Digital Weekly 32

DW 32 September 3, 2015

Pittsburgh senior Jordan Parker leads the charge

Got Send your nominations to: Next? Editor@SportStarsOnline.com or tweet us using #SSOTW

Christian Brothers-Sacramento, Football, Junior If the Falcons’ versatile star was not on recruiters’ radar before the season started, he should have their attention after a brilliant season opener. Jackson, who will see action as a running back, receiver, defensive back and kick returner, made the most of his time on the field in Christian Brothers’ 48-9 victory over River City-West Sacramento. The junior scored touchdowns four different ways — rushing, receiving, an interception return and a punt return — all in the first half before his playing time was limited in the rout. Jackson found the end zone the first three times he touched the ball. On the third play from scrimmage, he raced 42 yards for a score; he picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown on River City’s first possession, and he returned a punt 40 yards for a TD after River City’s second offensive series stalled. Early in the second quarter, Jackson completed the cycle with a 34-yard touchdown catch.

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE: “It all happened so fast. I just did my pre-game rituals and got ready to play, and then it was like I had four touchdowns before I knew it.”

MR. VERSATILE: “Jalen Swanigan (2015 CBS graduate) told me that the more versatile you are, the harder it is for colleges to deny you. Anything that I can do to help the team and get schools knowing me.”

HOLY MOTIVATION: “I didn’t realize what I had done until after the game when people asked me about scoring four different ways. It was great, but I want to show up in the Holy Bowl (vs. Jesuit on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Hughes Stadium). That’s my motivation.”

Like us on Facebook

is powered by:

James Leash photo

Grant football rolls out new field, then rolls Burbank

G

rant High School has been around for more than 80 years and the Del Paso Heights community it serves does not experience much newness in the neighborhood or on the campus. But the old institutions and traditions that exist in Del Paso Heights are sources of pride and joy for the entire community.

Mike Alberghini — who has been with the school district for 47 years and is in his 25th season as the Pacers’ head football coach — has helped build a tremendous source of pride for the school, its alumni and neighbors. Grant has qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs in each of his 24 full seasons at the helm, and the Pacers have won seven section titles and one CIF State Bowl Championship. Grant football created much of the “Pacer Pride” in the community and made former players, students and supporters “Pacers 4 Life.”

That pride was on full display in Grant’s 2015 season opener when a new

synthetic turf field was unveiled at Rutherford Stadium on the high school campus. Gone is the old hard turf that recent greats like Shaq Thompson raced past defenders on. It’s now replaced by a vibrant new surface that had the Pacers beaming with pride before they bulldozed visiting Burbank under the lights.

“There are not many nice things in the neighborhood, so the new field brings excitement for both the players and the fans,” said senior running back Deshawn Collins, who broke in the new turf with 244 yards rushing and five total touchdowns in a 50-14 rout.

Behind the team’s mammoth offensive line, Collins and backfield mate Mike Green II rushed for a combined 365 yards and five scores on the ground. Collins added an 85-yard touchdown on a kickoff return, gliding along the new surface like the iconic Pacer that graces Grant’s helmets and is now featured in the middle of the football field.

“The best part is probably the horse in the middle,” Collins added. “It’s been around for a long time and coach had it put in the middle (of the field) to bring back old tradition.”

The Pacers’ traditional running attack — that has worn down opposing defenses throughout Alberghini’s coaching career — is tried and true, but the oldschool style now has a bright new look on the new field. The next generation turf is easier on players and is certainly easy on the eyes. Unfortunately for Burbank, and other teams that will venture into Del Paso Heights to face Grant, the surface may not feel as good as it looks.

The Pacers’ offensive line — with all five starters tipping the scales over 300 pounds — inMike Green II cludes a pair of beefy blockers attracting recruiters in senior Soape Tupou and junior Orlando Umana. They line up with Jordan Lagaaia, Darryel Abraham, and Julio Marquez. Their weekly intent will be to give opponents a close-up look at the new field surface with pancake blocks as they open holes for Collins and Green.

After a 14-1 season in which the Pacers captured the SJS Division II title and a berth in the CIF NorCal Div. I championship game, the team and community are looking to add more new hardware to complement the new digs on campus. The Delta League, section, and CIF State Bowl crowns are all within reach for Alberghini’s 25th team. ✪ — Jim McCue. Photos by James K. Leash

MORE TURF DEBUTS Grant is not the only school unveiling a new football field and surface this season. After season-opening losses on the road, both Jesuit-Carmichael and Bear CreekStockton will look to get in the “W” column on new fields in Week 1.

Jesuit, which lost to Granite Bay 21-7 in its opener, will break in a new field and stadium on Sept. 4 at 5 p.m.. The Hanson McClain Advisors Stadium features a new synthetic turf field — replacing the natural grass surface the Carmichael campus has used for years — that will also accommodate the school’s nationally-acclaimed soccer program. A new synthetic track surrounds the field, and the renovated stadium includes a new press box, accessible seating, renovated restrooms and a new scoreboard with a video screen.

