Football Preview 2018 by Weeklys

2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO

FOOTBALL PREVIEW Presented by

GAVILAN

GILROY

CHRISTOPHER

ANZAR

SAN BENITO

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2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Richard Eliason

FOUNDATION SETTERS Anthony Navarro, John Bell, Jawaun Hardy and Alec Calderon hope to lead Gavilan College to a big turnaround this season. The Rams return coach John Lango, who has already shown the ability to recruit local talent and develop the players for the next level. GAVILAN COLLEGE

Rams start anew GAVILAN’S NEW ERA BEGINS AND THERE IS A FAMILIAR FACE BACK

SCHEDULE 9/1 at Los Medanos, 2 p.m. 9/8 vs. Redwoods, 1 p.m. 9/15 at De Anza, 1 p.m. 9/22 vs. Monterey Peninsula, 2 p.m. 9/29 at Hartnell, 6 p.m. 10/6 vs. Foothill, 2 p.m. 10/13 vs. Reedley, 2 p.m. 10/20 at Cabrillo, 2 p.m. 11/3 vs. San Jose, 2 p.m. 11/10 at Merced, 1 p.m. Note: all home games played at Gilroy High.

bryce stoepfel Staff Reporter

Richard Eliason

Last year was a season to forget for Gavilan College. Amid violations and an 0-10 record, stability is what the program needed. John Lango stepped in, back in charge of a team he led from 2000 to 2010. If Lango is going to bring back wins for the Rams, he’ll need big seasons from two local players in particular. Sobrato High product and quarterback John Bell and former San Benito High defensive tackle Richard ‘Big Chief ’ Justo, will need to anchor the offense and defense. Incidentally, both are pretty large—Bell, at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, and Justo at 6-3 and 320 pounds. It’s a big job for some big boys. Bell has big dreams. As an Alabama Crimson Tide football fan, a call from coach Nick Saban would be a dream. But, he’d settle for a shot to play for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, too. “Alabama would be amazing, but it’s not a quarterback pipeline; the position dream would be Michigan,” Bell said. Going from Gavilan to the NFL would be a meteoric jump for Bell, but it’s not unprecedented. Once upon a time, there was a Gilroy High quarterback named Jeff Garcia, who parlayed two years at Gavilan and a transfer to San Jose State, into a 17-year career in pro football, including four pro bowls

LINING UP Gavilan’s line play must get up to speed quick for the Rams to succeed this season. as quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. College football is the same sport but a different game than high school ball. The players are bigger and faster. The X’s and O’s are more complicated, the competition is better, and the stakes are higher. Bell, who like a lot of players watches Last Chance U, a Netflix documentary series that chronicles junior college football, sees similarities between Lango and the Independence College coach Jason Brown. They’re both intense, but Lango’s approach is far more civil. “They baby you a lot in high school, they yell, but it’s not very direct; here, they get on you,” Bell said shortly after running suicides. “It’s hot, and the coaches are yelling at you, and if you’re behind a few seconds, the coaches are on you.” Offensive line health is crucial for the Rams because as it

is, the numbers are thin. As of Aug. 12, they had five or six fulltime offensive linemen in freshman Daniel Pasillas (San Benito), Luis López (Sobrato), Jose Torres (Gilroy), and sophomores Joe Criado and Victor Sevillano, both Christopher grads. Reluctantly, Lango will need some defensive linemen to play on offense. “I need to get them healthy, and we’re still recruiting; we’re always recruiting,” Lango said. Lopez twisted an ankle during a Saturday practice and had just come back from an injured hamstring before getting hurt again. A few linemen missed practice because of work. Without the missing players, putting together a full offensive line for practice was difficult. In all, the Rams have 50 players on the roster. That number will surely rise in the coming years as Lango puts his stamp on the program. Regardless of numbers, their first game

against Los Medanos College, is near. On offense, the Rams will go with a run-first spread offense. “Our goal is to run the ball,” Lango said. “We’ll do the play action, and if the running game isn’t working, we’ll adjust.” At running back freshman Kyree Harbin (Santa Teresa) has the inside track against another freshman and Santa Teresa product, Devon Day. Javier Molano, an out-of-state player from Washington state, is also in the mix. Sophomore receiver Juwaun Hardy, one of the team’s few returning sophomores, figures to be a starter. “Hardy has good speed, hands and he runs crisp routes,” Lango said. “Corey Garcia (sophomore), and freshman Andrew Richelle, are Julian Edelman type players who are good in open space.” Justo took a year off from football following his senior year at Hollister High School. Lango’s son Mike Lango, now

an assistant coach at Gavilan, coached Justo during his junior and senior years of high school and the personal connection and opportunity to play football again convinced Justo to commit to Gavilan. “I was working odd jobs, but I missed the sport,” Justo said. “Coach Lango is a great guy. He’s awesome. He works with us individually, and he makes sure we get everything we need. We’re never afraid to ask him questions. He’s an open guy.” Justo will be the anchor of the defensive line at nose tackle with freshman Zach Maxey, another Santa Teresa grad, at defensive end and sophomore Cameron Castro at defensive tackle. Freshman Brandon Garcia, a seven-year Army veteran, returns to the football field at 24-years old to play defensive end and offensive line. “We’re a 4-3 team right now, but that could change,” Lango said. “We’ll do whatever we need to be successful. We don’t have a lot of blitz packages right now, but if we need to, we will. We’ll do what suits our guys.” Sophomore Anthony Navarro and freshman Neyantez Langston are in the mix at outside linebacker. Gilroy High product Marco Hernandez and freshman Carlos Lopez will compete at middle linebacker.

