Previewing the Top 50 high school football teams in California: No. 15 St. Bernard Vikings (Playa del Rey)

New head coach Manuel Douglas and the Vikings have as much talent as nearly every team in the Southern Section.

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. Bernard Vikings of the CIF Southern Section, the No. 15 team in our countdown.

MORE: PRESEASON TOP 50 PREVIEWS

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ST. BERNARD TEAM PAGE | 2021 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

ST. BERNARD HEAD COACH

Manuel Douglas, 1st season

2019 AT A GLANCE

• 4-6 overall record
• 2-1 in Santa Fe League (2nd)
• Lost to Santa Monica 23-0 in the first round of the Southern Section Division 13 playoffs

ALL-SOUTHERN SECTION DEPARTURES

• Jakai Torres - RB
• Isaiah Robinson - WR

2021 SCHEDULE

• Jan. 8 vs. Loyola - 7PM - Non League
• Jan. 15 vs. Maranatha - 7PM - Non League
• Jan. 22 at Quartz Hill - 7PM - Non League
• Jan. 29 vs. North (Torrance) - 7PM - Non League
• Feb. 5 at Paraclete - 7PM - Non League
• Feb. 12 at St. Joseph - 7PM - Non League
• Feb. 19 at Sierra Vista - 7PM - Non League
• Feb. 26 at Bellflower - 7PM - Non League
• Mar. 6 at Bosco Tech - 1PM - League
• Mar. 12 vs. St. Monica - TBA - League

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Isaiah Johnson (Senior-DB) (Arizona State signee) (6-2, 180)

Dylan Flowers (Senior-DB) (Southern Utah signee) (5-11, 165)

2019 stats: 43 tackles, one interception

Phillipe Wesley - (Senior-WR) (San Diego State signee) (6-0, 185)

.@PhillippeWes11 emerged as a sophomore two years ago when he had 46 receptions for 987 yards with 11 touchdowns. He also contributes on defense and in the kick return game. As a junior he had 1,000+ all-purpose yards & 15 TD, including 889 receiving yards on 46 receptions. pic.twitter.com/LgtVTOAJhy

— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) December 16, 2020

New Zealand Williams (Senior-DB) (San Diego State signee) (6-2, 175)

2019 stats: 72 tackles, three interceptions

During high school @nzw_12, was voted to the all-Trinity League Second Team and was a third-team all-county safety. He tallied 72 tackles, three interceptions and five PBUs as a junior. He also was a big-time player on special teams. pic.twitter.com/hCiha1DHBM

— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) December 16, 2020

Earnest McDaniel (Senior-WR) (5-10, 170)

Offer sheet: Arizona State, Nevada, Florida Atlantic, per 247Sports.com

2019 stats: 451 receiving yards, three touchdowns

Siale Suliafu (Senior-DL) (Missouri State signee) (6-0, 280)

2019 stats: 53 tackles, 3.5 sacks

pic.twitter.com/DnAKammYLJ

— Bobby Petrino (@CoachBPetrino) December 16, 2020

Larry Turner-Gooden (Junior-WR/DB) (6-0, 180)

Offer sheet: 32 offers including Alabama, Clemson, and LSU, per 247Sports.com

Jaylen Thompson (Junior-RB) (5-9, 180)

Offer sheet: 14 offers including USC, Oregon, and Texas, per 247Sports.com

Frankie Tinilau (Junior-OL) (6-5, 315)

Offer sheet: Arizona State and Florida State, per 247Sports.com

IMPACT TRANSFERS

• Isaiah Johnson - 2021 DB (Bluefield, West Virginia)
• Dylan Flowers - 2021 DB (Westlake)
• Phillippe Wesley - 2021 WR (Bishop Miege, Kansas)
• New Zealand Williams - 2021 DB (JSerra)
• Earnest McDaniel - 2021 WR (JSerra)
• Siale Suliafu - 2021 DL (JSerra)
• Larry Turner-Gooden - 2022 WR/DB (Calabasas)
• Jaylen Thompson - 2022 RB (Calabasas)
• Frankie Tinilau - 2022 OL (Australia)

WHO TRANSFERRED OUT?

• Josh Coleman - 2022 QB (Dorsey)

BEST-CASE SCENARIO FOR ST. BERNARD

New head coach Manuel Douglas and the Vikings have as much talent as nearly every team in the Southern Section, but will have to figure out how to get all the new additions working together.

Douglas was hired in February after serving as the head football coach at Narbonne from 2002 through the 2018 season. He was reassigned from the school in May 2019 by the Los Angeles Unified School District following an investigation into allegations of academic misconduct at Narbonne involving the football team. He did not coach last season.

MOST REALISTIC SCENARIO

St. Bernard looks to be the overwhelming favorites in the Santa Fe League. A few challenging games during the non-league portion of the schedule should prepare the Vikings for a playoff run in what is sure to be a higher division than last year's Division 13 appearance.

The Vikings will have to find a new signal caller after losing last season's starter, Josh Coleman, to Dorsey. Whoever grabs the spot will have the luxury of several talented weapons at the skill positions to ease the transition.