Bear Creek, which fell to Lodi 17-7 in Week 0, has not even been able to practice on its new field yet. The Bruins first chance to check out the new Field Turf will likely be the day before its official debut. Bear Creek is slated to host Tokay on Sept. 4 night at 7:15 PM on the new bright green turf and painted end zone. As the Podesto Field renovation has neared completion, players and coaches have not been allowed on the surface as crews are putting on the finishing touches right down to the wire. ✪

t r i a l b Y

Mason Collins

A brutal first half in its season opener taught Pittsburg a lot about itself

W

hen it came to the first 24 minutes of Pittsburg’s 2015 football season, the best part may have been when it ended.

Hosting their season-opener against an always-tough California-San Ramon program, the Pirates endured a first half that wasn’t just frustrating but borderline catastrophic. Among the “highlights” 15-year coach Victor Galli and his staff had to endure over the first two quarters included: ›› A pair of two-way starters going down to injury in lineman Anthony Franks and four-star defensive back and wide receiver Jordan Parker. ›› Four turnovers, two by fumble and two by interception. ›› Five penalties for 57 yards and a pair of sacks surrendered.

And, aside from the injuries, maybe it was all for the best.

Somehow, through all of that, Pittsburg went to the locker room with a 7-0 lead and the knowledge that its defense and specials teams could handle adversity just fine. Senior linebacker Charlie Ramirez Jr. made several plays, which included blocking a punt that Mason Collins returned 17 yards for the Pirates’ lone first-half points. Collins later blocked a field goal effort by California, and the defense held the Grizzlies to just 43 total yards on seven possessions.

“The first half felt a lot like last year,” Galli said. “The defense was flying around

f i r e

and making plays and we just kept shooting ourselves in the foot. I’m glad the D stepped up like it did.”

Things improved dramatically in the second half as the defense continued it’s impressive night by forcing turnovers on California’s first two possessions.

The first was a fumble recovery by Jose Vasquez on the first play of the half. Isaiah Turner scored on a 19-yard run just two plays later. TJ Roberts had an interception on the Grizzlies next possession but the Pirates weren’t able to convert that turnover into points.

Pittsburg’s big storyline of the offseason was a complete overhaul of offensive scheme from a traditional pro set to the no-huddle spread.

Senior quarterback Christian Young, making his first varsity start, struggled for much of the night to get the new-look offense into a rhythm and consistent pace. However, the Pirates did put together a five-play, 75-yard scoring drive late in the third quarter. Montaz Thompson capped the drive with a 17-yard scoring run.

“I think we were kind of timid and unsure (on offense), Galli said. “It’s a totally different mindset. It’s the first time we did it in an actual game, and there’s obviously room for improvement.”

As long as the defense can continue to play at the level it showed in the opener, the offense should have plenty of time to learn on the fly.

After it held California’s power run offense to just 121 total yards on the night, it was hard to remember that the defense was supposed to be learning too.

“We’re a young defense so I tried to make it as simple as possible and we stuck to it,” Pirates defensive coordinator Charles Ramirez said.

“The guys up front did better than we had any time over the last three weeks. They stepped up.”

Michael Pryor, a sophomore transfer from Freedom, was particularly effective at defensive end. He finished the game with four tackles, including one for loss. Ramirez Jr. had 14 tackles to go with his blocked punt and Vasquez added 10 tackles to his fumble recovery. Collins finished with seven tackles.

“Attack,” Ramirez Jr. said of the team’s defensive mentality and game plan. “It all starts with the defensive line. They pushed and created all the openings for us linebackers. Give it up to the line. They stepped up.”

The Pirates will look to build on the performance with their first road contest on Sept. 4 at San Ramon Valley-Danville. The Wolves opened the season with a 49-7 win at Las Lomas-Walnut Creek.

“It’s a great start,” Galli said. “Next week we need to be better.” ✪ — Chace Bryson

Charlie Ramirez

Montaz Thompson

Between The Tackles Notes and rankings after Week 0

Records are through Aug. 29 1. (1)

— De La Salle-Concord

0-1

2. (2)

— Folsom

1-0

3. (3)

— Grant-Sacramento

1-0

4. (5)

▲ Pittsburg

1-0

5. (4)

▼ Clayton Valley Chrtr-Concord 0-1

6. (6)

— Del Oro-Loomis

1-0

7. (7)

— Bellarmine-San Jose

0-0

8. (8)

— Elk Grove

1-0

9. (9)

— Valley Christian-San Jose

0-0

10. (10) — Foothill-Pleasanton

1-0

11. (11) — Rocklin

1-0

12. (12) — Serra-San Mateo

0-0

13. (13) — St. Francis-Mountain View

0-0

14. (14) — Freedom-Oakley

1-0

15. (15) — Franklin-Elk Grove

1-0

16. (16) — Central Catholic-Modesto

0-0

17. (17) — St. Mary’s-Stockton

0-0

18. (NR) ▲ Cosumnes Oaks-Elk Grove

1-0

19. (19) — Campolindo-Moraga

1-0

20. (NR) ▲ Milpitas

1-0

DROPPED OUT: No. 18 California-San Ramon and No. 20 Jesuit-Carmichael 5 TEAMS KNOCKING (alphabetically): AnalySebastopol (1-0), Antioch (1-0), Granite Bay (1-0), Los Gatos (0-0) and Monte Vista-Danville (1-0).