2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Richard Eliason

FANTASTIC FOUR Albert Rodriguez, Stevan Navarro, Owen Branon and Blaze McShane are four of the key players for a Haybalers team that prides

itself on playing tough and fundamentally sound football. The Balers look to win the Pacific Coast Gabilan League championship.

HOLLISTER

Balers on mission SAN BENITO CONFIDENT IT WILL BE THERE AT THE END

SCHEDULE 8/24 at Terra Nova, 7 p.m. 8/30 vs. Wilcox, 7:30 p.m. 9/7 vs. Los Gatos, 7:30 p.m. 9/21 at Aptos, 7:30 p.m. 9/28 at Christopher, 7:30 p.m. 10/5 vs. Gilroy, 7:30 p.m. 10/12 at Alvarez, 7:30 p.m. 10/18 vs. Seaside, 7:30 p.m. 10/26 at Salinas, 7:30 p.m. 11/1 vs. Palma, 7:30 p.m. Note: All home games are at Rabobank Stadium.

emanuel lee Sports Editor

Richard Eliason

There was a slight twinkle in Bryan Smith’s eyes as he talked about the upcoming season last week, even with the projected loss of starting quarterback Slade Wilson for the first game of the season. That tells you all you need to know about San Benito High’s prospects this season. With a senior-heavy team, the Haybalers are seemingly primed for a championship run in the ultra-competitive Pacific Coast Gabilan League. “I’d like to think we have a shot at contending,” said Bryan Smith, who is entering his third season as the head coach. “As long as we stay healthy, I’d like to think we’ll be very competitive this year.” Translation: Smith likes his chances with this group, even in a league stacked with stalwarts like defending champion Salinas, Palma and Aptos. That’s because the Balers—who went 6-5 overall and 4-3 in league last season—return a punishing offensive line, experienced secondary, talented linebacker corps and running backs who are capable of busting off some big gains at any moment. In center Blaze McShane, right tackle Aidan Pung, left tackle Diego Ramirez and guards Jesus Toscano, Nathan Sanchez and Joey Saldana, the team’s top linemen either started or played significant snaps last season. The Balers are no less talented with the running back core. Stevan Navarro returns after a breakout 2017 season, showcasing dynamic running skills combined with the ability to punish would-be tacklers. “Steven Navarro worked really hard in the off-season academically, in the weight room and growing as a leader,” Smith said. “He has the capability to

ON THE RUN Members of the San Benito High football team go hard at a recent practice. do some big things. He hits the hole extremely hard, is very well conditioned and is a slasher. He’s not an easy guy to take down by any means, and he’s proven in our fall and summer camps that we’re looking for some big things from him in terms of number of touches and total yardage.” Smith is also excited to have fullback Eric Green returning, as he suffered a concussion midway through last season. At a solid 235 pounds, Green will provide solid blocking with the ability to break off a big gain on occasion and keep the chains moving. “Eric Green is a load and the type of fullback we want in our offense,” Smith said. Matt delatorre is slotted to start opposite Navarro, and Adam Rostran and Juan De Leon are up-and-coming talents at the running back position. “They’ll have a great opportunity to get touches as well,” Smith said. San Benito has some nice depth at tight end, with 6-foot-2, 185-pound Dillon Engler looking for a breakout season. “Dylan has got the build to go and get some passes,” Smith said. “He’s got all the intangibles and is a smart kid, runs fast and works hard. But we need him and all of the tight ends to do

the things for us to be successful within the run game so we can exploit our play-action game.” Owen Branon, Trevor Cordova and Sam Arreola also have potential at tight end, which is an ultraimportant position within the Balers offense. Wilson returns at quarterback, and his teammates and coaches can’t wait to get him on the field as he recovers from injury. “Slade spent a lot of time in the weight room improving and becoming a great leader,” Smith said. “When he gets healthy, he will be able to provide us with a huge spark and a sense of leadership this team is wanting and needing and ready for. I told him I don’t need him for games 1 and 2; I need you for games 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 (since a higher league finish guarantees an automatic berth into the CCS playoffs).” Should Wilson miss a game or two, the Balers have senior Nate Greene—who played receiver last year—and sophomore Michael McShane serving as the backup. “We’ll need everyone to rally around these guys,” Smith said. In cornerbacks Anthony Delgado and Kristian Espinoza and safeties Robert Mendoza and Isaias Rivera, the San Benito secondary is one of the most experienced units on the team. Delgado is moving from outside

