A history of championships »
Interscholastic high school football began at Bishop O’Dowd in 1970, nearly twenty years after the school was opened in 1951. The school played an independent schedule before joining the Catholic Athletic League (CAL) in 1971. The first few years saw little success until 1974 when the Dragons captured the program’s first title. It was another fifteen years before the Dragons captured another league championship.
With future NFL player Eric Bjornson leading the way, the Dragons completed an undefeated season in 1989 and earned the East Shore Athletic League (ESAL) title. The Dragons repeated as champions in 1990 and shared the crown with St. Mary’s in 1991. A balanced Dragons team went undefeated in 1993 to win another league title but the season ended in disappointment with a stunning last-second loss to Foothill High School in the North Coast Section (NCS) semi-finals. The Dragons returned to the NCS playoffs in 1995, beginning a current string of 16 consecutive years of playoff appearances (1995-2010), a feat shared only by De La Salle, Foothill and James Logan High School. Over these 16 years, the Dragons have captured three NCS titles (1997, 1998, 2004) and played in five NCS title games. From 1997-1999 the Dragons posted a record of 35 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie. Only De La Salle had a better record (39-0) during that three year period as the Dragon football program established itself as one of the most outstanding high school programs in Northern California.
The Dragons are proud of the ten student-athletes who have made it into the National Football League: Charles Butler (’80), Gardiner Williams (’80), Freeman Baysinger (’88), Tarik Glenn (’93), Eric Bjornson (’90), Langston Walker (’97), Kirk Morrison (2000), Gabriel Franklin (2000), Joshua Dean (2000), and Burl Toler III (2001). In addition, we are proud of the 130+ Dragons who have played at the collegiate level, most on some form of athletic scholarship.
Program Information
Teams, Games, Practice
Three levels of football with each team comprised of over forty players. Our philosophy is to place each athlete at the level of football that best suits his/her prior experience in relation to ability, physical size, commitment, and comfort level. The freshmen and junior varsity teams are the building blocks of our program at Bishop O’Dowd.
Varsity (includes seniors, juniors, and selected sophomores)
This team competes with in the West Alameda County Conference – Foothill League (WACC – Foothill). This team is comprised of seniors, junior, and selected sophomores. Those who play at this level are required to give a large time commitment and dedication to off-season and summer weightlifting and conditioning. Athletes who are not involved in a winter or spring sport are encouraged to participate in the off-season weight training and conditioning program beginning in early February. Those participating in a winter and spring sport are encouraged to maintain and improve their physical strength, agility, and conditioning during the months of December through May (when spring football begins).
Junior Varsity (includes juniors and sophomores)
This is our middle level of the football program. This team competes against other schools in the West Alameda County Conference – Foothill League (WACC – Foothill). The team is generally comprised of mostly sophomores, some juniors, and occasionally a exceptional freshmen. Freshmen who play at this level generally have had previous experience with organized tackle football (Pop Warner, P.A.L. leagues, etc) and possess the physical and mental maturity to handle this level of play. Players at this level are expected to have had some football experience with an idea how to block and tackle, and familiar with the physical nature of football. During the season, practices are held daily after school, Monday thru Friday beginning the second or third week of August. Practice length is between two hours and two hours and thirty minutes beginning at 3:45pm and concluding by 6:15pm. Games are generally the preliminary game to the varsity contest.
Freshmen (entirely freshmen)
No prior experience is needed to participate at this level. In fact, most who participate at this level have no prior experience. Freshmen football starts with the basics of how to properly put on equipment. Practices time is focuses on the basic fundamentals and skills necessary to play the game. Players will be taught correct blocking, tackling, and ball catching techniques. Coaches will introduce and teach the “base” offensive and defensive plays and schemes. All players will have the opportunity to play in games. During the season practices are held daily after school, Monday thru Friday beginning the second or third week of August. Practice length is between two hours and two hours and thirty minutes beginning at 3:45pm and concluding by 6:15pm. Games are generally played on Thursday and Friday afternoons.