CLICK HERE FOR AN EXPANDED LOOK AT THE

TOP 20

Jonathan Hawthorne

San Ramon Valley’s Daniel Medley rushed for 113 yards and a TD in the Wolves two-day opener.

TWO DAYS, ONE WIN It wasn’t a typical Saturday morning for the San Ramon Valley or Las Lomas football teams last week.

After the stadium lights at Las Lomas wouldn’t fire on in the season-opening game of the season, both teams packed it up midway through the second quarter to resume play the next morning. SRV never trailed and led 28-0 to start play Saturday. The Wolves finished out the game behind a balanced running attack to finish it 49-7.

“It was definitely weird, especially for some of us because it’s our first varsity game,” quarterback Clark Baker said. “We went home early so we could play well today.”

Baker said the unpredictability of the Wolves’ first game will help them adjust against tougher opponents.

SRV would have been lifting and watching film this morning, anyways, head coach Aaron Becker said. Play resumed on Saturday morning with an 11 a.m. start in front of a much smaller crowd than say opening night. “You’re always concerned are they going to be able to come back and ratchet it back up,” Becker said. “But they did.”

NUMBERS GAME Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills and Whitney-Rocklin dueled in a game that thrilled fans and left defensive coaches scrambling for Pepto-Bismol as the two teams combined for 112 points and more than 1,300 total yards of offense. Oak Ridge prevailed

57-55 behind stellar performances from Ian Book and Michael Pittman.

Book, a senior QB who recently committed to Notre Dame, passed for 381 yards and three TDs, and added a rushing TD. Pittman, a junior RB, carried the ball 22 times for 187 yards and four TDS, and made the most of his one catch—an 85-yard TD reception from Book.

Despite losing the game, the Wildcats won the numbers battle with 688 yards to Oak Ridge’s 619.

Senior QB Hunter Rodrigues connected on 42-of53 passes for 459 yards and seven TDs, and carried the ball 22 times for 156 yards and a score. Senior WR Devin Brucchini hauled in 12 passes for 177 yards, and found the end zone four times.

ISON ATTACKS Among the surprising results in Week 0 was Moreau Catholic-Hayward’s 33-14 win over St. Mary’s-Berkeley, the 2014 North Coast Section Div. IV runner-up. At the center of the victory was junior Jullen Ison, who apparently can do just about anything on the football field.

Ison’s big night for the Mariners included 30 carries for 305 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

He also caught a pass for 24 yards. Defensively, the 5-foot-8, 180-pound cornerback made five tackles and added a sack. He’s also the team’s punter and booted two for a total of 99 yards.

Moreau Catholic will look to improve to 2-0 on Sept. 5 at Mt. Eden-Hayward. That game is followed by a tough matchup with Piedmont on Sept. 11. ✪ — SportStars Staff

health watch: jamie faison

Return

To Run What steps should injured athletes follow before they begin running again?

After getting injured, it is important for athletes to use a structured and systematic program to return back to your prior level of function. Here at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes we have a specific and progressive sequence of requirements that we use to get athletes back to running in an efficient and gradual way.

Our Return to Run program consists of certain stages or benchmarks that athletes need to meet in order to move their way back to pain-free running. Each stage must be completed without increasing pain, tightness or stiffness.

The most important of these stages is building adequate strength in the legs, hips and trunk. We use exercises such as squats, lunges, planks and heel-raises to assess an athlete’s readiness to start full-effort impact loading. Once an athlete has adequate strength in the core and lower body, we make sure they have adequate balance and form with single-leg impact activities.

Since running occurs on a single leg, it is of utmost importance to be strong and stable on a single leg without any compensation. Once we have established that they have sufficient balance and stability, then we start the athlete on an interval running program — usually with a walk and one-minute jog. From there, we will progress to longer intervals of running, then sprinting and lastly multi-directional activities that require planting and cutting.

If an athlete is unable to complete these basic exercises, they will not be cleared to return. If there is any report of pain or any compensation with these basic movements, then that athlete is not ready to increase his/her running speed, intensity or distance. Using a systematic program for getting injured athletes back to running helps us make sure our kids have the proper fundamental movement patterns to progress onward safely. ✪ Jamie Faison is a physical therapist assistant at UCSF Benioff’s Children’s Hospital Oakland and its Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes in Walnut Creek. He is also a certified athletic trainer who specializes in treating, rehabilitating and educating injured high school athletes.