linebacker to corner, a position that he might excel in considering his speed and agility. Nose guard Ivan Benitez and Jon Reyes return to anchor the defensive line, and Smith said both players are known for their relentless effort while striving to be excellent. Tod Thatcher returns as defensive coordinator, and one can expect a more fundamentally sound unit this season. “We spent a lot of time (in the off-season) defensively in how to line up correctly, sprint to the ball, how to tackle, and doing the basics of football extremely well,” Smith said. The linebacker corps have a chance to be downright special. In Albert Rodriguez, Owen Branon and Marcus Aranda, the Balers have three players who are physical and looking to maximize their talent. “Albert is a great downhill football player and loves contact,” Smith said. In addition to wanting to lead the team to league and CCS titles, Rodriguez has individual goals to lead the team in tackles and earn league Defensive Player of the Year honors. Rodriguez spent the off-season doing what all impact players do: improving. He watched a lot of video from last season, noting all of his

mistakes and things he could’ve done better. “I think I’ve gotten way better compared to last year,” he said. “Over the summer I went over all the mistakes to try to fix them as much as possible. Last year I kind of crept up too many steps forward (to the line of scrimmage), so I need to work on my first read and react right away instead of creeping forward. I’d go too forward and be knocked out of the play.” During the summer break, Rodriguez spent two hours a day watching video, often writing notes and every single mistake so he could review them. in other words, Rodriguez is spending more time watching video than playing Fortnite, the immensely popular video game that is all the rage among kids and teenagers. “Whenever I have spare time or nothing to do, I’m on Hudl watching film on my laptop or phone, depending on where I am,” Rodriguez said. “I want to take my game to a higher level.” Due to the ongoing construction of the school’s new home stadium, San Benito will play all of its “home” games at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas this season. They also have two away games against Alvarez and Salinas, meaning they’ll be spending the majority of their game days in Salinas, which isn’t exactly a stone’s throw away from Hollister. However, Smith expressed no worries about the team being a full-time road team in 2018.

2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Robert Eliason

BREAKAWAY THREAT Anzar High senior Greg Arispe is dynamic on both sides of the ball. Arispe plays running back, quarterback, receiver and cornerback, and is terrific at all four positions. Anzar is coming off a 3-5 season, and returns a strong core group of players who excelled in 2017.

ANZAR

Hawks ready to soar ANZAR IS PREPARED TO HAVE A BREAKOUT SEASON

SCHEDULE 8/24 at Laton, 7 p.m. 8/30 vs. King’s Christian, 6 p.m. 9/8 at Roseland University Prep-Santa Rosa, 3 p.m. 9/15 vs. Tomales, 6 p.m. 9/22 at Crystal Springs Uplands-Hillsborough, 1 p.m. 9/29 at Pinewood-Los Altos Hills, 4 p.m. 10/6 vs. Cornerstone, 6 p.m. 10/20 at Woodside Priory, 3 p.m. 10/27 vs. Trinity Christian, 7 p.m.

emanuel lee Sports Editor

Richard Eliason

When Anzar High coach Kollin Kosmicki got hired last year, he only had a couple of weeks to get things in place for the team’s upcoming season. The Hawks still managed to go 3-5, tripling their win total from the previous season. With a full off-season under his belt, Kosmicki was further able to put his imprint on the program. Whether or not that translates into more wins this season remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the foundation has been set for Anzar football to be as competitive as ever. “We fully expect Anzar to continue to make improvements,” Kosmicki said. “I’m preparing these guys to compete every week and have a winning attitude every week. Last year we had a decent number of guys with experience, and this year we’ve got great leadership in the seniors.” Greg Arispe, who is one of the seven seniors on the team, had a breakout 2017 season and expects to be even more dynamic this year. Anzar will have a more diversified playbook this season, with Arispe playing a starring role. The team’s returning Most Valuable Player, Arispe plays running back, quarterback and wide receiver. “He’s really dynamic and extremely talented,” Kosmicki said. “We’ll move Greg around a lot, and he’ll be huge for us.” Knowing he would once again be a vital part of the offense, Arispe worked hard in the offseason, something he hadn’t done before. “This year I was pushing myself because I knew I was going to put a lot on myself,” he said. “I knew I had to work hard and lift weights everyday. When I wasn’t working out, I went

TOGETHER Members of the Anzar High football team gather around coach Kollin Kosmicki at a recent practice.

The Hawks have some physical players and talented playmakers as they go for a league title.

with some of the guys to the field and did some (football-related) activities because I want us to do better than last year.” Said Kosmicki: “If our effort matches our talent level, we have a chance to do something special this year.” Even though Anzar graduated some key players, it returns a talented core, starting with senior offensive linemen Jose Pineda and Rafael Magana. The two have been the team’s mainstays the last couple of years and have played a big role in run blocking and pass protection. Magana and Pineda never come out on offense unless they’re hurt, and they rotate at the nose guard spot on defense along with sophomore Alan Cruz. “Alan will be the Jose and Raf for us next year,” Kosmicki said. “We’re really lucky to have him. He’s a good athlete and very strong.” Another newcomer, sophomore Juan Garrido, should make an impact playing on both lines. Garrido will play offensive tackle when the Hawks are playing five linemen and defensive end. Anzar will have a ton of three line formations in the