Season
Football is a fall sport with the season beginning in early August and ending in mid-November for Freshmen and Junior Varsity teams while varsity traditionally participates in playoffs until the end of November or early December.
Equipment
The school will provide all protective equipment (helmet, shoulder pads, thigh/knee/hip pad, practice and game pants) for all team members.
However, all team members will need to purchase a mandatory Football insurance policy along with various equipment and sportswear in order to play. Contact the head coach for more detailed information. Financial assistance is available for qualifying families to purchase the necessary equipment.
The following are optional equipment items that can be purchased at a specialty sporting good supplier:
* Cleats
* Cup
* Athletic supporter
* Compression braces
Dragons in college
2014
Alex Holme – Columbia University
Julian Soto – Menlo College
2013
Kevin King – University of Washington
Elliott Brue – New Mexico Highlands University
Shaka Kendricks – Howard University
Joshua Licup – William Penn University
Johnathan Rowland – New Mexico Highlands University
Wayne Thomas – New Mexico Highlands University
Dominic Gomes – San Francisco City College
2012
Hardy Nickerson, Jr. – California
TJ Daniel – Oregon
Ignacio Madrid – Stetson
Daniel (DJ) Jones – Menlo College
Nehemiah Mitchell – Sacramento State
Brendan Royal – Sacramento State
2011
Chad Washington – Columbia University
TJ King – UC Davis
Brandon Brisco – University of Colorado
Dominick Marshall – Texas Southern University
Trent Trammell – San Francisco City College
Tyrone Ward – San Francisco City College
John Kuchac – Presentation College
2010
Mario Brown – Eastern Washington
Alex Beglinger – San Francisco City College
2009
Tyler Kintz – Occidental College
Kevin Cooper – Humbolt State University
Adam Tulloch – Humbolt State University
Ryan Bosque – Chabot College; McPherson College
2008
Aaron Gasper – Sacramento State
Nathan Phillips – San Francisco City College / Cal
2007
Darius Morales – Laney College
2006
Aaron (AJ) Simmons – University of Arizona
Louis Arnold, Jr. – Foothill College
2005
James Meeks – Fresno State University
Jeese Brooks – Cal
Chris Perri – San Jose State University; Laney College; University of Colorado; Stony Brook University
2004
Drew Glover – St. Mary’s College; Cal
Cameron Toler – Cal
Danny Rant – Cornell University
2003
Tyson Butler – Sacramento State University
Zachary Walker – University of Nevada; Sierra Community College; Western Missouri State
Jonathan Iglehart – Sacramento State University; University of Missouri, Rolla
Jordan Murchison – San Francisco City College; University of Washington
2002
Matthew Fountaine – University of Washington
Michael Gray – Cal
Kelvin McIver – St. Mary’s College; Coast Carolina University
2001
Burl Toler – Cal; Oakland Raiders (NFL); Washington Redskins (NFL)
Phil Skinner – Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo
Mark Handin – University of Arizona
Evan Kirby – Laney College
2000
Joshua Dean – San Diego State; Chicago Bears (NFL)
Gabriel Franklin – Boise State University; San Diego Chargers (NFL)
Kirk Morrison – San Diego State; Oakland Raiders (NFL)
Nick Vella – University of Montana
Jon-Pierre Loche – Sacramento State University
Micah Jackson-Sattler – Portland State University
Marco Splendorio – Willamette University
Charles Parks – Southern Oregon State University; Laney College
Teslim Ikharo – Purdue University
Steven Smith – Chabot College
1999
Kevin Klein – Cal
DJ Vierra – Princeton University
Michael Kenney – Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo
John Quinn – University of Memphis; Laney College; Northeastern; UC Davis
Eric Ryan – Ithaca College
Luke Erickson – Villanova University
Michael Jennaro – St. Mary’s College
1998
Steve Parker – Northwestern University
Joe Gettelman – Portland State University
