The St. Patrick-St. Vincent High varsity football team was inconsistent last season under first-year head coach Lane Hawkins. The Bruins went 4-8 overall, finished in the middle of the pack in the Tri-County Athletic League’s Rock Division and went 1-1 in the playoffs.

Now that Hawkins and the Bruins are more familiar with each other, SPSV hopes to build on last season with a more consistent – and successful – 2015 campaign that begins Friday night at Castlemont.

“We struggled early last year trying to learn the system and we weren’t consistent,” Hawkins said. “Now we’ve been through a season together and everyone knows where we’re heading. I think we have the players to be successful.”

There are 31 Bruins this season (meaning fewer players will have to go both ways), but 11 are sophomores and only eight are seniors. SPSV has no returning First Team or Second Team All-TCAL selections but does return honorable mentions Tyler Chesney, Devin Devlin-Dew, Marcus Gay and Carlos Madrigal.

Michael Pappas and Anthony Olmes shared quarterback duties as sophomores last season but Hawkins has settled on Pappas as his No. 1 quarterback to start the year. Pappas was named a team captain and seems comfortable calling the shots.

“He’s matured and taken a leadership role,” Hawkins said. “He’s looking pretty good.”

Olmes could still see time at quarterback, but Hawkins wants to take advantage of his athletic skills by playing him at multiple positions. Expect to see Olmes at tight end or receiver or wherever the Bruins need his services.

“He’s very fast and athletic so we want to move him around,” Hawkins said. “We don’t want to limit him to just quarterback.”

The Bruins are expected to run the ball out of their veer offense with a ground attack by committee. Veteran junior Tyler Chesney is a bulldozer capable of breaking through defensive lines. Veterans Marcus Gay and Alex Garcia will also see some carries, but keep an eye on Kailon Johnson-Loud, a sophomore called up from the junior varsity who is lightening quick.

“We have a lot of quick guys,” Hawkins noted.

Olmes’ twin brother, Alex, is another JV call-up who will see time at wide receiver. SPSV will throw to Johnson-Loud and Chesney out of the backfield, and receivers Tyler Gyant and Jacob Elizalde (up from JVs) give Pappas some nice targets.

The offensive line isn’t big but they got the job done in a recent scrimmage against Dixon, Armijo and Rio Vista. Junior tackles Drew Gilmore and Devlin-Dew give the Bruins some size up front, with junior guards Anthony Munoz and Patrick Ona solidifying the line. Senior veteran Andrew Munar is the starting center.

“We’re small on the offensive line but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by what they can do,” Hawkins said.

One of SPSV’s most intriguing prospects is senior Baidi Kamagate, an international transfer student from Africa. Kamagate has never played football before, but at 6-foot-5, Hawkins wants to utilize him as a receiver or defensive lineman.

Devlin-Dew will play both ways on the line. Other defensive linemen include Madrigal, Chris Rivera and sophomore Ryan Lacey. Rivera didn’t play football last season while Lacey started for the JVs.

SPSV’s defensive strength is at linebacker. Anthony Olmes is a solid outside linebacker and Chesney is an experienced veteran. Gyant, Jacob Elizalde and Greg Isom give the Bruins plenty of linebacking depth.

“We have a good core of linebackers and it’s good to see them all coming together,” Hawkins said.

Johnson-Loud and Garcia will see time at cornerback, with Gay and Salesian transfer Marquel Johnson at safety. Alex Olmes will do the punting and junior Daniel Basurto is the new kicker.

Valley Christian has been moved to the Stone Division, leaving SPSV, El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole Valley, St. Mary’s and Salesian in a very competitive Rock Division.

“I think it’s one of the toughest leagues in the North Coast Section,” Hawkins said. “It should be fun.

“We’re not looking at a won/loss record so much as we want to be consistent. Every time we step on the field is about us growing, maturing and developing into the people we’re supposed to be. After the season’s over, we’ll see if we’ve reached our destination.”

After Friday night’s road game at Castlemont, the Bruins will play five straight home games at Dante Magnani Field beginning with Vallejo on Sept. 4.