spread offense to mix things up and keep defenses honest. “We’re changing things up quite a bit playbook-wise,” Arispe said. “Last year we were kind of basic because we had to be as coach taught us the fundamentals, and teams were able to catch up to what we were doing. But this year coach is changing up the playbook, and it’s going to be way different and better for the team.” Up to speed Anzar will have a first-year quarterback in junior Matt Nickerson, who will also likely play multiple positions on defense. “He is really talented and smart and has made huge strides,” Kosmicki said. “He’ll continue to get better as the season goes along, he has a good arm, is fast and a good athlete.” Nickerson’s twin brother, Nick, is a junior captain and a solid leader who plays fullback on offense and the middle linebacker/safety hybrid role on defense. In Anzar’s defense, the middle linebacker has to be able to cover a lot of territory, especially in the pass-happy 8-man football league. Senior Brian Munoz, who

plays both ways, is another difference maker. Last season, the Hawks gave up some huge plays defensively, and Kosmicki is optimistic the team will give up fewer points this season. “You can expect our defense to be a lot more aggressive,” he said. Arispe has the capability to shut down the opposing team’s best receiver, and that will go a long way in helping the Anzar defense improve. “To me Greg is as dangerous at cornerback as he is offensively,” Kosmicki said. “He’s essentially a shutdown corner in this league.” Wingback Isaiah Loya will give Anzar another option offensively—“He’s real shifty and can make plays,” Kosmicki said— while sophomore Liam Angus has shown some explosiveness and playmaking ability at wide receiver. After a nice building year for 2017, the Hawks look to continue to form a solid foundation and beyond for 2018. “Coach knew we could be a better team than we were when he took over,” Arispe said. “He really pushed us last year, and we stunned a lot of people. I feel even though we lost a lot of

key players, a lot of the younger guys are stepping in and ready to make a good impact. I feel like we’re going to be better than 3-5, maybe .500 or better. That is what we’re pushing for.” Kosmicki took over as Anzar’s coach with no previous coaching experience. However, he showed from the outset it was going to be a new era at Anzar, which for a variety of reasons has never had a typical off-season training program—almost unheard of in high school football. Kosmicki wants to change that mindset—and for good reason. It’s only in the off-season through year-round strengthtraining and the summer conditioning sessions—of which most teams make mandatory to their players—when real improvement happens. One thing is for certain: Kosmicki has instilled in the players a winning attitude. No matter what the scoreboard reads at the end, the players are expected to display excellent sportsmanship and work hard in practice. Kosmicki feels he’s a better coach as he enters his second season at the helm. “I think it’s helped a lot having a year of coaching under my belt,” he said. “Coming in from last year with very little experience, I knew what as a coach I wanted to be, but actually having to do it and figuring it out is different. It’s something you have to go through to develop.”

2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Robert Eliason

STANDING TALL Christian Davis, Jason Scirigione, Ben Sanford, Joseph Cupp and Tyler Davis are some of the key players for a Christopher team that looks to stay competitive in the Pacifc Coast League Gabilan Division. The Cougars are coming off a CCS title winning season.

CHRISTOPHER

Back in the Gabilan COUGARS AIM TO STAY IN GABILAN FOR GOOD

SCHEDULE 8/24 at Monte Vista Christian, 7 p.m. 8/31 vs. Live Oak, 7:30 p.m. 9/14 at King City, 7:30 p.m. 9/21 at Seaside, 7:30 p.m. 9/28 vs. Hollister, 7:30 p.m. 10/5 vs. Salinas, 7:30 p.m. 10/12 at Palma, 7:30 p.m. 10/19 vs. Aptos, 7:30 p.m. 10/26 vs. Alvarez, 7:30 p.m. 11/2 at Gilroy, 7:30 p.m.

bryce stoepfel Staff Reporter

AIMING HIGH Cougars junior Blake Romero throws a pass in a recent practice. Christopher High makes the

Robert Eliason

Football is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ kind of sport and Christopher High coach Tim Pierleoni knows it. One year after winning the Central Coast Section Division IV playoff championship, the Cougars won’t only be asked to repeat their postseason performance but to survive a promotion into the new, heavy-hitting Pacific Coast League Gabilan Division. “It’s not like last year,” Pierleoni shouted as he ordered his players to run up-downs as punishment for what he saw as a poor effort on a Monday practice. “You going to do that against Palma? Hollister? Aptos or Salinas?” Thick skin in football goes beyond taking hard hits and playing through pain. Football is a head game, and if the head isn’t right, neither will be the body. This year expectations will be high and so will the competition. There isn’t much time for reminiscing. “It’s a nice feeling, but by the time February rolled around, it was time for next season,” Pierleoni said. “Winning a CCS was a dream. The coaches and players did a great job, but it’s ‘what have you done for me lately.’ You move up, and they expect you to win.” If the Cougars are going to thrive or survive in their new division, they’ll need to rely on their seniors to lead the way. Quarterback Ben Sanford, wide receivers Joseph Cupp and Jason Scirigione, and twin-brother speedsters Tyler and Christian Davis are all together for their last high school football season. Sanford, at 6-foot and 175 pounds, is back after throwing for 2,452 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2017, earning him a second-team Monterey Bay League all-league award and

jump to the Gabilan Division this season, two years removed from an 0-6 season in the A-league.

