about a regional institution that has spent decades defining what "Lancer Pride" actually looks like on a gridiron.
They win. A lot.
But honestly, the winning isn't the most interesting part. It’s the culture of consistency. While other programs flash in the pan for a season or two when a generational quarterback rolls through, Saint Francis has maintained a level of West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) dominance that spans generations. It’s kind of ridiculous when you look at the numbers. We're talking about a program with over 15 CCS (Central Coast Section) titles. That doesn't happen by accident, and it certainly doesn't happen without a very specific, almost military-grade approach to development.
The WCAL Meatgrinder and the Lancer Identity
If you aren't familiar with Northern California high school sports, you might not realize that the WCAL is basically the "SEC" of the Bay Area. Every week is a fistfight. You’ve got Bellarmine, Serra, Valley Christian, and Mitty—all schools with massive budgets and elite coaching. Staying relevant in this league is hard. Dominating it? That’s another level entirely.
Saint Francis High School football has built its reputation on a physical, "mouth-punch" style of play. They aren't usually the team trying to trick you with a dozen bubble screens and fancy motion. They want to line up, find the biggest human beings on campus, and run the ball until the defense decides they’d rather be anywhere else. It’s old-school. It’s gritty. And frankly, it’s refreshing in an era where everyone wants to be the next Mike Leach "Air Raid" disciple.
Greg Calcagno, who took over the program his father Ron built into a legend, understands this DNA better than anyone. He played there. He lived it. When people ask why Saint Francis is always in the conversation for a state bowl game, the answer is usually found in the weight room during February, not on the highlight reels in October.
Names You Know: The NFL Pipeline
It’s sorta wild to see the names that have put on that brown and white jersey. You can’t mention Saint Francis without talking about the guys who made it to the Sunday stage.
Take a look at someone like Rhett Ellison. He wasn't just a versatile tight end for the Vikings and Giants; he was the quintessential Lancer. Disciplined. Tough. Reliable. Then you have guys like Tyler Eifert, who, while he finished his high school career elsewhere, is often linked back to the elite development pipeline of the region. More recently, we’ve seen players like Cyrus Habibi-Likio and others head off to major D1 programs like Oregon or Boise State.
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The scouting community knows. When a kid comes out of Saint Francis, they usually have their fundamentals sorted. They know how to block. They know how to watch film. They don't need to be taught how to be a professional because the high school environment already demanded that level of focus.
That Massive 2021 Upset: The Night the Streak Ended
You can’t write about this program without mentioning September 10, 2021. If you follow California high school football, you know exactly what I’m talking about. De La Salle had a 318-game unbeaten streak against Northern California opponents. It had lasted nearly 30 years. It was the stuff of myth. People thought it was impossible to break.
Then Saint Francis happened.
In a game that felt more like a heavyweight title fight than a high school matchup, the Lancers didn't just win; they proved that the "invincibility" of Concord’s finest was a lie. Nicholas Walsh caught a touchdown pass with seconds left, and the stadium erupted. It wasn't just a win for the school; it was a shift in the entire NorCal football landscape. It proved that Saint Francis High School football was the definitive alpha in the CCS.
Why the "Lancer Way" Actually Works
What’s the secret sauce? Honestly, it’s boring.
It’s the coaching stability. Most high schools change coaches every four years like clockwork. At Saint Francis, you have decades of institutional knowledge being passed down. They don't reinvent the wheel every season. They just make the wheel stronger and faster.
- Alumni involvement: It's common to see former players from the 80s and 90s on the sidelines.
- The "Brotherhood" concept: It sounds like a cliché, but they lean into it hard.
- Multi-sport emphasis: They don't just want football robots; they want athletes who play baseball, track, or wrestle.
This holistic approach prevents burnout. You see so many elite prospects flame out by 10th grade because they've been doing "football only" since they were six. Saint Francis tends to produce kids who still actually love the game when they get to college.
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The Challenges of the Modern Era
It isn't all trophies and Gatorade showers, though. The landscape is changing. With the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) even reaching the high school level in some states, and the "transfer portal" culture of kids jumping schools to find better playing time, Saint Francis has to work harder to keep their local talent.
Open enrollment and the lure of "super-teams" like St. John Bosco or Mater Dei down south create a constant pressure. Some parents think their kid has to go to SoCal to get recruited. Saint Francis has to constantly prove that you can get to the NFL from Mountain View just as easily as you can from Santa Ana.
Analyzing the 2024-2025 Outlook
Looking at the current roster, the trend of big, physical linemen continues. The Lancers are consistently fielding defensive fronts that average 250+ pounds, which is a nightmare for smaller private schools to handle. Their scheduling remains brutal, often seeking out-of-section powerhouses to prepare for the WCAL gauntlet.
If you’re a scout or a casual fan heading to a game, watch the offensive line. That’s where the game is won for this school. They pull guards with surgical precision. They finish blocks through the whistle. It isn't always the "flashiest" football—you won't see 50 pass attempts a game—but it is incredibly efficient.
Misconceptions About Private School Football
People love to complain about "recruiting." It’s the favorite pastime of every public school fan in the Bay Area. But if you actually sit in on a Saint Francis practice, you realize the "advantage" isn't just about who walks through the door; it's about what happens once they're inside.
The resources are great, sure. The turf is nice. But the discipline is the differentiator. You don't see players celebrating individual tackles when they're down by two scores. You don't see jerseys untucked. There is a "corporate" level of execution that exists here which mirrors what you see at programs like Alabama or Ohio State. It’s a culture of no excuses.
How to Follow the Team
If you’re trying to keep up with Saint Francis High School football, you’ve got a few options:
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- The WCAL Hub: Keep an eye on local Bay Area prep sports sites like Prep2Prep or the San Jose Mercury News.
- Digital Broadcasts: Most home games are now streamed, allowing alumni across the country to tune in.
- The Standings: Don't just look at the overall record. Look at the league record. A 7-3 Saint Francis team is often much more dangerous than a 10-0 team from a weaker league.
Practical Insights for Aspiring Athletes
If you're a middle schooler or a parent looking at the Saint Francis program, understand that it is a massive commitment. This isn't "participation trophy" territory.
First, focus on academics. Saint Francis is a rigorous college-prep school. If your grades aren't right, you won't see the field, no matter how fast your 40-yard dash is.
Second, embrace the weight room. The Lancers win because they are stronger in the fourth quarter. If you aren't ready to fall in love with squats and power cleans, this might not be the right fit.
Third, be a team-first player. The coaching staff has a very low tolerance for "diva" behavior. They’d rather play a less-talented kid who follows the scheme than a superstar who goes rogue.
Final Thought on the Program's Legacy
Saint Francis High School football remains a benchmark for excellence in Northern California. They’ve managed to bridge the gap between the old-school football values of the 1970s and the high-tech, high-speed demands of the 2020s. Whether they are winning another CCS title or just grinding out a tough Friday night win against a rival, the standard doesn't move.
To truly understand the program, you have to look past the scoreboard. Look at the way the players carry themselves. Look at the sea of brown and white in the stands. It’s a community built around a game, and for over half a century, that community has been the gold standard of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Next Steps for Lancer Fans and Families:
- Check the Official Schedule: Visit the Saint Francis High School athletics website to confirm kickoff times, as WCAL games often shift between Friday nights and Saturday afternoons.
- Verify Eligibility and Admissions: If you are considering enrolling, attend an Open House. Football is only one part of the Saint Francis experience; understanding the Holy Cross education mission is vital for any prospective student-athlete.
- Support Local Prep Sports: Follow the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs via the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) website to see how the Lancers stack up against other regional powerhouses in real-time.