Tim Hester – Portland State University
Andy Boli – Columbia University
Joe Hickman – Southern Oregon State College
Scott Salwasser – UC Davis
Patrick Burnside – UC Davis
John Lloyd – Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo
1997
Bryan Andrews – Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo
Langston Walker – Cal; Oakland Raiders (NFL); Buffalo Bills (NFL)
Fred Washington – Sacramento State University
Ryan Moorehead – Cal
McGhie Allan – Humbolt State University
1996
Ricky Walker – Oregon State University
Jerry Payne – Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Rocky Roberts – Columbia University
Scott Short – Brown University
Matt White – Lewis and Clark College
Tim Mapp – Laney College
Eric Olson – Boston College
Tony Vella – Stanford University
Jon Spica – Univeristy of Delaware
Beau Blanchard – USC
Isiah Franklin – Kent State; LSU
1994
Malik Orr – Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo
Reed Gehrke – University of North Dakota
Jon Whitticom – Princeton University
Aaron Gardiner – Harvard University
Chris Alberts – Humbolt State University
Nate Giovanetti – Lewis and Clark College
Tai Dunson-Strane – UC Davis
1993
Tarik Glenn – Cal; Indianopolis Colts (NFL)
Chris Franklin – Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo
Kelley Smith – Laney College
1992
Greg Elliot – Fresno State University
Aaron Wilson – University of New Mexico; Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo
Jamie Whitticom -Dartmouth
Greg Morris – Morehouse College; UC Davis
Jay Beito – UC Davis
Jabari Norton – UC Davis
Ben Patterson – Laney College; UC Davis
1991
Koresh “KC” Adams – Laney College; Boise State University
Aaron Ward – University of San Diego
Khari Flowers – University of Michigan
James Dohm – Menlo College
1990
Eric Bjornson – University of Washington; Dallas Cowboys (NFL); New England Patriots (NFL); Oakland Raiders(NFL)
Frank Ennix – Cal
Ryan Turner – Santa Clara University
Kevin Davis – Diablo Valley College; University of Nevada
Chris Aparicio – University of San Diego
Jason Concannon – St. Mary’s College; University of San Diego
Shawn Parker – UC Davis
Jim Sexton – UC Davis
Omari Patterson – UC Davis
Greg Norton – University of Oklahoma (Baseball)
1989
Ralph Colbert – UC Davis
Darin Apperson – Santa Clara University
Art Santos – Cal State East Bay (Hayward)
1988
Freeman Baysinger – Humbolt State University; New England Patriots (NFL); BC Lions (CFL); Winnipeg Bombers (CFL)
Michael Carroll – Humbolt State University
Sean Arce – San Jose State University; University of Arizona
Rodney Haymer – UC Davis
1987
Scooter Oats – Utah State
Henry Avery – UC Davis
Ben Sparks – Cal Poly-Pomona
Jim Christen – Menlo College
1986
Jim McKenna – University of Utah
Todd McWilliams – St. Mary’s College
Sterling Butts – San Francisco State
Hsiang Chen – San Francisco State
Bennie White – Chabot College
Sean Musgrove – Cal State East Bay (Hayward)
1985
Patrick Green – UCLA
1984
Scott Joseph – University of Wyoming
Michael Broome – San Diego State University
Chris Caldwell – Cal State East Bay (Hayward)
Robbie Selna – Laney College; Cal
1983
Paulo Smith – West Point (Army)
1982
Andy McHugh – St. Mary’s College
David Seyranian – Chabot College
Burnard (Bernie) Myers – St. Mary’s College
1981
Roland Grant – Chabot College
1980
Charles Butler – Boise State University; Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
Anthony Crowell – Utah State
Gardiner Williams – St. Mary’s College; Los Angeles Raiders (NFL)
Daryl Hill – UC Davis; New England Patriots (NFL)
1979
Rocky Chess – Chabot College; University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
Kim Scott Johnson – Chabot College
1978
Mark Seyranian – Hancock College; Chabot College
Dan Watanabe – Hancock College
John Starbuck – Dartmouth
1977
Nick Spinelli – UC Davis
1976
Brian Bilotti – Cal State Fullerton
Dominic Pontrelli – St. Mary’s College