CCS honorable mention player. “His arm is stronger this year,” Pierleoni said. “He’s accurate, and he’s a good decision maker. He knows what I want him to do.” Twins Tyler and Christian Davis will provide playmaking ability, with Christian at receiver/defensive back and Tyler at running back/defensive back. The Cougars hope speed does kill, as the Davis twins utilize their speed to produce big plays. They’ve been racing each other their whole lives, starting from minute one. “I was born seven minutes before he was, but he’s the fastest,” said Christian Davis, who was second on the team with three interceptions last season. Both Davis’ play fast on game day and at practice. They don’t take plays off. Effort and attitude help to make up for size, as both are 5-6 and around 160 pounds. You can’t hit what you can’t catch. “They are two of the toughest players on the field, and they are no doubt excellent players,” Pierleoni said. “They’re like rolling razor blades.” At wideout, the Cougars have two first team all-league

standouts in Joseph Cupp and Jason Scirigione, who are both big targets at 6-2. The Cougars will need two of their best players to perform at a high level as they take on the teams in the ultra-competitive Gabilan. “Cupp is definitely our most improved player,” Pierleoni said. “He’s maturing; he’s stronger and more athletic.” Special meaning At Christopher High, there is one particular jersey number that stands out above the rest: No. 5, like Jake Moen, now a senior linebacker at Dartmouth College. Now Scirigione wears the honor. It’s a tradition of that goes back to the Legend of 44, which was Jim Brown’s number at Syracuse University. Growing up Pierleoni moved a lot. From city to city, including Syracuse where Pierleoni played lacrosse, he eventually found his way to Gilroy, where he starred as a lineman for the Mustangs. The honored digit, the No. 5 at Christopher, goes back to his love of lacrosse, and roots in upstate New York. “He’s been the best player on the team since his sophomore year, and he wears number five

for a reason,” Pierleoni said. “He has the best hands of any player I’ve ever coached, and he’s got great spatial awareness. He’s our slot receiver. He finds soft spots on the inside, and he exploits the mismatches.” The Cougars will depend on youth on both offensive and defensive lines. Pierleoni will also break in three or four new linebackers. “Our offensive line is going to be young, but well coached,” Pierleoni said. “We won’t have a lot of them though, and most guys will probably be playing both ways. We’re going to find out what we have at linebacker, (as) we lost a lot of talent from last year, but they were good backups and junior varsity players.” Alisal, Watsonville, Monterey, North Monterey County, and Pajaro Valley High are out and replaced with Aptos, Alvarez, Salinas, Palma, San Benito and Seaside. Gilroy High, owners of its own CCS Championship, remains. Numbers say a lot, too. Christopher’s departing conference foes won 11 games, compared to the 40 wins for its new division mates. Salinas (11-3, 7-0) won the CIF Central Coast Section Open Division 1 Championship, and

later advanced to the Regional Finals in the CIF Division 4AA Playoffs where they lost to Placer High School, 43-42. “Salinas is the best team we’ll see,” Scirigione said. “They’re huge, and when we were in JV ( junior varsity), they beat us by 30 points.” Pierleoni, who is in his 34th year in coaching was unloading beer trucks in the fall of 1985 at 3 a.m. when he was asked by a co-worker, who happened to be a coach at Pleasant Valley High, to come out to help with practice. After one day back on the field, football hooked him again. “I woke up the next morning, and I wasn’t sore,” said Pierleoni, now in his tenth year at Christopher. “I said to myself ‘this is it.’” After high school, Pierleoni played linebacker at Gavilan College and Cal State Hayward, now California State University East Bay. Old school former high school football veterans may not recognize conditioning drills in new high school ball. Two-adays are a thing of the past, too. Pierleoni, however, believes that a well-conditioned team wins in the fourth quarter. “You haven’t seen one of our practices yet,” Pierleoni said when asked about the team’s conditioning program. “I have the luxury of having Manuel Muro, to be our offensive line coach and lead our conditioning program. We won a lot of games last year because of our conditioning. It gives your team an edge, and you’re more mentally aware when you’re in good condition.”

2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Robert Eliason

TERRIFIC TRIO Gilroy High’s Brendan Doyle, Brandon Weiler and Joe Barnes look to lead the Mustangs to a top-tier finish in the Pacific Coast League’s Gabilan Division. Gilroy, which is coming off a CCS Division V playoff championship, last played in the Gabilan in the 2012 season. GILROY

Stepping up in class MUSTANGS BACK IN THE GABILAN, A YEAR AFTER CCS TITLE bryce stoepfel Staff Reporter

INTENSITY Gilroy High senior Joe Barnes is back after having a sensational 2017 season, helping the Mustangs to a CCS title.

