SAN FRANCISCO - The next era of Archbishop Riordan football is underway, and its arrival is being met with equal parts excitement and hope, not just because of a new head coach, but the anticipation of the unveiling of a long-awaited new home field.

The 2019 season marks the first of a new regime led by head coach Mark Modeste and his team is expected to be soon playing on a brand new turf field, with Mayer Family Field at the Carl and Celia Berta Gellert Athletic Complex set to open on Archbishop Riordan's campus in late October.

Modeste, who played his high school football at WCAL-member school Saint Francis, spent nine years as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton, where he guided the Gators to five Central Coast Section championships, two Northern California championships and two trips to the state finals. He most recently served as a History teacher and head coach at Strake Jesuit in Houston, Texas, where he led his team to an 8-3 record during the 2017 season.

As much as there is excitement over the new playing field, this year’s Archbishop Riordan varsity team is filled with intrigue of its own, as it looks to improve on a 1-9 record from a season ago.

Both Azaan Ledbetter and Adham Abdelghani, who took snaps at quarterback last fall, return to lead a new-look offense. Senior Ian Tupulua is expected to anchor the defense.

The returning varsity talent should be bolstered by players rising from a junior varsity squad that finished 2018 with a 3-5-1 record, including West Catholic Athletic League wins over Bellarmine and Junipero Serra.

“We had a great summer and have had a solid start to fall practice," Modeste said. "The numbers and energy have been good. I'm happy with what I've seen from the young men."

The Crusaders opened fall camp last Friday at Gellert Park with roughly 45 players out for the team. The team will be practicing on the turf field at Gellert Park while its own field is under renovation.

“We're going to be the Road Warriors until our field is ready," Modeste said. "We're truly grateful to have a turf field and our old sled on site to hit every day. The players are excited about the new field, but love putting work in at Gellert."

Archbishop Riordan is set to scrimmage at Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton on August 23, before opening its regular season at Terra Nova in Pacifica on August 30.