Going all out “They need to do their fakes at 100 mph, every time, not sometimes,” Newman said. “We want more team camaraderie. A lot of teams lack that at all four levels, freshmen through seniors. What we’re trying to do is build a program, not a team.” Being in a new, tougher, division will demand their attention. Last year the Mustangs were 6-0 against their former division rivals, averaging more than 40 points a game against Alisal, Watsonville, Monterey, North Monterey

County, and Pajaro Valley. “They were in the B League— they should have been higher,” Newman said of Gilroy’s new league. “It’s a big step, but we’re excited about it. You want to play your best, but you may not go 13-0. Losing games is part of growing, and you learn about yourself and your team. We’re excited about being in the A-league.” On defense, where Newman made his bones as a defensive lineman, the Mustangs will run a multi-front scheme, either a 5-2,

SCHEDULE 8/25 at Liberty UnionBrentwood, 7 p.m. 8/31 vs. Soledad, 7:30 p.m. 9/7 vs. Pioneer, 7:30 p.m. 9/21 at Alvarez, 7:30 p.m. 9/28 vs. Palma, 7:30 p.m. 10/5 vs. Hollister at Rabobank, 7:30 p.m. 10/12 at Aptos, 7:30 p.m. 10/19 vs. Salinas, 7:30 p.m. 10/26 at Seaside, 7:30 p.m. 11/2 vs. Christopher, 7:30 p.m.

Robert Eliason

After going undefeated and winning its first-ever Central Coast Section championship, what can Gilroy High possibly do for an encore? What we do know is that the Mustangs have a new head coach, Jake Newman, a promotion into a tougher division, the Pacific Coast Gabilan Division, and a whole new set of expectations after going 13-0 in 2017. So it goes, but Newman, 24, looks and acts the part of an old sideline pro. Having an elite running back in Joseph Barnes helps, too. “My goal is 200 yards and two touchdowns every game,” said Barnes, who rushed for 1,807 yards and 28 touchdowns last season. It’s an ambitious goal, but after the numbers Barnes put up last year, the 5-foot-8, 180pound fullback will look to match or exceed the production that earned him the Monterey Bay League Pacific Division Offensive Player of the Year award in 2017. “He’s a stud, a great football player, and a great wrestler, and he has great character,” Newman said. “He improves everyone around him; he makes sure guys are in the right spots. He’s quick and powerful with good open space speed. He runs low, and he makes the cuts.” Gilroy’s Wing T-offense is an offense based on deception. It uses multiple backs, and a quick offensive line to seal off defenders to get the ball downfield. Typically, it’s a four, or (ideally) five yards-at-a-time offense, with a periodic splash play when the time is right. Precision is critical, to sell options, fakes and pulling guards must be quick. “We’ll generate a lot of our

offense on the ground,” Newman said. “Traditional Wing T’s usually don’t pass much, but we want to use the weapons we have given the situation.” The starting quarterback job will come down to Brandon Weiler, a 5-11,185 pound senior or Brendan Doyle, a 6-1 185 pound sophomore. Weiler, who was also an All Monterey Bay League Pacific Division linebacker, took over the starting quarterback job midway through last year and passed for 445 yards and six touchdowns. He has the athleticism and experience, while Doyle has the stronger arm. “We have some leaders out there who are trying to get things going,” Newman said. “We don’t have that guy right now who’s going to keep everyone on edge. We have a milder team. They do their part, and they don’t say a lot. They lead by example.” Gilroy’s offensive line is anchored by seniors Jordan Amos, a 6-foott, 285-pound tackle, and 5-10, 220-pound guard Salvador Zendejas. Starting center is between Seniors Zach LaFon (5-7, 180) and Anthony Ramos (5-5, 220) will vie for the starting center position. “Nothing is written in stone,” Newman said. “You can gain a job, and you can lose a job, (and) nobody is untouchable on the depth chart.” The head job at Gilroy is Newman’s first job as a head coach, and it comes on the heels of a CCS title run.

4-3, or 4-4 alignment based on the situation. “The D-line is close to my heart,” Newman said. “We want eight guys we can tap into. Raymond Hernandez, Salvador Zendejas, Zach LaFon, Heber Saucedo, and Anthony Ramon might play on the D-line. You don’t need to be huge to play on the defensive line. You need to have a motor, and not take plays off.” Newman, also a physical education teacher at Gilroy High, went to El Diamante High School in Visalia. He played

one-and-a-half years of community college ball at the College of the Sequoias. From there he caught the eye of fellow Visalian Ron Roberts, then the head coach at Southeastern Louisiana University where Newman starred as a defensive end. The era of two-a-days, or Hell Week, are over. If a coach decides to hold a two-a-day practice, they aren’t allowed to practice the day after. Even at 24-years old, Newman thinks that attention spans for high school students have shrunk. “We keep it to two-and-ahalf hours, longer than that, they don’t really retain information,” Newman said. “With me being a first-year coach, you don’t want to go too long. Otherwise, you just yell. I think there’s a natural balance. They respect you, and you respect them for what they do for you. You need to be there for your kids. My door is always open, and they often call me at 10 or 11 p.m.” For the 2018 Gilroy High team, last year is history, and 2017 will endure as one of the brightest times in program history. But in the season-opener on Saturday at Liberty Union High in Brentwood, Newman’s new-look Mustangs will see what their present is. “We’re trying to build at all four levels, freshmen through seniors,” Newman said. “A lot of teams don’t do that. We’re trying to do is build a program, not just a team.”

2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Chris Mora

ALL BUSINESS Sobrato High senior standout Jonathan Sheets leads by example. The fullback, linebacker and defensive end rarely comes off the

field, and has the proverbial motor that never stops. The Bulldogs are looking to defend the division championship they won a year ago.

Defending the title SOBRATO

DESPITE YOUTH, THE BULLDOGS ARE READY TO PROTECT THEIR TURF

SCHEDULE 8/24 vs. St. FrancisWatsonville at Santa Cruz High, 7 p.m. 9/7 at Monterey, 7:30 p.m. 9/15 at San Lorenzo Valley, 2 p.m. 9/21 at Mount Pleasant, 7 p.m. 9/29 vs. Andrew Hill, 7 p.m. 10/5 vs. Yerba Buena, 7 p.m. 10/12 at San Jose, 7 p.m. 10/19 at Evergreen Valley, 7 p.m. 10/27 vs. Prospect, 7 p.m. 11/2 vs. James Lick, 7 p.m.

emanuel lee Sports Editor

Robert Eliason

A lot of high school coaches for various sports will often preface a season by saying, “We’re young.” Never mind the fact that said team could very well possess plenty of seniors who saw action the previous season. But when Sobrato High coach Tony Holmes describes his team as young, he’s simply stating it as a matter of fact. Out of the team’s 30-player roster, just six are seniors— almost unheard of in prep football. The Bulldogs are loaded with a junior class of 19 to 20 players to go along with four sophomores. Two weeks before the season started, Holmes felt good about his team. “We are further along than we expected,” said Holmes, who is entering his fourth season as the Sobrato coach. “Right now our guys are picking up on play calls, adjustments, audible, motions. They’re a really smart group and they’ve meshed well and grown a lot.” The Bulldogs are coming off a season in which they went 8-3 overall and 7-0 in league play to win the Blossom Valley League’s West Valley Division championship. Even though they graduated 26 seniors off of last year’s team, Holmes and standout senior Jonathan Sheets expressed confidence in the returning talent and newcomers. “Talent-wise, we still have a lot of talent on this team,” said Sheets, a 6-foot-3, 231-pound fullback/linebacker/defensive end. “We have talent in a lot of different positions, and a lot of guys are stepping up who hadn’t done it before.”

VERSATILE Jackson Gonzales and Raymond Valles are expected to play a key role as cornerbacks and on special

teams for a Sobrato squad that looks to defend its Blossom Valley League West Valley Division championship.

Said Holmes: “It’s a young team, but we’re very smart and fast.” The Bulldogs received a boost with the return of senior Jason Martinez, a 6-4, 185-pound wide receiver who possesses good hands, speed and is aggressive to the football. “He’ll be a very key element to our offense,” Holmes said. “He can make plays, so it’s going to be very interesting.” That’s how Holmes described the receiving corps, as they have speed and playmaking ability. Nick Fernandez and Santa Teresa-transfer Jona Turagavou have the potential to for big plays through the air. Turagavou is a big target at 6-4 ½ and 195 pounds.

Fernandez, a 5-10, 175-pound running back/slot receiver, is one of the fastest players on the team and has the potential to break off some big plays. Sobrato likes to air things out, and junior Jordan Sheets worked hard in the off-season to become the team’s projected starting quarterback with Isaiah Avery serving as the backup. Expectations are also high for cornerbacks Raymond Valles and Jackson Gonzales, as the two are projected to play a key role on special teams as well. Jesse Redmond, a 5-10, 170pound running back/free safety, has the potential to be “explosive” and bust off big gains or make an impact defensively.

Junior Brian Zarate, a running back/linebacker, has looked solid as has the defensive line, which Holmes expects to be the strongest unit on the team. “Our defensive front will be pretty good,” Holmes said, referring to defensive tackles Alejandro Lopez and Riley Hedden, and defensive ends Gunnar Vereyken and Avisad Negrete. “They’re big, physical and fast. They’re going to be nasty.” Negrete is a 6-2, 225-pound sophomore who also plays tight end and is fast off the line of scrimmage. Holmes said all of the defensive linemen can bench-press 300 pounds and squat 400. The offensive line started as

a work in progress, and Holmes expressed satisfaction in how far the unit has come along. “One of the things about our O-line is we’re not big, but we’re physical,” Holmes said. “We’ll be fast with our O-linemen and very aggressive.” “Both of our lines are coming together and striking with a lot more power and speed,” Jonathan Sheets said. Orion Woods, a 6-1, 210pound junior center/guard, possesses strong leadership qualities, and can get the team going vocally. With just 30 players, Sobrato can ill afford to suffer a rash of injuries. If the Bulldogs stay healthy, they’ll be poised to defend the division championship. Whatever happens, Holmes has done his best to foster a sense of camaraderie to make the season an enjoyable one. “You have to make the game fun so the kids don’t lose interest,” he said. “We’re here to give our guys the best experience possible. It’s not about wins and losses; it’s about these guys learning and building memories and being competitive. Everyone has their own unique way to show their warrior faces.” Despite the team’s small numbers, Holmes was resolute in that quality trumps quantity. “If have a roster of 40 or 50 players, there is still only 11 kids on the field at the time,” he said.

2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Chris Mora

THE QUARTERBACK Live Oak signal-caller Jonathan Singleton is coming off a sensational 2017 season in which he passed for 2,184 yards and 25 touchdowns while running for 494 yards and five TDs. The Acorns went 5-2 last year in the tough Mount Hamilton Division.

LIVE OAK

Acorns are tough

LIVE OAK IS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE IN TOUGH MOUNT HAMILTON

SCHEDULE 8/24 vs. Alisal, 7 p.m. 8/31 at Christopher, 7:30 p.m. 9/7 vs. Burlingame, 7 p.m. 9/21 at Pioneer, 7 p.m. 9/28 vs. Westmont, 7 p.m. 10/5 at Piedmont Hills, 7 p.m. 10/12 vs. Leland, 7 p.m. 10/19 at Lincoln, 7 p.m. 10/26 at Santa Teresa, 7 p.m. 11/2 vs. Oak Grove, 7 p.m. Monterey, 7:30 p.m.

emanuel lee Sports Editor

Robert Eliason

Live Oak High coach Mike Gemo said he’ll start around five sophomores this season, speaking to the makeup of this year’s team. “We’re trying to get everyone up to varsity speed,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of young kids coming up who are trying to understand what varsity football is all about. This is probably one of the youngest returning classes we’ve had, and we need them to step in and get the experience. A couple of players probably weren’t thinking they were going to come up, but with only being a 38-man roster, we need everyone we can and they’ve proven they’re ready to be varsity players.” Despite the team’s youth, Gemo is guardedly optimistic of the squad’s chances, even in the ultra-tough Blossom Valley League Mount Hamilton Division. That’s because with allleague returning quarterback Jonathan Singleton under center, the Acorns have a poised playmaker who elevates the level of his teammates. “Everything runs through Jonathan Singleton, whether it’s the offense, practice, anything,” Gemo said. “He’s one of the premier quarterbacks in this league and in the CCS. He’s a strong kid who throws the ball well, is accurate with it and can run. We’ll probably play him on defense at safety as well. He’s the most important piece of this team right now.” Singleton was a freshman the last time he played the safety position. “I’m up for the challenge,” the 6-foot, 190-pound Singleton said. “I’m looking forward to

LEADERSHIP Jonathan Singleton and Connor Dietz will be relied upon heavily as Live Oak looks to match or

surpass a fine 2017 season that included a 5-2 record in the Mount Hamilton and a CCS playoff victory.

hitting someone.” Singleton used the summer to get in sync with his wide receivers and running backs. In particular, Singleton got junior Jesse Isais and sophomore Caleb Ojeda up to speed at the wide receiver slot. Both players came up to the varsity squad for the playoff run last season, and they’re also expected to make an impact as cornerbacks. “We’re working hard, grinding and getting better everyday,” said Singleton, who is coming off a terrific junior season in which he threw for 2,184 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushed for 494 yards and five TDs. “We’ve worked a lot on our timing, getting on the same page and just

getting to know each other. I’m excited for the season to start.” Singleton’s value to the team cannot be overstated. However, the Acorns are hardly a one-man show. Even though Live Oak has a healthy number of underclassmen, it returns 16 players, of which half started at some point in the 2017 season. A.J. Gustavenson is set to take over the starting running back position, as the junior packed on some muscle and speed in the off-season. The effect has been noticeable. “Guys are looking forward to seeing what he can do,” Gemo said. “The (running lane or) hole doesn’t have to be very big for him to get through. He can squeeze in there and has

breakaway speed.” Senior fullback/linebacker Connor Dietz is entering his third year on the varsity and is one of the more reliable players in the program. “He’s a very hard working kid, and he knows what we need out of him,” Gemo said. Julian Mendoza returns to lead a promising offensive line. The junior offensive tackle made “huge gains” in the weight room in the off-season, increasing all of his core lifts. “Julian got bigger, stronger and faster,” Gemo said. “He’s in better shape this year, and he’s leading the linemen in sprints instead of being in the middle of the pack.” Gemo expects sophomores

Ashton Green, Mosiah Saulala, Logan Wiemann and Nathan Zavaleta to grow up quick and make an immediate contribution. Greene plays linebacker/ quarterback, Saulala is a running back/linebacker, and Wiemann and Zavaleta are both centers and defensive linemen. “We’re trying to get the kids to understand they have to play with passion at this level and bring it to practice every time out,” Gemo said. “We can’t have lulls.” Especially in the Mount Hamilton Division. The Acorns went 5-2 a year ago in division play, and that’s a successful season for just about any team competing in an A league. Live Oak had plenty of twice daily practices in the summer, with the intent to strengthen the players mentally and physically while fostering a bond. “On two-a-days, the kids would have a three hour break in between practices, which allowed them to eat and hang out,” Gemo said. “It brought the team together a little bit.” Gemo knows it’s not all about winning and losing, the proper perspective for a high school coach. “We want to win, but if the only thing the coaches teach is X’s and O’s, we’re not doing our job,” he said. “We want them to develop into great young men and good citizens in the community. Playing high school football is an experience they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. We want them to enjoy the journey.”

2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

ALBERT RODRIGUEZ

JASON SCIRIGIONE

RICHARD JUSTO

JONATHAN SINGLETON

JONATHAN SHEETS

JOE BARNES

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2018 SOUTH VALLEY/SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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